From Bumble To a Castle: Sandhya and Conor's Cross-Continental Love Story

Not all love stories begin across a coffee table over conversations and shared laughter; some begin across screens, over dating apps and surf shots, much like Sandhya Srinivas & Conor Burke’s. The first time they met each other was not a chance encounter but an impromptu brunch date. “Our story began on a sunny Saturday morning in San Francisco. I had to return to the city to retake an exam I had accidentally missed - what felt like an inconvenience at the time became the reason I met Conor. On a whim, I opened Bumble and came across his profile.” It was Connor’s adventurous spirit, love of Indian food, and the mix of tuxedo photos and surf shots that drew Sandhya in immediately, and she sent a message, “And within hours, we had planned brunch for the next day.” And that was how the two had their first date. 

“Conor chose a beautiful restaurant by the water in the Marina district. Though I’m rarely late, I arrived behind schedule - a detail Conor still laughs about and says was the moment he ‘just knew.’” What began as brunch turned into hours of effortless conversation and a long walk along the waterfront. “By the time we reached the Wave Organ overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, we had shared childhood memories, dreams, and so many laughs. It felt less like a first date and more like reconnecting with someone I had known forever.”

Knowing when your partner is the one made for you is a moment that people rarely ever forget. “Not long after we met, we took a spontaneous trip to Lake Tahoe. Between clumsy ski lessons, snowball fights, evenings by the fire, and quiet lakeside moments under the stars, there was a deep sense of peace between us. One night, standing by the water in complete stillness, we didn’t need to say anything—we both felt it. This was the beginning of forever.”

Their proposal was one for the books, as Conor proposed in the summer of 2024 at the Wave Organ. The very place where our first date had ended. He disguised the day as an early birthday surprise, starting with a whale-watching trip. What began with a bit of seasickness quickly turned magical as whales surfaced around us.”

She shares, blushing a little, “On the way back, we spotted the same date spot from the boat, and I casually suggested stopping by the Wave Organ, unaware that he had planned it all along. Sitting in the same spot from our first date, Conor spoke from the heart and asked me to marry him. It was intimate, meaningful, and beautifully simple. Friends surprised us shortly after for a celebratory lunch, and the evening ended with a romantic getaway to Napa Valley. It was adventurous, joyful, and deeply ‘us.’”

When it comes to love stories, everything that couples do for each other feels like the most romantic thing but for Conor, the proposal itself - thoughtfully planned at a place that held meaning for them- was a reflection of how intentional and sentimental he is. “For me,” Sandhya shares, “it has always been about creating moments and memories - whether planning little surprises, curating meaningful travel experiences, or bringing our families together across continents for a wedding that felt like a shared love letter to both our worlds.”

Talking about the kind of wedding Sandhya and Connor envisioned, she says, “We envisioned something that honored both of our cultures authentically and wholeheartedly. Rather than blending traditions into one event, we chose to celebrate each culture fully - beginning with a traditional Hindu wedding in Bangalore, followed by a classic black-tie Irish celebration at Dromoland Castle. We wanted our families not just to attend a wedding, but to experience each other’s worlds.”

But what was interesting was how the couple chose their venue. “Bangalore was a natural choice for our Hindu ceremony, it’s where Sandhya grew up, surrounded by childhood memories and extended family,” shares Connor. Dromoland Castle holds deep significance for Conor. He grew up playing golf there and has always felt at home on its grounds. Hosting our Irish ceremony there felt both personal and timeless. “Celebrating in both India and Ireland allowed us to honour our roots while bringing everyone together in a shared journey.”

Well, a wedding has many special elements, and the outfits are an important one. “Our outfits reflected the spirit and setting of each celebration.” In the ceremony held in India, Connor wore traditional ensembles from Manyavar, while Sandhya had her outfits from Manyavar with bespoke blouses designed by Ashita Suvarna, blending tradition with personal detailing.

And for the ceremony held in Ireland, Connor wore a bespoke tuxedo and suits from PN Rao, Bangalore, tailored for the black-tie castle celebration. While Sandhya wore different outfits for different functions. For afternoon Tea, she wore Lemalaya, for the ceremony & cocktail Hour, she wore Sottero & Midgley Marlow.” The reception saw her donning a Rebecca Ingram by Maggie Sottero “Lorraine Anne.”

“I wore Conor’s maternal grandmother’s wedding Tiara as my something old and borrowed and had a custom handkerchief gift by my maid of honour to be my something blue,” she shares as she adds that each look was chosen to complement the mood of the event - from vibrant and traditional in India to timeless elegance in Ireland.

Every part of a wedding is special for the couple tying the knot but there is always that one particular ceremony that means a little more, and for Sandhya and Connor, it was the Hindu Muhurtham ceremony that was deeply meaningful. “It was rooted in tradition, family blessings, and sacred rituals that have been passed down for generations. However, the Irish blessing ceremony at Dromoland Castle’s temple was equally emotional. Standing together in that historic setting, surrounded by loved ones from around the world, felt like the perfect culmination of our two cultures coming together as one.”

Talking about their favourite moment from their big day, the couple shares, “Seeing everyone we love - friends and family from Boston, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Amsterdam, Singapore, Plymouth, Galway, Limerick, and Belfast—together in one place was unforgettable.”

However, the couple reveals that one particularly surreal moment was when many of their guests boarded the same flight from India to Ireland, continuing the celebration across continents. “Over two weeks, filled with music, poetry, dancing, shared meals, and laughter, it felt less like a wedding and more like a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion. And of course, having Daisy, our beloved beagle, part of both celebrations made everything even more special.”

While concluding, the couple advises other couples, “Stay true to your story. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or expectations, but the most meaningful weddings are the ones that reflect who you are. Focus on creating experiences, not just events. And most importantly, take moments during the celebration to pause, look around, and truly absorb it all - it goes by faster than you think.”