Our Story
Mark proposed on Christmas Eve 2025 in Orlando, FL, in a manner that was true to our chaotic, hilarious dynamic. After convincing me all day that he had somehow bought a house without telling me, he finally got down on one knee in a garden of lighted Disney palm trees. I started crying… Mark forgot his speech… and in the end, I said yes to: "Babes... ummmm Marry Me?" It was imperfect, hilarious, completely unscripted, and entirely us.
Thanks to Covid, what started as a friendship built around grocery store runs, drives around town, and long walks turned into a genuine realization that we wanted to do life, and all that it brings, together.
Unlike most love stories, ours starts with an insult on the 44th floor of a Wall Street conference room in October 2019. Mark was the client, I was the consultant, and within minutes of exchanging pleasantries, I managed to insult his beloved hometown of Baltimore right in front of his boss. Looking back, we both agree: if I hadn’t accidentally insulted his city that first day, none of us would be here today.
As the years passed, life happened: My father passed away, my nephew was born, we both changed jobs, moved states—and through it all, the one thing that remained constant and ever-growing was our relationship.
Our People
Mark’s Parents: Yolanda & Jason Sookdeo
Shakti’s Parents: Sylvia & Kumar Ramdass
My beloved father left us in April 2022, but we know he is forever watching over and are lucky to gave gotten his blessings early on in our relationship
The Collective
Dr. Priya Bhatt
Sister, Matron of Honor
My Day 1. My best friend. I absolutely could not live this life without my sister.
Nirmala Singh
Cousin,
Basically My Older Sister. She’s been there since my day 1. Always a solid shoulder to lean on.
Ranjeeta Ramnarine
Cousin - in-law
Convinced the reason my cousin found Jeets, was so that her and I could become sisters
Amrita Persaud
Niece
I was there for her Day 1. My forever “pumpkin”. The first little one to unlock what unconditional love can feel like.
Hailey SinghRoy
Niece
My puzzle and crafting twin. My niece Hailey and I share a love for all things arts and crafts (and Marvel)
Aritie Ramkarran
Childhood Friend
The friend I go to when I need a good laugh. Art refuses to let me throw a pity party for long and is always there to talk through ideas with me
Amy Creech-Passos
DC Friend,
My co-2026 bride and dear friend. Amy is the soon-to-be wife of Mark’s best man. She was one of the very first friends I made in the DC area.
Seema Thakkar
College Friend
The one who helped me navigate adulthood early on and witnessed some of my more “interesting” days. Seems is the older sister I needed in my twenties, and to think I had no interest in hanging out when we first met.
Nadia Persaud
Childhood Friend
Met when we were 5! The friend I go to when I need a shoulder. It doesn’t matter where we meet up, when I see Nad I feel at home and at peace.
The Crew
Matheus Passos
Best Friend - The Fatty. The person who has never made me a pastel despite being “Brazilian”. My Ride or Die
Dexter Jay
Brother From Another Mother - The pusher. Enables my car addiction. The one who didn’t send the bride his photo on time.
Indy Jabble
Like A Sister - The fashionista. Brings class to any event, she can also drive a gated manual with Balenciaga’s on and beat the best time on any track
Romel Sookdeo
Older Brother - The Mechanic. Can fix any exotic just by looking at it. Introduced me to the world of Porsche.
Ricardo Sookdeo
Older Brother - The DJ. Is the life of the Party in any room he is in.
Eric Puyo
Cousin - The Foodie. It is because of Eric, that I realized I needed to elevate my taste buds.
Mathew Freemen
High School Friend - Class Clown. Never cheat from his test, you will get a better grade if you close your eyes and guess
Sarvajeet Shah
Friend - The Shaw. Nuff Said
Ryan Andrews
Brother from another mother 2 - Never has to workout to be at 5% body fat.
The Littles
We are so blessed to have so many littles in our family. Life would be incomplete without each and every one of them. Below are just a few who will participate in our special day.
Saibala (aka Mark’s Little Prince) - Shriyaan B.
Flower Girls: Rory R / Emma S / Kreena P / Anaaya P
A Note From the Bride & Groom: All of these men and women hold a special place in each of our lives. Each sibling, niece, cousin, and friend has seen us go through different parts of life and supported us in both the very best of times and life’s not-so-wonderful moments. They have all helped shape who we are as individuals and as a couple. We are so lucky to have each one by our side and we thank them for making this milestone extra special.
