Sriteja + Logan's Florida Wedding

From the Bride: We planned this wedding for 1.5 years - from the beachfront venue down to the dessert lounge - we had a masterpiece on our hands. And then I got the call - the devastating news that a hurricane was imminent and that our venue was shutting down for the EXACT three days during which we were to hold our wedding. It was an unbelievable blow.

We had no time to mourn the wedding we had just lost - we had to think quick - the first pre-wedding event was supposed to be the next day. So the silence before the storm ended as quickly as it had started - within the hour, our entire family was making phone call after phone call to find us a new venue, in a new town, with new vendors, and a fervent resolve that one way or another, this wedding was going to happen -- and so it did.

We packed up everything, were up at the crack of dawn the next morning, driving 4 hours south from Daytona Beach to Ft. Lauderdale -- in one evening, we had secured a new venue and re-planned the wedding. Many of our original vendors drove four extra hours through a hurricane to be with us - and we cannot thank them enough. We had guests flying in from India, Kentucky, Virginia, California, Canada, and more - only half of them could make it, but they had to work hard to change flight tickets in the middle of airport closures. We are so thankful to all of these people who pulled every string to make this day happen. Before we knew it, we had held two pre-wedding events, the wedding itself, and a gorgeous reception, where we danced our first dance to “Abbanee Theeyani” by Ilaiyaraaja and “Something Something” by Devi Sri Prasad.

Thinking back on it now, the disappointment of our loss is still present - this was the first November hurricane to hit Florida in nearly 40 years, the first to hit the east coast in 87 years. But we remind ourselves this:

if our wedding is not a metaphor for the strength of our family and the resilience we will undoubtedly see in our marriage, I don't know what is -- and that is a magical thing.

Bride’s Advice: It's going to be stressful no matter what you do, but when someone offers to help, take them up on it! Even though you think you can do it all - and maybe you can - your mental health will thank you to accept help from your loved ones. Remember that though it's your special day, they all care about you and want it to be as special as possible too - trust those you love to take care of you as they always have.

Photography: Spegal Creative | Videography: Mikey Fik Videography | Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Venue: (Ceremony) Courtyard by Marriott Ft. Lauderdale Downtown (Reception) The Easton Rooftop | Florals + Event Designer: Ava Elise Event Decor and More | Caterer: 5th Element Indian Restaurant | Cake: The Naked Cupcake | Music: DJ Mark Persaud | Hair + Makeup: Carol Casal | Bride’s Attire: Prakash Silks | Groom’s Attire: Mebaz | Jewelry: Bride's mother's (Raji Yedhara) private collection