A Celebration of Balance: Surie and Umair Kabani’s Blissful Wedding Experience
Surie and Umair Kabani’s love story is one grounded in purpose, adventure, and desire
For Surie and Umair, their wedding was a story not just of love, but of adventure, balance, and beauty, all wrapped in one dazzling celebration. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of The Ritz Bacara in Santa Barbara, California, their big day blended the charm of Tulum’s tranquil beaches, the allure of The Great Gatsby, and the timeless values of peace, freedom, and love. Surrounded by 300 of their closest friends and family, their celebration was nothing short of spectacular — deeply personal, thoughtfully curated, and rich with emotion.
Their love story is one grounded in purpose, adventure, and the desire to make a positive impact on the world. Surie, a director at American Express, is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and human rights, blending her love for fashion and lifestyle creation to express her unique style and empower others. On the other hand, Umair, a real estate and tech entrepreneur, is driven by mindfulness and philanthropy. Together, they have supported global initiatives from aiding Ukrainian refugees to building infrastructure in remote regions of India, with the guidance of their close friend Guyer, whose psychic intuition played a pivotal role in bringing them together. Their wedding was a celebration of the good karma they have cultivated through their work, a true testament to how life’s goodness returns when you give back.
“It wasn’t just about getting married,” shares Surie. “It was about being present, surrendering to the moment, and allowing ourselves to feel every part of it.
Before they even said “I do,” Umair, ever the believer in manifestation, began their journey with a truly intimate proposal. Under the guise of meditation, he asked Surie to visualise her deepest dreams. “I think she knew I was up to something,” he laughs, recalling how he then reached into their picnic basket to pull out the ring. The proposal wasn’t just about asking a question, but about creating a moment of reflection and joy — a preview of how they would approach every milestone in their relationship.
The celebration kicked off with a Tulum-inspired Sangeet that brought the couple’s love for travel to life. “Tulum is a place that teaches you to surrender,” Umair says, describing how they wanted the evening to reflect both the wildness and calmness of the Mexican destination they love. Surie wore a pastel Rahul Mishra lehenga, hand-embroidered with flamingos—a symbol of her free spirit and playful personality. “We wanted to be fully present, no matter what happened,” she recalls, and that is exactly what they did, embracing the lively energy of the night surrounded by loved ones. Bloombox Designs created a breath-taking setting that felt like stepping into a tropical paradise, setting the stage for an evening filled with dance, laughter, and memories that would last forever.
Their ceremony the next day was an intimate, emotional experience that brought their values to the forefront. Umair, who practices Mindfulness, wanted the ceremony to begin with gratitude and love from all their guests. “We asked everyone to focus on gratitude in their hearts and send that energy back to us,” Umair explains. The energy of the day was palpable, filled with emotion and connection. As guests walked through Copal Smoke, a ritual inspired by their travels to Tulum, they were cleansed of negative energy and brought into a space of love and peace. The ceremony was beautifully personal, and the couple’s release of doves—symbols of peace and unity—made it a moment of pure magic.
The evening reception was a glamorous nod to The Great Gatsby, filled with elegance and mystery. “We wanted something that felt bold, rich, and classy,” says Surie. And bold it was. The entire room was draped in black—black curtains, black carpet, and even a black dance floor. Lush greenery and pops of white were the perfect accents, bringing a sense of natural beauty to the sophisticated setting. Surie’s look for the reception was nothing short of show-stopping. She wore a sleek, modern two-piece Dolly J outfit, designed with a knee-high slit. “I wanted something that felt like Cleopatra at a Gatsby party,” Surie says, laughing as she describes how her vision came to life with the help of her glam team, Lucy Gedjeyan, and Yvette Evora. Her transformation from the soft, elegant bride of the ceremony to the fierce, glamorous vision of the night was breath-taking.
As the evening unfolded, the air was filled with the sounds of Afrobeats, Desi rhythms, and house music, with a live tabla player creating a mesmerizing fusion of cultures and sounds. “It was magical,” Umair recalls, “combining so many different elements, just like us.” The tabla player, Sid, also known as KVSTabla, was flown in from New York City, bringing with him a unique blend of classical tabla music, Afrobeats, and house rhythms. The night was a whirlwind of dancing, joy, and celebration, with guests from around the world coming together to celebrate Surie and Umair’s love.
The couple chose The Ritz Bacara not just for its stunning ocean views, but because it represented the balance of their personalities—Surie’s earth element as a Virgo, and Umair’s water element as a Pisces. With the sun shining down, the open-air ceremony, and the peaceful backdrop of the ocean, the setting was perfect. “It felt like our own little world,” Surie says, “where everyone we loved was together, celebrating with us.”
But it wasn’t just about the grandeur—the most heartfelt moment came when Surie walked down the aisle in her custom hot-pink lehenga. Inspired by her childhood love of Barbies and her mother’s own wedding outfit, Surie’s lehenga was a stunning tribute to her unique style. “Hot pink isn’t a colour many brides choose, but it felt like me,” she explains. Her 25-foot veil, carried down the aisle by her brothers, added a touch of drama and elegance, while the mirrored aisle reflected the beauty of the moment. Walking to the sound of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, Surie says, “I felt like a princess—it was like living a dream.”
While their wedding appeared to be a fairy-tale, the reality was that a great deal of effort and determination lay behind the scenes to create such a magical experience. Life is not perfect for anyone, and it’s natural to encounter a few hiccups along the way. Embracing these imperfections, Surie and Umair understand that the real magic lies not in flawless execution, but in the love and joy shared amidst life’s unpredictability.
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, there were moments of stress—like Surie’s makeup artist cancelling at the last minute and her custom lehenga being stuck in customs until just three days before the ceremony. Yet, through it all, they held onto the belief that everything was happening for them, not to them. “At the end of the day, the most important thing was that we were getting married,” Surie reflects. “Everything else fell into place because we were surrounded by love, and that’s all that mattered.”
In the end, Surie and Umair wouldn’t change a thing about their wedding day, even with the small challenges that came their way. “It may not have been perfect, but it was perfectly ours,” Umair reflects. Their wedding, much like their journey together, was a reflection of who they are—two people committed to love, faith, and staying true to their values. The slight imperfections made the day even more meaningful. And as they look toward their future, their belief remains steadfast: with love, gratitude, and a dedication to doing good, everything will always fall into place just as it should.
The Dream Team Behind Umair and Surie’s Wedding
Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Photographer: @DukeImages
Videographer: @Whiteroseproduction
Outfit Designer: Rahul Mishra (@rahulmishra_7), Seema Gujral (@seemagujraldesign) & Dolly J (@dollyjstudio) by Kynah (@shopkynah)
Makeup Artist: Yvette Evora (@mkupbyyevra)
Hair Stylist: Lucy Gedjeyan (@lucy_gedjeyan)
Florist/Decor Designer: @BloomboxDesigns
Wedding Planner: @ElegantEventsllc
Music & Lighting: @3DSounds
This content was not created by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia or ITP Media Group staff.
Images Supplied