Nisha Saboo and Billy Badruddin, Villa Erba, Lake Como
This cross-cultural wedding at Lake Como was a beautiful blend of traditions, cuisine, glamour and luxury.
Nisha Saboo, an Indian-descent NRI and fashion entrepreneur behind New York-based styling studio Nyraa and South Asian fashion rental platform Boomie, married Billy Badruddin, a Pakistani-descent NRI and Chicago native who introduced Crumbl Cookies to the city. Their destination wedding was planned and designed by WeddingSutra Favorite – The Doli Diary, whose thoughtful approach shaped a multi-day celebration that blended cultural unity, relaxed pacing, and immersive design across Lake Como, Italy.
How They Met
Their story began in August 2020 in Chicago. Nisha had returned from New York City to begin business school, while Billy, originally from Las Vegas, was in town launching Crumbl Cookies. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Billy was flying in from Las Vegas every weekend to spend time together. What started as weekend dates quickly evolved into a deep friendship, and soon after, a relationship rooted in ease and companionship.
The Proposal
A few years on, Billy planned a proposal weekend in Encinitas, California. The trip began with a Cubs game alongside his closest childhood friends and their partners. On the final day, a casual plan led Nisha to the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean, where Billy was waiting with a live violinist, a floral arch, and a walkway lined with photographs from their journey together. The day concluded in a way that felt true to them, with donuts, dumplings, and In-N-Out burgers.
Wedding Planning
The couple envisioned an Indian wedding that felt like a holiday for 125 guests, thoughtfully paced and immersive, where every detail reflected Indian hospitality while embracing Italy’s natural elegance. With Lake Como chosen as the destination early on, they booked The Doli Diary and the venues first, seeking a celebration that brought together Indian culture, warmth, and flair within an Italian setting. From the very beginning, the planning and design were led end to end by The Doli Diary, with local teams brought on board purely for on-ground execution and regional expertise.
Reflecting on the journey, Neha Wadhawan of The Doli Diary shares, “They were clear that they wanted Italy as the backdrop, but the soul of the wedding had to feel unmistakably Indian. Our role was to design and plan the celebrations entirely, while seamlessly integrating local support across regions.” The celebrations came together through a thoughtfully layered planning process that spanned multiple cities, with Italian caterers from Lake Como, an Indian caterer from Florence, florists from Florence, local planner support from Milan, and artists sourced from Florence and Milan. From concept development and sampling to managing translators and coordinating artists across Italy, every aspect was meticulously curated. “We went through an extensive process from design and planning to tastings and sourcing specialised talent, ensuring that the couple’s vision translated seamlessly across cultures,” adds Neha. Nothing began before 11 a.m., allowing guests ample time to rest or explore at leisure. On the morning of the sangeet, many guests spent the day boating around Bellagio before arriving refreshed for the evening celebrations.
Speaking about the overall approach, Jinal Patel of The Doli Diary notes, “Our focus was always on balance. Pairing the efficiency of Italian vendors with the warmth, hospitality, and cultural detailing of an Indian wedding ensured that every celebration felt intentional, immersive, and unhurried.” Design, pacing, and experience worked in harmony, creating a wedding that unfolded naturally and joyfully across Lake Como’s timeless landscape.
Wedding Functions
Haldi
The haldi ceremony unfolded on an outdoor lawn at Sheraton, embracing the easy joy of daytime celebrations. Designed to feel relaxed and unrestrained, the setting came alive with colour, laughter, and tradition. The groom found himself at the heart of the festivities, as friends and family joined in spirited rituals, while signature drinks inspired by the couple’s favourites added a personal flourish to the afternoon.
Poolside Dinner
The welcome dinner at Sheraton Lake Como introduced guests to the spirit of the celebrations with an unmistakably Italian mood. Set poolside against lush lawns and rolling hills, the evening began with playful napkin waving and flaring, followed by an Italian trio and DJ leading guests into a lively rendition of Bella Ciao.
A vintage orange car, reimagined as a bar, served wine and Aperol spritz, while the menu unfolded through live pizza and pasta stations, an open grill, and seasonal Italian flavours. Sculptural table accents and market-style baskets echoed the Mediterranean setting, creating a convivial evening that felt social, scenic, and effortlessly paced.
Sangeet
Hosted at Villa Geno, the mehndi and sangeet opened with a high-energy entry led by global dhol and tabla artist who was flown in from New York. The couple’s arrival instantly set the tone, drawing guests into an evening that blended Indian celebration with lakeside elegance.
The décor was vibrant and layered, with abundant florals and handmade Indian details woven throughout the venue. Guests moved through an Indian bazaar experience featuring Bangalore potlis, jhumkhas, hookah lounges, and a live watercolour artist capturing couture-clad guests. The bar showcased a bespoke selection of the couple’s favourite drinks alongside curated classics.
As dusk settled over the lake, live percussion and DJ sets flowed seamlessly together, while Indian and Italian caterers presented menus that reflected the couple’s cultural narrative. The evening transitioned indoors to a candle-lit setting with live jazz and nightcaps, closing the celebration on an intimate note.
Wedding
The wedding ceremony took place on the grand lawn of Villa Erba, overlooking Lake Como. The setting was soft and romantic, with pastel florals designed to complement the natural blues of the lake and the villa’s stately architecture.
The day began with a baraat arriving by boat, led by Nihal Singh on the dhol, before the procession moved toward the mandap with rhythm and exuberance. A brief spell of morning rain delayed proceedings, but the skies cleared just in time for the bride’s entrance. She walked alone toward the groom, while her brother held the chaadar, creating a moment of quiet emotion and grace.
The ceremony brought together two faiths in a shared ritual, beginning with Hindu pheras officiated by a pandit from Milan, followed by a nikah led by the groom’s sister. Printed ceremony notes and live translation ensured guests could follow each moment. A live painter from Florence captured the ceremony as it unfolded, while a traditional Indian wedding lunch brought the afternoon to a warm close.
Reception
As the sun dipped behind the lake, guests gathered for cocktail hour with spritzers and wines curated around the couple’s favourite pours. The reception unfolded inside Villa Erba’s grand interiors, transformed into a refined mocha-toned setting layered with mirrored tables, antique brown and cream florals, and an abundance of tapered candles.
The villa’s hand-painted walls, antique gold mirrors, and soaring ceilings formed an elegant backdrop as the couple made their entrance, followed by their first dance, a mother-son dance, and a father-daughter dance. Guests were then guided to a curated seating arrangement for a formal sit-down dinner, where a plated menu was served course by course alongside heartfelt toasts.
Fireworks lit up the night sky, leading into cake cutting and the groom’s closing speech, bringing the celebrations to a poised and memorable conclusion.
After Party
The weekend concluded with an after-party at Villa Erba, where the mood shifted to a relaxed celebration. An open bar curated around the couple’s preferred spirits and a DJ-led dance floor allowed guests to unwind and celebrate freely, ending the festivities on a joyful high.
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Sheraton Lake Como Hotel, Italy (Sangeet); Villa Geno, Italy (Sangeet); Villa Erba, Cernobbio, Italy (Wedding)
Wedding Planner and Décor: The Doli Diary, SugarEvents Wedding Planner (Local Partner)
Production: Blunotte Eventi
Florist: Fiorista Tonino
Caterers: Haveli Ristorante Indiano a Firenze (Sangeet), Sunlake Catering
Groom’s Outfits: Jatin Malik (Haldi, Wedding), SuitSupply (Poolside Dinner), Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna (Sangeet, Reception)
Groom’s Shoes: Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1s (Haldi), Jatin Malik (Poolside Dinner)
Bride’s Outfits: Paulmi and Harsh (Haldi), Abhishek Sharma (Poolside Dinner), Dolly J (Sangeet, Wedding), Gaurav Gupta (Reception, After Party)
Bride’s Shoes: Prada (Poolside Dinner)
Jewellery: Alexis Bittar (Poolside Dinner), Demarson (Poolside Dinner), Nyraa (Sangeet, Wedding)
Styling: Nyraa, Boomie
Hairstyling & Makeup: The Studio Como
Mehndi: Pinklish Makeovers and Henna
Entertainment: Nihal Singh
DJ: Beats by Jay
Wedding Stationery: The Murphy Studio
Photography: House On The Clouds
Social Media: Lettering by Sav, Rishi Thakur
