Page 20 - The Indian EYE 091225

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 | The Indian Eye 20

This multicultural wedding

in Tuscany had two ceremonies and

a live millefoglie cake

From rituals to revelry, Emily Shah and Mena Massoud’s wedding was a vibrant meeting of cultures, flavours and music

BY KRITI SARASWAT-SATPATHY (VOGUE)

y dad is a Gujarati man from Mumbai
and my mom is an American of Scottish
Mand Welsh ancestry. My husband, Mena
Massoud, immigrated to Canada from Egypt with
his family when he was three, and we both current-
ly live in Las Vegas,” reveals actress, entrepreneur
and content creator Emily Shah, who tied the knot
in Italy this July. With multicultural roots and years
spent in different cities, Shah and Massoud first
crossed paths in 2018, when they were in Los An-
geles. “We actually met on a dating app that was
exclusive for artists in the entertainment industry
and despite the spark, we went our separate ways
as our schedules did not align. But almost a year
later, we finally started dating,” she says.
Massoud, who is an actor, producer and writ-
er, proposed in Japan during a trip that coincided
with Shah’s birthday in December 2023. After dat-
ing for close to four years, the couple got engaged,
though their wedding would take place a year and
a half later. “I wanted a summer wedding and The following day, in the gardens overlooking officiated by Father Pishoy, his childhood priest
Mena wanted to get married in Tuscany. While I the Tuscan hills, Shah and Massoud held a Hindu from Toronto. Groomed by Ashley Cornett for all
initially thought we could pull off a wedding within wedding ceremony. The bride wore a bespoke red his looks, Massoud wore a custom Zegna tuxedo
six months of the proposal, I quickly learned there Arpita Mehta sari with a matching corset blouse with Christian Louboutin shoes and an Audemars
were multiple important elements that needed to and silver kitten heels from Dolce Vita. Her veil Piguet Royal Oak. Their wedding bands were cus-
align, so we settled on a date at the end of July featured a quote that translates to, “On his peace- tom-made by Bhindi Jewelers of Los Angeles. The
2025 when we had the greenlight on all levels; reli- ful land, my flame found rest,” their horoscope bride walked down the aisle in a bespoke Lihi Hod
giously, schedules, and (almost) guaranteed good symbols and the word Om, while her mehendi by gown with a veil, Louboutin lace bridal heels, and
weather.” explains Shah. Suhenna Creations included their zodiac signs and her grandmother’s diamond tennis bracelet. She
After scouting for venues, they chose Tenu- constellations. “It was important for me to support later changed into a custom Marquise Bridal dress
ta Di Sticciano in Certaldo. “We wanted all our a female Gujarati designer whose designs were for the reception, accessorised with a Maya Bren-
guests to stay on site, enjoy locally produced or- modern yet honoured our traditions, and Arpita ner tennis necklace, diamond drop earrings and
ganic wine from the vineyard, as well as have space and her team were a dream to work with. I paired bracelet.
to host multiple wedding events in different parts the handmade sari with my ba’s diamond bangles, “We had a four-course Italian dinner catered
of the property, and the estate really ticked all our a custom mangalsutra from Modern Mangal with by Florence’s oldest caterer Guidi Lenci, paired
boxes,” shares Massoud. The celebrations opened a ruby and diamond set consisting of earrings, a with Sticciano wine, and followed by classic Ital-
with a welcome dinner, styled as a classic Italian bracelet, and a nose ring from Sanzany,” shares ian millefoglie cake which we made live in front of
garden party with brick-oven pizzas, Sticciano’s Shah. our guests.” There was also an after-party where
award-winning wines and Italian beer. The tables- To complete her look, she wore her hair in we had ‘The Massoud’s Martini Bar’, and truffle
cape by Fede Floral Design combined fresh florals voluminous waves styled by Senada Ceka, with and margarita pizzas as midnight snacks,” says the
with heirloom tomatoes, paint-splattered garlic mauve eyeshadow and kohl-rimmed eyes by her groom. Shah, now in a Rosie Etienne mini dress
and red chillies. friend and make-up artist Austin Ryde. Massoud with silver Tieks flats, ended the weekend danc-
Shah arrived in an all-white Valentino en- wore an ivory and silver Manish Malhotra outfit, ing to Arabic music in the estate’s wine-cellar rave
semble, her hair and make-up inspired by ‘60s a necklace by Sanzany, Marc Nolan shoes, and a cave. “I was rocking corsets all weekend, and it felt
glam. “I had dreamed of wearing this look for my Rolex Hulk. A sangeet-style reception followed appropriate to end the celebration with a corseted
wedding since I saw it on Valentino’s runway right that evening, with music by Luxor Music, Indian mini,” she quips.
before we got engaged, and it was probably my fare by Crown of India in Florence, and cocktails Produced and executed by Birch Event Design,
favourite look of the weekend,” she adds. Mas- featuring Dharma Indian Dry Gin. Shah changed planned by Tuscan Weddings, with customised sta-
soud wore a Valentino jacket with flared tuxedo into a gold Itrh outfit, then a silver mesh Shona Joy tionery by Inktricate Designs for the celebrations
trousers and Marc Nolan loafers, paired with the dress for the reception and after-party. that unfolded across days and traditions, with both
vintage Audemars Piguet watch he wore for his To honour Massoud’s faith, the couple also families and friends carried along for the ride.
proposal in Japan. had a Coptic Christian ceremony the next day,

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