The idea of being part of a family that accepts yours and whose values match yours go a long way in making married life easy for you in the long term.

There is an ongoing debate about whether a love marriage is better than one arranged for you. While girls secretly hope they will meet a prince who will sweep them off their feet and others fantasize of running away to have an intense wedding in solitude, there are still a number of marriages being arranged where parents decide who the suitor will be.
There is definite charm about an arranged marriage. The idea of being part of a family that accepts yours and whose values match yours go a long way in making married life easy for you in the long term. There is definitely a thrill about meeting someone, getting to know them, and developing a romance along the way. Great anticipation, plenty of excitement and so much mystery surround an arranged marriage that it sometimes feels like the only way to be married.

If you should have any doubts about an arranged marriage, ask Marium Mukati, a physician from Florida. She first met her beau in November, and they married in July after a whirlwind of activity and romance. Introduced by a mutual friend, the families met before they decided to move things forward. On November 16, the fateful day Marium finally met software engineer Mohsin Rizvi, the man with whom she is destined to spend the rest of hewr life. After several meetings the following week and a few meetings after, Marium and her family gave their acceptance, and a small party was arranged on February 17, when the couple was engaged.

With only five months before the wedding date, there was plenty of excitement and great momentum. Marium made a trip all the way to Pakistan to put together most of her trousseau. Once she returned, planning moved to a different level and began with meetings with various vendors, a laborious process which paid off well in the end. Although Marium and the Mukatis looked into all the details personally, they had a decorator assist them with the arrangements at the venue, the mehndi, and the wedding.

With a keen eye for detail, Marium was interested and involved in planning from the start. She looked into every minute detail herself. The fruits of her labor were seen at the mehndi and wedding ceremonies. Months of planning, purchasing and decision-making went by quickly, as did the ceremonies themselves.

The day of mehndi finally arrived, and Mehfil Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was packed to capacity with about 250 members in attendance. Friends and family from both sides came enthusiastically to partake in the celebration. Mehfil was the obvious choice for its ambience, capacity and also versatility, which made it easy for Marium to manage its decoration the way she preferred. Mohsin and his family walked in first, followed by Marium, her four closest friends, brother and sister. They were led into a tastefully decorated area that contained both traditional elements and incorporated subtle shades of contemporary hues. Umbrellas and centerpieces were highlighted traditional themes, while the stage was used to showcase Marium’s creative and refined side. A small ritual, during which the bride’s family fed the groom sweets and the groom’s family reciprocated, was followed by unbridled fun. Dinner was sumptuous, and the dance floor became the center of focus. The celebration began with performances by Marium’s sisters and friends, after which everyone joined in with abandon. Needless to say, celebrations went on until the late hours of the night. This was a special occasion for everyone, and even Marium made me most of it, not allowing the veil covering her face to come in her way.

Soon the morning of July 8 arrived, and everyone knew it was magical from the start. The Hilton at Fort Lauderdale Airport readied itself to receive 400 guests, and the bride and groom prepared themselves for the most momentous day of their life. It took several meetings with the coordinator Barry Rubin before Marium was reassured that everything was to her taste, and it reflected in every element visible. Marium arrived in the afternoon leaving enough time for finish her makeup and attend the outdoor photo shoot. The couple had already been married in separate ceremonies for the bride and groom as is customary in all Muslim weddings. Marium had the nikkah the day before at her residence. Mohsin, on the other hand, enjoyed his nikkah during the Friday prayer at Islamic Studies of Broward Mosque on the day of the reception.

With all formalities completed, Mohsin was shown his way into the reception hall, followed by Marium and her family. The hall dazzled with the use of maroon fabric, which portrayed a grand ambiance, and crystals that shimmered in anticipation and excitement. Moving away from the conventional, Marium decided against the customary red, and instead chose a white ensemble with subtle hints of red. Her family followed her lead on this day, complementing her attire with shades of red in their clothing.

The reception began with rounds of appetizers, and a ceremony during which Marium was gifted a ring and Mohsin a watch from the other’s family. After cutting a cake and saying a quiet prayer for the newlyweds, the reception finally came to a close. For Mohsin and Marium, the celebration of a new life was just beginning.

Although Marium spent much of her time planning the celebrations, she took in every moment of the wedding. She advises that all brides and grooms relax, and savor every moment. May Mohsin and Marium enjoy wedded bliss, joy and peace forever.

Aarti and Amit have known each other for a very long time, having met at a Thanksgiving celebration in 2000. Though they started their relationship as friends, the stirrings of romance were soon apparent.

Clarity in thought is sure to reflect in several aspects of your life. For one, you will see it in the choices you make, the success you taste, and the things with which you are associated. When this clarity exists in your marriage, there is nothing but bliss in store for you. This is just the case with Aarti Engineer.

In speaking with the 25 year old CPA from Florida, one is struck by her practicality. Even her fairy tale romance seems to have elements of common sense threaded throughout. Aarti and Amit have known each other for a very long time, having met at a Thanksgiving celebration in 2000. Though they started their relationship as friends, the stirrings of romance were soon apparent. While Amit wooed Aarti earnestly, she took her time and enjoyed the attention before she finally agreed to date him in December 2002. Since then, they have explored the world and life together as a couple.

It was not until a vacation in 2010 that the two began discussing the prospect of marriage. In July 2010, as the two were blissfully circling clear skies in Key West and feeling the wafting winds caress them, Amit broached the subject of marriage subtly as they were parasailing. Shocked, but pleased, Aarti naturally agreed. Just two months later in September, Aarti and Amit were engaged. They decided to plan their wedding for one year later.

Most of the planning and arrangements were taken care of by members of both families. Much thought was given to ensuring that the couple’s taste and choices were reflected in the colors, design and clothes. The Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, was booked for the wedding and reception. It was not just the ideal choice for the ambience it allowed, but also for the fact that it proved most convenient for friends and family who were to attend.

Celebrations kicked off with the mehndi ceremony, where the theme was purple, mauve and emerald. The stage was decorated with drapes in these colors cascading down the sides, with a grand love seat positioned in the center. Crystal accents were provided to add to the dramatic effect. The mehndi ceremony included a small reception.

For the wedding, Aarti decided she wanted to look and feel every bit like a princess. Her clothing was grand and regal not just in style, but also in color. After three days of carefully scouring through the markets of India, Aarti set her eyes on a lehnga choli, which was fashioned like a sari. The moment she saw it, she knew it was the one. Made with rich red featuring antique gold and beige intricate work, the outfit was exactly what Aarti wanted to complete her look.

The wedding theme was royal and in the style of a Maharaja and Maharani. Opulence gleamed from every corner. The color theme was red, green and ivory, and traditional drapes stood out in deep red, while the modern acrylic mandap reflected contemporary taste.

Aarti was dressed up with muted class. Her ensemble stood out beautifully, and she decided to let it be the highlight, opting for light, natural make up with tones of soft red and beige. Her hair was fashioned high, with a veil covering it. She also ensured that there were mogra hair pieces woven in, since she loves the smell.

As the ceremony began, cousins walked down the aisle with their spouses, followed by the bridesmaids, who were holding ivory candle vases that held color-changing candles. Just before Aarti began her walk down the aisle, her cousins blew a conch, not just ushering auspicious omens, but also drawing all attention to the glamorous bride. The groom arrived on a carriage drawn by white horses, which are apparently the same ones used at Universal Studios.

As they took the seven momentous steps, pre-recorded wedding vows were played in the background. After the ceremony, vidai songs played, of which Aarti’s father selected them all. The bride and groom were ushered away later in a grand white hummer limousine.

The Rosen Centre was also the site of the reception, during which the venue was decked in crystal and shades of blue. A dance floor and tables along the side completed the decor. Memories of India provided the food, which combined Amit and Aarti’s favorites and other fusion cuisine. The tiers of the couple’s wedding cake were designed in different shapes, and decorated using colors from the theme and design from the bride’s outfit. There were several layers, each of which had a different flavor selected by the family. As favors, Aarti opted for damask photo coasters.

Now wiser and more experienced, Aarti advises brides and grooms to take it easy and ensure adequate planning. Regardless of the rush towards the end, all efforts will bear fruit. However, the most important thing is to enjoy every minute leading up to the wedding anwd even after. Going by what she has to say, Aarti and Amit look to have a great life ahead!

All girls dream of being swept off their feet and being whisked away to a magical place where they will be married, and then live happily forever. Paru Mehta too had the same dream, one where she knew exactly wherer her wedding destination would be very early on in life. It was on a holiday to Puerto Rico when she was a little girl that she decided that this was the place of her dreams. Now a 24-year-old radiology resident at Shands Hospital, Paru is seeing her dreams come to life.

A grand wedding locale is only half the dream. Without a prince charming, a wedding really has no meaning at all. Paru was lucky to find her prince while studying in Miami. Rishi Modh and Paru knew each other for six years before they decided to take the plunge.

Six long years after they had grown in love, Rishi took Paru to the Biscayne Bay on the pretext of meeting friends. Then, on an isolated sailboat which was readied for the occasion, he proposed. With all arrangements including the engagement ring readied to perfection, there was no way Paru could refuse.

With just one short year in between the propsal and wedding date, much was to be done. Family friend Janardhan Dabolkar proved to be a god-send, taking personal care of all arrangements himself. While there was a lot of work that had to be done at home, there was a consultant appointed in Puerto Rico to handle all arrangements there. With the assistance of her parents and sister, Paru managed to have everything coordinated well in advance.

The wedding invitations were taken care of by Rishi’s mother, who painstakingly selected them while in India. Fashioned as scrolls, the invites, which carefully described all the events and corresponding details, made for an exquisite keepsake.

The celebrations began long before the couple and their guests even reached Puerto Rico. Given the number of guests flying in, a majority of the seats on a single plane were blocked for the wedding party. The interiors of the plane were decorated, and there was special music playing on the flight to get friends and family in the mood.

The wedding and several additional functions were all held at the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico. With nearly 450 guests in attendance, it was a grand affair. For mehndi night, an Indian village was recreated, complete with tiny hanging lanterns and cotton drapes. Pillars decorated in purple and gold reflected the lighting beautifully, and the water matched the rhythm of the music. A music group, flown in from India, provided live entertainment with songs for young and old alike.

The sangeet and raas garba followed, and then finally came the day of the wedding. It was held in the afternoon against a backdrop of large white pillars. Decorations were minimal so as to bring out the scenic beauty provided by the landscape. Flower girls first entered carrying a basket of flowers. They wore blue dresses that had been hand-picked by Rishi’s mother when in India. Paru then followed, who was carried down the aisle and to the wedding area.

For the wedding and all other functions, Paru selected her ensembles from a leading store in Mumbai. She purchased her jewelry from stores in Mumbai and Dubai. For the ceremony, Paru wore a dazzling outfit in red and cream. She used minimal make up since it was a day wedding, and chose to accentuate her eyes and lips. Her hair was held up high in a bun.

After the wedding ceremony, Rishi and Paru, now officially man and wife, were driven away in an elegant horse carriage. They then began getting ready for the reception. Two ice sculptures carved as dolphins welcomed guests at the entrance. The main color theme of the reception was blue and gold, and it was apparent everywhere. With tables all around the venue, there was a special love seat made ready on the stage for the newlyweds. The tables had assignments made in the shape of butterflies with the guest’s name on it.

Speeches were made by the fathers of the bride and groom, who not only spoke of the nostalgic past, but also gave priceless advice for the future of the children. Toasts were then proposed. The wedding cake, which was specially made to be elaborate, was in the shape of a horse and carriage. The two foot tall cake had several layers, and looked as good as it tasted.

The DJ kept everyone dancing throughout the night. Combined with a local group of Latin musicians and dancers, there was much to forward to. The highlight was a performance which featured the grandparents, parents and siblings. It was followed by the bride and groom. Paru sang the first half of a song, and then danced to the rest with her husband. The floor was then thrown open to everyone. While the reception was on in full swing, special silver bowls with hand written notes from the bride and groom were placed in guest rooms as favors.

The food had to be as lavish as the wedding itself. Mr. Dabolkar personally attended to every meal, ensuring that no two meals had the same spread.

Although Paru did enjoy a spectacular wedding, she is practical and has very sound advice to give. She suggests that brides do not give the wedding too much importance, since it will be over in a matter of days. Instead, she recommends that they focus on the marriage which will last for life.

The Ecstasy of a Destination Wedding Paru and Rishi