Aruna Seth, founder and creative director of Aruna Seth Shoes, and Thomas Yoichi Adolff first met more than a decade ago through mutual friends. However, they only rekindled their connection on a Halloween night at Annabel’s in London.
After only six months together, Thomas proposed to Aruna. One summer’s evening, he brought home an adorable Russian blue kitten that they named Lucas, and the engagement ring was tied to his collar.
Once engaged, the couple instantly fell in love with Villa Erba, while they were visiting Lake Como, and knew that was where they wanted to host their wedding celebrations. The 19th-century villa has breathtaking architecture and several movies have been shot at the beautiful location. For their September 2021 wedding, Aruna and Thomas hired Savvy Event Studio to bring their vision to life.
During the week of the wedding, Aruna wore 11 beautiful dresses. Her main ceremony gown was a Zuhair Murad two-piece tulle and Swarovski design, and she paired it with a Chantilly lace floor-length veil from her limited-edition bridal shoes and accessories collection. Thomas looked handsome in a custom Zegna tuxedo.
For her Indian wedding look, Aruna’s stylist friend connected the bride with her favorite Indian designer Falguni of Falguni Shane Peacock. Together, they created an intricate ensemble that featured butterflies and threads from Aruna’s mother’s wedding sari.
The bride got ready for all her wedding events with Fabio Sarra, who used vegan makeup. And guests were given traditional colorful bangles and scarves that Aruna picked up from Delhi to pair with their own outfits.
At the start of the white wedding, an Italian opera singer sang “Kissing You” by Des Ree, as Aruna walked down the aisle. And at the Indian ceremony, the bridesmaids accompanied Aruna with parasols covered in rose petals.
Once she reached the floral mandap, designed by Vincenzo Dascanio, Aruna, her father, and Thomas were ready for the blessing ceremony. It began with a prayer to Ganesh, the god of beginnings and good fortune and remover of obstacles. Then the bride’s veil and groom’s sash were tied together, and, in North Indian tradition, they circled the ceremonial fire seven times.
After the two were announced as officially wed, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a delicious vegan Italian meal and entertainment from Black Rabbit Projects. The new mister and missus enjoyed their first dance to “All My Life” by Kci and Jojo—the song that was playing after Thomas dropped Aruna off from their first date.
Then the couple cut their wedding cake by Sugarcups Cake Design. During the rest of the evening, ladies had henna applied, and guests learned Bollywood dances with instructors—it was truly a celebration to remember.
