Chuma and Monalisa’s wedding was more than a celebration, it was a vivid reflection of who they are: joyful, intentional, and full of heart. Every detail, from sparkling suits to sentimental playlists, told a story of two people who crossed continents and cultures to find one another. Surrounded by the love of friends and family, wrapped in music, memory, and movement, they didn’t just plan a wedding — they created a world. One where tradition met personality, and where love, quite literally, danced.
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Style: Glamorous, fun-loving, whimsical, colorful
Time of planning: 18 months
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Private estate
Season: Spring
Chuma and Monalisa met at 22 on the streets of Washington, D.C., through mutual friends. Chuma, instantly smitten, made a habit of showing up to every party Monalisa hosted — until she finally asked him out. Just six months later, he left for a summer internship in Paris, and Monalisa moved to North Carolina for medical school. To celebrate, they took their first trip together to Marseille — full of sunshine, missed trains, and a surprise pigeon “blessing” that landed squarely on Chuma’s shoulder.
Their love grew across borders. While Monalisa trained as a surgeon during the pandemic, Chuma’s career took him from Djibouti to Mexico City. They met whenever and wherever they could — Nairobi, Croatia, and all the in-betweens. In 2022, they returned to Paris. On a boat ride along the Seine, surrounded by friends, Chuma proposed. On the way back to the hotel — yes, another pigeon found his shoulder. A sign, they now say, that it was always meant to be.
Welcome Party
The weekend kicked off with a joyful evening full of music, laughter, and a little healthy competition. Hosted the night before the wedding, Trivia Night was the couple’s way of welcoming guests into their story. Between sips and cheers, friends competed for whale-branded tote bags, baseball caps, and T-shirts, prizes for winners who knew their way around Chuma and Monalisa’s love story. The trivia questions traced everything from their first meeting to their globe-trotting adventures, with a few hilarious surprises along the way.
Fashion-wise, Monalisa stayed true to her pleated theme with a stunning bridal skirt by Andrea Iyamah. She paired it with a custom corset by designer Wayne Hwang, who also gifted her a whimsical whale-shaped bag that added a playful, personal touch to the look. On her feet, feathered mules by Cult Gaia added just the right amount of flair.
Wedding Day
Couple's Fashion
The bride wore a breathtaking two-piece gown designed entirely over text by Portuguese bespoke designer Iza Van. It all began with a pleated silk organza jacket she had spotted on Instagram, a piece she couldn’t stop thinking about. After searching far and wide, even sourcing pleated fabric from Turkey to try and recreate it, nothing compared to the original. So the designer brought the vision to life, crafting a custom gown with an ethereal pleated topper and flowing train. The gown’s lace was carefully chosen to echo North African-style henna patterns traditionally painted on the hands of brides.
Monalisa paired the gown with delicate gold jewelry, including her late father’s wedding band, engraved with her mother’s name and their wedding date. Her up-to-down curly hairstyle with soft side twists was styled by curly-girl specialist Afro Orika, and the soft blush-pink bridal glam was perfected by makeup artist Constanza Nuche.
A curious detail: the couple’s purple whale logo, once just a playful nod to their story, quickly grew into the symbol of their entire journey, and of the great migration of friends and family to Mexico City. The whale made its mark everywhere: on stationery, the dance floor, tote bags, T-shirts, getting-ready slippers, and even the thank-you notes. A whimsical icon turned heartfelt emblem.
True to his easygoing nature, Chuma initially planned to keep his look low-key — no tie, just vibes. But a wise friend reminded him, “This is the best you’ll ever look,” and the words stuck. Inspired by the earthy elegance of Ralph Lauren’s collection, particularly the harmony of sand tones against brown skin, Chuma found a look that, in his words, “made me feel like an angel.” He turned to FEDÚ, a Miami-based bespoke designer and mutual friend known for crafting refined, luxurious menswear. Every detail of his ceremony look was designed over video calls, and when the suits arrived, not a single hem needed fixing.
First Look
The most unforgettable wedding moments are often the quietest, when the nerves give way to joy, and wedding-day anxiety melts into bliss. For Monalisa, that moment came when she saw Chuma for the first time, surrounded by their cheering wedding party. The second he turned around, his emotional response said everything. Caught between laughter and tears, Chuma’s heartfelt surprise was met with delighted squeals from their friends, wrapping the couple in a wave of love and celebration.
With her pleated silk gown catching the light and his sandy-tan suit glowing against the garden walls, the two stood in stillness before the whirlwind began. And when Chuma broke into that signature grin, Monalisa knew — without a doubt — she was ready to be a bride.
Ceremony
Set in the sun-dappled gardens of the Hacienda De Santa Mónica, the ceremony unfolded in a natural amphitheater of towering trees and golden sunlight. Guests were shaded by white parasols as they gathered around a semicircle of vibrant blooms in every hue — lavender, coral, saffron, and deep indigo — creating a dreamy garden moment in the heart of nature. The floral design by Taller Olivo embraced the wild beauty of the setting, striking a perfect balance between untamed and intentional.
The processional was simple and powerful — just the bride, the groom, and the mother of the bride — set to ‘Juneby‘ Florence and The Machine. Guests sat in a soft arc of chairs, surrounding the couple with love and presence. With their religious and legal ceremonies held privately, Chuma and Monalisa reserved this moment to celebrate in their own words, sharing handwritten vows for the first time. And surrounding them? A sea of vibrant style. Chuma and Monalisa sent guests a bold color palette, asking everyone to show up in their flyest looks, fitting for Mexico City. The response was electric: designers crafted custom outfits, and the photos burst with color, creativity, and joy.
Officiated by close friend Larry Harris, the ceremony included a heartfelt surprise: a special passage written by their long-time relationship counselor, offering a deeply personal reflection on their growth and love.
Tears flowed freely during the vows, and the first kiss was met with celebration, as a drumline burst into rhythm. The couple danced their way down the aisle to the sounds of a live Egyptian Zaffa, performed by the Folkoholic Dance Theater. This unforgettable moment was masterfully captured by Alejandro Celez, who brought the day to life with breathtaking precision, documenting every burst of movement and the pulsing, bright energy that flowed through each moment. His lens didn’t just document the celebration, it danced right along with it.
Decor & Setting
The reception unfolded in the courtyard of the historic estate, where Kismet Wedding & Event Planner worked pure magic. Under their creative eye, old stone columns and archways were transformed into a glowing dreamscape of color and warmth. Inspired by the magic of Harry Potter’s Great Hall, chandelier arches appeared to float midair, suspended candles flickered above, and a whimsical tree centerpiece mirrored the vibrant colors worn by guests.
Florals in punchy pinks, tangerine, lilac, and coral ran the length of each table in glass vases, joined by taper candles in lively hues. The tablescapes were designed to feel like a festive family dinner with gold-rimmed chargers, knotted linen napkins, and scalloped menus in hot pink and turquoise added a joyful touch of personality.
Reception
The reception began with sparkle — literally. Chuma’s midnight-blue suit by Ilbert J. Sanchez featured silver-pinstriped shimmer inspired by the hacienda’s floating tea candles. When asked if Monalisa knew about the bold choice, he simply grinned. The look dazzled and perfectly complemented Monalisa’s gown. Her custom Chosen by Kyha dress was a backless, high-neck creation covered in cascading glass beads. Paired with a sheer organza veil by friend and designer Wayne Hwang, it was the perfect blend of glamour and grace for the night ahead.
Their entrance was pure movie magic — walking down from a hidden upper floor, Chuma and Monalisa kicked off the night with a salsa-bachata first dance, closing with ‘Dangerously In Love.’ For Chuma, a lifelong salsero, the pressure of the first dance melted away, and the party truly began. With music as the heartbeat of The Gala, the couple skipped traditional pauses and chose new rituals centered on their favorite songs.
Dinner was soundtracked by instrumental 2000s hip-hop, a nostalgic nod to childhood friends gathered around the long banquet table. Afterward, the Egyptian Zaffa troupe returned, blending tabla with Afrobeat to ignite the dance floor, a joyful fusion of the couple’s Egyptian and Nigerian roots.
Colorful fashion, bold decor, nonstop dancing, and sparkle in every direction — this wedding was all of that and more. At its heart, it was about pure love: a love story that crossed seas, spanned cultures, and lit up every room it entered. Chuma and Monalisa’s day was a celebration of everything that brought them here, and everyone who helped them shine along the way.
"Our photographer, Alejandro Celez, took the time to hear our story and invested himself into capturing our day — his energy made him easy to choose."
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t be afraid to get invested!
• Chuma’s advice to hesitant grooms: “There just isn’t another time in your life when all of your friends and family let loose to celebrate you.”
• Your vendors should mirror your enthusiasm. Kismet Wedding & Event Planner clearly LOVED their weddings and their vendor network was equally excited and invested. Find the people who light up when they talk about their work — after all, they get to give you the best day of your life!
PHOTOGRAPHER Alejandro Celez | VIDEOGRAPHER Unreal Photocinema | PLANNER & STYLING Kismet Wedding & Event Planner | VENUE Hacienda De Santa Mónica | FLORALS Taller Olivo | MAKEUP Constanza Nuche | HAIR Afro Orika | WELCOME PARTY OUTFIT Andrea Iyamah & Wayne Hwang | WELCOME PARTY SHOES Cult Gaia | CEREMONY DRESS Iza Van | RECEPTION DRESS Chosen by Kyha | CEREMONY SUIT FEDÚ & Garcon Couture | RECEPTION SUIT Ilbert J. Sanchez | CATERING A Banquetería | AUDIO & VISUAL ARMusic | ZAFFA Folkoholic Dance Theater | DJ DJ Black Daria
