Looking back on our Nairobi destination wedding, we’re still in awe of the magic, love, and adventure that filled every moment. Now, months later, we’re excited to finally share the story of our unforgettable celebration as husband and wife—The Mungais! Two people from opposite sides of the world, one from the USA, the other from Kenya—fell in love and decided to say ‘I do’ in a beautiful place that felt like the perfect beginning.
For us, travel isn’t just a passion; it’s the thread that ties our story together. So, a Nairobi wedding was everything we dreamed—a breathtaking destination for many of our guests and, most importantly, a celebration in Justin’s home, surrounded by family, friends, and endless love. This wedding was more than an event; it was the blending of two worlds and the start of our forever adventure together. Nairobi is the heartbeat of Kenya—a city filled with vibrant energy, rich culture, and endless beauty. It’s also home to Justin’s family and friends, making it the perfect setting for our celebration. With so many beautiful venues to choose from, we ultimately decided on Tribe Hotel for the ceremony and Trademark Hotel for the reception. As sister hotels connected by a mall with shops and restaurants, these locations offered an ideal blend of convenience and luxury, giving our international guests plenty to explore and feel at home.
Planning a wedding across borders is no easy task. With a 7-hour time difference and differences in work culture—like our planners not working on Sundays—we quickly learned the importance of flexibility and trust. We couldn’t visit Kenya to see the venue ourselves, so we relied entirely on videos and virtual updates. Given these challenges, having a wedding planner was essential; for any destination wedding, we’d highly recommend someone on the ground who can handle site visits, liaise with vendors, and provide a trusted network of contacts.
Despite the distance, it was incredibly rewarding to see everything come together. We arrived in Kenya two weeks before the wedding to squeeze in food tastings, hair and makeup trials, site visits, floral arrangements, and to finalize any last details. Seeing our vision brought to life, after months of remote planning, made every challenge worth it.
We wouldn’t be us if we didn’t weave travel highlights into our wedding celebration. To give our wedding party and close friends time to adjust to jet lag, we suggested they arrive as early as October 1st, 4 days before the big day. With the extra days, they could get acclimated while soaking up the Nairobi scene. We had some of our local wedding party members take charge of planning the evening activities—and if you didn’t know, Nairobi nightlife is active! Our wedding week was filled with dinners, late nights at bars and lounges, creating an environment where guests who started as strangers became friends. By the time the wedding came around, everyone had meshed so well, it felt like one big family.
Back to the Big Day! Our ceremony was set on a stunning plexiglass platform over the pool, with ghost chairs and a mirrored aisle that reflected the bright, sunny sky. The floral arrangements of roses, baby’s breath, and lavender created a dreamy atmosphere that perfectly complemented the day. Surrounded by loved ones we’ve known most of our lives, the moment felt surreal. Our guests were breathtaking—most arrived in bold, elegant African print attire, adding even more heart to the occasion. But the true highlight was seeing each other for the first time, both dressed in white, and reading our vows. That intimate moment, shared with family and friends, cemented our love forever and marked the start of a beautiful new chapter.
Our reception at the Trademark Hotel was absolutely stunning. The decor was on point—elegant, vibrant, and just perfect for the vibe we wanted. The best part? Justin and I surprised each other with our African print outfits for the night, both in bold red. In my culture, red stands for good fortune, celebration, and prosperity, so it felt so meaningful to wear it on such a special day. The dress code was black tie or African print, and our guests understood the assignment! Seeing everyone dressed to the nines made the whole night feel even more magical.
After the wedding, we took 25 of our friends on a safari adventure at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club. Justin had been planning this trip for months, and let me tell you—it was worth every detail. Watching our friends check off a major bucket list experience alongside us felt so special. Sharing those moments on safari was the perfect way to cap off our celebration.
But wait—there’s more! A few of us decided to sneak in a weekend getaway to the coast afterward. It was like a vacation from our vacation! Lamu, Kenya, was everything we didn’t know we needed—peaceful vibes, stunning scenery, and hands-down the best sleep we’ve had in ages.
Here are a few tips we’d recommend to other couples planning a destination wedding:
Send Save-the-Dates Early
Start by getting those save-the-dates out as soon as possible! We sent ours in November 2023, nearly a year in advance. Knowing that Nairobi would require both a significant financial and time commitment, we wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible. We followed up with formal invitations in February 2024, about nine months before the wedding, and set an RSVP deadline of July 31st.
Create a Detailed Wedding Website
Make your wedding website a one-stop guide for guests. We included everything from event schedules and hotel block information to when and how to apply for their Electronic Travel Visas. We even shared recommended activities to help guests plan their time in Nairobi.
Plan Group Activities and Excursions
If your destination is a 14+ hour plane ride away, consider organizing a group activity to make the journey even more worthwhile. We planned a safari trip for 25 guests after the wedding, which became an unforgettable “friendmoon” experience. To keep it organized, we put a sign-up sheet on our website and confirmed the first 25 who placed deposits. The friendmoon allowed us to bond with our guests and share unique, once-in-a-lifetime memories together.
Give Packing and Weather Tips
Many guests expected hot, humid weather, so we made sure to include a note on the website about Nairobi’s temperate, dry climate. Providing these packing tips helped everyone feel well-prepared and showed we’d thought of their comfort.
Set Up Clear Communication Channels
In addition to our website, we created a group chat on WhatsApp, which kept everyone in the loop about daily plans—from afternoon hikes to back-to-back nights at the clubs. This also came in handy for solo travelers, who could easily connect with other guests and make instant friends. Clear communication kept the energy high and helped everyone feel included throughout the week.
All in all, our wedding—though not perfect—was the happiest day of our lives. It brought us closer to each other and to our loved ones, allowing us to share not only our love for each other but also our love for travel with our friends. It was a celebration of connection, adventure, and joy, and we’re beyond excited for all the future adventures we’ll share together, forever! And while words can capture only so much, our wedding video brings every unforgettable moment to life—watch it here and relive the magic with us!
