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Jaimini weds Neal
Meeting through mutual friends, Jamini and Neal dated each other for three years. Though Jaimini hated surprises, Neal’s sudden proposal on the beach during a romantic weekend away in Puerto Rico was one of pure joy. She did not hesitate in saying ‘yes’ as Neal awaited her answer on one knee. Both Jaimini, 28, and Neal, 31, software engineer are from Florida. After a thorough search, they chose to marry near home at the beautiful and mesmerizing Westin Lake Mary. One main reason was the hotel’s large hall set up as well as the ample space for guests. Needing to know all the details, the couple did all the planning themselves with the welcome assistance of their vendors.
Meeting through mutual friends, Jamini and Neal dated each other for three years. Though Jaimini hated surprises, Neal’s sudden proposal on the beach during a romantic weekend away in Puerto Rico was one of pure joy. She did not hesitate in saying ‘yes’ as Neal awaited her answer on one knee.
Both Jaimini, 28, and Neal, 31, software engineer are from Florida. After a thorough search, they chose to marry near home at the beautiful and mesmerizing Westin Lake Mary. One main reason was the hotel’s large hall set up as well as the ample space for guests.
Needing to know all the details, the couple did all the planning themselves with the welcome assistance of their vendors.
The sangeet manifested through vibrant hues like bright orange and fuchsia. The centerpiece included a three tiered tower with a Radha Krishna Murti at the top amidst lighted diyas and baby elephants at the bottom. The dandiyas displayed around the illuminated centerpiece and the Indian swing adorned with pink and orange drapery background captured the romance and passion between the couple and vibrated through to each of the 250 guests present.
The ceremony took place in the Westin Ballroom, which was bathed in vibrant and romantic hues of violet and shades of purple like lilac and gold. The hues extended to the mandap, including the dangling crystal balls in the front. Fresh florals and diamond laces at the mandap provided the right romantic touch completed by two chandeliers at its two sides.
Neal made quite the entry in a horse carriage accompanied by his sister, while Jaimini was led to the mandap by her uncle and brothers holding the red cloth over her head. With the romantic meaningful song of “Din Shagna Da Chadya” playing in the background, it made every single heart cave to the couple’s moment. Thankfully, Jaimini’s nightmare of an ill-prepared mandap or dressing hiccups never materialized. Post wedding, the festivity continued with the couple exiting in a Rolls Royce.
The reception stage transformed the wedding carriage in a white coach with two seats on the side. The ambiance of the room vibrated in violet and dark purple drapery adorned with two flower chandeliers in the middle of its center. The theme was extended to tables with gold tree centerpieces adorned with dangling crystal strings as well as white and purple fresh flowers. Illuminated vintage candle holders added the perfect romantic touch. Gems and orchids on the tables captured light creating the perfect romantic setting enthralling all. Billowing fog during the couple’s first dance, romantic songs, dancing guests, and fun photos taken at the photo booth with props made the wedding a dream come true for the couple.
It’s no wonder both Jaimini and Neal get a nostalgic and whimsical feeling along with smiles extending to their eyes at the mere mention of their wedding!
Photos Courtesy Sona Photography
407-694-6032
www.sonaphotography.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
Westin Hotels & Resort
www.westin.com
407-531-3555BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Preranas Boutique
www.preranasboutique.com
407-240-7353DECORATOR
Dreams To Reality www.dreamstorealityflorida.com
407-592-9261JEWELERS
Preranas Boutique
www.preranasboutique.com
407-240-7353MEHNDI
Henna Allure
www.hennaallure.com
321-295-2496FLORIST
Dreams To Reality www.dreamstorealityflorida.com
407-592-926DISC JOCKEY
Dudha Productions
www.dudhaproductions.com
727-418-8498PRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES
Mahesh Gor
maheshgor61@gmail.com
407-699-7966HORSE – CARRIAGE
Orlando Carriage Rides Inc
www.orlandocarriage.com
321-278-5969RESTAURANT/CATERING
Aashirwad Indian Cuisine
www.aashirwadrestaurant.com
407-370-9830
Khasiyat bhanuchavda13@yahoo.com
407-888-2147PHOTOGRAPHER
Sona Photography
www.sonaphotography.com
407-694-6032VIDEOGRAPHY
Riant Films
www.riantfilms.com
407-603-6955 -
Isha Weds Harshal
The best way to enjoy your wedding is to ensure that you are part of the planning process. Adding a personal touch and letting your personality reflect in every aspect of the wedding makes it more enjoyable not just for the couple but for those in attendance as well.
Isha and Harshal were inseparable from the moment they began dating, and four years into their blissful relationship, Harshal asked her the all-important question during the winter holidays. Proposing at a photo booth with friends waiting outside expectantly, Isha was swept away by a carefully crafted ring in which Harshal invested a great deal of time in creating.
The wedding date was set for two years later, given that Isha wanted to complete her Masters, and Harshal was working on moving back from Kansas to Florida. The couple was very clear that every aspect of the wedding needed to reflect their taste and personality, which is why they looked into all arrangements themselves, requesting close friends and family to offer extra help. Not only did this contribute to the success of the wedding, it also made it much more fun.
In researching various hotel banquet venues, Isha realized she did not want added expenses, so she settled on the Heaven Event Center, which was modern and chic, giving the couple scope to add color and character.
The morning of the wedding, a happy baraat jump started the festive spirit and led the entourage to a tastefully decorated venue. Rose petals were generously strewn across the aisle, accompanied by chandeliers with cones that held rose petals to be showered at the end of the ceremony. A crystal mandap awaited the couple, and flowers lent a symbolic traditional touch. As the song “Samjhawan” played, the bride walked down the aisle, with the groom arriving in a swanky BMW convertible.
Dreams to Reality, a full-service decor company, brought to life the vision for the reception, using black, silver, white, and royal blue in crystal and floral embellishments. The look for the reception was royal, elegant and modern, and it came through effortlessly. With select music playing through the evening, and special dance performances, the reception was more intimate than they hoped.
Being organized was critical to the event’s success, reflects Isha. If her wedding is anything to go by, we learn that hard work and clarity of vision are crucial.
Photos Courtesy: Sona Photography
407-694-6032
www.sonaphotography.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
Heaven Event Center
407-488-1800×3
www.HeavenEventCenter.comBEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Sarai Rodriguez
407-276-2994
sarairodz@gmail.comProlific Hair Designz
407-505-5919
www.facebook.com/ProlificHairDesignzCAKE
Everything Cake
321-438-9408DECORATOR
Dreams to Reality
407-592-9261
www.dreamstoreality.comPHOTOGRAPHER
Sona Photography
646-250-6337
www.sonaphotography.comPRIEST
Ashok Shukla
407-913-8080Wedding Rings
Nick’s Diamond
954-346-9863
nshah1056@hotmail.comDISC JOCKEY
DJ Sangeen
407-902-9639
Sangeensingh@yahoo.comEVENT PLANNER
All About The details
407-924-4209
www.aatdevents.comFAVORS
Our Photo Booth Rocks
407-509-9786
www.photoboothrocks.comFLORIST
Dreams to Reality
407-592-9261
www.dreamstoreality.comMEHNDI
Tejal Henna
407-415-7994
www.tejalhenna.comThe Henna Studio
407-953-6165
thehennastudio@live.comVIDEOGRAPHY
Riant Films
407-603-6955
www.riantfilms.com
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Pooja weds Kunal
They say the heart recognizes its soul mate the moment it meets. But the moment never comes before cupid plays a little game. Pooja and Kunal’s story reflects this since they never met despite living just one block away from each other until one fateful Friday night. A mere glance at one another across the soft lights of the pub and the background music got their universe spinning into a dream love story which continues until eternity.
Romantic Proposal
Kunal and Pooja’s whirlwind romance ensued for a few months. Kunal came close to losing Pooja once, but he finally made the New Year extra special for Pooja by declaring his eternal love to her amidst flowers and ice cream.Kunal was quite deft in building the moment of anticipation. He decided not to propose to her during their visit to Paris, and instead did so just before the housewarming puja over brunch in their newly purchased house. He managed to convince her to dress up for family pictures that evening on the grounds. The innocent Pooja’s joy knew no bounds on discovering that it was the secretly planned engagement party that Kunal had so meticulously executed to surprise her and take her to the moon.
Whirlwind of Wedding Preparations
The couple decided to plan a traditional Indian wedding complete with fanfare. The couple still remembers fondly the eleven months of wedding preparations. Though they lived in Virginia and Kunal’s family was in New York, they decided to host the wedding events at the premiere hotel, the Westin in Charlotte, NC, where Pooja grew up and her parents still resided. In their desire to enable their guests from all over the United States and India to bask in the beauty of the city, the duo happily flew back and forth from VA to NC.Pre-Wedding Functions
Like so many Indian weddings, the pre-wedding events required meticulous planning and preparation. A week prior to wedding, the couple had a pre-wedding party in metro-Washington, DC, at the Top of the Town in Arlington. To create that fairy tale like setting, the sweeping views of the Washington Monument and DC skyline was given an extra dimension through multi-tiered candles centerpieces. Their allure was increased by the mirrored base, reflecting the colorful up lighting to give effect of millions of twinkling lights.The Sangeet ceremony was held at the Westin Charlotte Hotel, and candle decorations, combined with Moroccan lights and umbrellas on the tables and colorful linens of pink and orange, set a festive mood. The entire place exuded an ethereal beauty after the stage was completed with a swing and colorful draping. A Ganesh statue was placed outside of the hall with colorful illumination. It was a lovely opportunity for non-Indian guests to revel in the Indian traditions such as garba, raas and bhangra dance.
For the wedding ceremony, Kunal arrived on a white horse amidst family with dhol and popular songs playing. Pooja too kept with tradition and the wedding ceremony was performed on an elegant pale pink draped fabric mandap with white backdrop and pink and white flowers. The same décor was splashed throughout the ballroom. The white and silver rued aisle was lined with clear trays of floating candles and flower petals. Hallmarks of their romance, the guests were treated to ice-cream.
The wedding reception had some western touches with a custom crystal chandelier and white dance floor with a custom emblem. Continuing with the white and the pink theme, table centerpieces varied from floral balls on top of silver candelabras to crystal lanterns and multi-layer candles. Guests were delightfully surprised when the newlywed couple hit the dance floor straight with an upbeat and peppy Bollywood number instead of a traditional slow one.
Reminiscence
The couple today happily recalls both the magical moments of their wedding as well as the typical disaster moments like the hair/makeup up artists ditching at the eleventh hour or the Indian Saris for the bridesmaids turning up short to jam the customs. However, both Kunal and Pooja state weddings have a way of working out fine and theirs did as well.Photos Courtesy: Vesic Photography
336-287-4593
www.vesic.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
The Westin Charlotte
704-335-2023
www.westincharlottehotel.com
BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Whos The Fairest
704-258-1564
www.whosthefairest.biz
DECORATOR
Carolina Wedding Belle
704-941-9467
www.carolinaweddingbelle.comDISC JOCKEY
Prime DJ
404-510-6325
www.prime-djs.comMEHNDI
Roop-The True Beauty
704-488-1350
roopthetruebeauty@gmail.comLINEN RENTAL
The Linen Loft
704-782-0550
www.thelinenloft.net/
contact-us.htmlPHOTOGRAPHER
Vesic Photography
336-287-4593
www.vesic.comRESTAURANT/CATERING
Bombay Grille-Indian Cuisine
704-542-3933
www.bombaygrille.comVIDEOGRAPHY
CB Art Photography
301-787-1179
www.cbartphotography.com
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Monica weds Luv Indian Wedding at Renaissance Orlando at Sea World Photographed by Sona Photography
Monica and Luv met in medical school, just as Luv was beginning his second year. Monica was a new student, but the two began studying together and soon, their study dates turned into real dates. Almost two years later, Luv planned a surprise proposal with the help of Monica’s sister, Lisa. No detail was forgotten: they used the clever ruse of shopping for a cousin to trick Monica into checking her ring size, Luv secretly went to Orlando to ask Monica’s parents for their blessings, and he planned a surprise dinner with their friends and family. Luv took Monica to a beautiful outdoor area of their medical school campus, and instead of starting one of their regular study breaks, Luv asked the big question. They celebrated with their loved ones, and then got right to planning their big day.
medical school
the grand Renaissance Orlando at Sea World
wedding planning
traditional Gujarati village
garba group
Dreams to Reality
historic Indian forts
Dreams to Reality
Saptapadi
Hindu wedding rituals
Arijit Singh
horse carriage
flower centerpieces
Instead of hiring a consultant, Monica and Luv used their parents’ help to organize the event. The ceremony took place in the grand Renaissance Orlando at Sea World, and Luv’s satak was in Parkland, FL. The two were busier than ever, balancing medical exams and wedding planning, so they relied on their family for everything. Their garba night was styled after a traditional Gujarati village, with charming centerpieces and a garba group directly from India performing music for their 650 guests. The equally large Orlando ceremony was designed to mimic historic Indian forts and castles, designed by Dreams to Reality, with shades of gold and red, chandeliers and floral arrangements. To match, the ceremony programs were red and gold, and included quotes from Saptapadi and explanation of the Hindu wedding rituals.
The bride’s procession entered to “Tum Hi Ho” by Arijit Singh, and Luv rode in a horse carriage with his cousin, Prachi, during his baraat. After the beautiful ceremony concluded, the reception began. Monica and Luv chose elegant shades of ivory, champagne and gold, complemented by white flower centerpieces, candle rivers and gold chivari chairs. The couple’s friends and family performed a reenactment of their first meeting, and it was charming and cute addition to the reception. Monica was happy to have everyone important in their lives under one roof, and she was grateful to be able to relax with their help, and enjoyed their company as their shared in their newlywed bliss.
Photos Courtesy: Sona Photography
407-694-6032
www.sonaphotography.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
407-248-7344
www.renhotels.comBEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
7th Day Spa at Phenix Salon Suites
407-455-3408
www.7thdayspasalon.comPreranas Boutique
407-240-7353
www.preranasboutique.comDECORATOR
Dreams to Reality
www.dreamstorealityFlorida.com
407-592-9261GIFT ARTICLES
Our Photo Booth Rocks
407-509-9786
www.photoboothrocks.comHORSE
Orlando Carriage Rides Inc
321-278-5969
www.orlandocarriage.comDISC JOCKEY
Rang Entertainment
941-545-8509
www.rangentertainment.comPRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES
Mahesh Gor
407-699-7966
maheshgor61@gmail.comCAKE
Anas Cake & Supply
(407) 910-4150
www.facebook.com/Anas-Cake-and-Supply
FLORIST
Dreams to Reality
407-592-9261
www.dreamstorealityFlorida.comRESTAURANT/CATERING
Om Foods Catering
229-460-6634
www.facebook.com/Om-Foods-CateringTabla Bar And Grill
407-248-9400
www.tablabar.comPHOTOGRAPHER
Sona Photography
407-694-6032
www.sonaphotography.comEvan R Photography
917.374.2077
www.evanrphotography.comVIDEOGRAPHY
Fine Art Productions
888-494-7909
www.fineartproductions.net
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Aarohi weds Viral
Viral and Aarohi were lucky to know each since high school, when Viral visited a friend in New York and Aarohi was in school in New Jersey. They remained briefly in touch, but a surprising flame rekindled many years later when they both ended up in Florida, and the flame is still burning bright. Viral proposed after five years, when the couple took a romantic trip to Italy. Atop a beautiful hilltop overlooking the Amo River at sunset, Aarohi was completely stunned when he asked her to marry him, and the two were excited to begin planning the start of the rest of their shared life journey.
Aarohi and Viral hired Shiv Priya Events to plan the wedding, because he also planned Viral’s sister’s wedding, and they knew they would need help balancing wedding duties with their hectic work schedules. They began planning several months after the engagement, which gave them a whole year to work out all the details and find the best deals to fit their budget.The wedding took place at the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek in Orlando, making it a destination wedding for Aarohi’s New Jersey family.
The mehndi night at their house kicked off the wedding weekend, with food catered by a family friend, pizza for their non-Indian guests, and henna for everyone. The ceremony took place in the main ballroom of the hotel, and was elegantly set up with a round mandap, aisle decorated with gold shimmering cloth, Ganesha, and red and white roses. The wedding programs were also red and white, which Aarohi and Viral ordered online and their bridal party put together. They were adorned with peacocks feathers, and were placed on the seats along with customized water bottles for every guest. Viral’s baraat entered on a white horse, with his friends and family dancing outside of the carriage, and Aarohi was brought in on a dholi by her cousins and brothers. The ceremony began late, delaying the events for the rest of the day, but the couple laughs about it now because it was still the best day of their lives.
The following reception included 150 guests, and they re-used elements from the ceremony, such as the pillars and roses. There was also the addition of a green color scheme, from the hydrangea flowers and Jade green orchids, green lighting, and embroidered mint green table linens. They hired DJ Firoz to play a variety of music, from Bollywood hits and Bhangra to Latin and Hip Hop. The bridal party also did a surprise performance, and the groom surprised all the guests by joining in. Aarohi and Viral were happy to celebrate with their loved ones and solidify their eternal friendship with such a joyous and memorable event.
Photos Courtesy: Digital Dream Studio
407-791-6064
www.digitaldreamstudio.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet
407-390-230
www.wyndhambonnetcreek.comBEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Preranas Boutique
407-240-7353
sagar05142@aol.comCATERING
Memories of India
407-804-0920
www.memoriesofindiacuisine.comDISC JOCKEY
Dudha Productions
727-418-8498
www.dudhaproductions.comFLORIST
Shubham Mandap
404-759-1565
www.shubhammandap.comShivpriya Event Management
407-473-8852
www.shivpriyaevents.comHAIR
Prerana’s Beauty & Boutique
407-240-7353
preranasbeauty@gmail.comHORSE
Downtown Horse & Carriage Inc
561-723-4704
www.downtownhorseandcarriage.comMAKE UP
Borbon Blush
407-454-0019
brubia90@yahoo.comMANDAP DECORATOR
Shubham Mandap
404-759-1565
www.shubhammandap.comMEHNDI
Prerana’s Beauty & Boutique
407-240-7353
preranasbeauty@gmail.comPHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY
Digital Dream Studio
407-791-6064
www.digitaldreamstudio.comWEDDING PLANNER
Shivpriya Event Management
407-473-8852
www.shivpriyaevents.com
