Bull Run Golf Club & IHG Wharf Wedding

Maya & Rami

PHOTOGRAPHY & FLATLAY DESIGN — Anna Schmidt Photography
PLANNING & EVENT DESIGN — Christine Godsey (CG&Co Events)
VENUE FOR HALDI, MEHNDI, & SHAHRA — Bull Run Golf Club
VENUE FOR SHAADI, COCKTAIL HOUR, & RECEPTION — IHG Wharf
CATERING — Moghul Catering
FLORALS — Sophie Felts Floral Design
HAIR & MAKEUP — Makeup by Ana B
CINEMATOGRAPHY — Love in Color (Julian Spessard)
DABKE DANCERS — Faris El-Layl Dabke
PUNJAB DANCERS — Mehfil Mitraan Di (MMD) Bhangra Dancers

An Indian-Palestinian Fusion Wedding in Virginia and Washington, DC

Maya and Rami's wedding weekend was a celebration of culture, connection, and the many stories that brought them together.

Spanning multiple days across Bull Run Golf Club in Virginia and The Wharf in Washington, DC, the festivities honored both Indian and Palestinian traditions while creating space for new memories, new relationships, and a shared future. Every event felt deeply personal, reflecting not only where Maya and Rami come from, but also who they are together.

The weekend began with pre-wedding celebrations rooted in family, ritual, and anticipation. The Haldi ceremony brought warmth, laughter, and vibrant color, while the Mehndi and Shahra celebrations filled the grounds with music, movement, and joyful energy. Friends and family gathered not simply to witness the wedding, but to actively participate in the traditions that made the celebration meaningful.

As the weekend unfolded, Indian and Palestinian customs were woven together in a way that felt natural and authentic. Palestinian Dabke dancers and Punjabi Bhangra performers brought guests to their feet, creating moments of celebration that crossed cultural boundaries and invited everyone into the experience.

The wedding day itself took place along the Washington waterfront, where sweeping views of the Potomac River provided a striking backdrop for a celebration rich with color, artistry, and symbolism. From intricate henna designs and meaningful ceremonial traditions to bold florals and thoughtfully curated details, every element contributed to a wedding that felt uniquely theirs.

What I loved most about photographing Maya and Rami's wedding was the sense of curiosity and openness that surrounded the entire weekend. Guests embraced traditions that may have been unfamiliar to them. Families shared customs, stories, and perspectives. New connections formed alongside long-standing ones. There was a genuine willingness to learn from one another and celebrate what made each tradition special.

By the time the final dance ended, it felt less like two families had come together for a wedding and more like they had spent a weekend learning each other's stories.
For me, that's what made this celebration so memorable.

It wasn't simply the beauty of the details or the scale of the festivities. It was the way Maya and Rami created space for every part of their story to be represented with pride, respect, and joy.

Years from now, they'll remember the music, the color, the traditions, and the incredible energy that carried through every event. But they'll also remember something less tangible—the feeling of seeing their worlds come together and watching the people they love become part of something larger than themselves.

Creative Team: 

DJ — DJ Shilpa
CAKE — Classic Bakery
RENTALS — Something Vintage
OFFICIANT — Ranjan Ravaliya
HENNA — Bhavna's Henna (Bhavna Naik)
SARI DRAPING/PINNING — Khadija Chaudhry
LIGHTING  — Dan Goldman Events
DRAPES — Fabrication Events

PHOTOGRAPHY & FLATLAY DESIGN — Anna Schmidt Photography
PLANNING & EVENT DESIGN — Christine Godsey (CG&Co Events)
VENUE FOR HALDI, MEHNDI, & SHAHRA — Bull Run Golf Club
VENUE FOR SHAADI, COCKTAIL HOUR, & RECEPTION — IHG Wharf
CATERING — Moghul Catering
FLORALS — Sophie Felts Floral Design
HAIR & MAKEUP — Makeup by Ana B
CINEMATOGRAPHY — Love in Color (Julian Spessard)
DABKE DANCERS — Faris El-Layl Dabke
PUNJAB DANCERS — Mehfil Mitraan Di (MMD) Bhangra Dancers

DJ — DJ Shilpa
CAKE — Classic Bakery
RENTALS — Something Vintage
OFFICIANT — Ranjan Ravaliya
HENNA — Bhavna's Henna (Bhavna Naik)
SARI DRAPING/PINNING — Khadija Chaudhry
LIGHTING  — Dan Goldman Events
DRAPES — Fabrication Events

Read more about M+R's multicultural event  in
Washingtonian Weddings Magazine.