From a Malibu proposal (with dolphins!) to a four-day Nashville celebration, Chef Vivek Surti and Sheela Chockalingam's wedding was a colorful fusion of love, culture, and unforgettable flavors. Image: SheHeWE Photography
If you’re a culinary enthusiast, a Nashvillian, or both, the name Vivek Surti likely rings a bell. As the acclaimed chef and founder of Tailor, Vivek is a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast, with The New York Times naming Tailor among Nashville’s 25 best restaurants. But beyond accolades in the kitchen, Vivek recently stepped into an entirely new role: newlywed!
Vivek tied the knot with podiatric surgery specialist Sheela Chockalingam in the fall of 2024. From swiping right on Hinge to an exquisite four-day wedding celebration, we got an inside look at Vivek and Sheela’s love story.
PinVivek and Sheela tied the knot in November 2024, in a stunning four-day celebration. Image: SheHeWE Photography
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The couple’s story began in a thoroughly modern way: swiping on Hinge. But the romance that followed was anything but ordinary, and before he knew it, Vivek was planning a proposal during a trip that included stops in Baton Rouge and Los Angeles.
“As I was discussing plans with my sister, we decided on surprising Sheela during a day trip to Malibu on the beach,” Vivek recalls. However, nature had other plans. “On the morning I was going to propose, the tide was so high that it flooded the beaches to the street.”
His sister quickly organized a backup plan at Point Dume, a scenic overlook above the Pacific Ocean. “There was a point where Sheela had to climb a few steps before she saw a ring of flowers — marigolds, magnolias, and roses — as the sun was just starting to set,” Vivek describes. “As I led Sheela to the flowers, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. She said, ‘Yes! I will!’ Almost immediately, two dolphins jumped out of the water below us.”
How picture-perfect is that?
PinCongrats to the newlyweds! Image: SheHeWE Photography
Then, in November of 2024, Vivek and Sheela would embark on a four-day series of events that blended rich cultural traditions with personal touches — and a stunning array of wardrobe changes.
The celebration began with a Ganesh Puja and Mehndi in Brentwood, TN, followed by the Pithi ceremony the next day. Each ritual was steeped in tradition, leading up to their wedding day and culminating in a grand reception. Vivek kicked the celebrations off in style by riding in on a horse.
PinIn Hindu culture, red symbolizes prosperity, love, and new beginnings. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinThis sweet horse waits to carry Vivek into the traditional baraat procession — a Hindu custom symbolizing the groom’s journey toward a new chapter in life. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinLet the celebration begin! Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinA joyful blur of music, movement, and color — loved ones danced their hearts out. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinIntricate mehndi patterns weave like lace, honoring ancient artistry. “I did not have a traditional bridal party that included a maid of honor or bridesmaids,” Sheela tells us. “However, close family members wore matching Kanchipuram sarees that were handmade specifically for the wedding.” Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinVivek’s groomsmen, affectionately called “The Crispy Boiz,” wore custom hats during the baraat. In a playful twist, Sheela surprised them by joining the festivities in a hat of her own. Image: SheHeWE Photography
According to Hindu tradition, planning began with a carefully chosen date. “Our first steps were securing a date that was suitable for our families,” Vivek explains. “In Hinduism, there are holy and auspicious days on the calendar, with certain days being ideal for weddings. Luckily for us, November 8, 2024, was such a date.”
Once the date was set, they enlisted Premier W.E.D. to help bring their vision to life.
The wedding ceremony itself took place at the Sri Ganesha Temple. “This temple has been one that Vivek’s family has been going to for over 40 years, and it’s also the place where our parents met for the first time,” Sheela shares.
PinA moment for the bridal look! Sheela honored generations before her, draped in her mother’s cherished wedding saree. Image: SheHeWE Photography
For her wedding attire, Sheela honored her family by wearing her mother’s Kanchipuram wedding saree, an heirloom her mother originally wore 45 years ago. “This saree, a stunning deep yellow adorned with intricate gold zari designs, embodies the artistry that makes these silks India’s most captivating and timelessly beautiful,” she tells us.
PinSheela’s ring sparkles against the mehndi backdrop. “My parents traveled to India to have custom jewelry made for the occasion,” says Sheela. Image: SheHeWE Photography
The morning of the wedding reflected their personalities: Sheela’s began at 5 a.m. with hair, makeup, and a heartfelt handwritten letter to Vivek. Meanwhile, Vivek enjoyed a champagne breakfast with his groomsmen, featuring his favorite Krug and breakfast sandwiches from FatBelly Deli.
PinIn a sacred moment of the ceremony, Vivek applies the sindoor, symbolizing Sheela’s transition into married life. Image: SheHeWE Photography
The wedding’s aesthetic was a love letter to their heritage. “We wanted to highlight the traditional beauty and romance inherent in a Hindu wedding,” Sheela says. “Our inspiration stemmed directly from the rich cultural heritage, the timeless rituals, and the deep symbolism that define these sacred ceremonies.”
The floral arrangements were equally thoughtful. “During the wedding ceremony, we had garlands made of roses and baby’s breath, which were shipped from Madurai, India, which is where Sheela’s parents grew up,” Vivek says. The mandap was adorned with marigolds, roses, and jasmine flowers.
PinThe ceremony combined Gujarati and Tamil traditions. “Of course, we had a baraat (groom’s processional), a pon idukki (where the groom sees the bride before the wedding), a traditional lunch, and our ceremony in front of Lord Ganesha at the Temple,” Vivek explains. Image: SheHeWE Photography
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The reception was held at OZ Arts Nashville, chosen for its versatile space and stunning sound and lighting capabilities.
“For the reception, we kept true to having a cocktail hour, announced entrances, a first dance, speeches, and a cake cutting,” Vivek tells us. Guests enjoyed a lively cocktail hour, though rain forced them indoors. The cocktail hour featured a vibrant array of flavors: Pani Puri, lamb Mamana kebabs, black-eyed pea salad in watermelon radish cups, and Lata’s (Vivek’s mom) catfish.
PinA table of bindis and bangles greeted reception guests, with a note inviting them to adorn themselves. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinA towering cascade of champagne sets the tone for an evening of celebration — a modern touch of glamour amid the weekend’s rich traditions. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinRambler Events wowed with a live-fire cooking display, bringing bold flavors and unforgettable presentation into the evening’s culinary experience. Image: SheHeWE Photography
Naturally, Vivek was intimately involved in the planning of the seated dinner. “I was so excited to work with my friends on this menu — including Molly Martin of Juniper Green and Patrick McCandless of Rambler — two people who I knew I wanted to cater from the beginning,” says Vivek.
“The most important aspect of the food for me was making sure we had something that was a nod to our Indian heritage, while showcasing the bounty of amazing produce and community that we have built at Tailor,” he adds. The meal included fall squash salad, grilled chicken roulade, and vegetable biryani.
“Our wedding cake was the best ever because it was made by the supremely talented Rebekah Turshen, pastry chef at City House,” Vivek gushes. “The base was a carrot cake, infused with chai masala. The cream cheese and yogurt frosting was accented with boondi (crispy chickpea balls), mamra (crispy rice), and nuts for texture.”
PinPastry Chef Rebekah Turshen crafted a three-tiered masterpiece — chai masala-infused carrot cake layered with cream cheese and yogurt frosting, finished with textured accents. Image: SheHeWE Photography
While the ceremony was guided by tradition, the reception was more modern. “With the decor, we tried to modernize the feel of this event versus the wedding,” explains Vivek, “installing an amazing vinyl wrap as the dance floor, having many chandeliers in the space, as well as some late-night chicken sandwiches from S.S. Gai.”
PinOZ Arts Nashville set the stage for an evening of celebration and artistry. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyPinOf course, the bride made an appearance on the dance floor. Image: SheHeWE Photography
Though a sparkler exit was planned, a torrential downpour meant a spontaneous indoor send-off instead. Guests cheered the happy couple down the hallway before they dashed into their getaway car.
Pin“It was one of the most memorable moments of my life and a day I’ll never forget,” Vivek says of the festivities. Image: SheHeWE PhotographyCongratulations, and thank you for sharing your special day with us!
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
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