Inside Sonali and Kenan’s Maltese Wedding, With Pistachio Tiramisu and Mediterranean Waves

It all began on the dancefloor of an office Christmas party in December 2015. Sonali and Kenan first met while working at Superdrug [retail company], but it was Kenan’s “unique dance moves” that truly caught her attention (and her heart). Their early dates were equally playful: a swimming competition that Kenan “lost (badly)” followed by an Italian dinner he paid for, as per the deal. Over time, the couple found themselves bonding over long drives, arcades, and a shared love for Italian food.

Their relationship unfolded gradually, but beautifully. One early trip to Vienna remains especially significant. “We learnt we both loved to explore cities, going on many romantic walks, learning about history and culture, and eating at different cafes and restaurants,” says Kenan. The proposal, fittingly understated and thoughtful, took place at home. “Kenan was very shy, and I was not expecting it,” recalls Sonali. The celebration continued at Tozi, one of their favourite restaurants in London, where the pistachio tiramisu—Sonali’s favourite—sealed the moment. “Later in our relationship, Kenan learnt how to make pistachio tiramisu at home and makes it for me on my birthdays,” she adds.

When they began planning their wedding, the vision was clear: “a relaxed, serene wedding surrounded by natural beauty.” They found everything they were looking for in Malta—rich history, Mediterranean cuisine, stunning views, and “that medieval charm that Kenan was so excited about.” It wasn’t without challenges. “Indian weddings are not common in Malta, but we had an amazing team in India and Malta helping us with everything.”

Sonali led most of the planning (“97% of the final decisions,” she notes), while Kenan focused mainly on food. “Sonali’s vision and attention to detail were one of the reasons why the wedding turned out so beautifully.” The venues were chosen for their natural elegance. “We wanted simple décor to enhance the natural elements of the place rather than make them ‘prettier’ or overpower them.” Each event reflected a meaningful piece of their story. The welcome dinner was held at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, with panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. Their shared love of Rome inspired the décor. “One of our most memorable holidays was Rome—the ‘city of love.’ We fell in love with the sculptures, architecture, and art… The Sistine Chapel literally took my breath away.”

The haldi embraced sunshine and humour with a Maltese summer meets Friends [1994] theme—“You’re my lobster”—with a collage of their travel photos and customised M&M’s featuring their wedding logo. A prank added some unintended hilarity. “Friends put flour in our hair, which we didn’t realise… When we showered after the haldi, the flour basically cooked/lumped in our hair,” says Sonali. “Kenan was fine getting it off; I had to have two make-up artists with my head over the bathtub, desperately getting it out. And of course, there was a video that went viral!”

The wedding ceremony was held in a dreamy seaside garden, where a floral mandap bloomed at the centre, adorned with Malta’s iconic Mdina glass. “Water is Sonali’s happy place, so the venue was perfect since it is surrounded by water, and you can hear the sound of the sea.” For Sonali, the most memorable moment was the jaimala. “It was the two of us with a backdrop of the ocean below, candles lit all around, a beautiful, clear pink sky with the moon that you could see in daylight—it felt like heaven was on Earth.” The couple, in their matching Manish Malhotra ensembles, took their vows in front of their family and friends.

Weather played its own dramatic role. “It rained and was extremely windy two days before the wedding, so we had to make a few last-minute adjustments,” they recall. “But miraculously, it didn’t rain the three days of our actual events. The day after the wedding, it poured all day. We felt so blessed and grateful.”

The celebration included many personal touches: a wedding magazine for guests with messages from family and their dog, Turbo, personalised turn-down gifts, and a wedding logo that appeared everywhere, from invitations to décor. “We had an intimate affair, and it was the best. We got to dance, joke, enjoy, and talk to everyone.”

The experience of planning the wedding together, they share, deepened their appreciation for one another. “The wedding taught me how organised Sonali was, how much passion she has for the small details, and how driven she was to get things done even when we faced challenges,” says Kenan.

As they move into the next chapter together, they’re looking forward to more travel, shared meals, cosy nights in, decorating their home, and building memories with Turbo. After all, as Phoebe Buffay once said, lobsters mate for life!

WEDDING VENDORS:

Photography and Cinematography : Raabta By Shrey Bhagat

Planning : Momente Weddings

Decor: Atisuto