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Arjun weds Ronica
Two years after physicians Arjun and Ronica met in medical school, they realized they had much in common, including a love for the Florida Gators, hatred for libraries, and similar tastes in food. Once the realization hit home, they knew they were meant for one another.
Arjun coordinated a heartfelt proposal during a vacation trip to Orlando. Knowing that swimming with dolphins was a dream of Ronica’s, Arjun arranged for the couple to do so at Discovery Cove. After a group swim with dolphin Yoko, Ronica was given a buoy by the very same dolphin. On the buoy were the words, “Will you marry me?” Though initially speechless, Ronica managed to squeeze out a yes!
Arjun and Ronica married in December 2013. They couple chose the Orlando World Center Marriot for its beautiful ambiance and spacious ballrooms. An added bonus what the convenience of having the family, bridal party, and guests stay at the hotel to eliminate the need for additional transport.
Pre-wedding functions epitomized charm, creativity and brilliance. The Sangeet’s theme was “lotus” since the flower signifies purity and love. Tables were decorated with lotus centerpieces and mini tablas, while lotus fountains were used around the venue. Various food stations were arranged in a bazaar theme and served traditional and fusion dishes. Dessert included sugar cookies in lotus colors. Family and friends entertained with dramas, songs, dances and quawalis. Ronica and her sister performed a special dance, with the ceremony ending with a solo dance performance by Ronica.
Aqua and red served as wedding day colors. The wedding dais was encrusted with crystals, flowers and soft pink swags, making it look romantic and calming. Along the sides of the mandap, crystal globes, flowers and candles placed on a raised aisle.
Ceremony programs were handmade. Aqua and red ribbons threaded through heart shaped punch holes held the pages together. All wedding stationary, including the welcome bags and packages, featured the couple’s monogram! The music, played by a DJ, was inspired by Bollywood. Ronica entered in a dholi to the song “Heer” from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Her sister welcomed the groom with a dance to the song “Aao Padharo.” The songs aptly set the mood for the ceremony.
The reception, also held at the hotel, featured a white dance floor embedded with the couple’s monogram as the center of attraction. Close friends and relatives were seated around the dance floor, and tables were decorated with floral bouquets and tall crystal centerpieces lit with LED lights or a stream of candles and crystal orbs filled with real petals. The dinner was an array of dishes, but the highlight were two lounges created exclusively for desserts. Smartly done textured lighting highlighted the space making it look and feel warm and inviting.
The four sided acrylic bar was sleek and stylish and embellished with LED lights, crystals and candles. Drinks were served through Albert and Alberta ice luges. Albert and Alberta is the mascot of the couple’s alma-mater, the University of Florida. Signature drinks such as the “Rowdy Reptile” and “Mr. Two Bits” were served too. The cake was a sapphire blue beauty with gold accents to match the dress of the bride. The linen at the venue was also done in the same colors.
An Indian jazz saxophonist entertained guests during the cocktail hour. At the reception, the bride’s sister and groom’s sister joined forces and sang the couple’s first dance song, “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. Friends performed dances, and ultimately, Arjun serenaded his new wife with “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, with friends and Ronica’s bridesmaids performing a background dance.
The couple advises would-be brides and grooms to leave no arrangements for last week before the ceremony and enjoy the celebrations without being too stressed.
Photos Courtesy: Fine Art Productions
732-662-5555
www.fineartproductions.netVendors PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Fine Art Productions
732-662-5555
www.fineartproductions.netRESTAURANT/CATERING
Khasiyat
407-888-2147
bhanuchavda13@yahoo.comTabla Bar And Grill
407-248-9400
www.tablabar.comCAKE
Party Flavors Custom Cakes
407-578-2082
DHOL PLAYER
Mitul Gandhi -DHOL PLAYER
813-769-9649
www.facebook.com/pages/Dholi-Mitul-G/265177DECORATOR
Occasions By Shangri-La
407-394-4244
www.occasionsbyshangrila.comDISC JOCKEY
Prime DJ (Neil)
404-510-6325
www.prime-djs.comPRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES
Ramesh Mehta
813-661-6297; 813-453-9334
namasteamerica1@gmail.com
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Ekta weds Vipal
During the summer of 2012, Ekta and Vipal met through a mutual friend. Six months, hours of phones calls, and a few weekend meetings later, they knew they were meant to be together. Vipal proposed to Ekta at the Newport Levee on a dinner date. His sister Priya accompanied Ekta, and as the two women entered the hotel after spending the day shopping, they noticed signs all over the place. They followed the signs and found Vipal at the end of the path. He proposed to a completely stunned Ekta, who recovered soon enough to say yes. Ekta was in for another surprise because her sister was there too. The four had drinks to celebrate the occasion and went back to Vipal’s home where the third surprise awaited Ekta. Her mother was waiting for her with a huge smile on her face. The lovely evening culminated in a warm family dinner.
Ekta and Vipal were married on November 23, 2013. Ekta, her parents, and sister took charge of the arrangements. Her father dealt with the vendors, while her mother arranged the religious ceremonies and food. Ekta and her sister managed the rest. Fortunately, the family had eleven months to arrange everything to perfection.
The wedding took place at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa in Weston, Florida. Ekta wanted an outdoor wedding, and the picturesque venue suited the couple perfectly. The resort staff, particularly Kristin, was instrumental in assisting with the wedding arrangements.
The sangeet ceremony was held at Bonaventure the night before the wedding. Although the couple initially planned for a pool side event, they eventually settled for an indoor sangeet due to weather conditions. The theme for the sangeet was beach resort casual. The venue was decorated in beach colors such as ocean blue, yellow and silver-grey. Tables flaunted simple floral centerpieces and beach elements such as seashells, sand and starfish. A special stage illuminated with minimal lighting was arranged for the bride and groom. Live singers provided entertainment. Food was a delicious affair with three food stations and an exclusive dessert station including a s’mores bar.
The wedding ceremony, to which 350 guests were invited, was held outdoors in the rainforest area of the Bonaventure resort. The groom arrived in a Porsche accompanied by his sister, a mobile DJ, and his baraat. At the venue, an open concept mandap was created with a beautiful waterfall as its backdrop. The wedding echoed the theme from the sangeet. Starfishes adorned the aisles and lots of tropical colors such as aqua, fuchsia, deep purple and orange were used to create a tropical beach feel. Photographs of grandparents were placed on a special memory table to honor their presence. The ceremony programs, which were distributed among the guests by cousins,explained wedding rituals. Live entertainer Seema Naik performed traditional Gujarati songs for each ritual of the wedding.
The beach theme followed through to the reception. The venue was decorated in mint, ivory, coral and gold colors. The couple’s monogram was displayed on the floor, and the entire room was lit with ocean blue lighting. Centerpieces on the tables were made of shells, water, sand and tropical flowers. Guest seating cards were stuck on starfish models and placed in boxes of sand. The cake had a starfish trailing on the top along with a Cincinnati Bengal mascot for Vipal. Thank you messages from the couples were mounted on coral paper with shells attached to it. Starfish models were also used on table numbers.
The music was a mix of Hindi songs, hip-hop and R&B. The couple entered to the song “Rest of My Life” by Usher and Ludacris. The song “Just a Kiss” by Lady Antebellum was played during the cake cutting ceremony. The couple’s sisters performed dances, but the surprise moment of the night was when Vipal jumped up from his seat and danced for Ekta.
The couple advises would-be couples to sit back and relax, and let the family take over the arrangements during the week before the wedding.
Photos Courtesy: Fine Art Productions
732-662-5555
www.fineartproductions.netVendors BANQUET HALL
Bonaventure Resort & Spa
954-389-3300
www.BonaventureResortandSpa.com.cm
BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Beauty By Jayshree
407-430-8536
www.beautybyjayshree.comIndu Herbal Beauty Salon
954-572-6822
www.indusalon.comDISC JOCKEY
Complete Music
770-425-3535
www.cmatlantadj.comVolcanik Entertainment
973-951-2744
www.volcanik.comCAKE
Elegant Temptations
305-556-6111
www.etcakes.com
MUSICIAN
Seema Naik
954-871-9713
www.seemanaik.comPHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Fine Art Productions
732-662-5555
www.fineartproductions.netWEDDING SERVICES
Palloos Flowers
407-302-7966
www.palloosflowers.com
Ekta weds Vipal
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Megha weds Neil
We have all heard the story about reluctant neighbors who slowly develop strong feelings for each other and end up married happily ever after, right? So goes the story of how Megha and Neil became a couple. They were first neighbors while studying at the University of Florida.
Slowly, over time, they became friends, before soon becoming inseparable. Three years after they started dating, Neil surprised Megha with a day of pampering followed by an intimate proposal at the Trump International Hotel in front of a private cabana on the beach filled with rose petals. After a two-year engagement, Megha and Neil married in a grand Gujarati wedding celebration at the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek located within the Disney gates in Orlando.
Wedding celebrations began on a Thursday with the Mehndi, which was held in Orlando and decorated by family. The ceremony came alive with dance performances, antakshari, and the aroma of delicious South Indian food. The Garba event was held on Friday at the Wyndham. Decorated in a ghamti (rural) theme by Suhaag Garden, the event featured jupri food stations, a rustic swing setting on the dais, and lovely idols of Radha-Krishna at the center. The highlight of the evening was a flash mob dance sequence presented by cousins and friends. The dance ended with a special performance by the couple.
The big day began bright and early in the morning, with Neil arriving mounted on a white house and accompanied by dancing family and friends. Dhol players filled the air with traditional beats. The groom and his party was welcomed by Megha’s family at the entrance of the hotel’s ballroom. Beautifully decorated by Suhaag Garden, elephant sculptures greeted guests at the entrance. The Radha-Krishna theme continued and was the inspiration for the mandap. A combination of white, yellow, red and green was used to enhance the ballroom, and the colors matched the bride’s outfit perfectly to create a traditional ambiance. Megha entered the venue seated on a beautifully decorated doli that was carried by her brothers and cousins. She looked resplendent in the traditional bridal outfit she bought in India.
Later that night, a grand reception was organized at the same venue. However, the room was transformed. From white, green and red décor, the room glowed in hues of aqua blue and grayish purple, which were also the colors of Megha’s reception dress. Mini elephant statuettes held guest table cards. Centerpieces comprised of golden elephant tusks, candle holders and glass candelabras. The stage was a simple artistic masterpiece. In the background, stood three interlocked golden frames. In front of the middle frame was a beautiful lounge chaise. Static texture lighting illuminated the stage. The entire set up presented a lovely mix of the western and Indian cultural elements.
DJ Firoz played excellent music throughout the wedding ceremony as well as the reception. The newly married couple performed their first dance to the medley o “Tu Jahan” from Salaam Namaste and “Everything” by Michael Buble. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, couple’s parents, friends and cousins even presented a hilarious performance based on the television show How I Met Your Mother.
Though Megha had many nightmares, ranging from the vendors not arriving on time to guests not arriving because of bad weather, none came true and the wedding occurred without any bad incidents.
Megha’s advice to would-be grooms is that they should always support their brides from the beginning through all the stages of wedding preparations. She also says that the brides should stand by their dreams and ensure that every arrangement is up to their satisfaction although a few compromises might be necessary.
Photos Courtesy: Sona Photography
407-694-6032
www.sonaphotography.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort
Bonnet Creek
407-390-2300
www.wyndhambonnetcreek.comCAKE
Party Flavors Custom Cakes
407-578-2082
www.orlandocustomcakes.comDECORATOR
Suhaag Garden
813-478-9283
www.suhaaggarden.comDISC JOCKEY
Dudha Productions
407-446-0325
www.dudhaproductions.comHORSE – CARRIAGE
Downtown Horse & Carriage Inc
561-723-4704
www.downtownhorseandcarriage.comMEHNDI
Sangita Patel
Spatel612@gmail.comPHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Sona Photography
407-694-6032
www.sonaphotography.comPRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES
Mahesh Gor
407-699-7966
maheshgor61@gmail.comRESTAURANT/CATERING
Aashirwad Indian Cuisine
407-370-9830
www.aashirwadrestaurant.comKhasiyat
407-888-2147
bhanuchavda13@yahoo.comMemories Of India
407-370-3277
www.memoriesofindiacuisine.comWEDDING PLANNER
Shivpriya Event Management 407-473-8852
www.shivpriyaevents.com
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Rosi Weds Nimesh
If romance is what Rosi wants most from life, she simply cannot complain. Not only did she end up with a man who loves her infinitely, but she also enjoyed a bit of romance, the kind of which fairytales are made, along the way.
Nimesh and Rosi met through common friends while at dinner one evening. One month after they began dating, Nimesh carefully orchestrated a trip to Paris for work. His approach was foolproof, and he enlisted the help of friends and a series of clever emails. On the pretext that he managed to get a ticket for Rosi as well, Nimesh and his amour were off on what would become an epic getaway. Being in Paris, it was only natural that Nimesh proposed in front of the Eiffel Tower!
Many details needed to be planned during the eight months before the wedding. Rosi and Nimesh personally looked into all aspects, delegating some details to family members. A quick visit to India served as a shopping outing for clothes and accessories. The first of the functions was the grah shanti, which was followed by the sangeet. Both events were held at a local temple. Drapes, a large idol of Radha Krishna, a photo booth and jhoola were just some of the accents at the venue. The main highlights of the evening were performances by friends and family and the wonderful time shared by everyone.
The Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel made for the ideal wedding venue, and the property allowed the couple to bring what they envisioned for their special day to life. The venue was also easily accessible to both families, and offered plenty of space for the events. Predominant at the wedding ceremony were the bold colors of gold, white and red. Different types of flowers in an array of colors added to the beauty of the Grand Ballroom. The groom walked in with his twelve groomsmen, while Rosi was carried in a dholi, with her twelve bridesmaids accompanying her.
With greys and pinks painting a surreal picture at the reception, Nimesh and Rosi walked in wearing outfits that complimented the elegant decor. Beautiful overlays, centerpieces and lights completed the picture.
Rosi advises that leaving things for the last minute never helps. She is clever to add that you can never forget to smile, given that the camera is always following you. Nimesh, on the other hand suggests that you keep a buffer when allocating time for planning. He also strongly recommends a massage for the bride before and after the wedding.
Photos Courtesy: Garrett Photography
321-848-7554
www.garrettphotography.comVendors GRAH SHANTI/GARBA
Shakti Mandir 770-968-3490
www.ambajiusa.orgWEDDING/RECEPTIONRennaissance – Wavelry 770-953-4500 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/
atlrb-renaissance-waverly-hotelDJ Prime
DJs 404-510-6325
www.prime-djs.comPHOTOGRAPHER
Garrett Photography 321-848-7554 www.garrettphotography.comDECORATIONS
5th Seasons 404-441-6633
www.sushmadesigner.comVIDEOGRAPHER
Walk on Water 770-231-0727 www.walkonwatervideo.comMENDHI
Naima 404-446-6466
henna.artiste@yahoo.comATERER- WEDDING
Vinod 256-283-3992 vpatel1961@gmail.comCAKE/ CUPCAKESArti Bakery 706-372-6020 arti@sweetartsbakery.com
MAKEUP/HAIR
Pure Airbrush 770-519-4777 www.PureTanAndMakeup.comPHOTO BOOTH
Shutterbooth 404-907-1409 www.shutterbooth.comPOKER TABLES
A Casino Event 404-862-5338 www.acasinoevent.comGUESTBOOK
Anderson Wood Crafts
724-986-5005 www.andersonwoodcrafts.comCHAIR RENTAL
Have a Seat 404-444-2635 haveaseat@comcast.net -
Poonam Weds Sanjay
There is no doubt that love will find a way to prevail if a couple is truly meant to be together. Whether it takes you by utter surprise or blossoms slowly, you will know when you experience true love. After being friends for a long time, Sanjay and Poonam finally reached a point when they knew that being together was the only thing that mattered most in their lives.
After an elaborately planned proposal at Point Pleasant along the beach that was shrouded in secrecy, Sanjay and Poonam began preparations for the special day when their relationship would be formalized in wedded bliss. Detailed planning for the wedding celebrations also included a productive trip to India to arrange invitations, gifts and, most importantly, wedding outfits.
Poonam’s dream was to have a resort-style wedding. After strongly considering Goa and Bali, the couple chose to hold the celebrations in Florida so that as many friends and family as possible would be able to attend. Poonam and Sanjay booked the Gaylord Palms Resort not just for the pool and lawn that came as a bonus, but also because of catering manager Pam Becker, whom the couple took to instantly.
Poonam had been planning her wedding since she was 15. Although Sanjay had his own preferences, he indulged Poonam for most part. Remmal from Occasions by Shangri-la brought their every wish to life and made the couple’s dream take form.
Each event embodied a specific theme. An Indian street fair was recreated for the engagement, with street food, stalls and colors and drinks adding to its feel. The mehndi was “Resort Chic,” and what better venue than the South Beach pool at the Gaylord. Large lounge couches, brightly colored drinks and swaying palms brought in the mood perfectly. While the sunset trickled its way into the Ballroom, the lights came into view. Bright purples, turquoise and teal highlighted the peacock theme for the evening. A bamboo centerpiece with a waterfall, flower arrangements and lights were only some of the elements that created the mood.
The wedding ceremony began with a mid-morning baraat. After some dancing, the ceremony was underway, with bridesmaids walking in two’s through to the Red Lotus mandap. The flower arrangements overhead spread a divine fragrance as the couple walked in together, and soft music played harmoniously in the background.
The wedding reception took people back in time to “Old Hollywood.” China, feathers and chandeliers were displayed in the Sun Ballroom, and an impressive dance floor encouraged all to celebrate. The bride and groom dressed their part too, in a flowing ball gown and tuxedo respectively. With a red carpet that allowed posing for pictures, and silhouettes in song and dance, the theme really did come to life.
For most, it is difficult to articulate the magnificence of the wedding. It really needed to be experienced to be understood. With Remmal really rising to the ‘Occasion’ on several counts, they got much more than they truly wanted.
Photos Courtesy: Asaad Images
407-221-3333
www.asaadimages.comVendors EVENT VENUE
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
407-586-2248
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcogp-
gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/PHOTOGRAPHY
Asaad Images
407-221-3333
www.asaadimages.comVIDEOGRAPHY
A&A Video
713-772-6899
www.anavideo.comPLANNER
Signature Weddings & Events
352-267-5345
www.signatureweddingsorlando.comDECORATOR
Occasions by Shangrila
407-355-7700
www.occasionsbyshangrila.comHAIR-MAKEUP
KC Makeup
917-478-9965
www.kc-makeup.comCATERING
Madras Catering & Event Production
305-504-3688
www.MadrasCatering.comMUSIC
Volcanik Entertainment
973-951-2744
www.volcanik.comWEDDING CAKE
Party Flavors Custom Cakes
407-578-2082
www.orlandocustomcakes.comFAVORS
Magnafoto
855-710-3686
www.magnafoto.comTRANSPORTATION
Angel Crespo
407-666-3932
