A Vibrant Miami Wedding Celebrating Culture, Family, and Heritage
Annalyn Kumar and Narain Reddy’s story began during their junior year at Boston University. Introduced through mutual friends, they instantly connected. Narain quickly asked Annalyn on a study date. With no exams on her radar and three looming on his, she agreed as she was more excited to hang out than study. That one “study” session sparked a bond that only deepened with time.
From the start, Narain was captivated by Annalyn’s energy, which is full of life, fun, and able to make everyone feel welcome and included. Annalyn was drawn to Narain’s wit, thoughtfulness, and how he made conversations both meaningful and hilarious. Their friendship quickly became something more, rooted in curiosity, humor, and admiration.
They dated for seven years before their wedding, spending nearly four of those years long distance. Despite busy lives and different cities, they never lost sight of their goal of building a future together. Through countless FaceTimes and plane rides, their commitment only grew stronger.
Engaged in Chicago
On March 1, 2024, Narain orchestrated an unforgettable proposal. Knowing how much Annalyn adored Chicago, he convinced her to join him on a trip for a "conference." In reality, he had planned a surprise proposal at Milton Lee Olive Park, a picturesque spot overlooking the skyline. Despite the freezing temperatures, he somehow convinced Annalyn to leave her coat behind. Their families emerged from hiding with tears, laughter, and hugs all around. They took photos before heading to what Annalyn thought was a quiet family dinner, only to walk into a surprise engagement party with fifty of their closest friends and family who had flown in from across the country. While she had her suspicions about the proposal, she never saw the party coming.
The Ultimate Miami Wedding Experience
Annalyn and Narain always knew they wanted their wedding to feel like a true reflection of their relationship, which is adventurous, vibrant, and rooted in shared experiences. Miami was the perfect backdrop. With its energy, color, beachside beauty, and cultural diversity, the city captured the spirit of their love story. It was also a destination that allowed them to bring together loved ones from across the country in a place that felt both exciting and welcoming.
“Their friendship quickly became something more, rooted in curiosity, humor, and admiration.”
Together with their parents, siblings, and extended family, Annalyn and Narain spent just under a year planning every detail of the celebration. Planning trips to Miami became special weekends filled with walkthroughs, vendor meetings, and family dinners. When Tum Hi Ho Events joined the team three months before the big day, everything began to come together seamlessly. Annalyn and Narain knew from the beginning that they didn’t want the wedding to feel like one long event. Instead, each moment, from the welcome dinner to the reception, was designed to have its own personality and energy.
The weekend kicked off with a welcome dinner at the Paramount Miami Worldcenter. Set in the heart of downtown, the event took place on the 55th floor, the guests were greeted by the glitz and glam of Miami. They created a custom theme “Join Us for A Drink in Our Favorite Cities,” with signature cocktails representing five meaningful places in their relationship and custom coaster gift sets. The theme was a personal, playful touch that set the tone for the weekend.
The next morning, guests gathered for the Haldi ceremony on the beach behind the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Surrounded by waves and sunshine, the event was a burst of color and fun. The decor featured sunflowers and water elements, reflecting the Haldi’s symbolic ties to cleansing and renewal. To make the event even more interactive, they set up beach games including Connect 4, Jenga, Spike Ball, and customized Cornhole Boards. Fresh coconuts with their monogram served as refreshing drinks and keepsakes for guests. After being covered in Haldi paste by friends and family, the couple capped off the celebration by running into the ocean. The whole event felt relaxed, intimate, and full of laughter.
That evening, the Sangeet took place at The Temple House, one of Miami Beach’s most unique venues. The entire space was transformed with projection mapping that covered every surface with custom visuals matching the vibrant Miami-inspired palette of pinks, oranges, and greens. The program flowed continuously with dances and heartfelt speeches. The international menu offered flavors from all over, including a taco bar and Italian station, reflecting their shared love for food and culture. The energy in the room was electric, and by the end of the night, the dance floor was packed with friends and family from every stage of their lives.
Celebrating Culture, Family, and Heritage
On March 1, 2025, exactly one year since Narain proposed to Annalyn, the two got married. First, Narain’s baraat made its way down Collins Avenue, complete with a white horse, dhol, and dancing turning heads all the way to the Loews. The ceremony itself was a traditional Telugu wedding, led by a pandit who guided them through sacred rituals and meaningful mantras passed down through generations. Surrounded by the calming breeze and lush greenery on the Americana Lawn, the couple performed each step from the jeelakarra-bellam to the mangalsutra. The soulful music of the nadaswaram filled the air, setting a sacred tone, while the live singing of the Mangala Aarthi added a heartfelt, devotional touch. The sounds of the ocean blended with the rhythm of Sanskrit and Telugu chants, creating a spiritual ambiance that grounded the celebration in culture, family, and heritage.
Cocktail hour kicked off on the Americana Lawn, where guests were greeted with signature cocktails, passed hors d'oeuvres and live stations, and the enchanting sound of a live violinist blending Bollywood favorites with contemporary English hits. The reception that evening was held in the Americana Ballroom and felt like stepping into a dream. Designed to be romantic and sophisticated, the space featured soft lighting and elegant floral arrangements. A same day edit from Vellora Weddings gave everyone a cinematic recap of the magical weekend. Dinner was served buffet-style by Madras Catering, offering a mix of comfort and elevated Indian cuisine. Every detail was intentional, and every moment felt like a celebration of not just a marriage, but a journey.
A Honeymoon in Southeast Asia
After the celebrations, they jetted off for their next adventure, their two-week honeymoon through Southeast Asia. The trip began in Thailand, where they explored Bangkok, took a cooking class in Chiang Mai, and relaxed on the beaches of Phuket. From there, they headed to Singapore and Bali. One of the most memorable moments came in a surf lesson in Bali. Narain was confident he’d master it quickly, while Annalyn was more hesitant. To their surprise, Annalyn stayed upright while Narain struggled to catch a wave.
Looking back, they’re most grateful for how personal and joy-filled their wedding was. Every detail reflected their love, their families, and the vibrant energy they bring into everything they do.
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, FL; Planner: Tum Hi Ho Events; Floral & Event Design: Petal Productions; Caterer: Madras Catering; Cake: Earth and Sugar; Ceremony Invitations: Les Works; Entertainment: Empire Entertainment; Violinist: Sofia Spilberg; Welcome Dinner Location: Paramount Miami Worldcenter; Welcome Dinner Catering: The Stuffed Cuban; Sangeet Location: The Temple House; Sangeet Catering: Thierry Isambert Culinary & Event Design; Dress: Sabyasachi; Reception Dress: Seema Gujral / Panache by Sharmeen; Bride’s Welcome Dinner, Haldi, and Sangeet Designers: Anita Dongre, Custom Twisted Threads, Anushree Reddy; Hair & MUA: Bronze+Glow Beauty; Henna Artist: Henna Allure; Groom’s Ceremony Designer: Sabyasachi; Groom’s Reception Attire: Ted Baker; Groom’s Sangeet Designer: Kunal Raval; Groom’s Watch: Rolex; Cinematography: Vellora Weddings; Photography: Melannie Morfa Photography