Set between the golden sands of Bentota Beach and the tranquil waters of the river, Max and Dev’s spectacular destination wedding brought together 125 guests, two families and traditions from across the world.
Some weddings are beautiful to look at. Others make you feel as though you have been transported into another world.
Max Gay and Devni Walpola’s extraordinary celebration at Cinnamon Bentota Beach in Sri Lanka did both.
Modern Wedding had the pleasure of attending the wedding, and I can say first-hand that it was every bit as magical, joyful and culturally rich as these photographs suggest. From Kandyan dancers and Buddhist blessings to a sunset beach ceremony, fire performers, an incredible Sri Lankan feast and a rain-sprinkled dance floor, this was not simply a wedding day. It was an unforgettable experience shared with family and friends from around the globe.
Most importantly, it was a wedding filled with meaning.
For Dev, marrying in Sri Lanka was the fulfilment of a dream she had carried since childhood. For Max, it was an opportunity to embrace the country, culture and traditions that are so important to the woman he loves.
Together, they created a celebration that was deeply personal, wonderfully vibrant and unmistakably their own.
A Modern Love Story
Now based in Kirribilli, Sydney, producer Max and lawyer Dev first connected through Hinge.
After messaging for several weeks, Dev decided it was time for Max to make a move.
“Dev, not being one for beating about the bush, lost patience after two weeks and said we should meet up,” Max recalls.
Their first date took place at Limelight Thai Restaurant in Kirribilli, which remains a favourite for the couple. From those first few dates, both sensed that they had found something special.
Their relationship has since carried them through life’s serious moments as well as its wonderfully silly ones.
“From navigating health crises and looking after each other through the big moments, to simply allowing ourselves to be a bit silly, we have always helped each other find the fun and love in life,” they say.
The word Max uses to describe their relationship is simple but powerful: supportive.
A Proposal Beneath the Stars
Max proposed on 23 January 2024 during a visit to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
He chose the museum’s immersive Hidden Worlds exhibition, where bioluminescent plankton appear to glow like stars around visitors.
“I proposed there, and afterwards we had photographs taken in the museum and in Central Park,” Max says.
Dev had already begun to suspect that something was happening.
“Max was so nervous as we walked through the museum,” she laughs. “When he took me to the beetle exhibit, I realised he either had to be stalling for a big surprise or he had just gone mad.”
Her suspicions were confirmed when Max dropped to one knee.
“Seeing the lights around the room and Max proposing was overwhelming,” Dev remembers. “We were over the moon.”
Max chose a timeless round-cut diamond on a white-gold band simple, elegant and comfortable enough to suit Dev’s busy everyday life. Their wedding bands were later made in the same metal.
Why Sri Lanka?
Dev had grown up dreaming of marrying in Sri Lanka, her family’s home country and a place she had visited throughout her life.
The couple initially spent months searching for a venue in Australia, but nothing felt quite right.
Then they visited Cinnamon Bentota Beach.
“As soon as we arrived, we immediately knew it was for us,” they say.
The venue held memories for Dev’s family, who had visited Bentota during previous trips to Sri Lanka. It also offered the combination of natural beauty, celebrated architecture and generous hospitality that Max and Dev wanted their guests to experience.
Designed by renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, Cinnamon Bentota Beach sits in a remarkable position between the ocean and the river. Its open spaces, landscaped gardens, tropical setting and distinctive architectural character gave the couple several completely different locations within one resort.
For Max and Dev, Sri Lanka also provided a natural meeting point for loved ones travelling from Australia, Canada, Britain and elsewhere.
“We wanted to bring people from all over the world together in a location that was important to Dev’s family and background,” Max explains. “We also knew that in Sri Lanka we could create a wedding people would talk about for years.”
A Wedding Weekend Rather Than a Single Day
One of the greatest joys of a destination wedding is that the celebration begins well before the ceremony.
On the evening before the wedding, Max and Dev welcomed their guests with a relaxed beach party and dinner at the hotel’s beach hut. Kandyan dancers performed during the evening, giving guests their first taste of the traditions and entertainment to come.
The welcome celebration was also an opportunity for friends and relatives from different countries and cultures to meet before the wedding itself.
Max and Dev now consider it one of their best planning decisions.
“A welcome party is such a great way to get guests acquainted, particularly when you have people coming together from different cultures and countries,” they say. “It also means you have more time to spend with everyone before the wedding day.”
A Sunset Ceremony Filled with Tradition
The wedding ceremony began at 4pm on the beach outside Cinnamon Bentota Beach.
The styling was deliberately understated, allowing the ocean, sand and tropical landscape to become part of the design. Native flowers introduced colour and a distinctly Sri Lankan sense of place without overwhelming the natural setting.
Max and Dev were escorted along the aisle by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers rather than walking to recorded music.
The ceremony was conducted in two parts, beautifully joining Sri Lankan Buddhist customs with a Western ceremony.
A Buddhist celebrant led the traditional portion, accompanied by chanting from three monks. Harry Argyle of Harry Marrys then officiated the Western ceremony.
For Max, the most emotional moment came as Dev read her vows.
“She had been so nervous in the lead-up,” he says. “To hear her say such beautiful things and make me feel so loved. I couldn’t stop myself from crying.”
Dev’s most treasured memories began before she reached the aisle.
Her first look with Max marked the culmination of the time, care and emotion they had poured into the celebration.
“To see him light up when he saw me was amazing,” she says. “Our bridal party was there too, and seeing their reactions made it even more special.”
She also shared a poignant first look with her father.
“I could see Mum and Dad were about to walk around the corner, so I called out to Mum to take a photograph. When Dad saw me, he was so happy. It was such a perfect moment for our family.”
Dev then walked down the aisle as the Kandyan drummers played, surrounded by the people she loved and the Sri Lankan landscape she had dreamed of since childhood.
“My favourite moment was walking down the aisle at sunset and seeing Max standing there, with all our friends and family around us on a beautiful Sri Lankan beach,” she says. “It was the wedding backdrop I had dreamed about since visiting Sri Lanka with my family as a child.”
After being pronounced married, the newlyweds made their joyful return along the aisle to U2’s Beautiful Day.
Their favourite photograph captures that exact moment: both of them walking back towards their guests with their hands raised triumphantly in the air.
Two Bridal Looks and Two Remarkable Groom’s Outfits
Dev had always imagined wearing both a traditional saree and a contemporary wedding gown.
For the ceremony, she chose an off-white saree by Dilki Weerasinghe, specially sourced from India. Its delicate silver and gold beading and floral detailing created a modern interpretation of the traditional pale sarees worn by many Sri Lankan Buddhist brides.
“I didn’t want anything too heavy because I’m not accustomed to wearing sarees regularly,” Dev explains. “I wanted something modern, fashionable and comfortable, and it was perfect.”
Her custom blouse was created by Sri Lankan designer Chamil Udayanga, who sketched the design during their first meeting. Featuring a sweetheart neckline, sheer sleeves and intricate floral details, it complemented the saree beautifully.
For the reception, Dev changed into an off-the-shoulder gown from SPOSA Australia in Leichhardt.
She wanted a dress that would feel comfortable in Sri Lanka’s tropical weather while still creating a sense of occasion. Floral detailing adorned the sides and sleeves, while the manageable train allowed her to dance freely later in the evening.
Max also embraced two distinctive looks.
For the ceremony, he wore a traditional white sarong by Colombo-based label Lovi, paired with a shirt, waistcoat, cummerbund and jacket featuring white-and-gold floral detailing designed to harmonise with Dev’s saree. His groomsmen also wore Lovi sarongs.
“I had never worn a sarong before, so I put myself in the tailor’s hands,” Max says. “I wanted something dramatic without being over the top, and the floral design worked perfectly with the setting and the wedding.”
For the reception, he changed into a forest-green suit by SAMANI by O:live Couture. Made from a lightweight linen-and-cotton blend, the suit was breathable enough for the Sri Lankan climate while retaining its shape throughout the evening.
Dev completed her looks with understated Swarovski earrings and a necklace chosen with her parents in Toronto. The simplicity of the jewellery allowed the detailed saree to remain the focal point.
Hair, makeup and saree dressing for Dev and her bridal party were created by Ruwani Fernando.
From the Beach to the River
Following the ceremony, guests moved to a cocktail celebration near the hotel restaurant before gathering for the reception on the lawn overlooking the river.
The changing locations were one of the great pleasures of the venue. Guests experienced the beach, gardens, open-air architecture and river outlook without needing to leave the resort.
The reception styling continued the couple’s vision of relaxed elegance and Sri Lankan colour.
Inspired by the hibiscus flowers found throughout the country, their palette featured vibrant reds, rich greens and tropical floral details. Local flowers were scattered along the tables, bringing colour and movement to the otherwise minimal tablescape.
“We wanted to retain a Sri Lankan feeling throughout the wedding,” the couple explains. “The flowers brought the colour and vibrancy we wanted while still allowing the surroundings to speak for themselves.”
A Feast of Sri Lankan Flavours
Food was another way for Max and Dev to immerse their guests in Sri Lankan culture.
Cinnamon Bentota Beach created a generous buffet filled predominantly with traditional dishes, including black pork curry, chicken kottu roti and parippu dhal.
Rather than treating the destination as a picturesque backdrop, Max and Dev wanted every part of the experience, from the ceremony to the entertainment and menu to introduce their guests to Sri Lanka.
The response was overwhelmingly positive.
“Our guests gave us nothing but glowing reviews of both Cinnamon Bentota and Sri Lanka as a whole,” they say.
The Best Kind of Fever Dream
Max and Dev made their reception entrance to one of their favourite songs, I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness.
Their first dance followed to the tender version of Simply the Best featured in Schitt’s Creek.
Later in the evening, fire dancers appeared as a surprise for guests, adding another dramatic Sri Lankan-inspired moment to the celebrations.
There was also a reminder that even the most carefully planned tropical wedding must leave room for the unexpected.
A sudden burst of rain swept through the outdoor reception, briefly soaking the uncovered dance floor. Thanks to the quick response of their planners at The Wedding Project, the floor was thoroughly cleared and dried before the dancing began.
The rain ultimately became part of the magic.
“The moment we would most love to relive is the dance floor at the end of the night,” the couple says. “There was rain hanging in the air, all our friends and family were dancing with us, and Max’s co-best man Jack was blasting out Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark. It was the best kind of fever dream.”
Why Choose Sri Lanka for a Destination Wedding?
Max and Dev’s celebration demonstrates why Sri Lanka offers so much more than an exquisite setting.
A wedding with cultural depth
Sri Lanka gives couples the opportunity to create a celebration filled with local music, dance, ceremony, food, flowers and craftsmanship. These experiences allow guests to connect with the destination rather than simply admire it from afar.
For cross-cultural couples, it can also provide a meaningful way to honour family heritage while welcoming traditions from both partners.
Several wedding settings in one destination
At Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Max and Dev were able to host a beach welcome party, a sunset ceremony beside the ocean, cocktails near the hotel and a riverside garden reception, all within the same resort.
That variety gives each part of the wedding its own mood while keeping the weekend easy and enjoyable for guests.
More time with the people you love
A destination wedding turns several precious hours into several memorable days.
Welcome parties, group meals, poolside conversations and post-wedding relaxation give couples more opportunities to connect with guests, particularly those who have travelled long distances.
A natural meeting place for international families
For Max and Dev, Sri Lanka helped bring together guests from several continents in a destination that held deep family meaning.
Rather than asking everyone to travel to Australia, they chose a country that created an adventure for all their guests while allowing Dev’s family to share a place they loved.
A wedding and honeymoon in one journey
The couple continued their honeymoon in Sri Lanka, allowing them to experience more of the country after their celebrations.
Couples can move from beaches and historic cities to tea country, wildlife, wellness resorts and culturally significant locations without needing to add another international flight.
Exceptional local talent
Max and Dev worked with Sri Lankan planners, designers, entertainers, florists, beauty artists and hospitality professionals to bring the wedding to life.
Their planner, The Wedding Project, coordinated the suppliers and logistics while Dev’s family and local friends helped the couple navigate traditions, expectations and communication styles.
Max and Dev’s Destination-Wedding Advice
Their strongest recommendation is to have trusted support on the ground.
“A wedding planner, or a friend or relative based in the destination, will make life much easier,” they advise. “We had both, and it made a massive difference.”
They also encourage couples to learn about local customs and communication styles rather than expecting the planning process to operate exactly as it does in Australia.
“Read about the culture and embrace it as part of preparing for your wedding. Knowing what to expect will help everything run more smoothly.”
Their most practical organisational tip is pleasingly simple: use Google Sheets.
“Keeping all your ideas and information in one place is essential. It makes collaboration with planners and family much easier and saves an enormous amount of time and stress.”
And for a tropical outdoor wedding, they suggest making wet-weather arrangements part of the original design.
Although their dance floor recovered quickly after the rain, the couple would choose a fully covered reception marquee if planning the evening again.
Everything else?
They would happily relive it exactly as it happened.
The Beginning of a Beautiful New Chapter
What made Max and Dev’s wedding so compelling was not simply its magnificent location or the spectacle of the celebrations.
It was the way the couple brought every part of their story together.
A modern romance that began on Hinge. A proposal beneath a universe of glowing lights in New York. A bride returning to the country that had shaped her childhood memories. A groom embracing its traditions with warmth and respect. Families and friends travelling from across the world to meet beside the Indian Ocean.
From the Kandyan drummers leading the couple down the aisle to the final rain-kissed moments on the dance floor, this was a wedding rooted in love, family, heritage and an irresistible sense of joy.
For Max and Dev, Sri Lanka was never simply a destination.
It was part of their story.
Did you love Max & Dev’s wedding day as much as we did? Explore more breathtaking real weddings and find your dream inspiration on Modern Wedding.
Venue, catering and transport: Cinnamon Bentota Beach/ Wedding planning: The Wedding Project/ Photography: Bo & Ive/ Videography: Siyak Seenu/ Content creator: Brides Best Friend – Fareeda/ Western celebrant: Harry Argyle, Harry Marrys/ Florals and styling: Frances Décor/ Hair, makeup and saree dressing: Ruwani Fernando/ Entertainment: Magic Box/ Cake: Moreish Cupcakes/ Max’s ceremonial outfit: Lovi/ Max’s reception suit: SAMANI by O:live Couture/ Dev’s wedding gown: SPOSA Australia/ Dev’s saree: Dilki Weerasinghe/ Saree blouse and bridal-party sarees: Chamil Udayanga/ Jewellery: Swarovski/ First dance teacher: Stephanie Capps/ Photobooth: /V.P Photography Pop Up Studio/
P.S. Here I am at the wedding (in orange) with Marie, mother of the Groom in the centre and dear friend Robynne. It was so divine seeing everyone in such colourful wedding outfits. Love Victoria x