The Castello San Salvatore had hosted countless celebrations before, but on July 10, 2026, its historic grounds witnessed a first: an Indian wedding. For Karishma Patel and Mahesh Popat, the prospect of bringing their Gujarati heritage to a centuries-old Italian setting was an opportunity to create something that reflected their heritage. Over three days in Veneto, Italy the couple brought together 140 guests for a celebration that moved from wood-fired pizzas and Prosecco to traditional Hindu wedding rituals, with the Italian countryside providing the backdrop. It was a meeting of cultures with personal details, ensuring that the experience was as meaningful as the setting.
The meet-cute
Karishma, a London-based chartered accountant and a hobbyist model, and Mahesh, an award-winning cosmetic dentist from Manchester who represents England internationally in kabaddi, first became friends during the pandemic. Their shared love of travel brought them closer before their friendship eventually developed into a relationship. Their first date was a far cry from the elaborate settings that would later feature in their wedding celebrations. “Our first date was at Holland Park in London, where we sat on the pavement sharing a burrito. It was simple and very us. What drew me to Mahesh was his calm, grounded nature and his ambition. We share strong values, and we’re both passionate and strong-willed in our own ways,” Karishma recalls. The proposal took place at sunset on a secluded beach at Amanwella in Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Mahesh arranged candles on the sand, with the ocean providing the backdrop, and presented her with an elegant oval diamond ring inspired by a style she had mentioned much earlier. A heartfelt handwritten note and the fact that he had sought her father’s blessing beforehand made the occasion even more personal.
A wedding vision rooted in two cultures
For their wedding, the couple chose Veneto as the venue, close to Venice, drawn to its vineyards, countryside and relaxed Italian lifestyle. “We always wanted a destination wedding that felt intimate, personal and true to us. We loved the idea of bringing our Gujarati Indian heritage together with the beauty of the Italian countryside. We wanted our guests to slow down, enjoy the landscape and vineyards, indulge in the local food and drink, and genuinely spend time with one another rather than feel like they were simply moving from one event to the next,” says Karishma. Hotel Villa Soligo at Farra di Soligo hosted the pre-wedding functions here and the wedding at Castello San Salvatore.
Working with wedding planner Wed U Events, with Renata, and décor and floral team Fiore all’Occhiello, the couple remained closely involved in the creative process. “Mahesh and I spent many evenings discussing the creative details and working through what we wanted the wedding to feel like. Our shared vision was to honour our Gujarati roots while embracing everything we loved about Italy. We were both quite hands-on and passionate about the details, so it was important that everything felt personal to us.”
An Italian summer welcome
The festivities began on July 8, 2026, with a relaxed Italian-style welcome party. Summer linens, floral dresses and Italian music set the tone for an informal evening centred around freshly made wood-fired pizzas. The menu included Margherita, Ortolana and truffle-and-pistachio pizzas, accompanied by Moretti beer. Even the napkins carried a playful reference to the setting, printed with the words ‘That’s Amore’. The couple also spent time making pizzas together, giving the first evening a relaxed, convivial quality. Their attention to the guest experience began even before the celebrations, with welcome hampers combining Italian olive oil and limoncello with embroidered bags, jasmine candles shaped like an urli, tea sachets and kachori from Bombay Sweet Shop.
A sunny Haldi
The following morning, the Haldi brought a fresh Mediterranean interpretation to a traditional Indian pre-wedding ritual. Marigold yellow, lemon yellow, ivory and green formed the colour palette, with lemons, Indian block prints, jasmine, woven baskets, cane furniture and antique brass bringing together the two influences. The morning began with masala chai served in peetal cups and Punjabi samosas, followed by a Gujarati-inspired lunch featuring dhokla, chana nu shaak, stuffed bhindi, puri, mango shrikhand, gajar halwa and lassis.
The ceremony soon gave way to one of the most talked-about moments of the celebrations. “Mahesh’s friends threw him into the pool. Everyone joined in, fully clothed, dancing and doing a rail gaddi in the water. It was completely unplanned and so much fun,” Karishma recalls.
Sangeet performances and Italian flavours
For the Sangeet that evening, the palette moved towards deeper jewel tones, with antique brass, dark wood, carved furniture and florals creating a richer setting. Lanterns and cascading fairy lights illuminated the outdoor celebration.
Music and dancing were central to the occasion, with DJ Rish from Musical Movements taking charge of the entertainment. Mahesh’s friends had spent time practising their Sangeet performance. Guests could also pick up rings, potlis, coin purses, bangles, bindis and jhumkas, while the food brought together an Indian buffet, Prosecco and Italian favourites. Vada pav sliders, chaat, mini idli, Manchurian, hakka noodles and garlic chilli mogo were served alongside a live pasta station and tiramisu from Camelia Bakery. The drinks menu included two signature creations, a lychee-rose Bellini and a masala Negroni Sbagliato.
A Gujarati wedding
On 10 July, the celebrations moved to Castello San Salvatore for the traditional Gujarati Hindu wedding. The décor palette of deep burgundy, olive and ivory was chosen to complement the surrounding landscape, with sculptural, organic florals and a mandap designed to sit naturally within the setting. The baraat arrived to the sound of dhol players.
For Karishma, the significance of the day was also found in the moments shared with her family. “My mother has always been a huge source of support for me, and sharing the wedding experience with her was incredibly meaningful. On the morning of the ceremony, she exchanged a heartfelt card and gift with my mother. My sister’s speech was another moment I will always remember. It was so heartfelt that it brought many of our guests to tears,” she says.
The couple’s attention to personal details extended to the stationery and guest experience. They designed their wedding website themselves and edited the invitation suite, which featured olive green, terracotta, cream and muted gold, alongside Indian-inspired borders, paisley motifs, decorative arches and hand-drawn illustrations of the Italian venues. The reception invitation featured Castello San Salvatore, while handmade wax seals, embossed details, striped borders and a scalloped Haldi invitation gave each piece its own identity. Personalised itineraries, signage featuring their favourite Bollywood songs and order-of-ceremony fans completed the experience.
An Italian aperitivo and an emotional finale
The reception continued at the castle, with a palette of ivory, champagne, warm gold and green. White florals, flowing linens, candlelight and grand chandeliers set the tone for an evening that began with aperitivo overlooking the hills. An Italian pianist-and-saxophone jazz duo provided the soundtrack as guests enjoyed Italian fare, alongside limoncello and Aperol spritzes.
The couple’s signature cocktails were a French 75 for Karishma and a whiskey sour for Mahesh. Dinner featured hara bhara kebab, shahi paneer and kofta curry, followed by a millefoglie cake, a live cannoli station and jalebi.
But the moment that stayed with Karishma was not one of the elaborate details or the grandeur of the venue. “One of my favourite moments was standing at the reception, holding Mahesh’s hand and looking around at everyone who had travelled to Italy to celebrate with us. I remember feeling incredibly grateful to have all those people in one place for us. The final circle of our friends and family singing ‘Forever Young’ was particularly nostalgic,” she says.
Four looks, four moods
Karishma approached her wedding wardrobe with a clear intention: each outfit would reflect the occasion and her personal style. She wore Kalki for the Haldi, Aari for the Sangeet, The Bridal Trunk in London for the wedding and Istya for the reception. Mahesh’s wardrobe included Manyavar for the Haldi, Seema Gujral for the Sangeet, a custom ensemble by Sarab Khanijou for the wedding and Henry Poole & Co in London for the reception. For the Haldi, Karishma opted for a soft, fresh look that suited the relaxed daytime setting. The Sangeet was inspired by her mother’s love of historical princesses, while the wedding called for a refined, timeless interpretation of a traditional Indian bride. The reception was an exercise in Hollywood glamour.
The accessories were particularly personal. Karishma wore a red chudlo with a gold line, a Gujarati bridal symbol representing love and blessings. Her mangalsutra was custom-created by DiAi Designs to complement her oval engagement ring. Her phoolon ki chadar was made using her mother’s dupatta, updated with tassels for a contemporary touch. Mahesh wore his grandfather’s gold bracelet as a good-luck charm.
For Karishma, these details, alongside the time spent with family and friends, are what ultimately define the wedding. While planning every element had been important, the experience also taught her the value of stepping back and being present. “My biggest advice would be to slow down and really take in your wedding. I would tell myself to let go a little, be present with the people around me and enjoy the moments as they happen. The day goes by much faster than you imagine, and it’s those little moments with your loved ones that stay with you.”
The Bride’s Checklist
The Bride: Karishma Patel
The Groom: Mahesh Popat
Photography & Videography: Knotting Bells by Rajesh and Sachin
Wedding Venues: Hotel Villa Soligo and Castello San Salvatore
Wedding Planner: Wed U Events by Renata
Wedding Décor & Florist: Fiore all’Occhiello
Bride’s Outfits: Kalki; Aari; The Bridal Trunk (London) and Istya
Groom’s Outfits: Manyavar; Seema Gujral; Sarab Khanijou and Henry Poole & Co (London)
Catering: Bhagya Catering
Mehndi Artist: Francesca Gallina
Makeup & Hair: Hair: StylesbySukhi; Makeup: Triobase
Cake: Camelia Bakery
