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Alisha and Ravi
Photographer:
Digital Dream StudioMignon McLaughlin once said, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Alisha Basil and Ravi Shastri’s love story dates back to 2013 when they realized their feelings for each other after two years of friendship.
After dating for two years, Ravi popped the question to his sweetheart in May 2015. The setting was idyllic as Alisha and Ravi went for a walk at the Sanford Riverwalk, a place of signficance where Ravi had expressed his love for Alisha two years ago.
“Since it was our anniversary suspected he was going to propose. He took me to the same swing we were on two years ago, and told me that he loves me even more,” said Alisha. The couple’s close friends and family hiding nearby congratulated them with flowers.
The planning for their November 2017 wedding began after Alisha and her family moved to Florida from New York. They didn’t hire a wedding planner, but opted for a coordinator. Alisha’s Mom did all of the planning.
Alisha and Ravi selected Holy Trinity Hall in Maitland because they understood their traditions, customs, and religion and were flexible with vendors.
The couple’s wedding events took place over five days with a Maticoor/Pithi, Mehendi, ceremony, reception and Kangan. Few ceremonies were held at Alisha’s parents’ home, which became a mini-garden decorated with flowers, tea lights, and flowers in vases.
The wedding ceremony and reception were attended by 270 guests. The theme was pink and gold, coordinating with Alisha and Ravi’s outfits — red and gold. The couple didn’t want an over-the-top theme as the mandap was the focus.
The baarat arrived to the rhythm of dhol, while a band played instrumental Indian music. The bride and bridal party entered to Manwa Laage.
The reception was a glam affair with a teal, turquoise and gold glitter theme. Three different centerpieces included hydrangeas, peony, and roses. The reception had Bollywood, Indian music, and some Caribbean music. There were two signature cocktails — Ravi Ka Panna (aam panna drink) and The Sour Alisha (whiskey sour).
Alisha’s advice to couples is to follow a wedding planning timeline – have a binder with all contracts and estimates organized by wedding event and date, and a calendar of all payment and meeting dates.
Vendors BANQUET HALLS
Holy Trinity Reception &
Conference Center
407-331-3036BEAUTICIANS
Henna Allure
321-444-5911BOUTIQUES
Inna’s Designs
407-716-7416CAKES
Party Flavors Custom Cakes
407-578-2082DECORATOR/FLOWERS
Diya Creations USA
407-929-7326Country Club Flowers
407-328-9899DHOL PLAYER
Sankalp GoberdhamMEHNDI
Henna Allure
321-444-5911PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY
Digital Dream Studio
407-791-6064PRIEST
Amar Sangeet
321-460-0560 -
Nikita and Mayur
Photographer:
Peter Togel PhotographyNikita Patel, 27, a pharmacist and Mayur Patel, 28, a graphic designer, took their vows in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 26.
The duo met through a mutual friend. Mayur was once chatting with his friend on Facebook when he was then asked some awkward questions. He later came to find out it was Niki using his friend’s messenger. He found it hilarious, and sent Niki a friend request. They began talking, and planned a first date at the Georgia Aquarium that actually never happened!
To come full circle, Mayur wanted the proposal to be romantic for Niki. He asked her to go to the Georgia Aquarium, where he had arranged everything. She was taken on a private tour and at the end she was asked to open a seashell that had ‘will you marry me’ written inside. Niki thought it was for someone else, but once she saw Mayur, she understood that it was for her. The couple celebrated by finally taking a tour of the Aquarium together!
The couple hired Nilima from Crimson Bleu Events to help with wedding planning. Niki recommends a wedding planner as it is de-stressing and allows the couple to enjoy their big day.
Niki wanted to have her wedding in Birmingham where she grew up. “I wanted an indoor wedding, as the weather is unpredictable in Alabama,” she said. Embassy Suites by Hilton was the venue and accommodated 600 guests.
Niki and Mayur had a traditional Indian wedding complete with a mehendi, vidhi, garba, and more. Their close friends and family helped them with decorations, brought from India, all DIY! Niki’s maternal Uncle took care of decorations, while the catering was taken care of by friends. All the ceremonies were planned meticulously, months ahead.
The Bollywood-themed mehndi included games and a live food counter. The vidhi was done in according to Swaminarayan rituals. The mandap decoration for the indoor afternoon wedding was done by Mandap World, while the floral garlands were customized by Suman Patel, a local vendor.
The bride’s side welcomed the baraat with a garba the day before the wedding. Gujarati and Rajasthani cultures were the theme, while the Indian band, Jashn belted Bollywood fusion and traditional music. The couple didn’t have a reception, so the welcome ceremony included performances from family and friends. Niki and Mayur also set up a photo booth for guests to have fun.
The color theme for the wedding was gold, maroon, and lavender, while the wedding outfits were in traditional red and gold. The newlyweds left in a Bentley after the vidaai.
Niki’s advice to couples is to start planning early, stay calm, and get family and friends involved in planning and execution. She reminisces how Mayur ripped his dhoti before the wedding shoot, but luckily his groomsman pinned it up!
Vendors BANQUET HALLS
Embassy Suites Birmingham
205-769-3849BEAUTICIANS
Makeup With Alexandria
205-821-2350CAKE
Louise’s Cakes N Things
205-823-6799CATERING
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir –
Birmingham
205-833-3287DECORATOR
Mandap World
678-772-0053DISC JOCKEY
Jashn
404-441-3539EVENT PLANNER
Crimson Bleu Events
404-217-6097FLOWERS
SumanHAIR
Kimberly Pierce
205-994-5107INVITATIONS
Aroma Card
98253 10028JEWELERS
Kiian Silver
770-674-0440LIMOUSINES
Helena Exotic Car Rental
205-920-6211MEHNDI
Mehndi By Soniya
225-341-9673PHOTOGRAPHER
Peter Togel Photography
864-633-8284PHOTO BOOTH
Robot Booth
770-876-9248PRIEST
Priest Shastri KrushnavyasVIDEOGRAPHY
One Entertainment Productions
404-697-2031 -
Niketa and Ishan
Photographer:
FengLong PhotographyWhen Ishan Patel, 29, product manager, and Niketa Agarwal, 27, a registered nurse, first met for coffee, they felt a connection immediately. Their first date night was nothing short of interesting with them sneaking into Piedmont Park after midnight to talk for hours. It was a moonlit night and the pair danced to Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years.”
Ishan’s proposal was unique. One day while reading a local newspaper Niketa found her and Ishan’s photograph with the caption: “I’d like to order a lifetime supply of gulab jamun.” He got down on one knee with a ring and popped the question.
After the surprise engagement, the couple started planning for their big day on September 2017. They didn’t hire a wedding planner, but did use a day-of coordinator. Family and friends played a huge role in assisting the couple with wedding event preparations.
With Ishan and Niketa both living in Atlanta, they chose to keep their search in the city. In the end, they chose the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, which is known for hosting South Asian weddings.
Ishan and Niketa’s wedding was steeped in Hindu traditions like the haldi, mehndi, and grahshanti events held prior to the wedding at their homes. The families organized the sangeet at Westin complete with performances from friends and family. The decoration, backdrop and candle rangoli in the venue was done by Myar Décor.
The grand ballroom of Westin came alive for the wedding with candles and fresh flowers in tall vases. “I wanted the mandap to match the bridal party attire and hence chose white and pink with drapery and fresh flowers.
Chiavari chairs were spread with small pouches of dry fruits for the 330 guests,” said Niketa.
The groom arrived on horseback for the baraat, as the DJ played top 40 Bollywood songs. The bride made a royal entry to a song from Bollywood blockbuster Jodha Akbar.
For the reception, the ballroom resembled a colorful garden with flowers, bouquets, of red and pink roses and green and white hydrangeas. There was a flower wall backdrop with candles and a small couch with flower vases on each side. The guests’ tables had floating candles and flowers — all this with Indian and American music playing in the background. The newlyweds were on cloud nine and danced to “Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai.”
Ishan and Niketa advise couples to enjoy every minute of the big day as it really does fly by!
Vendors BANQUET HALLS
The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North
770-395-3933BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Gunn Glamour
678-558-7637Noorface
678-472-5292CATERING
Cafe Bombay
404-320-0229DECORATOR/FLOWERS
Myar Decor
404-268-7342DISC JOCKEY
XtraHot DJs
404-425-2130EVENT PLANNER
Anokhi Events
706-473-2734MEHNDI
Henna By Pria
727-459-6448HORSE AND CARRIAGE
Nottingham Shire and
Carriage for Hire
678-621-3414MEHNDI
Beauty You Deserve
404-663-5344PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
FengLong Photography
404-955-8311PRIEST
Sandeep Patel
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Katherine and Sameer
Photographer:
Castaldo Studios LLCDoctors Katherine Bautista, 34, and Sameer Draviam, 34, tied the knot on November 4 in Orlando, Florida. The couple dated for two years, before getting engaged and getting hitched this fall.
Katherine, an OBGYN Resident Physician met Sameer, an Emergency Medicine Physician (EMR) while working at the Osceola Regional Medical Center. Katherine is from Colorado Springs, while Sameer is from Cleveland, Ohio. From the very first instance when they met at the hospital, Katherine and Sameer connected.
It was on Katherine’s birthday on the Big Island, Hawaii, that Sameer popped the question. The duo went on a week’s holiday after attending Sameer’s friend’s wedding in California. It was a surprise trip planned as Katherine loved adventure. They hiked volcanoes and enjoyed scuba diving.
Katherine was not expecting a proposal, but rather was looking forward to a sunrise hike. However, when Sameer found a secluded waterfall while hiking, he went down on his knees and proposed. “I was very nervous and slipped on a wet rock, hurt my knee, but didn’t drop the ring,” he said. The duo celebrated their engagement with a private oceanfront dining at the Four Seasons that evening.
The couple hired a wedding planner — Casie Caldwell from Sparkleigh Productions. The couple also attended the My Shadi Bridal Expo in Orlando, where Katherine and Sameer had no doubts that the Hilton Orlando Resort would be the perfect venue for their wedding. Their guest list included 280 people.
The sangeet or mehndi was organized at the Winter Park Community Center. The décor was traditional Indian, while the mood was set by the DJ with foot-tapping numbers.
The couple had a church wedding followed by a reception. The church wedding was held in the First Congregational Church of Winter Park, Florida. Decor at the church included flower arrangements on the altar and front, a white runner, tall candelabras with bright colored sashes tied on both sides. “We left the ceremony in a horse drawn carriage with ‘Just Married’ written across,” said Katherine.
The baarat arrived after the Christian wedding ceremony dancing to Bollywood, Bhangra, and desi numbers as a dhol player played on. Sameer sat on a white horse that was visibly restless, while the bridal party arrived in a black Hummer limo. Three cabana tents were erected at the Hilton; one was transformed into a hookah lounge with live flamenco and a guitarist.
The outdoors, sunset with candelabras, crystal chandeliers, and flowers were perfect for the cocktail and reception. Bollywood, Bhangra, Hip Hop, EDM, Reggae, Reggaeton, and dancehall music played.
Katherine advises couples to spend more on decorations rather than the venue. One incident she laughs about is how Sameer’s brother forgot the mangalsutra in the hotel before the ceremony, but luckily his mom was able to find it on time!
Vendors BANQUET HALLS
First Congregational Church
407-647-2416Hilton Orlando
407-313-8458BEAUTICIANS
Michele Renee Hair &
Makeup Artist Group
813-531-7770CAKE
Party Flavors Custom Cakes
407-578-2082CATERING
Tabla Bar and Grill
407-248-9400DECORATOR/FLOWERS
Prizm Event Design
407-921-1804DISC JOCKEY
Encore Event DJs
478-231-6282HORSE – CARRIAGE
Orlando Horse & Carriage
321-278-8007MEHNDI
Henna By Pria
727-459-6448PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY
Castaldo Studios LLC
407-347-8926PRIEST/OFFICIANT
Rev. Shawn GarveyWEDDING PLANNER
Sparkleigh Productions
321-431-6990
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Riya Sen Weds Longtime Beau Shvam Tiwari
Riya Sen Weds Longtime
Beau Shvam Tiwari
Gone are the days when celebs shied away from marriage or kept them under wraps. The latest to join the bandwagon is Bollywood actress Riya Sen, daughter of extremely talented actress MoonMoon Sen and younger sister of actress Raima Sen.
News that Riya Sen agreed to marry her longtime beau Shivam Tiwari has gained momentum recently. However, her sudden and closed affair wedding on August 16 in Pune with just family and close friends as attendees took everyone by surprise. The wedding was earlier supposed to take place at the end of August. Rumor has it that the 36-year-old actress’ pregnancy is the reason behind the hush-hush marriage though there has been no official confirmation about the same.
Riya has dated actors John Abraham and Ashmit Patel in the past. Nothing much is known about her now husband Shivam Tiwari
apart from the fact that he loves photography, judging by his Instagram account. The couple recently enjoyed a vacation in Slovakia during which they shared oodles of photographs of the trip.
Pictures of the low key Bengali wedding have been released with the promise of a lavish reception party to be held in Mumbai. Judging by the pictures, Riya looked drop dead gorgeous as a Bengali bride in a red outfit
while Shivam was seen adorning the traditional headgear of a mukut and topor, staples of any Bengali wedding. There was also a picture of Riya covering her face with paan leaves and carried by her brothers and male friends for the ‘shubho drishti’ ceremony. Pictures of the pre-wedding bash thrown by sister, Raima Sen were also shared.Riya Sen currently appears in Ekta Kapoor’s web series Ragini MMS 2.2. Her last appearance was in the the web short film, Lonely Girl. Earlier, she appeared in movies that include Style, Jhankaar Beats, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar and Tere Mere Phere. She even did a Tamil movie, Taj Mahal as well as dozens of Bengali films. From our side, we wish the newlyweds a happy married life.
