Some couples dream of far-off destinations, but Puja and Mihir found the perfect balance closer to home: sun, sand, and a Gulf Coast backdrop for their multi-day Indian wedding. Fort Myers offered everything they hoped for—ocean breezes, palm trees, and plenty of venue options. Before we dive into the details of their wedding weekend, catamarans, kaleerey, and CO₂ guns (yes, really), let’s start with how this couple even got here.

A Love Story Seven Years in the Making

Puja and Mihir first met on their medical school interview day. It wasn’t a rom-com scene with instant sparks—more like the beginning of a steady, once-in-a-lifetime partnership. From medical school in Philadelphia to top residency programs in New York City, their relationship grew alongside their careers. “We met seven years ago on our medical school interview day and have shared an incredible journey,” Puja says. Their wedding weekend in the domestic destination of Fort Myers became the culmination of that journey.

Why Fort Myers? (Hint: Dolphins Were Involved)

“We wanted our family and friends to have a special feel, as if they are on vacation alongside the beach, ocean, with palm trees, but not wanting them to travel too far and spend too much money, which is why we chose Florida,” Puja explains.
And it turns out, Mother Nature approved of their choice. “We had dolphins right next to our wedding ceremony all morning long, swimming in the ocean, which was so special.” (Yes, actual dolphins at the mandap—talk about good vibes!)

A Welcome Fit for Family

From the moment guests arrived at the Marriott Sanibel Harbor, Puja and Mihir set the tone: garlands, sweets, rose water, and music filled the hotel lobby. Even the room keys and itineraries were personalized, making guests feel less like wedding attendees and more like VIPs at a weeklong festival.

That first night, things took to the water with a catamaran cruise welcome dinner. Each boat was cheekily named after one of the couple’s wedding hashtags, and crew members greeted guests wearing turbans. Playful “girls’ side vs. boys’ side” stickers broke the ice, while fireworks and sparklers lit up the sky to close the night. “It was such a fun way to kick things off,” Puja says.

Haldi… but Make It a Pool Party

The next day, the Haldi ceremony morphed into something Puja calls one of her favorite memories: a pink-themed pool party. While guests wore shades of mango and gold, Puja and Mihir stood out in hand-painted pink organza outfits by Pichhka, accessorized with handmade shell jewelry. A bubble tea station, a donut bar, and a hilarious skit by the bridal party kept the energy high. And then, because why not, Puja and Mihir jumped straight into the pool in their Haldi attire—soon joined by their guests.

Bollywood Meets the Gulf Coast

The Sangeet was a full-on Bollywood set. We’re talking custom movie posters starring Puja and Mihir, life-size cutouts, a giant mural, and performances that ranged from traditional garba to a love story skit by Puja’s family. Guests danced for hours, fueled by the kind of energy only live music and shared culture can bring.

A Ceremony Full of Heart

On the wedding day, tradition met personalization in the most touching ways. To honor both of their late fathers, the couple placed framed photographs at the entrance to the mandap. Mihir rolled in on a decorated golf cart baraat, while Puja’s kaleerey featured photo charms of her dad and grandparents so their memory was woven into the day.

And in a beautiful blending of backgrounds, “Our Hindu ceremony began with a Sikh prayer, blending both of our traditions in such a meaningful way,” Puja says. Guests showered the couple with petals from custom-made cones as they began their journey as husband and wife—dolphins cheering them on in the distance.

A Flower-Adorned Reception

At the reception, guests were seated with handwritten notes titled Our Favorite People, a gallery wall showcased stunning photos from a pre-wedding shoot in India (plus fresh prints from earlier in the week), and a vintage audio telephone let guests leave voice messages as keepsakes.

Puja wowed with multiple outfit changes, even slipping into a white gown with custom sneakers for cocktail hour. Their choreographed first dance was a mashup of Hollywood, Bollywood and surprise beats, ending with a mic drop moment. Then came a twist on the traditional family dances: the mother-son and mother-daughter dances switched partners mid-song, symbolizing two families becoming one.

The Party Didn’t Stop

And because this is Puja and Mihir we’re talking about, the weekend wrapped with a true finale: crowd surfing, CO₂ guns, late-night dancing behind the DJ booth, and an after-party stocked with finger foods. 

Lessons From the Couple

Of course, pulling off a multi-day wedding from afar wasn’t without its challenges. Puja and Mihir managed it with one site visit, plenty of video calls, and a planner who helped bring the vision together. But Puja is quick to remind other couples not to sweat the small stuff.

“You can plan and plan and have a vision (which you for sure should have), but during the event, things will go wrong, things will go unplanned, and you will have to adapt. You and your partner set the tone, and if you’re having fun, everyone else will too!”

To keep the planning fun, they even bought a Polaroid camera and snapped photos throughout the process. “We now have all these polaroids of memories and can look back at just how much fun this time really was.”

From dolphins at the mandap to Bollywood movie posters, from heartfelt tributes to wild after-parties, Puja and Mihir’s Fort Myers wedding weekend turned out to be a celebration of epic proportions that everyone lucky enough to attend got to be part of.

Vendors: Photographer: DK Photofilms; Wedding Planner: Eventrics Weddings; Venue: Marriott Sanibel Island; Florals & Event Design: Dreams to Reality; Caterer: Saffron Indian Cuisine; DJ: Awaaz Entertainment; Stationery: Wed Me Crafts; Hair & Makeup: Caroline Minervas; Groom’s Clothing: Wedding Lounge, Pichhka, Enzo Custom; Bride’s Clothing: Marwar Couture, Pichhka, Frontier Raas, Seema Gujral; Bridal Party Clothing Designer: Snehas Collection