Anjana Pillai and Sanjay Patel of Chicago chose the elegant Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando Resort as the location for their November wedding. Around 400 guests gathered for the ceremony which took place near the Citrus Garden. A large sparkling Mandap was specially constructed for the traditional Indian ceremony performed by a priest mostly in Sanskrit.

The bride went all the way to India to purchase the saris she and her wedding party wore. Her’s was a deep teal with lush silver details. Also impressive was Sanjay’s Barat during which he rode on a huge white horse. In many Indian weddings the groom has not ever met the bride and the Barat is when he rides into her village on an elephant or large horse for the wedding, accompanied by his family and friends who dance and celebrate.

Anjana and Sanjay, or Sanjana, as their friends call them, are much the modern American couple. Sanjay confessed to not having heard much Indian music before they began planning their wedding. Their choice to honor their cultural traditions was a good one- the reception was the best party we have ever seen. People of all ages were up on their feet dancing to the beats of the Indian drummers who were hired to get the crowd going.

Celebrity wedding planner Heather Snively, of Weddings Unique, helped Anjana and Sanjay plan and coordinate the festivities.

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