When Shreeya Patel and Unmesh Rajendran began planning their wedding in Italy, it was not their first choice. Patel, a British Indian who leads brand partnerships at a fashion and culture magazine, and Rajendran, who was raised in Delhi and works in finance, had initially pictured Kerala. The backwaters, natural and untouched, felt right for a celebration where the landscape would be the decor. But when they travelled there in November 2024, on the exact dates their wedding would eventually take place a year later, the rain was relentless. Add the complexity of flying in guests from across continents and they knew they needed another plan.
“With one failed trip behind us and time not on our side, we more or less threw a dart at the map.” In January, after extensive research, Rajendran found Commenda San Calogero in Sicily. “We were sold the moment we arrived.” Two corgis and a sheepdog greeted them, birds called from the aviary and bougainvillaea climbed across sun-washed walls. Even more serendipitous, the architect had drawn inspiration from travels through India, something Patel describes as “unbelievably perfect” given their own North and South Indian backgrounds.
Courtyards, gardens, a crop circle, an orangery, an olive grove and the house itself gave them distinct spaces for each event. The first day began in the courtyard, between two Sicilian lemon trees, where the couple held a traditional haldi. Patel wore her late grandmother’s sari, draped in a modern silhouette. “It was important to me to bring ancestors into the events where possible,” she says. Rajendran chose Anita Dongre. Jazz music floated through the courtyard while guests gathered in summer garden party attire.
The haldi turned into an India versus England cricket match across the manicured lawns. “We did think it would be a casual background activity to ease guests into the weekend,” Patel admits. “But it quickly turned into a very competitive and serious game that lasted for hours.” Burgundy and cream caps emblazoned with their blended nickname, “Shmesh,” divided teams.
That evening, the sangeet moved to a garden flanked by arched turrets and ponds. “We wanted to make this event truly fusion,” Patel says, describing a dress code that ranged from linen suits and bandhgalas to saris and mini dresses. Live sitar and tabla opened the night before DJ Rish took over with disco, bhangra, soul and garage. “There wasn’t a single person sitting down.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: vogue.in
