A Contemporary Indian Wedding in Orlando Blending Love, Tradition, and Celebration
Ashley Outar and Akash Khorran met in December of 2019, just before the world changed. The introduction was made by a mutual friend, and the two started building a connection across thousands of miles.
“What began as a simple Instagram DM quickly blossomed into nightly Facetime calls,” Ashley shares. “Three weeks later, Akash flew to Orlando to meet me in person. I remember being both excited and nervous, unsure of what it would be like to finally meet face to face. What followed was a perfect weekend of brunch, a day at Disney World, and Akash saying, ‘I love you’ on what technically was our very first date! From that moment on, we became inseparable – well, as inseparable as you can be in a long-distance relationship.”
A Shared Love for Adventure
One of the main factors in Ashley and Akash’s growing relationship was their shared love for adventure. Rather than simply texting and calling, the couple chose to meet up in new places, which eventually became meaningful chapters in their love story.
“Our first trip took us to Valle Guadalupe, Mexico,” Ashley recalls, “the country’s hidden wine region. Walking through the vineyards, sipping wine, and sharing sunsets, we grew even closer with every new destination.”
“We felt so lucky to be surrounded by all of our friends and family that flew across the sea to be there to celebrate us.”
To kick off 2023, the couple chose to experience the “journey of a lifetime” with a month’s long adventure in Southeast Asia, starting in Vietnam, then heading to Cambodia, Malaysia, and ending in Indonesia. There, against Bali’s stunning landscape, Akash proposed and turned their epic adventure into an unforgettable destination engagement.
Planning with Designer Weddings by Carly Rose
Admittedly, Ashley was overwhelmed by the thought of wedding planning and had no idea where to begin the process.
“In the summer of 2023,” she explains, “we took the leap and booked a venue on our own that we thought was perfect; but it turned out to be anything but. Feeling lost and overwhelmed, I knew I needed help. That’s when my mom, after scrolling through Instagram, stumbled upon Carly from Designer Weddings by Carly Rose. She was instantly captivated by Carly’s stunning work and completely convinced that she was the perfect person to bring our dream wedding to life.”
In terms of their wedding vision, both Ashley and Akash knew they wanted the big day to be rooted in tradition, but with a modern twist – the perfect reflection of who they are. The couple’s families wanted a beautiful, multi-day Indian wedding, but Ashley and Akash also wanted a celebration that felt fresh, exciting, and unique.
“We needed a venue that could honor our cultural heritage while embracing a contemporary vibe,” Ashley explains. “A space that could capture both the rich tradition of our Hindu ceremonies and the modern energy of our celebration. After touring a few places, we knew that The Ritz-Carlton Orlando was the one. It was the perfect combination of grandeur and intimacy, with distinct spaces that would let us craft unique atmospheres for each of our events. Design and décor were among the most important aspects of wedding planning for me. I can’t emphasize enough the value of working with a wedding planner and florist who truly listen and understand your vision. From the very beginning, Carly, my wedding planner, and Sarah, my florist, seemed to read my mind. They grasped what I wanted – even beyond what I could put into words or convey through a handful of Pinterest photos.”
Love, Tradition, and Celebration
When their wedding day arrived, the outdoor pergola was transformed with vibrant, rich florals and flowing drapery that allowed the sunset to peek through during the most perfect golden hour wedding ceremony. Each detail came together to create the bride’s dream mandap, which was an exquisite contrast to the sleek, modern, all-white décor scheme the couple chose for their reception. As soon as they walked in, they were greeted by a space bathed in the soft glow of flickering candles, setting the stage for an evening of dancing, laughter, and joy.
“Entertainment was a huge priority for us,” says the bride. “We wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of our West Indian and Caribbean culture. It was an incredible honor to have the legendary chutney singer, Rakesh Yankaran, perform live, made even more special by the fact that the band featured musicians from our own family. Akash even took a turn on the drums, playing on his own wedding day. Dancing to the music that shaped our childhood, surrounded by our closest family and friends, was an experience we’ll treasure forever – a perfect blend of love, tradition, and celebration.”
The Wedding Food Experience
For the bride and groom, choosing the perfect menu wasn’t just a checklist item during the wedding planning process – it was central to the entire experience.
“Both of us, along with our families, are huge foodies,” Ashley states, “so we knew the menu had to reflect our shared love of delicious food. Enter Chef Jayshree and The Ritz-Carlton Orlando team. Our wedding tasting was nothing short of amazing. The experience was more than just a meal. For the Hindu wedding ceremony, we wanted the food to be as traditional as the ceremony itself. The vegetarian spread Chef Jayshree prepared was incredible.
It was, without a doubt, some of the best Indian food I’ve ever tasted. For our reception, we wanted to create something that felt modern and unexpected, while still bringing in the flavors that we love. We decided to go with a fusion menu, incorporating classic Indian flavors into Western-style entrees. The result? A combination that felt fresh, exciting, and perfectly suited to the atmosphere of our celebration. And the highlight? The masala mashed potatoes. To this day, our guests rave about them!”
The newlyweds will be honeymooning during Summer 2025, traveling to Spain and Portugal.
“We can’t wait to road trip the beautiful coastline from Barcelona to Porto,” Ashley shares. “We’re beyond grateful for everything we’ve experienced so far and so excited for adventures yet to come.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location, Caterer & Cake: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Orlando, FL; Planning & Event Design: Designer Weddings by Carly Rose Orlando, FL; Floral Design: Flower Girl Designs Orlando, FL; Rentals: Gala Rental & A Chair Affair Orlando, FL; Stationery & Signage: The Moxie Workshop Orlando, FL; Lighting, Drapery & Production: FyerFly Productions Orlando, FL; Linens: Nuage Designs Miami, FL; Dance Floor: Letz Dance On It Orlando, FL; Ceremony Violinist: Tanner Johnson Violin Orlando, FL; Reception DJ: DJ Bullet Orlando, FL; Baraat Horse: Wind Chase Farms Summerfield, FL; Getaway Car: VIP Wedding Transportation Orlando, FL; Ceremony Dress: ROQA from Nazranaa Iselin, NJ; Reception Dress: Rita Vinieris; Bridal Salon: Solutions Bridal Orlando, FL; Groom’s Attire: Nazranaa Iselin, NJ; Groom’s Watch: Tag Heuer; Hair & Makeup: Beauty Marked Lakeland, FL; Henna: Henna Allure Orlando, FL; Content Creator: Julious Daughters Orlando, FL; Cinematography: Pineapple Films Jupiter, FL; Photography: Nicole Aston Photography, Utah
