This Couple Planned Their 3-Day Celebration in Miami—Which Melded Indian and American Wedding Traditions—in Just 6 Weeks

Priya and Karim first crossed paths in July 2019 at a large gathering of mutual friends—but they didn’t click romantically until they were set up nearly a year later, in March 2020. A few years after that, Karim popped the question on a trip to Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo on November 11, 2022. The two enjoyed their engagement and then realized that they wanted to get married—stat. Once they selected their wedding date, they spent just six weeks planning a rehearsal dinner, sangeet, and wedding ceremony and reception in Miami, Florida. Their vision? “A combination of the best of Indian and American wedding traditions, reflecting our global and cultural influences,” Priya says. “We wanted the three-day wedding to be focused on our love for each other, Karim’s kids, and our families and friends.”

The two invited 70 guests to their rehearsal dinner at Rishtedar, an Indian restaurant in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood on Thursday. The next day, they invited 200 loved ones to an evening of lively performances at their sangeet, which they also called a “global glam party,” at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne. On Saturday, April 6, 2023, they held their wedding ceremony and reception, complete with a pastel color palette, at a private home in Coral Gables, Miami, for 120 guests. Priya and Karim hired GoBella and Birch Event Design to pull off three events that prioritized entertainment—there were Bollywood dancers, astrologists, magicians and more!—and international menus. You’ll feel like you were there thanks to these photos by Allan Zepeda.

14 Indian Wedding and Ceremony Traditions

Priya and Karim invited guests from all over the world to Miami for their wedding weekend. “Miami was chosen due to its global crossroads location,” Priya says. Their celebrations started at Rishtedar, where 200 guests joined them for a welcome dinner. “We wanted to support a small business in Miami’s unique Wynwood area,” the bride says. “The restaurant was started by an Indian/Peruvian husband-wife duo.” Priya wore a cream colored Elie Saab sari dress paired with Aquazzura shoes; Karim wore a black collared kurta.

At the rehearsal dinner, vibrant décor and rich colors reflected their Indian heritage. The tables were topped with glitter linens and bud vases with bright pink flowers that matched the taper candles. They served a traditional Indian thali meal as a nod to the groom’s Gujarati heritage and enlisted a traditional Indian singer to perform. They also had a husband-wife duo share the ghazal, “a form of amatory poem or ode where the singer regales us with tunes and stories,” Priya says.

The couple invited 200 guests to join them at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne for their sangeet on Friday, April 5, 2023. Priya chose a custom gold mock neck Paco Rabanne outfit. “I have to credit my stylist, Julie Sabatino, for turning around a custom Paco Fall 2023 look by working directly with the atelier in Paris!” Priya says. “The outfit made it to Miami two days before the event!” She accessorized with Jimmy Choo shoes, layered gold rings, and a round cocktail bag.

The celebration took place outside underneath the property’s palm trees, where the space was decorated with gold lanterns and organic flower arrangements. Guests sipped on wine and cocktails and puffed on hand-rolled cigars as they took in ocean views. Several lounge areas with comfortable seating and cocktail tables topped with textured linens were set up throughout the space.

One of Priya and Karim’s favorite memories from their wedding weekend was watching their guests from around the world mingling with each other during this event.

Priya and Karim got out on the dance floor, happily joining their live band and participating in performances led by professional dancers. They also hired henna artists, magicians, and astrologists.

The following morning, Priya got ready for the wedding ceremony in a white button up with feather cuff embellishments and matching pants.

She wore an ivory embroidered Sabyasachi two-piece set with long sleeves for the ceremony paired with Prada ankle strap platform sandals. Before heading down to the service, she spent a moment with Karim’s sons.

The couple’s dog served as their ring bearer, so he wore a dog tuxedo and for his walk down the aisle.

Priya and Karim’s waterfront ceremony took place at a private home in Coral Gables. They chose a double floral arch for the ceremony made of carefully selected pink, peach, and cream blooms. They added an aisle runner and clusters of pastel flower arrangements to outline the walkway’s perimeter.

The couple had a hand-washing station with fragrant water for guests to use upon their arrival; they were encouraged to cleanse their hands before entering the sacred ceremony space. When the ceremony began, Karim was accompanied down the aisle by his daughter; Priya walked towards the altar with her father. “My best friend (who was nine months pregnant!) was our officiant.” Priya says. “She was the first person to help with all the details at the wedding and the last person to be on the dance floor until 4 a.m.!”

Karim wore a custom Indian Sherwani by Dhruv Sehgal for the ceremony and reception; his sons donned matching outfits.

Priya and Karim exchanged personal vows in front of their guests, which was an important part of the ceremony, they say. Once they were officially married, they celebrated back down the aisle to Coldplay’s “Sky Full of Stars.”

The home’s courtyard and outdoor space were completely transformed for a buffet reception dinner. A variety of dining spaces were created, including glass cocktail tables, round tables with formal blush linens, lounge areas with teal couches, and bar-like seating with funky table lamps. Modern round coffee tables held vibrant pink and peach floral flower arrangements.

The couple worked with Birch Event Design to create stunning floral installations for the chai cart and the home’s staircase with pink, peach, and ivory blooms.

Priya changed into a strapless gold Oscar de la Renta gown with beading for the reception. She and Karim shared their first dance to a traditional Hindi song.

Priya and Karim served a four-tired traditional white wedding cake decorated with white, blush, and orange flowers. The cake was set on a silver stand in front of a staircase that held a sprawling floral installation in the day’s color palette.

Guests hit the dance floor for the rest of the night and enjoyed not only a band, but a DJ, too. The couple made sure to bring out their favorite late-night bites, including chicken sandwiches and tater tots.

Priya and Karim enjoyed a mini-moon in Paris, France, and then went on a honeymoon safari in Botswana and South Africa. They remind couples who are planning their weddings to enjoy every moment. “Karim and I set out a plan on how we wanted to interact with our guests and make sure we were having fun even if we weren’t by each other’s side every moment,” Priya shares.

More Than 500 Guests Joined This Couple for 3 Days of Wedding Events in Laguna Beach