Beachfront Hindu-American Fusion Wedding the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria, Florida

Melissa Graves (35 and an actor) and Mehul Gulati (37 and works in software development) brought India to Florida in three days of cross cultural wedding events, culminating in Hindu and American ceremonies. At the prewedding mehndi party, henna artists decorated hands of bridesmaids and female guests. During the baraat (groom’s procession), Mehul rode to the Hindu ceremony on horseback, surrounded by dhol drummers and dancing friends. Melissa and Mehul began with “At Last” by Etta James, then switched to an upbeat number, “Morni Banke” by Guru Randhawa.Guests embraced the dual traditions, changing from saris into summer dresses, and surprising the couple with a choreographed Indian dance. “It was overwhelming how amazing they performed and that they spent so much time to share this tradition and give us this gift,” Melissa says. Designers in India made Melissa’s red lehenga and Mehul’s off- white sherwani for the afternoon Indian ceremony. Amaranthus, roses, thistles, snapdragons and wax flowers topped tables while Florida palms and Indian indigo prints informed the green, peach and batik-blue color palette. Proteas and roses decorated the strawberry and Key lime coconut cake. Guests dined on coconut shrimp, vegetable curry and chicken piccata.