Natasha Jamal and Aadil Nanji, Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, Tanzania
Taking inspiration from African markets and folk performances, this couple’s wedding welcome party in Zanzibar was an immersive experience!
The wedding of Natasha Jamal and Aadil Nanji was a celebration defined by wanderlust, warmth, and sun-soaked elegance, beautifully documented by WeddingSutra Favorite – WeddingNama, whose signature storytelling brought every moment in Zanzibar to life. Natasha, based in Kenya, and Aadil, based in Canada, chose the postcard-perfect island for a four-day celebration hosted at their luxurious family-owned property.
How They Met
Natasha was born in Kenya and studied in the UK, while Aadil grew up in Canada. Their paths crossed for the first time in New York City, sparking a connection that endured continents and time zones. They navigated long distances through the pandemic, reunited in Turkey, and later sealed their commitment with a romantic engagement in Santorini.
Wedding Planning
Every moment of their celebration reflected a refined blend of culture and thoughtful visual storytelling, brought together by a design approach that moved seamlessly from vibrant African markets to serene poolside vows overlooking the Indian Ocean. A family-owned luxury property in Zanzibar set the stage for festivities that felt intimate yet grand, with immersive experiences and world-class entertainment elevating every function.
WeddingNama, who captured the wedding end to end, played an integral role in shaping the memory of it all. “Documenting Natasha and Aadil’s Zanzibar wedding was a visual delight,” shares Team WeddingNama. “Every frame carried emotion, culture, and beauty. From the spirited marketplace to the surreal poolside vows, their celebrations were the kind that inspire us as storytellers.”
The welcome party unfolded as a bustling African marketplace complete with souvenir stalls and local performers. The couple flew in international acts including a magician from Turkey, an illusionist from Manchester, and Parisian skaters, adding a global flair that echoed their own cross-continental journey. Their Christian poolside wedding ceremony featured colour bombs, bubbles, and petals drifting across the ocean horizon, creating a cinematic moment etched in everyone’s memory. Personalised elements such as branded money, bespoke installations, African fans, and glow sticks tied the celebrations together with modern polish.
Wedding Functions
Welcome Party
The festivities opened with a vibrant African market-inspired celebration. Stalls overflowing with Zanzibari souvenirs set the tone as guests used custom ‘branded money’ to shop, turning the evening into an interactive cultural experience. Maasai dancers elevated the atmosphere, while the magician and fire performers from Turkey added their energy to the night.
Ismaili Wedding
The following morning carried a serene energy as Natasha and Aadil exchanged their Nikkah vows in an intimate Ismaili-style ceremony. Rooted in tradition and family, it offered a spiritual beginning before the spirited celebrations.
Sangeet
The Sangeet was a high-octane spectacle. A ball illusionist from Manchester, skaters from Paris, and a striking electric fan installation featuring the couple’s names created an atmosphere charged with excitement. The fusion of global artistry with local flair made it a night of mesmerising performances.
Christian Wedding
The symbolic white wedding took place in the middle of a pool overlooking an endless ocean. The setting itself felt like a dream, with colour bombs echoing the blues of the water, bubbles drifting across the scene, and a dramatic petal blast marking the couple’s vows. Guests carried branded African fans, a keepsake that felt both personal and meaningful.
Reception
The beachside reception shimmered with glow sticks, fireworks, and a sky full of stars. Natasha and Aadil’s first dance, silhouetted against the ocean and illuminated by sparklers, became the perfect finale to the wedding celebrations.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, Tanzania
Wedding Planner and Décor: Chic Luxury Events
Photography and Videography: WeddingNama
Groom’s Outfits: Dior (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Seema Gujral (Ismaili Wedding), Kresha Bajaj (Sangeet), Tarun Tahiliani (Reception)
Makeup: Makeup by Ami Jethwa
Hairstyling: Ritika Kadam
DJ: DJ AJ, Deejay Rishi
Emcee: Mc Awg
Bartenders: The Tipsy Co
