Anisha and Phil’s whimsical Lithia wedding combined vibrant shades and colorful flora with offbeat details and a nod to their love of pop culture. Following a traditional Hindu ceremony, the bride and groom hosted a foodie-focused reception for their closest friends and family.

“Our wedding theme was Indian and Italian fusion. We wanted to showcase both cultures and have a fun blend between the two. We also wanted to showcase some of our shared love for movies, TV shows, and music,” the bride shared. “Our main colors were all the jewel tones, but our keynote was to keep the entire event bright, colorful, and fun!”

“For the Saturday ceremony, which was heavily Indian, we aimed to create a mesmerizing scene in the garden. Using a suspended mandap was ideal because it allowed the structure to stand out without adding pillars, blending seamlessly with the natural elements of the garden,” Georgette Casimir, planner and owner of Pea to Tree Events, detailed. “The bride’s dress also played a crucial role in anchoring the final design elements.”

The Orlando couple sought a local photography and videography team with a reputation for making their clients feel relaxed and present, resulting in authentic images. Jennifer and Scott from J&S Media were a joy to work with, effortlessly documenting the 110-guest March celebration.

“We wanted to find a photographer who could capture our personalities and really focus on the joy of the day.  This was the first time many of our families were together, so we wanted a photographer who could capture the candid moments. J&S Media Wedding Films & Photo were so great to work with!” the bride beamed. “Jennifer and Scott made us feel so comfortable and really helped put our minds at ease. They never put pressure on us to take photos a certain way and worked so well with our personalities!”

The pair incorporated personal details throughout their wedding day. From the stationary to the table decor to the food offerings, each aspect was thoughtfully curated and created an authentic experience that represented their personalities.

“Our wedding invitation was a comic that showed all the different projects we’ve worked on for Universal Creative, and all our table numbers and table decor referenced movies that we love!” Anisha revealed. “The menu was a fusion mix of Indian, American, and Italian food; as giant foodies, this was super important and the most fun!”

“Drawing from their rich Indian and Italian heritages, every aspect of Anisha and Phil’s special day was meticulously crafted to reflect their unique backgrounds and shared passions. We loved capturing the vibrant color palette, especially highlighted by the mandap’s striking orange against Paradise Spring’s lush greenery during the ceremony. The reception dazzled with multicolored gem-toned decor and table settings, creating a beautiful contrast with the modern, industrial reception space. Their wedding cake quietly stole the spotlight. Positioned prominently at the reception, it appeared as a classic white-tiered cake from the front. However, a delightful surprise awaited at the back: logos from iconic Universal movies like Star Wars, Toy Story, and Back to the Future.” Jennifer Reed, owner and lead photographer at J&S Media, gushed.

In addition to the customized cultural aspects that were threaded throughout the reception experience, the ceremony itself stood out as a favorite memory for the couple.

“We were able to work with an incredible wedding planner who helped make our rehearsal dinner and wedding seamless. She beautifully incorporated both our Italian and Indian heritage in the decorations!” the bride reminisced. “Our priest was incredible and articulately explained the Hindu ceremony as it was happening; her narration and joy made our wedding ceremony perfect!”

“Our favorite moment to document was Phil’s participation in traditional Indian formalities. Some of our most admired images came from these moments, as they tell the story of how those from Indian and Italian backgrounds came together to honor Anisha’s Indian background while simultaneously celebrating Phil and his processional,” the photographer added. “These moments truly represented the merging of families and respect towards cultural marital traditions.”

The Proposal: 
Phil proposed near the beach in St. Augustine. It’s a special spot we hold dear as we frequent it whenever we need to relax, and it was a favorite place for our dog Enzo.

What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team? 
We wanted to find a photographer who could capture our personalities and really focus on the joy of the day.  This was the first time many of our families were together, so we wanted a photographer who could capture the candid moments.

J&S Media Wedding Films & Photo were so great to work with! Jennifer and Scott made us feel so comfortable and really helped put our minds at ease. They never put pressure on us to take photos a certain way and worked so well with our personalities!