A Fairytale Wedding at Castello Monaci in Puglia
Growing up British in Dubai, with bridesmaids from five different countries, and marrying an Indian man who spent over 15 years in the U.S., it was inevitable that our wedding would be a beautiful celebration of cultures. We chose Italy as our destination—a neutral venue we both adore for its stunning landscapes and incredible food. As someone obsessed with the ocean, a city on the water was non-negotiable for me. We also wanted a venue that allowed outdoor partying past 11 PM, fireworks, and the ability to bring our chefs for at least one meal. For my husband, serving authentic Indian cuisine was a must. Additionally, we sought a venue with accommodations to simplify logistics for our guests. Our search led us to Puglia, a region we had recently fallen in love with during a weekend getaway. At the time, Puglia wasn’t a popular wedding destination, with limited information online. Over the last 15 months, though, it’s wonderful to see its popularity grow! We decided on a three-day celebration to honor our guests, who traveled from all over the world. The festivities included a welcome evening in a historic square in the city center, a traditional English wedding day at Castello Monaci, and an Indian Sangeet-style party at Chiostro Dei Domenicani. We chose to stay at the Chiostro, as its modern rooms were perfect for hosting our bridal party and close family members.
The Wedding Gown: I didn’t spend much time searching for the perfect dress. My vision was classic and elegant—no frills, lace, or sparkles. After visiting just two stores, I found my gown at Suzanne Neville’s flagship store in Knightsbridge. The silk organza skirt was dreamy and floaty, capturing the essence of timeless beauty. For the Indian Sangeet, I wore a stunning white Seema Gujral lehenga from the Pernia pop-up store in Mayfair.
Food & Drink: For my husband, a self-proclaimed foodie, this was the most important part of our wedding. At Castello Monaci, we served canapés followed by a five-course dinner showcasing the best of Italian cuisine, including burrata, lobster pasta, salt-crusted fish, and lamb chops. Instead of the traditional dessert buffet offered by the castle, we opted for a trio of desserts to be served individually at the table, ensuring a personalized touch while avoiding any potential issues with flies. We used the dessert tables later to serve our wedding cake. For the Indian Sangeet, we flew in MasterChef semi-finalist Arbinder and his team to create an unforgettable dining experience. The Chiostro chefs were incredibly accommodating to them, even assisting in advance to source equipment and ingredients—a monumental effort that was truly worthwhile. The food was nothing short of spectacular!
Florals & Décor: I envisioned a green, leafy atmosphere accented with white flowers for a classic and clean aesthetic. My inspiration came from Pinterest, but I ultimately trusted my talented florist & wedding planners to bring the vision to life.
My husband’s first thought when planning the Sangeet was that the dhol player would be key. He conducted extensive research and ultimately flew in Nihal Singh, who came highly recommended by friends. Nihal’s performance brought unparalleled energy and life to the celebration!
Hayley and Gaurav flew out their suppliers from all over the world, including their photography team (Sophie Mort Photography), video team (Miki), DJ (DJ Jamz), MUA (RLF MUA), Chef (Arbinder Singh Dugal), and Dhol dummer (Nihal Singh).
The night before the wedding, Hayley and Gaurav met with their photographer on the coast for a relaxed walk and some pre-wedding images just the two of them. Photography was super important to them but they didn't want to leave their guests much on the wedding day nor do a first look, and so this was a perfect way to get some portraits outside of the day.
