“Ankur and I had a three-day, four-event wedding filled with tradition, family, and unforgettable memories. While our wedding ceremony and reception took place on December 6, the festivities began days earlier with a series of meaningful pre-wedding events that brought both of our families together. On December 4, we celebrated our Mehndi, where I had intricate henna designs applied to my hands and feet over the span of four hours, alongside my female family members. Mehndi is a cherished wedding tradition that symbolizes love, joy, beauty, and good fortune as we prepared for the celebrations ahead.

The following day began with our Haldi ceremony, a joyful ritual where family members applied a turmeric-based paste to both the bride and groom. The Haldi is believed to bring blessings, purification, a radiant glow, and protection from the evil eye before the wedding.

That evening, we celebrated our Sangeet, one of the most anticipated events of an Indian wedding. Meaning ‘music’ in Sanskrit and Hindi, the Sangeet is a lively celebration where both families come together through music, dancing, and laughter. The evening featured incredible performances from our closest family and friends, including my father—a lifelong musician—who performed a heartfelt song for me, as well as one of my best friends who sang for us as a couple. We also had choreographed dances from both the bride’s and groom’s cousins, while the groom’s closest friends performed a dance that beautifully told the story of our relationship.”

“Our wedding day began with the Baraat, the groom’s celebratory wedding procession. Ankur made a memorable entrance in a McLaren, accompanied by family and friends dancing their way to the venue in a vibrant procession filled with music, energy, and tradition.

The ceremony took place beneath the Mandap, the sacred four-pillared structure that serves as the altar for a Hindu wedding, symbolizing spirituality, family support, and the elements of life. During the ceremony, we participated in the sacred rituals that unite a Hindu marriage, including the lighting of the sacred fire and a traditional home puja performed by our priests. Our garments were tied together in a sacred knot before we completed the Saptapadi, or Seven Vows, by taking seven Mangal Pheras around the sacred fire. With each step, we made a lifelong promise to one another, signifying our commitment, partnership, and the completion of our marriage.”

“Knowing how much I love Disney, Ankur planned the perfect proposal at the most magical place he could think of, Walt Disney World. He surprised me with a weekend getaway and proposed during the Magic Kingdom fireworks show, Happily Ever After. To make the moment even more special, he reserved a spot at the private dessert party, which provided a beautiful viewing location for the fireworks, and arranged for a photographer to capture the proposal and the emotions of the moment. It was a true fairytale proposal and a memory that perfectly reflected my love for Disney and the magic they share together.”

“Following the ceremony, we transitioned into our reception, where I changed into a classic white wedding gown, blending our cultures in a celebration that honored both of our traditions. We danced the night away surrounded by the love of our family and friends, ending an unforgettable three-day wedding celebration that perfectly reflected our story and the coming together of our two families.”

“Evann and Ankur were the most fun, easygoing couple to work with! Because they have worked in the wedding industry, they were very familiar with the flow and how they wanted their wedding weekend to look and feel. They made sure all of their vendors and guests were well taken care of (and well fed)!

I loved the subtle touches of Evann’s love for Disney. We were all tearing up when she danced with her mom to a song from Lady and the Tramp! I will never forget how kind this couple was to everyone involved in their day.”

—Melanie Baudin, Coastal Coordinating