1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Multicultural Wedding at Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina in Tampa, Florida

After years of friendship, a long-distance relationship and move to Florida, Jessica Yeh (30 and a clinical pharmacist) and Ujwal Patel (30 and a clin

After years of friendship, a long-distance relationship and move to Florida, Jessica Yeh (30 and a clinical pharmacist) and Ujwal Patel (30 and a clinical coordinator) became engaged in 2014. Ujwal popped the question while the couple was planning their wedding! They already booked their venue,Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, and photographer, Kismis Ink Photography, when Ujwal suggested they do an engagement shoot. The couple started taking pictures in Curtis Hixon Park when a violinist playing the Game of Thrones theme song appeared and Ujwal dropped to one knee. “Everything was above and beyond what I could ever have imagined,” says Jessica. Within eight months, they planned a luxurious wedding decorated in red, purple, gold and teal that included three ceremonies to acknowledge their cultural and religious backgrounds. “I wanted a fusion of our cultures.The Indian culture and weddings are known for its bold colors and celebration. I wanted to capture all that mixed with my Chinese-American heritage,” says Jessica. The day began with an outdoor Christian wedding on the venue’s palm tree-lined patio. Lush arrangements of white hydrangea, purple roses and white orchids designated the altar. After they said “I do,” Jessica and Ujwal prepared for their Hindu ceremony. Ujwal’s baraat, or processional, into the ceremony included an horse-drawn carriage ride through Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. Inside the Grand Ballroom, gold chiavari chairs faced a grand deep purple and red fabric draped arch as red flower petals lined the aisle. More than 160 guests were treated to a lunch buffet with Indian and Chinese cuisine as they watched the two-hour ceremony. Jessica and Ujwal then had a quick Chinese tea ceremony before joining their guests for an indoor cocktail hour and reception. The ballroom was transformed with round deep purple linen-covered tables, gold chiavari chairs and orchid centerpieces. Each guest was treated to dinner, dancing and a four-tier wedding cake before leaving the ballroom with a personalized box of chocolate fortune cookies.

Bridal Henna and Diamond Scroll Detailed Bracelet
Pink and Purple Rose Bouquet with White hydrangea
Purple and Gold Wedding Invitation Suite
Before their christian ceremony, the couple had a first look. Jessica wore a white tiered lace strapless ball gown from David’s Bridal that she bought on Cyber Monday. She complemented it with her mother’s jade and white gold necklace. Ujwal wore a classic black suit from Macy’s with Kenneth Cole shoes.
Jessica complemented her wedding dress with fun gold studded flats and her mother’s white gold jade necklace.
Palm Tree-Lined Tampa Marriott Waterside Ceremony
Each of Jessica's bridesmaids wore an elegant royal purple knee-length dress from David's Bridal with simple jewelry and a curled down hairstyle.
Bright Purple Orchid Bridesmaid Bouquet
Jessica and Ujwal’s Outdoor Christian Ceremony
Classic Black Tuxedo and Purple Paisley Bow Tie
Jessica's fuchsia saree and Ujwal's neutral sherwani with a matching dark pink scarf and hat were custom made in India. Jessica’s sister-in-law and cousin-in-law purchased the attire when they flew to India to go shopping just for the wedding, says Jessica. She paired her sari with Traditional Indian jewelry and Chinese gold bangles.
The Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina's grand ballroom was transformed twice for Jessica and Ujwal’s wedding. The first time, it was elegantly decorated in red and gold for the couple's traditional Hindu ceremony.
Jessica and Ujwal’s Traditional Hindu Ceremony
Traditional Gold and Red Tea Ceremony Teacups
Traditional Gold and Red Tea Ceremony Teacups
As their guests rested in the afternoon, Jessica and Ujwal had an intimate Chinese tea ceremony with her parents. This was their third traditional ceremony of the day.
Classic Family Escort Cards with Black Script
Tall Pink Floating Cymbidium Orchid Centerpiece
A “kissing menu” was set along each table with a list of actions the guests could take to make the couple kiss, including a serenade and movie charades.
Each centerpiece at Jessica and Ujwal's reception included either a whimsical display of white orchids and crystals nestled within gold branches or tall floating pink orchids.
Tiered Purple, Gold and Teal Wedding Cake
Gold Boxed Wedding Favor with Teal Ribbon
After a day filled with tradition and celebration, the couple spent their after party along the hotel’s patio, surrounded by their friends and cousins.