Real Wedding

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!