Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding! I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the MyShadi Bridal Expo.
This cultural event showcases traditional products and services essential for Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh weddings. A wide range of vendors, including wedding and event planners, photographers, caterers, and decorators, will be available to answer your questions and provide you with information about their services and products. In addition to great formal event planning resources, outfit designs, and food samples, don’t miss the fashion shows that will showcase the latest in formal clothing and jewelry designs. Be sure to also attend the live mehndi and makeup demonstrations for ideas on wedding day looks.
Good luck to all who have registered to win a free trip to India! If you have not yet registered to enter the grand prize and raffle drawings, you still have time. Stop by the registration desk to enter. Last but not least, I would like to thank everyone involved with this event. This event would not be a success without the support of Expo attendees, show participants, and vendors.
Enjoy the MyShadi Bridal Expo and good luck with all of your wedding and event planning!
– Aruna Shah
MyShadi Bridal Expo Schedule 12:00 NOON DOORS OPEN 2:00 PM Fashion Show Sponsored by Le Trend Boutique
4:45 PM Grand Prize Winners Announced
ABOUT COVER
Beauticians / Cosmetician Style by Susmita 973-901-3316 Venue Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress 407-239-3933 Sun N Fun International Fly In Expo 863-904-4061 Decorator NJP Events and Design 321-474-4078
Bride and Groom Reshma & Roshan
Photographer Castaldo Studios LLC 407-347-8926 www.castaldostudio.com
MyShadi Bridal Expo FASHION SHOW SPONSORS COORDINATOR Rosanna Barsati rbarsati@yahoo.com CLOTHING AND JEWELRY Le Trend Boutique 407-288-3304 www.letrendboutique.com MAKEUP AND HAIR Michele Renee Hair & Makeup Artist Group 813-531-7770 www.michelereneethestudio.com
DJ Infinite Soundz Entertainment 862-686-8283 www.infinitesoundzentertainment.com
MyShadi Bridal Expo PLATINUM SPONSORS
ORLANDO
Hilton Orlando www.thehiltonorlando.com
MyShadi.com www.myshadi.com
The Arpan Group The Arpan Group www.thearpangroup.com
Like MyShadi.com on @MyShadiWedding • Stay up to date with the latest trends in Indian Weddings. • Don’t miss information about our upcoming Bridal Expos. • Win fabulous prizes! • Post pictures of your booth • Engage with us! We value your feedback so let us know when you like our fashion show or if you want to see anything specific at our next Bridal Expo!
Desh-Videsh | 954-784-8100 | www.deshvidesh.com
Raj Shah
Nikhil Koshti
SP Stadium Road, Ahmedabad.
A
t Le Trend Boutique, we offer South Asian fusion bridal and party wear for the bride, groom, and their families. We specialize in custom designs for bridal outfits and our bridal collection can be made to your preferred size, color, and other specifications needed to create the outfit of your dreams. Working by appointments only, we take pride in giving our fullest attention to the bride and groom during every step of the way in order to create the high quality and stylish garments Le Trend Boutique is known for.
saree, but gowns and anarkalis can also be made for them. To complete the outfits, we carry a wide range of bridal jewelry, headpieces, and exclusive purses. For our out-of-state and overseas clients, we offer world wide shipping as well as Skype and Face Time consultations. To book an appointment or consultation, please call or message us at 407-2883304 or email us at letrendboutiquefl@gmail.com.
We always recommend the bridal party to get their outfits at least four to five months prior to the wedding to ensure everyone’s outfits can be made to their liking in a timely manner. Our newly introduced bridesmaids collection involves selecting a specific color, blouse, and skirt style as well as their choice of dupatta. Bridesmaids can wear their outfits as a lengha or half
For Appointments Contact:
Le Trend Boutique
1918 Bridgewater Drive, Lake Mary, FL 32746-6907 Phone: 407-288-3304 Email: letrendboutiquefl@gmail.com www.letrendboutique.com
FASHION SHOW MODELS JULIA BALES A graduate of Furman University with a degree in computer science and Chinese, Julia spent two years in Beijing and eight years in Hong Kong developing the Asian cruise market. Julia is now chief digital officer for Go Travel in Orlando and enjoys training in aerial silks and acrobatics.
ROSANNA BARSATI Rosanna earned her Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law and graduated with a certificate in International Law. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts from Stetson University. She currently works at the Law Office of Paulette Hamilton assisting with divorce, immigration, and bankruptcy matters. Rosanna was published as a contributor in the International Lawyer Year in Review 2015 Kickoff for the Africa Committee. Her written contributions focus on facts based upon extensive research of the political environment in Somalia and Burundi with respect to First Amendment freedoms and country conditions. In 2015, Rosanna served as a panelist for TedX FSCJ where she helped facilitate a discussion on Refugees, Immigration, and Muslims in America. Rosanna has participated as a model in the Desh Videsh Orlando MyShadi Bridal Expo since 2009 and regularly features clothing items by Le Trend Boutique. She was featured on the cover of the Desh Videsh magazine Luxury Edition in November 2015. Rosanna’s hobbies include drumming, paddle boarding, and traveling internationally. She also enjoys belly dancing for parties and wedding events.
FASHION SHOW MODELS GINA Gina is a born and raised Floridan working in the marketing industry. Modeling has been a hobby of hers since she was 17. She is currently working on a bucket list item to visit all six Disney Parks.
DJ KRISH Krish is a 27-year old international DJ and MC from New Jersey, who now lives in Ocala, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with a major in Business Marketing and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Recently, he branched out and began a new business with premium skincare brand Rodan + Fields. Whenever he’s not actively engaged in work, he loves riding his motorcycle and trying new things like modeling for Le Trend Boutique! Follow Krish @OFFICIALKRISH on Instagram and Facebook!
LISA-MARIE Lisa-Marie, 26, has competed in multiple pageants, walked in numerous fashion shows, and has been performing and dancing for over 10 years. She loves being on stage and being a part of big productions. She is honored to be involved in the Le Trend boutique fashion show for the second time to showcase some of the many beautiful cultural gowns designed by Farzana.
FASHION SHOW MODELS ANJALI PARMAR Anjali Parmar, 22, was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She is studying at the University of South Florida with a major in Health Sciences, aspiring to become a Dermatologist. Working out, dancing, traveling, and being nutritious are a few of her lifestyle choices. She enjoys modeling and exploring several fashion trends.
DIVYA PATEL Divya Patel, 17, was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She is currently in Hig h School and pursuing an International Baccalaureate diploma. She has been participating in Indian dance competitions for thirteen years now and plans on continuing in college.
TAM PHAM Tam Pham is Vietnamese and is excited to be a part of the MyShadi Bridal Expo fashion show! She currently works in the tourism industry. When not working, Tam loves to dance and model. She has danced for entertainment companies and sports teams over the past several years, and also does commercial modeling locally in Central Florida.
FASHION SHOW MODELS ANA PONKO Ana is originally from Venezuela where she graduated in Petrochemical Eng ineering. She has been happily living in Orlando for four years as it’s the perfect place to enjoy nature. She currently works as a Marketing Sales Representative in the healthcare Industry. She is a WBFF (World B e a u t y F i t n e s s & F a s h i o n) P r o Diva bikini model, and her hobbies include fitness, modeling and participating in photo shoots.
ASHLEY SHAH Ashley Shah, 27, was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She is also the mother of t wo wonderful kids, Isabella and Isaiah. Enjoying family time with her kids is what she loves the most. She was the winner of Miss Indo-Caribbean 2011 and has been modeling since her teenage days. She graduated in 2012 with her dental assistant degree. One day, she dreams of becoming a Bollywood actress (fingers crossed!). Not only has she been modeling for the MyShadi Bridal Expo for about nine years now, but has been modeling professionally.
Photo Courtesy: Zamana Photo & Videography
Two Most Important, Essential Rituals in Hindu Weddings
I
n earlier wedding special issues of DeshVidesh, I have discussed the importance of wedding rituals in Hindu weddings. A wedding for a Hindu family is not just a party and celebration, but it also fulfills one of the nine sanskars of life. In other words, Marriage, for every Hindu, is not merely pleasure, or romantic love, but an act of duty, a matter of moral and religious obligation, incumbent on everyone in all normal circumstances.
By Raj Shah Vedic rites or rituals for the performance of a wedding ceremony are many, and may take anywhere between one hour to four hours. According to the Hindu Marriage Act, the two most important rituals in Hindu weddings are the
Photo Courtesy: Anand Photo & Video
Photo Courtesy: Peter Nguyen Photography
Mangal Pheras and Saptapadi. These rituals are essential for the marriage to be deemed complete. Each Hindu wedding ritual has religious, spiritual, and most importantly, practical message or meaning. When a Hindu Pandit recites the Vedic Mantra during wedding rituals, many of us do not understand the actual meaning or significance. When you break down the meaning or significance of each ritual, one finds they are words to live by in your married life. The first essential ritual in Hindu weddings is the Mangal Pheras (AgnÄŤparinayana) or the walk around the sacred agni God or fire. Some people
call this ritual Sapta phera (Seven rounds), but there is no mention in the Hindu Scriptures of the seven rounds (sapta phera). It has become popular in North Indian marriages due to the influence of Bollywood! There seems to have been some confusion between the seven steps and seven rounds. Some people believe Mangal Pheras and Saptapadi to be the same but they are not. Mangal Pheras involve taking four rounds around fire. Each Phera represents one of four promises. The first one represents Dharma, to pursue life’s religious and moral duty, the second represents Artha, to pursue prosperity, the
Photo Courtesy: Peter Nguyen Photography
devotion and love towards her husband. The second most important ritual in Hindu weddings is the saptapadi. These are the seven steps taken together by the bride and groom to signify their togetherness for each step in their journey of life. Photo Courtesy: Cassie Valente Photography
third represents Kama, to pursue earthly pleasures, and the fourth represents Moksha, to pursue spiritual salvation. The groom leads the first three Pheras around the fire, and the bride leads the groom the final round to show her
The original text of the saptapadi was written in our Hindu scripture. For many of us, it can be too complicated to understand practical meaning. One Hindu Scripture and English Scholar (whose name is unknown) put these slokas of saptapadi in a romantic way as follows:
Walk with me four steps and three, I seek thy hand; let me not break from thee, nor thou from me. Let us swear in joy and strength, One in thought and deed, one within. Heaven and earth are me and thee, Seed am I for thee to bloom. Word and mind are thee and me Be my friend and make me groom Come my mate and blend with me, For sons and weal, O cheerful girl!
What a beautiful message! Addressing the bride as ‘Mate,’ the man describes the nature of the bond that shall grow between him and her and that the journey is exciting. These mantras reveal how the relationship between
man and woman should materialize, like heaven and earth, music and hymn, mind and word.
About Raj Shah
motto ever since he arrived in the US. He has been instrumental in starting and promoting several community organizations such as the Indian Religious and Cultural Center and Hindu University of America South Florida Chapter. He serves as a chairman of Board of International Hindu University. Raj has written two books titled Chronology of Hinduism and Understanding Hinduism. He has also written six children books, We love Diwali, Holi Hai, The Complete Ramayan in 100 Tweets, The Mahabharat in 100 Tweets, Coloring and Understanding Hindu Symbols and Welcome to my beautiful Mandir.
A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of Hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his
In the next Wedding Resources issue, I will talk about the next two important rituals in the Hindu Weddings.
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