Real Wedding

Shyam fell in love with Jessica the moment he laid eyes on her… picture. It was a chilling January night when he met her at a mutual friend’s party. Within a few days, they met again and began their love story. The utterly romantic Shyam proposed to Jessica at Bunkers of Carmel in Barcelona. It was November 23, 2019, when the couple traveled to what is considered by many the most scenic viewpoint in the entire city even before the crack of dawn, allowing Shyam the opportunity to propose to his lady love with the rising sun as a witness.

The couple decided to tie the knot two years later — almost to the day — in 2021. November 27 would be the special day. They chose The Bibb Mill Event Center in Columbus, GA, since Jessica and her family were from Columbus and Shyam and his family were from Madison, GA.

Among the pre-wedding festivities, both the bride and the groom celebrated Ganesh Puja, Graha Shanti, and Haldi at their residences with simple and traditional decorations created by their mothers.

The wedding took place in the morning, inside a banquet hall. Fortunately, the big windows of the banquet room allowed sunlight to enter and create a positive and festive vibe. Apart from the Bollywood (old school and new), bhangra, American/Indian like Jalebi Baby, and American hip-hop set the musical mood. A solo performance by professional Bollywood/classical dancer, Maria, before either the groom or bride entered kept all the 250 guests mesmerized. Wedding decorations were simple and elegant with pastel shades and fresh flowers. Shyam arrived in a G-wagon, with the baraatis dancing on the way to the ceremony.

BANQUET HALL The Bibb Mill Event Center 706-225-9309 | BEAUTICIANS Bharti Hair and Makeup 678-559-4040 | DANCE CHOREOGRAPHER Dancin’ Gandhi 678-522-2272 | DECORATOR 5th Season Décor 678-386-2585 | DHOL PLAYER Smiley Singh 224-217-3828 | DISC JOCKEY DJ Sonny Productions 404-915-6658 | EVENT PLANNER Pixel Events by Divya 404-750-2135 | MEHNDI RR Henna Tattoo and Design 678-791-6037 | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY Pixel Collection Photography 404-750-2135  Raj The Foto Pavilion 863-280-1618 | CATERING Hyderabad House Atlanta 678-404-7597 Umesh Patel 256-283-3992 PRIEST Sashtriji 205-705-5531

The reception was a gala event with lots of music and dancing by the bride and groom and all of their family and friends. The decoration was simple with pastel shades featuring three-tier floating candles at each table for the centerpiece. There was a cake-cutting ceremony with music while a live dhol player and DJ created the joyful ambience with almost all of the 300 guests joining the celebrations.

It was a happy and fun-filled event that created countless memories for the couple.

Indian Wedding Banquet Hall

The Bibb Mill Event Center

Indian Wedding Beauticians

Bharti Hair And Makeup

Indian Wedding Dance Choreographer

Dancin’ Gandhi

Indian Wedding Decorator

5th Season Décor

Indian Wedding Dhol Player

Smiley Singh, Indian Wedding Disc Jockey

Dj Sonny Productions

Indian Wedding Event Planner

Pixel Events By Divya

Indian Wedding Mehndi

Rr Henna Tattoo And Design

Indian Wedding Photographer

Indian Wedding Videographer

Pixel Collection Photography

Raj The Foto Pavilion

Indian Wedding Catering

Hyderabad House Atlanta

Umesh Patel

Indian Wedding Priest

Sashtriji, Ganesh Puja

Graha Shanti

Haldi

Traditional Decorations

Bhangra

American/Indian Like Jalebi Baby

American Hip-Hop

Classical Dancer

Wedding Decorations

Both of them are physicians and have known each other formally. However, it was the rhythm of the dance that made them fall for each other. Divya Aickara and Kush Shah fell in love as competitors in a dance competition in Fort Lauderdale in October of 2013. Divya won both the competition and Kush’s heart as they began dating. After a six-year relationship, Kush proposed to Divya on New Year’s Eve, 2018, in Miami.

Divya said “Yes” and the couple started planning for their marriage. However, the Covid-19 pandemic upset the celebration plans initially. After the restrictions were over, they decided to have the formal wedding ceremony on January 22, 2022, at Omni Orlando Resort.

Both Divya and Kush are great supporters of wedding planners to ensure a stress-free and organized function. Among the pre-wedding ceremonies, they had the Mehndi, Pithi, and Sangeet/Garba. The Mehndi was an intimate affair with close family and friends in attendance. The backdrop was beautifully decorated with bells, roses, and multi-colored umbrellas. There were two canopies where the artists applied Mehndi to the guests.

The Pithi was also an intimate event where the couple appeared in matching yellow outfits, Converse All-stars, and Aviator sunglasses. The Sangeet was full of energy, color, and fantastic décor with a canopy of multi-colored kites and flags as well as market lights. Excellent dance performances from both families and fantastic food made the event a major hit.

BANQUET HALLS Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate 407-238-6539 | BEAUTICIANS Michele Renee The Studio and Salon 813-531-7770 | CATERING Khasiyat Restaurant 407-252-8756  Saffron Indian Cuisines 407-674-8899 | DECORATOR Forever Flowers Events 727-656-5583 | Nikun Events 407-448-7128 | DISC JOCKEY Awaaz Entertainment 407-902-9639 | EVENT PLANNER Apsara Events 813-530-6566 | MEHNDI Henna Allure 321-444-5911 | PHOTOGRAPHER Asaad Images 407-221-3333 | PRIESTAcharya Ramesh Mehta 813-453-9334 | VIDEOGRAPHY Foraged Films 850-559-5086

The wedding ceremony was supposed to take place outdoors, but cold weather and rain shifted the celebration to inside the ballroom. It featured a dark wood Mandap with a floral frame highlighted by portraits of both Divya and Kush’s grandparents opposite the Mandap as a mark of respect. Kush arrived at the venue dancing with his family and friends on a Jeep while the groomsmen carried an elephant on a stick. Live Dholi and Bollywood songs dominated the music.

Just after the ceremonies were complete, the couple went out on the Baraat Jeep for an intimate photo session. It was the most precious memory for both of them during the entire ceremony and celebrations.

The reception theme was elegant and classic with shades of champagne, gold, and white featuring pink and white flowers. Candlelight was used extensively through the background and along the stage edges. Light pink and golden yellow up-lights were lit throughout the room. The couple along with the bridesmaids and the groomsmen gave stellar dance performances with Bollywood, Hip Hop, Pop, Reggaeton, and other music. All 260 guests had a wonderful time.

This was how the newlyweds celebrated their memorable day — with excitement dominating.

physicians

dance competition in Fort Lauderdale

New Year’s Eve

Covid-19 pandemic

Mehndi

Pithi

Sangeet

Garba

Indian wedding Banquet Halls

Omni Orlando Resort At Championsgate

Indian wedding Beauticians

Michele Renee The Studio And Salon

Indian wedding Catering

Khasiyat Restaurant

Saffron Indian Cuisines

Indian wedding Decorator Forever Flowers Events

Nikun Events

Indian wedding Disc Jockey

Awaaz Entertainment

Indian wedding Event Planner

Apsara Events

Mehndi

Henna Allure

Indian wedding Photographer

Asaad Images

Indian wedding Priest

Acharya Ramesh Mehta

Indian wedding Videography

Foraged Films

They came from different backgrounds and cultures. Yet, their mutual love and eternal bond made each the perfect companion for one another. Marvi Qureshi and Ibrahim Gul were introduced to each other in their medical school in Orlando and felt chemistry right away. Both families were delighted with their bond and wanted them to tie the knot.

Ibrahim proposed to Marvi following the traditional Islamic culture known as Mangni. The wedding took place in a Mosque according to the religious customs in the pre-Covid time of December 2019. After this, they exchanged rings at Waldorf Astoria. The Covid pandemic and the related restrictions delayed the celebrations. Hence, the wedding and reception took place more than a year later, on June 19, 2021.

The duo enjoyed elaborate pre-wedding ceremonies organized by their close friends. Marvi had the privilege of celebrating at four different bridal showers hosted by her four bridesmaids. They also had four Dholkis celebrated at their friends’ places. There was the Mayoun event, too, where they had a flower separation sitting on the same couch while Marvi was putting on the bridal Mehndi.

The wedding ceremony at the Hyatt Regency-Orlando proved to be a grand event attended by 500 guests. Ibrahim arrived on a BMW i8 along with his family. Marvi appeared on a moon for her entrance driven by her brothers Mansoor and Kamran with songs and smoke permeating the room. “Floating” through the aisle and dance floor on the moon, Marvi dismounted and walked down to her groom. They cut a beautifully decorated five-tier cake and enjoyed songs and dance performances by family and friends of both. The couple left the venue with sparklers in hand as they entered the baraat car.

The reception, or Valima, venue was at Waldorf Astoria-Orlando. It took place during the day with beautiful décor that featured floating lanterns in the Waldorf Astoria’s gardens near the fountains in the back. The couple performed two dances highlighted by a special moment in which Ibrahim lifted Marvi, who looked gorgeous in her Mehndi-colored outfit and heavy bridal jewelry. It was Father’s Day and so the darling daughter enjoyed a father-daughter dance to the song “Dilbaro.” The Kashmiri tea stall at the wedding and reception was a grand success. It was indeed the melting pot of two different cultures united by love.

BANQUET HALLS Hyatt Regency Orlando 407-825-1327 | Waldorf Astoria Orlando 407-597-5500 |  BEAUTICIANS Ruqs Salon 321-682-9273 | CATERING Chaat House 407-240-4922 | DECORATOR Dreams To Reality 407-592-9261 | DISC JOCKEY Echobell Events 321-666-9907 |  PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY NSPG Media 407-301-8648

Love is never planned; it is predestined and happens suddenly. That is what happened to interventional cardiologist Aalok Patel. His exhaustive virtual search for a soulmate was futile until he met physician Anuradha Bhavsar (Radha for short) on a dating app. There was an instant connection and great communication. Love that was hard to find was finally found just 70 miles away. They fell in love, and it was marvelous. After nine months of dating, Aalok proposed to Radha up in the sky on a helicopter ride capped off with an eager “Yes” from his lady.

The couple decided to tie the marital knot in a traditional Indian ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando. It is Radha’s hometown and Aalok’s present residence. That is why Orlando was the perfect venue for both parties. The third weekend of January 2022 was booked, the date being January 22. The couple hired a decorator, photographer, caterer, makeup artist, henna artist, DJ, and finally a wedding planner for a picture-perfect wedding.

BANQUET HALLS Hyatt Regency Orlando  407-284-1234 | DECORATOR Dreams To Reality 407-592-9261  |  DISC JOCKEY Dudha Productions 727-418-8498 | CATERING Saffron Indian Cuisine- Orlando 07-674-8899 |  PHOTOGRAPHER Noor K Photography 407-729-0388 | VIDEOGRAPHY NSPG Media 407-301-8648

The dream wedding began with the Garba dance celebration the night before the wedding. Pink was the theme color, and both Radha and Aalok were draped in beautiful pink lehenga and sherwani amidst matching décor.

The wedding ceremony took place inside a banquet hall. It featured a touch of the Royal Indian wedding, as the groom arrived on a white horse with a mix of hip hop and bhangra music in the background. Classic Indian movie songs were played during the wedding ceremonies. The couple along with the groom’s family left in the horse and carriage. It was indeed a royal experience for all 250 guests in attendance.

The reception theme was dreamy and glamorous. Silver and pink accent pieces, textured lighting, and cold sparklers throughout the night created just the right ambience and effect. The stage was decorated with the names of the bride and groom, and the first dance song was “Ghost” by Justin Bieber. It was followed by medleys performed by the families and friends of both Radha and Aalok. Bollywood dance hits mixed with the latest hits comprised the music. It was a fantastic and fun-filled night that everyone enjoyed to their fullest.

The Omicron surge at that time did result in some cancellations, but everything went off peacefully and wonderfully. The virtual love story of Radha and Aalok ended in an intense real-life marriage full of love, respect, and compatibility between each other, paving the way for a lovely journey together.