How this wedding seamlessly blends two cultures and one beautiful life together

Divya Singh, Global Special Projects Manager at Tod’s, and Luciano Mantovani, Secretary General of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Italy, share how their lives and cultures came together beautifully.

How we met

“Luciano and I met just two years ago in Milan, but our connection with each other’s countries and cultures began more than a decade earlier. I moved to Italy in 2010 to study fashion and eventually became a senior manager in the luxury fashion industry. Luciano, on the other hand, spent five years in India, where he advised on investments between the two countries. Our lives ran parallel for years, till fate used Bumble to bring us together. Luciano’s proposal was an unexpected, beautiful twist during what started as my birthday getaway to Palma de Mallorca in July 2023. Our luggage was lost, and the resort mixed up our room, setting the stage for what could have been a disastrous trip. But as the sun set over the Spanish seaside, Luciano knelt on one knee and asked me to marry him. Thankfully, the ring wasn’t in the missing luggage!”

The next step

“Originally, we had our hearts set on a wedding in India, but planning everything from afar would have been a monumental task. Luciano’s mother had offered a piece of advice that hit home: ‘Weddings should happen where the bride lives.’ And that’s when it clicked—I didn’t live in India anymore. Italy had been my home for 15 years, and it felt right to celebrate our union here. We chose Luciano’s aunt’s estate in Umbria, Tenuta di Canonica; it was like marrying at home, without the stress. We planned everything ourselves as a gesture of thanks to our parents, creating a space where our families could bond without the pressures of a grand wedding.”

Leading up to the big day

“We ensured that every detail of our wedding reflected our personal journey and cultural fusion. From multiple trips to India to source meaningful items to designing my own bridal outfits, each decision carried deep significance. As a nod to my background in fashion design, my bridal lehenga featured motifs that represented my maid of honour and bridesman. I paired my gown for the church ceremony with custom Roger Vivier sandals, a special gift from the company I work for. Our bomboniere (return favours) were thoughtfully curated: potli bags from Jaipur, filled with ittar from my Delhi, and Neapolitan ceramics from Luciano’s hometown, Naples. To be married in a Catholic church, we completed a month-long course to fully embrace the significance of the ritual. For the Sikh ceremonies, we recreated the serenity of a gurdwara at the Tenuta di Canonica estate, which was the perfect setting for both celebrations. It had an existing wooden Indian mandap and stunning views, and seamlessly blended the elegance of our Sikh ceremony with the beauty of the Italian countryside.”

Memories that will last a lifetime

“One of the most unforgettable moments was seeing our families and friends, who came from such different worlds, celebrate as though they had known each other forever. Watching them dance together and embrace each other’s cultures was surreal. A particularly special moment was my decision to skip the traditional vidaai. Instead of leaving my family behind, they had come to my home, to the life I had built in Italy on my own. It was an emotional moment that symbolised the integration of my roots with my present life.”

My advice

“Make it personal. Your wedding should reflect who you are, where you’ve come from and where you’re going. Embrace your roots, but also celebrate the life you’ve built together. Don’t feel pressured to follow traditions unless they resonate with you—create a celebration that is uniquely yours. Those personal touches will make all the difference.”

The details
Photography: The Photo Lab
Venue: Tenuta di Canonica, Todi, Umbria
Wedding Planner: Anand Vivaah
Décor: Momenti d’Autore, Todi
Jewellery: Manoharlal Jewellers
Hair & Make-up: Raveena Mud Make-up

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