How a missed exam led to Sandhya and Connor's Indian-Irish cross-cultural wedding

Sometimes love begins with what feels like a setback. For Sandhya Srinivas and Conor Burke, it started with a missed exam that brought her back to San Francisco on a random Saturday morning. On a whim, Srinivas opened Bumble and came across Burke’s profile. His mix of tuxedo photos and surf shots, along with a clear love for Indian food, caught her attention. She sent a message. By the next day, they were at brunch in the Marina.

What was meant to be a quick meal turned into a long waterfront walk that ended at the Wave Organ, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Conversation flowed easily. Childhood stories, ambitions, and small details that matter were shared without effort. By the time they said goodbye, both sensed something rare had begun.

The trip that changed everything

Not long after, Srinivas and Burke drove to Lake Tahoe for their first trip together. The weekend was filled with simple moments: feeding her chips as she drove, a clumsy first ski lesson, snowball fights, and quiet evenings by the fire. It was in those moments that they both knew this was not casual; it was going to be lifetime.

A proposal at the place it all began

In the summer of 2024, Burke planned a proposal that reflected their story. He disguised it as an early birthday surprise, beginning with a whale-watching trip off the coast of San Francisco. Despite a bout of sea-sickness, the sight of whales made the day magical.

On the way back, Srinivas suggested stopping at the Wave Organ, unaware that Burke had been planning that exact moment. Sitting in the same spot where their first date had ended, he spoke from the heart and asked her to marry him. Soon after, close friends arrived to celebrate, followed by a romantic getaway to Napa Valley. It was intimate, thoughtful, and true to who they are.

Honouring two homes

When it came to the wedding, the couple knew it had to reflect both their cultures. Bengaluru, filled with Srinivas’ childhood memories, became the setting for their traditional Hindu ceremony. Dromoland Castle in County Clare, a place where Burke grew up playing golf, represented his Irish roots.

By hosting celebrations in both India and Ireland, they created an experience that allowed each family to step into the other’s world. Many guests travelled across continents, celebrating first in Bengaluru before boarding a plane together to Ireland. Over two weeks, loved ones shared meals, music, poetry, and laughter.

Moments that mattered the most

One of the most special details was including Daisy, their beloved beagle, in both celebrations. 

Beautifully captured by SDS Studio, the wedding was more than a series of events. It was a journey across geographies and generations.

For Srinivas and Burke, love began by the water in San Francisco and came full circle in an Irish castle, proving that sometimes the most meaningful stories are written across continents.

All images: SDS Studio

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