When attending orientation for dental school, Rohan Madhyani introduced himself to Carrol Anton. “I remember how confident, well mannered, and not to mention how handsome he was!” shares Carrol of the first impressions of her future husband. A few months later, they hit it off on a night filled with dancing, foreshadowing their nuptials to come, and Rohan proposed in Miami, where they would say “I do” 19 months later. 

As Rohan is Indian and Carrol is Egyptian, the pair made sure to incorporate their cultures into the celebration. In keeping with Hindu tradition, they had a sangeet in the groom’s hometown of Orlando prior to the wedding, complete with Indian cuisine and music, as well as choreographed dances the couple performed with their wedding parties. “We even did the dances the next week at our wedding reception in Miami,” confirms Carrol. “Our guests loved it, especially if they were unable to attend the sangeet.” 

For the nuptials themselves, a traditional Coptic Orthodox wedding ceremony was performed in a beautifully ornate cathedral that required minimal decoration, save for white florals to complement the overarching wedding color palette of greys, whites, and touches of silver accented with greenery. 

The bride was stunning in a strapless gown with floral embellishments; she wore her long hair down in loose, voluminous waves and carried a cascading bouquet of white orchids – her favorite flower – as she joined her groom at the altar to become husband and wife. “The priest of the church from my home in Cleveland prayed and officiated our wedding,” adds the bride of the sentimental touch. 

“We really wanted to celebrate, and the best way for us is good music and dancing.”

Following the vow exchange, guests made their way to the South Beach hotel for the rest of the evening’s festivities. They were welcomed with chic, modern décor to “give the Miami vibe to our guests,” explains the bride, noting that the design scheme reflected the look of their own home. “I really wanted statement centerpieces to elevate the modern ballroom at The Ritz,” she adds. 

Alternating high and low centerpieces of nearly all-white florals including orchids decorated tables covered with silver linens or sleek, modern varieties, and loved ones were seated atop metallic oval-back chairs or translucent Ghost chairs. To provide a warm, romantic feel to the otherwise sleek design, candlelight illuminated tablescapes and set the desired ambience. 

After dinner, guests enjoyed slices of the pair’s three-tier wedding cake, which was decorated with Carrol’s beloved orchids and featured three different flavors: banana, coconut, and peach. For an additional sweet treat, guests were presented with the bride’s absolute favorite Egyptian chocolates as wedding favors – which had been transported from Egypt by the mother of the bride as a last-minute addition. To end the evening, everyone danced the night away, just as the couple envisioned. “We really wanted to celebrate, and the best way for us is good music and dancing,” smiles the bride. 

Reflecting on their big day, Carrol offers helpful advice to future brides and grooms: “Do things for you – not for anyone else!” That being said, she also made sure to run a number of decisions by her parents throughout the wedding-planning process. “This was as much of a celebration for them as it was for us,” she notes, “and they were the hosts, so I wanted to make sure they had a say in things as well. They have such great taste!”