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.com Vendors 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.com MEHNDI Sangita Patel Spatel612@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHER/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.com WEDDING PLANNER Shivpriya Event Management 407-473-8852 www.shivpriyaevents.com

Couples who walk through each step of their relationship together are often very successful and meaningful.Considering just how Rajesh and Nirmala managed to develop such a strong relationship is an indication of how wonderful their lives will be together.

With Nirmala living in Washington, DC, and Rajesh in Miami, Florida, the couple spent six months dating and considerable time apart. The understanding shown while sharing a long distance relationship shows the maturity of their union. Rajesh was extremely attentive and carefully listened towhat Nirmala wanted in her engagement ring before buying the ring of her dreams. He proposed at Nirmala’s home, and wedding preparations began almost immediately thereafter.

The couple settled on the bringing the wedding vision to fruition after a long, continual scouring for vendors, venues and themes. The wedding took place in Orlando, and the couple’s friends and familyhappily came together to celebrate this wondrous occasion. The Wyndham Orlando Hotelwas the perfect venue to host the wedding and reception.

The mehndi and haldi ceremonies were held at the bride and groom’s homes for the respective parties. Vibrant colors and linens, cheerful lighting, upbeat music and gorgeous Indian touches enhanced the outdoor splendor for the occasion.

The groom and his entourage arrived at the wedding venue in a limousine flanked by several cars. Once at the hotel, Rajesh rode to the wedding ceremony site grandly on horseback. Thebride’s party received the groom and his friends warmly, and everyone was ushered to the ballroom. Traditional mandir styles fashioned the venue, with bright reds and burnt oranges that were highlighted in the drapes and flowers. Matching lights added to the traditional feel. Programs were handed to guests upon entry. All guests were treated to lavish sweets, while live Indian music kept them in a festive mood.

At the reception, ivory, gold and lavender reflected off crystals, candles, and lights. Large centerpieces and flowers added to the regal ambiance. Among song and dance, and several timeless moments captured on a special video,the couple managed a wedding they will live many times over.

Nirmala believes that compromise is the key given that there are two families with different thoughts involved. Smilesoutweigh the trivialities that cease to exist in retrospect. Rajesh, on the other hand, enjoyed living every moment building up to the wedding, and during it as well. I Like most brides, Nirmalahad her fair share of nightmares about failed moments. None of them, thankfully, happened. While the wedding cake did not appear on time, in the magic of the moment, no one really noticed.