-
Parita weds Rajdeep
Can two people from different parts of the world find one another? Hard to believe, but it is possible. Parita Gohil lived in New Zealand with her parents when Rajdeep Parmar was in the US on a student visa studying pharmacy. The couple and their families belong to BAPS Swaminarayan, and through santos, biodatas were exchanged. With all the details looking favorable, a meeting was arranged between the families. After much traveling to India and the United States so that Parita and Rajdeep could meet one another and their respective families, the match was made!
Once engaged, wedding planning began immediately and lasted seven months. Parita went to India to do much of her wedding shopping, though the 20-day trip went by very quickly. Rajdeep began organizing the wedding, which was to be held at the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir in Boynton Beach, Florida.
The special day came on February 2, 2013, and the couple felt blessed to be married in the mandir in the midst of splendid decorations.
Photos Courtesy: Mayan Digital
561-319-4949Vendors Decoration by Dlightful Events By Impression Makers LLC
407-925-2598
www.imakeevents.com -
Rinita weds Pablo
Sometimes, life change can occur during the simple act of enjoying a cup of coffee together. For Pablo and Rinita, this was certainly the case when they met at a local coffee shop in Orlando, Florida. Sparks flew, and their romance blossomed. Six years later, they made a lifelong promise to share the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.On New Year’s Eve in 2011 during a trip to Captiva Island, Florida, Pablo took Rinita for a walk along the beach shore with a cup of coffee, symbolic of how the couple first met. Pablo escorted Rinita up the stairs of a marina dock known for its magnificent view. As they gazed at the dazzling starlit sky, Pablo got down on one knee and proposed to Rinita stating that she would always be the brightest star in his sky. The couple enjoyed the night as a celebration of both the New Year and their newly changed status.
For their wedding arrangements, the duo went on a three-week shopping spree to India accompanied by the bride’s mother, Nila. Soon after the fun-filled trip, they finalized their wedding destination – the very same Captiva Island where the couple was engaged! The spacious three acres of land surrounding the estate on the island allowed the couple to accommodate each of the wedding events on different areas of the property.
All Hindu pre-wedding ceremonies were hosted outdoors on the estate property with a traditional set-up under the shade of a tree in a canopy of colorful sarees. A Christian wedding ceremony followed a few hours later as an intimate group of guests were escorted in golf carts to the beach via the estate’s private beach access. Following the Christian wedding ceremony, the wedding party relaxed at a poolside location on the estate property to enjoy mehndi and sangeet night. The theme “Paradise” perfectly captured the island ambience and was complete with bamboo dinnerware, tiki torches, and tiki bar.
The Hindu wedding ceremony took place the very next morning beginning with the baraat. The handsome groom stunned in a red and gold wedding sherwani and safa. Pablo arrived in a BMW, and the wedding party danced their way to the wedding mandap located on the bayside of the property.
Rinita, accompanied by her uncle, boarded a seaplane from the marina where the proposal had taken place. Much to the guests’ surprise, they landed on the open water where a boat was waiting to dock them right next to the mandap. As soon as the bride landed, rose petals rained down on her while a few girls danced down the aisle. Later, Rinita was escorted to the mandap by her six uncles. The beautiful procession was perfectly timed, flawless and truly memorable.
A formal reception was held in the evening during which the guests enjoyed festivities alongside fire pits and delicious Punjabi cuisine. The newlyweds enjoyed two nights on the island before returning to Orlando, Florida, for a hometown wedding celebration. The Orlando party hosted 400 guests and had a traditional Gujarati theme. The entire night’s events were a surprise for the newlyweds, planned by family and friends.When asked what advice they would give to those planning a destination wedding, the couple agreed that picking the wedding venue was the single most important decision they made. “While hotels and resorts offer fantastic all-inclusive wedding packages, they may not accommodate much customization. On the contrary choosing a location that allows you to be at liberty to play around with ideas – while challenging – can lead to a wedding that is exactly what you have always dreamed of!”
Photos Courtesy: Vendors PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Digital Dream Video & Photo Studio
(407) 791-6064OFFICIANT
Maharaj Mahesh Gor
(321) 297-6167DECORATOR & FLOWERS
Palloo’s Flowers
(407) 302-7966Dlightful Events by Impression Maker
(407) 497-1053CATERING
Healthy D’Lite
(407) 876-1014Khasiyat
(407) 888-2147Mayuri
(813) 374-0386MUSIC DJ
DJ Mr. B
(407) 786-2143
-
Priyesh weds Nikisha
Love was not exactly in the air when Priyesh and Nikisha first met during garba in 2005. They did become good friends though and friendship gradually matured into love. In 2008, the two realized that they were meant to be soul mates. After three more years and a series of love letters later, Nikisha told Priyesh that he was her diamond in the rough and she had fallen in love with him. On June 2, 2011, after one of their monthly dates, Priyesh got down on his knees and produced a beautiful diamond ring. He said, “Your rough diamond has now been polished. Will you marry me?” Needless to say, Nikisha was over the moon when she said yes!
The wedding was planned for one year later on June 30, 2012. Priyesh and Nikisha wanted a typical Indian wedding, with all the traditions, intricacies, frills and fancies. They hired KISCubed, an Atlanta-based wedding consultant, so that they could be free from stress to enjoy the wedding completely. The wedding planners did a wonderful job of arranging everything, from the pre-wedding events to the post-wedding reception.
The pre-wedding ceremonies were held at Nikisha’s home in South Georgia, which overlooks a lake. Done up in Morrocan style with purple, pink and green as the theme colors, the outdoor venue of the mehndi ceremony was brightly lit and the couple’s monogram adorned the pool. Lanterns created a perfectly Indian feel. The ambiance reverberated with music and the happy laughter of guests getting mehndi applied. An open barbecue counter and bar completed the festive occasion.
The BAPS Temple of Atlanta, because of its stunning Indian architecture and spiritual ambiance, was chosen as the wedding venue. The bride arrived with her sisters looking resplendent in traditional attire. The groom looked traditional yet suave as he arrived in a limo with his sisters, cousin and the cousin’s wife.
The mandap was created in the shape of a lotus with a dazzling chandelier at the center. The evening wedding, complete with the picturesque background of the setting sun, created some very heart warming moments as Nikisha and Priyesh took their sacred vows around the fire. The programs for the wedding ceremony were shaped like a fan with red and gold writings and explained the significance of Indian wedding rituals. Traditional music with dhol and shahnai accentuated the Indian ambiance.
Held in the hotel where out of state guests were accommodated, the reception was like another fairy tale. In the reception hall that was decorated in peach, emerald and gold colors, tables were laid with peach, light green and pink flower arrangements adorning each of them. Candles were lit on top of each table. The round dance floor had the couple’s monogram and was surrounded with lounge seating for the couple and their families. Entertainment was a mix of Indian and hip hop music. The bride and groom took to the dance floor for their first dance to the song “Raja koRani se Pyaar ho Gaya” and then the bride danced with her father to “Chandaki doli.”
The wedding was simply perfect, except for those few stressful moments when the groom and his family got stuck in a traffic jam while traveling to the wedding venue. Priyesh and Nikisha tell future couples-to-be to keep calm and enjoy every moment. They say that everything always falls into place in the end.
Photos Courtesy: Kate Byars Photography LLC
404-202-5255
www.katebyarsphotography.comVendors BANQUET HALLS
Grand Hyatt Atlanta
800-233-1234
www.grandatlanta.hyatt.comBEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Bridal Elements
678-559-5916
www.kiscubedevents.comBOUTIQUES
Abstract
011-91-94-267-24282
amit.shrivastava.3701@facebook.comCAKE
Perfect Wedding Cake
770-971-1700
www.perfectweddingcake.comDISC JOCKEY
Dynasty Entertainment
202-468-9496
www.dcsdynasty.comHORSE AND CARRIAGE
Nottingham Shire and Carriage
404-622-0526
www.carriageforhire.comMEHNDI
Aarti Amin-Henna Hair and Makeup
678-717-7303
www.aartiamin.comPHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Kate Byars Photography LLC
404-202-5255
www.katebyarsphotography.comPacific Pictures
714-839-0020
www.pacificpictures.netRESTAURANT/CATERING
Cafe Bombay
404-320-0229
www.cafebombayatlanta.comRajbhog Foods & Cafe
678-924-1440
www.rajbhog.comS3 Catering
855-547-2823
sales@s3catering.comTEMPLE
Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
678-906-2277
atlanta.baps.orgWEDDING SERVICES
Kiscubed Events
678-559-5916
www.kiscubedevents.comOccasions By Shangri-La
407-355-7700
www.occasionsbyshangrila.com
-
Ankita weds Dhimant
Meeting online, falling in love and actually getting married sounds like a perfect 21st century fairy tale that begins with “once upon a time” and ends with “happily ever after.” For Ankita Mithaiwala and Dhimant Doshi, theirs is a real life love story. Ankita and Dhimant met online at shaadi.com, a popular matrimonial website. After a romantic courting period of one year, Dhimant popped the question on their first anniversary on 1st April 2011 at Asheville, NC. Dhimant whisked Ankita off to the Biltmore Estate where he waited until sunset to make his proposal. It was a wonderful plan and Ankita most certainly said yes!
The proposal was the easy part. The wedding planning process took the couple an entire year. Even with a rather comfortable guest list of three hundred people, they went over each and every detail with their parents to be sure that the wedding was picture perfect. They chose the Knoxville Expo Center for their wedding and reception location. The Knoxville Hindu Community Center became the ideal location to host the sangeet/raasgarba.
After the locations, the wedding décor was next big decision. With Mandap World coming to the rescue, the couple was able to decorate the ceremony venues according to their taste. The wedding hall and the mandap were decorated in the traditional hues of red, gold, white. Details at the wedding were immaculate. Everything was planned to perfection, including the red and orange wedding programs given to each guest.
The couple arrived at the wedding venue in a 1957 Bentley rented specially for the occasion. They walked down the aisle to tunes churned out by DJ Jaz from Atlanta. Ankita matched her graceful steps to “Aapki Nazaron Ne Samjha” chosen for her by her parents. Dhimant made his way to his lady love as the song “Baharon Phool Barsaao” played in the background. The couple tied the knot amidst the romantic set up and vowed to spend the rest of their lives together.
Just like the wedding, the reception was an affair to remember. The evening’s theme was centered around the peacock, and all decorations were elegantly woven together. The centerpieces comprised of beautiful crystal trees and peacocks. Even the lighting was color coded to match the theme and gave the room a beautiful blue and green ambience. The sweetheart table designed especially for Dhimant and Ankita flowed with theme. It was an evening of fun and entertainment as their friends presented a flash mob at the wedding. Even Dhimant was in the mood to groove and prepared special choreography to the popular number “Chammak Challo” and surprised Ankita. The couple shared their wedding dance to “Because You Love Me” by Celine Dion. The rest of the evening was under the DJ’s control who played peppy hip hop and Bollywood music.
Dhimant and Ankita remind all brides and grooms-to-be to communicate, respect and trust each other. The lovely couple says that a perfect marriage is one where the couple can laugh together, be less angry and stand by their vows for the rest of their lives.
Photos Courtesy: Vendors BANQUET HALLS
Hindu Community Center-Knoxville 865-988-3820
www.knoxvillemandir.orgKnoxville Expo Center
865-219-7422
www.knoxvilleexpocenter.comBEAUTICIANS
Sonja Sevin Makeup Artist
941-735-4453
www.sonjasevin.comCAKE
Sugar Buzz Bakers
865-919-4151
DISC JOCKEY
Dj Jaz- GTB Productions
404-606-0402
www.djjaz.netFLORIST
Echelon Florist
865-690-7427
www.echelonflorist.comHORSE
Lovingood Springs Farm
865-982-8182
www.tnhorse.comPHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Soham Photography
678-852-8525
www.sohamphotography.comRESTAURANT/CATERING
Sahib
423-283-7100RESTAURANT/CATERING
Swaminarayan Temple
865-329-1009
www.baps.orgVIDEOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
Bombay Video (Video And Photo)
404-315-9347
bombayvideoforyou@hotmail.comWEDDING SERVICES
Mandap World
678-772-0053
www.mandapworld.com
-
Anjali Weds Anil
Even despite the rigors of medical school, Cupid can manage to work his magic. Anjali Shetty and Anil Ladhani met on the first day of medical school and grew close when they realized the numerous common interests they shared. They became study buddies and love slowly crept its way to them as they spent numerous hours together at the library. After four years of courtship, Anil and Anjali went on a cruise to the Bahamas. Anil planned a treasure hunt that ended on the top deck, where Anjali found a scrapbook containing pictures of all their “firsts.” She then found Anil who was down on his knees holding a diamond ring.
The wedding date was set two years after the engagement with arrangements beginning a year before the wedding. The Sheraton Tampa River walk Hotel in Florida was chosen as the wedding venue. Since Anjali and Anil were in Chicago busy with their residencies, they hired wedding planner Hameant Raghubir. He turned out to be extremely compatible with the couple’s ideas.
The sangeet/mehndi ceremony, held the night before the wedding, was a beautiful occasion. The venue was decorated in blue and green décor with LED lights with an Indian swing placed at the center of the stage, Moroccan centerpieces on the table, umbrellas on either sides of the stage, and lanterns with multicolored LED lights all around.
The Sheraton Riverview Room, where the wedding took place, is a glass enclosed waterfront room overlooking Hills borough River. Anil and his family arrived in a boat since water surrounds the hotel. Red and white were the wedding décor colors. The round mandap was a four pillar Palazzo lit with white light. Crystal curtains reflected red accent drapes at its back. Red rose petals, votive candles, fresh floral bouquet and vase with a crystal ball globe accessorized the mandap. The four page long wedding program included the couple’s photos on the cover, names of the bridal party, description of the ceremony, and special thanks to family and guests. DJ Raj Narain played “Aaj Mera Jee Karda” from Monsoon Wedding as Anil entered the wedding venue, “Tum Jo Aaye” for the bridesmaids’ entry, and “Latika’s Theme” from Slumdog Millionaire for Anjali.
The reception took place in the beautiful waterfront ballroom at the same hotel. Colors for the reception were purple and gold. The hall featured a crystal ball globe and a wreath of fresh violet hydrangeas, roses and hypericum. Numerous tables were arranged for guests and each guest had an assigned place. The highlight of the décor was a photo of the bride and groom with the quote “You don’t marry the person you can live with; you marry the person you cannot live without.” An A-shaped ice sculpture served as a dispenser for alychee martini named Anitini. The lovely venue was made even more spectacular with two textured gobos and LED lights.
Indian and American music played throughout the night. The couple attended ballroom dance classes to perfect their moves to “A Thousand Years-Part Two” by Christina Perri. They exited the reception between two lines of guests holding sparklers. They stepped into a boat and floated off into the romantic moonlit Tampa Bay Harbor. Anjali and Anil advise people to begin preparing early for their wedding so they can enjoy the whole process.
Photos Courtesy:
Vendors BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN
Beauty By Jayshree
407-430-8536WEDDING SERVICES
Kisna Weddings
813-569-9052
www.indianmandap.comBANQUET HALLS
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
813-226-4411
www.sheratontampariverwalk.comCAKE
Publix GreenWise Market at
Hyde Park 813-250-0529CRUISES
Tampa Water Taxi Company
888-665-8687FLORIST
Vivek Flowers
732-589-5143
www.vivekflowers.comICE SCULPTURE
Martini Ice Luge / Maku Ice Sculpting
407-238-6426LIGHTING
AVRC Lighting Company
407-802-6449MEHNDIBridal Henna
Artist 516-545-1361
khairulalani@yahoo.comPHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Fine Art Productions
407-979-4749
www.fineartproductions.netKrishna Video & Photo Image
863-651-8899PRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES
Pt Eshwar Persaud
561-8097677
isharda@aol.comRESTAURANT/CATERING
Memories of India
407-804-0920
www.memoriesofindiacuisine.comWEDDING SERVICES
Shivpriya Event Management
407-473-8852
www.shivpriyaevents.com
