Nafessa and Michael

Nafessa and Michael

When social enterprise consultant Nafessa Kassim and business coach Michael Williams met each other for the first time in Los Angeles, little did they know that they were on the path to a long courtship and wedding straight out of a fairytale.

When Nafessa and Michael met for the second time at a Washington conference, sparks flew and a beautiful friendship developed organically. After a month of long phone calls and a 4.5 year old courtship period, Michael finally popped the question on the rooftop bar of W hotel with a special ring. Nafessa delightfully accepted and the couple went off to gorge on Chinese food and chocolate chip cookies with two of their friends recording all the action.

Nafessa and Michael chose to host their wedding at the Zama Beach Club at Isla Mujeres Mexico with Jewell Event Design helping them plan the event. The couple even designed their own wedding website and made sure their different ethnicities were reflected in a perfect combination at their customized ceremonies. 

Given the wedding would be a mixture of South Asian and western traditions, the couple wanted to encompass the diverse religions and ethnicities of their guests. Nafessa and Michael showcased the beauty of accepting a diverse array of cultures and so chose an eclectic mixture of events – pithi, mehndi, welcome party, holi and beach games. Their choice of venue was one that was a beautiful vacation spot apart from being a boutique establishment small enough to offer them the privacy they needed.

Gorgeous Couple Posing outdoors clicked by Cossu Photography

The welcome party was a simple and sweet party with rooftop drinks. Both the bride and groom participated in the pithi and enjoyed the gorgeous spread of food, while for the mehndi, Rajasthani umbrellas and ethnic sarees were used as décor accents. The beach games party was a fun event as the couple used memorabilia from their long pre-wedding trip as props and guests all wore t-shirts saying “love is a journey.” The sangeet was very festive with a light adorned background with Indian accents. The table centerpieces were a variety of different artifacts with candles inside while a soft semi transparent gold runner decorated the table. The couple showcased their faces on frames of old and classic Bollywood posters along the table. The bangle and bindi counter lent some pizzazz to the entire event.

The couple chose a beach wedding as both feel a deep connection to water. The ceremony setting was a sandy beach with a beach background and pretty flower petals on the ground.

Instead of a typical religious function, the couple planned a beautiful spiritual blend – the bridal party read quotes from various religions along with a meditation session. The wedding was right before sunset with the beautiful rays of the sun shining behind the couple.

The beautiful beach reception featured tables dressed with a white diaphanous material and glittering chandeliers and bistro lights bathing everything with incandescent light.  The centerpieces included gold votives with candles inside and cards bearing the country name, a picture of the couple in that country, and a poem or quote from the country, in the native language. The beautiful star-studded night sky with stars and the sound of waves created a romantic atmosphere as the couple danced to Dave Matthews Band’s “You and Me,” Sir Mix A Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” and even “Aati Kya Khandala” from the movie Ghulam. Later, There was a fun dance party with glow sticks and a mix of Indian and western music and even a Chuuro midnight party. Nafessa and Michael made sure that everyone (including themselves) had a blast at their wedding!

The couple advises that you think hard about what you love about weddings and then try incorporating that in your own wedding. Don’t forget to take into account the preferences of guests and family while also prioritizing and creating a special experience that will work for you!

Lovely Couple Posing for a photoshoot


BANQUET HALLS Zama Beach Club +52 998 888 07 50 | CATERING Izla Mujeres Hotel +52 998 689 12 63 DISC JOCKEY Disco Movil Cancun +52 1 998 189 83 06 | DHOL PLAYER Drums in Paradise +52 998 251 49 77 |EVENT PLANNER Jewell Event Design 720-515-1793 | HAIR AND MAKEUP Tania Tagle Makeup & Hair +52 998 820 15 98    | HORSE SunHorse Wedding Services 507-216-5700MEHNDI Carolina Bellavista & Co +52 998 165 32 77 | MUSICIAN Eder Alejandro Campos +52 1 998 895 04 51 | PHOTOGRAPHER Cossu Photography +52 1 984 106 00 92  |   VIDEOGRAPHY Becker Wedding Films +52 998 860 49 56


Groom Posing for a photo Couple Looking at eachother Indian bride Blushing at the Mehndi Ceremony Gorgeous Mehndi by Carolina Bellavista & Co Indian bride posing with family at mehndi ceremony Indian Bride getting ready for her ceremony Wedding ceremony Party Gorgeous Capture by Cossu Photography Couple posing at Mehndi Ceremony Indian Bride at mehndi ceremony Portrait capture of Indian Bride Detailed look Bride Jewellery  Gorgeous Detailed look of Indian bride jewellery Mehndi Ceremony capture Mehndi Ceremony photo click by cossu photography Mehndi By Carolina Bellavista & Co Amazing wedding Planned by Jewell Event Design Family members having fun at wedding Playing games at the wedding Wedding Parties Couple posing after the games  Couple applying cake to each-other Groom kissing bride to be First look picture of Couple Indian Bride dancing at the wedding   Lovely Wedding Planned by Jewell Event Design Indian Wedding party Holi Party theme at Indian Wedding Friends Having fun at Holi party Couple dancing at Holi Party  Indian Wedding Reception Outfits Pre-wedding photo shoot of Indian Couple Indian Bride Posing outdoors Indian Bride Indian Wedding Outfit Pre-wedding photo shoot  Indian Groom PosingIndian Groom dancing Groom posing outdoors  Wedding Reception Indian Couple posing Outdoors Lovely Indian Couple posing Couple Posing with family and friends Indian couple posing at wedding reception Indian Wedding ritualsIndian Groom dancing at Sangeet Ceremony Groom with indian bride Couple posing for a photo Wedding rituals Indian Groom dancing at Sangeet Gorgeous Picture of Couple Groom looking in Indian Bride's Eyes Portrait look of couple Indian bride dancing at Sangeet Amazing Bride dancing Lovely Bride having the time of her life  Indian Groom Dancing at the Sangeet Ceremony Gorgeous Indian Bride wedding outfit Indian Bride outfit and jewellery  Indian Bride Make-up by Tania Tagle Makeup & Hair Lovely detailed make-up by Tania Tagle Makeup & Hair Lovely T-shirt for Bride Groom Watching photos Wedding photos Indian Bride Hair do by Tania Tagle Makeup & Hair Indian Bride Hugging groom Indian groom taking bride to the ceremony Groom taking Indian Bride out of the car Pre-wedding photoshoot Couple posing for photoshoot Holding hands forever Amazing click by Cossu Photography Indian Bride posing at river bank Indian Couple Posing at river bank Groom Posing with Bridesmaids Indian Bride posing with Groomsmen Friends having fun at photoshoot Indian bride posing with her mother Indian Bride posing with her dad Indian Bride posing with her family Couple posing with family Couple looking each-other in eyes First look of Indian couple Indian Groom looking at the bride Indian Couple dancing Monochrome Click of Indian bride Groom looking in bride's Eyes Engagement ring Couple holding hands forever Wedding ceremony Lovely capture of Indian couple Amazing click of couple Lovely capture of friends and family Indian Wedding rituals Bride looking in grooms Eyes Amazing wedding destination Zama Beach Club Beautiful Brides Click Groom Reading out to bride Beautiful couple dancing Amazingly captured by a Indian photographer Wedding Party Indian bride Dancing Indian Bride dancing with family member Couple feeding each-other Couple Having fun at the ceremony  Couple dancing at the Sangeet Wedding party Monochrome Capture of Indian couple  Couple having good time at wedding Party at Indian Wedding 19Party at Indian Wedding   Couple Playing DrumsCouple dancing at wedding party Gorgeous Indian Couple dancing with friends

Dazzling indian wedding

South Asian club

Indian wedding at the Zama Beach Club

Jewell Event Design

South Asian Wedding

Wedding website

Wedding table centerpieces

Mehndi

Indian wedding Banquet Halls

Zama Beach Club

Indian wedding Catering

Izla Mujeres Hotel

Indian wedding Disc Jockey

Disco Movil Cancun

Indian wedding Dhol Player

Drums In Paradise

Indian wedding Event Planner

Jewell Event Design

Indian Bride Hair And Makeup

Tania Tagle Makeup & Hair

Indian wedding Horse

Sunhorse Wedding Services

Indian Bridal Mehndi Carolina Bellavista

Indian wedding Musician

Eder Alejandro Campos

Indian wedding Photographer Cossu Photography

Indian wedding Videographer Becker Wedding Films

Share this;