Thara & Joel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Thara and Joel first met while studying for their MBAs at the University of St. Gallen. Both vowed to focus on school and not date within the program, but that pledge didn’t last long. After no more than a week at school, Joel and Thara began their relationship. The Bride Thara Pillai, 38, business development executive The Groom Joel Abdinoor, 33, chief financial officer The Date November 25 Three years later, Joel got word that he would be transferred to Grand Cayman for business, and it was at that time that this London-based couple decided to take their relationship to the next level. Just before the move, Joel popped the question on Easter Sunday during a walk through Hyde Park. Island-bound, Thara and Joel set out to marry at their new home in Grand Cayman. Though it wasn’t a “destination” wedding in the most traditional sense of the word, it certainly was a fantastic getaway for the couple’s 40 guests.