This wedding in Italy brought North and South Indian traditions to a Sicilian estate
Shreeya Patel and Unmesh Rajendran's celebration ranged from a crop circle ceremony to a house party disco inside a Sicilian villa
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.”
Patel built her look around a sequinned oversized vintage Dior jacket. She says, “This look was probably the hardest to curate.” With only an hour to shop in Delhi, Masaba “saved the day.” Rajendran wore Jatin Malik.
The following morning began with a roaring baraat with dhols and a DJ truck that rolled through the orangery within the venue and led Rajendran towards the outdoor mandap. A British Indian priest led the rituals with each step explained in English so guests could follow along, many witnessing a Hindu wedding for the first time.
Rajendran wore Matsya for the ceremony, and while Patel had been “determined to wear colour,” she eventually chose an ivory lace Sabyasachi Couture ensemble. “I felt instantly like a bride, but more importantly still like myself.” She paired the lehenga with Khaite shoes, a ruby and diamond polki set from Symetree, vintage pearls and a bespoke tika. During the ceremony, she was also given a traditional South Indian mangalsutra in honour of Rajendran’s heritage.
The evening reception began with an aperitivo hour in honour of their Italian setting. Millefoglie was cut to Candi Staton’s Young Hearts Run Free. “Remember to read the lyrics to songs before you choose them for key moments,” Patel says. “It turned out to be quite a dark break-up song, still a tune though!” Dinner was served along a 50-metre serpentine table in the olive grove, dressed in burgundy hydrangeas, satin corsages, stacked calla lilies and draped grapes. At each place setting sat a small bottle of the couple’s family hot sauce. “We’re a family that hosts a lot and we make a lot of cocktails when doing so,” Patel explains. The spicy bitters, labelled “Dirty Mirchi,” came with recipe cards and were paired with a margarita “liquid starter course” used as the opening toast during speeches.
Speeches ranged from meticulously scripted to delightfully unhinged. Patel’s father arrived with a physical 100-page script and went “off piste,” leaving guests in stitches. Her brothers entered to Nat King Cole’s L-O-V-E and attempted to spell the word with their bodies. Rajendran read early WhatsApp messages from their relationship. His parents delivered the emotional crescendo.
For the final house party inside the villa, Patel changed into a red Meshki mini dress. “Getting into this dress with my girls was one of my highlights,” she says. “It was as if we were back at university getting ready for a big night out.” The dining room transformed into a disco with a round bar and mirrored ball, while cigar smokers gathered in corners furnished with bespoke matchboxes bearing an illustration of their dog.
