Sujana and Akshay's love story began by chance and found its way back home through music

When Sujana Prudhivi and Akshay Nambiar first met at a Saint Patrick’s Day party, it was thanks to two friends who were convinced they would get along. Shortly after being introduced, the pair found themselves tucked away in a quiet corner, talking for nearly four hours. What began as a chance meeting quickly became a connection neither of them could ignore.

In the weeks that followed, Prudhivi often found herself reflecting on their conversations and writing about them in her journal. When Nambiar returned from a visit to Dallas, she invited him over for dinner and shared those journal entries with him while the piano piece Ballerina by Yehezkel Raz played softly in the background. Hearing her thoughts and feelings laid out so openly moved him to tears, and that evening marked the true beginning of their relationship.

Nearly a year later, Akshay planned a proposal that brought their story full circle. At Jackson Park in Chicago, surrounded by cherry blossoms and overlooking a quiet pond, he arranged for a grand piano to be placed at the proposal site. As Ballerina played once again, he dedicated the piece to Sujana before getting down on one knee. Through happy tears, she said yes, and the couple celebrated the moment with their families soon after.

The wedding celebrations took place on February 24 and 25, 2026, but the festivities began much earlier with intimate pre-wedding rituals hosted separately by the couple’s families in Hyderabad and Delhi. These gatherings honoured the traditions and customs that had shaped both families and set the tone for the celebrations to come.

For their destination wedding, the couple chose Aurika, Udaipur. With guests travelling from across the United States, London, Singapore, and India, they wanted a location that would offer an immersive experience of Indian culture and hospitality. Udaipur's timeless beauty and warm atmosphere made it the perfect setting.

The festivities began with a joyful haldi ceremony filled with music, colour, and laughter, followed by an intimate mehendi celebration where friends and family gathered for traditional artistry and heartfelt conversations. The sangeet was a lively tribute to the couple’s roots, with performances that told the story of their journey together.

The wedding unfolded through two distinct ceremonies. The first was a traditional Telugu wedding honouring Sujana's heritage and family traditions. The celebrations then transitioned into a Kerala-style ceremony that paid tribute to Akshay's roots. 

Food was another important part of the celebration. Working closely with the chefs, the couple curated menus that blended Rajasthani flavours with authentic Telugu and Kerala cuisine, creating a culinary experience that reflected the diversity of the wedding itself.

The most emotional moment came during the reception. Months earlier, Sujana had casually mentioned that she would love to have a grand piano at her wedding. Without telling her, Nambiar arranged one as a surprise. During the evening, he performed 'Poovullo Dagunna' from the film Jeans, a song Sujana's mother had taught her during Carnatic music lessons. The performance left the couple, their families, and many guests in tears.

It was a simple gesture, but one that perfectly captured their relationship: thoughtful, musical, and always centred on the moments that matter most.

All images: SDS Studio

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