A Dreamy Multi-Cultural Wedding in Lake Como

Zhe and Shankar’s wedding in Lake Como, Italy, was a vibrant mix of romance, tradition, and personal flair. Over two days, they celebrated at the stunning Villa Lario del Mandello and Lido di Lenno, seamlessly blending Chinese, Indian, and American elements. ManiSol Wedding captured every detail, from the lively baraat boat entrance to the vibrant florals by Barbara Botta Fiori.

I do in Lake Como ensured both days ran smoothly, bringing the couple’s vision to life working closely with the bride, Zhe. Zhe also wowed everyone in her Monique Lhuillier dress for the symbolic ceremony and then again in an ivory lehnga by Anita Dongre for the Hindu ceremony. And can we take a minute to admire the circular seating arrangement for the ceremony, absolutely stunning.

The whole wedding effortlessly manages to bring together multiple cultures with modern design details in the most beautiful way.

The Love Story

We met at work in 2017, starting as friends before discovering common interests like tennis, traveling, exploring NYC, and attending live sporting events. Shankar proposed to me during a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, in April 2021 at Castle Hill Inn, one of our favorite spots for watching sailboats.

Wedding Planning

We always wanted a destination wedding to bring together friends and family from around the world. We aimed to incorporate traditions from different cultures (Indian, Chinese, and American) into a single weekend celebration that represented us—modern and light-hearted. Due to COVID, we couldn’t visit the venues in person early in the process, but we chose Villa Lario del Mandello for its customizable experience and natural cave for the after party.

Lido di Lenno was perfect for the Hindu ceremony with its lakeside setting and glamorous boat entrance for the groom’s baraat. Our planner, Zaira from I do in Lake Como, made the planning process seamless despite the challenges.

The Big Day

On the Hindu ceremony day, Shankar attended a traditional Haldi ritual with his family. On the symbolic ceremony day, Shankar’s groomsmen helped him tie his bow tie, while my bridesmaids and I enjoyed champagne and spaghetti at the venue before guests arrived. Shankar’s baraat entrance for the Hindu ceremony was a highlight, and we shared light-hearted personal vows during the symbolic ceremony to demonstrate our daily commitment to each other.

The reception featured live music, including jazz and DJ remixes, with music synchronized fireworks. A special moment was sharing a traditional Chinese dress, Qipao, with my mom at the end of the reception.

Fashion

For the symbolic ceremony, I chose a simple yet special and elegant dress by Monique Lhuillier with a flattering neckline and sculptural shape, which I found at her boutique in the city. For the Hindu ceremony, I wore an ivory lehnga with floral embroideries from Anita Dongre, perfect for the lake/beach vibe. Shankar wore a custom-made dark navy tux from Suit Supply with his favorite Belgian shoes.

Design and Unique Details

Our wedding planner, Zaira from I do in Lake Como, and I designed the wedding decor. We aimed to bring our inspirations to life, creating a romantic and elegant atmosphere with vibrant florals by Barbara Botta Fiori. The decor reflected our personal style, blending cultural elements seamlessly.