Welcome

Check-in

Haldi Ceremony and Sangeet

Dinner

Wedding Day

Breakfast

Yoga by the Pool

Lunch

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception w/ Dinner

Desert Day

Lunch Buffet

Oasis Dinner

Checkout

Summer

Our Wedding

Haldi, Sangeet, and Welcome Dinner

May 22, 2025

The weekend begins with a haldi (turmeric) ceremony and a mini sangeet. We will have a small traditional haldi ceremony before dinner, and a few dance performances will highlight the otherwise casual evening. Guests are requested to wear colorful Indian (or Indian-inspired) outfits. This is the day to wear something fun and express yourself! Note: We will have professional hair and make-up services on-site for anyone interested (at guests' expense).

Ceremony and Reception

May 23, 2025

The day begins with a Muslim Nikkah ceremony. A cocktail reception will follow with traditional Ismaili rituals and games. We end with dinner and dancing until we can dance no more! This is the formal evening of the weekend. Please adhere to a Black Tie Optional dress code. Both Indian and American outfits are recommended, but guests are requested to wear all black. Live out your deepest Met Gala dreams -- we're here for it. Note: We will have professional hair and make-up services on-site for anyone interested (at guests' expense).

Lunch & Oasis Dinner 

May 24, 2025

The ceremonies are over and we're spending the day hanging out with our closest friends and family. After brunch, we will ride ATVs to an oasis in the desert and have dinner under the stars. Pull out your tan and white linens and dress for the boho sand dune photoshoot you've always wanted.

Recommendations

Unsure where to buy traditional Indian outfits? We have you covered! Check out the recommendations below for both online and local retailers. If you have any questions about Indian clothing, what to ask for in person, or anything else -- don't hesitate to reach out to Naureen + Samir.

Local

Consider exploring one of the Indian hotspots listed below. Bay AreaUniversity Ave (Berkeley)Fremont Los AngelesPioneer Boulevard (Artesia) HoustonHillcroft AveAlmas TejaniPanache by Sharmeen Tri-StateEdison/Iselin, NJHicksville (Long Island)Richmond Hill (Queens)

Online

There are many online shops to buy traditional clothing. Check out a selection of our favorites for inspiration: <a href="https://shopkynah.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://shopkynah.com</a><a href="https://www.basantikekapde.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.basantikekapde.com</a><a href="https://www.kalkifashion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.kalkifashion.com</a><a href="https://aashniandco.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://aashniandco.com</a><a href="https://www.azafashions.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.azafashions.com</a><a href="https://www.perniaspopupshop.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.perniaspopupshop.com</a><a href="https://www.saree.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.saree.com</a>

Event Details

Villa Taj

Guests will be staying together at the beautiful Villa Taj in Marrakech. We are pleased to provide accommodations as part of our wedding celebration to all of our invited friends and family. Guests are requested to let us know if they are considering making separate arrangements. Villa Taj does not rent out rooms outside of event weekends. Guests staying in Marrakech before or after the event must find accommodations elsewhere. See the Things to Do page for recommendations.

Check-in/out

Check-in: May 22, 2025 @ 2:30pmCheck-out: May 25, 2025 @ 11:30am

Important Details

All meals will be provided for guests staying at Villa Taj. Water and tea will be available at the bar outside of scheduled events. There is a Nespresso machine available but coffee pods are not supplied by the villa. Please also note that Villa Taj does not allow food to be brought in from outside restaurants into the villa. Guests can arrange transportation to visit restaurants in the city if desired. Villa Taj functions more like an AirBnB than a hotel. As such, please note the following details: Each guest room will have:- White towels for rooms- Grey towels for the pool- Welcome soap and shampoo- A safe for valuables- Air conditioning Villa Taj does not have:- Room service- Extra toiletries- Mini-bar or fridge- Business center or printer Guests are requested to bring their own:- Personal toiletries- Printed tickets- Small snacks- Nespresso pods

Transportation

Marrakech Airport (RAK)

Marrakech has its own local airport (RAK) with scheduled flights to/from most major cities in Western Europe. You can coordinate with New Directions Travel in advance of your flights to have transportation to the villa ready for you upon landing. Please note: Naureen and Samir found that check-in, security, and customs took far longer at RAK than most other international airports. Please ensure that you arrive to the airport ~3 hours before your flight when departing Marrakech.

New Direction Travel

Villa Taj has requested that guests do not use the yellow city taxis to travel to/from the villa. The easiest way to arrange for transportation to/from the villa is through New Directions Travel. Guests should arrange rides directly with the company using the following email / phone number (WhatsApp recommended): - Email: ndirectionstravel@gmail.com- Phone: 00212 661 237 077- Phone: 00212 661 732 278 Each ride is 250dhs one way, regardless of how many people travel. Please let us know if you would like help coordinating transportation with other guests. We appreciate guests respecting Villa Taj's policy for transport. Please note: New Directions Travel expects to be paid in cash. Guests should plan to convert USD to MAD at the airport or prior to arrival as there is no ATM at the villa.

Visa

US Citizens do not need a tourist visa for stays under 90 days, but passports must have at least 6 months of validity upon arrival. More information can be found on the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Morocco.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">State Department website</a>. If this is your first time traveling abroad, Naureen and Samir are happy to help answer any questions you may have!

Travel & Transport

We've compiled a list of recommendations for places to visit in Morocco and Europe from our own personal travels together. We hope you find these useful if you're planning to explore and travel before/after our wedding weekend!

Marrakech

Rich with Islamic history and beautiful Moroccan architecture, Marrakech has much to offer if you choose to stay local. <a href="https://atravelingfairy.com/10-best-riads-in-marrakech/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stay in a riad</a>, explore the Medina (Old City), and walk by historic souks (markets). Be sure to check out our favorite museum and coffee shop (photos below): <a href="https://darbacha.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dar El Bacha</a>!

Casablanca, Fez, Chefchaouen

We haven't visited visited these cities (yet!), but Morocco has more destinations than just Marrakech. You can take a romantic trip to coastal Casablanca (pic 1) or experience the culture in the "Athens of Africa" and stop by Fez (pic 2). Forget the white-washed walls of Santorini -- go see the beautiful "Blue City" that is Chefchaouen (pic 3). Note: These are not our photos, unlike the rest on this page!

Lisbon

Lisbon was the first city abroad we traveled to together. With direct flights to Marrakech and multiple US cities, Lisbon is an easy city to fit into your plans -- and very much worth it! Walk the hilly streets to the coast, tour <a href="https://castelodesaojorge.pt/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">castles in the middle</a> of the city, and listen to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240522-a-fadistas-guide-to-lisbons-best-live-fado-performances" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">traditional Fado music</a> in the Alfama district after a world-class dinner.

Madeira & the Azores

If you're looking for something a little more relaxing, Portugal has several islands that are well known for beaches, hiking, and diving! Madeira is irresistibly scenic (pics 1 and 2) and is a must-visit for any seafood lovers. The Azores (pic 3) are a renowned megafauna diving location, and Samir regrets that he has dived in Madeira and the Canaries but not here.

London

Do we even need to explain? Go see the iconic buildings, visit the British Museum, and make sure to stop by Dishoom (get the bun maska chai). Oh, and of course we visited Platform 9 3/4 while we were there.

Barcelona

Naureen's first experience staying a hostel could not have been in a more fun and cosmopolitan city. Art lovers can spend hours at the <a href="https://museupicassobcn.cat/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Picasso Museum</a> while food lovers eat their way, tapas-style, through the city, but everyone should visit the <a href="https://sagradafamilia.org/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sagrada Familia</a> for a jaw-dropping architectural experience (trust us, go inside).

Andalusia

What originally inspired this Morocco wedding -- our trip to Andalusia in May 2023 made us fall in love with Moorish architecture and history. Málaga (pic 1) is still Samir's pick for favorite city, and the <a href="https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alhambra</a> in Granada (pic 2) and the <a href="https://tickets.mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Great Mosque</a> in Córdoba (pic 3) are both just a train ride away!

Things to Do

Project Soar

Your presence is more than enough. However, if you would like to give a gift, we ask for your help in giving back on our wedding day. Please consider donating to Project Soar - an organization local to Marrakech whose mission is to empower teen girls to be leaders of today and tomorrow. Read more about and donate to this worthy cause here: <a href="https://www.projectsoar.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.projectsoar.org/</a> ﻿

Wedding Registry

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We will continue updating this page throughout the next few months until the wedding.

What am I going to forget to pack?

- Power plug travel adapter (type C/E w/ 220V converter)- Swimsuit (we will definitely use the pool)- Hat/Sunglasses (it's the desert!)

Haldi, Mehndi, and Welcome Dinner

Traditionally, -----Please wear colorful Indian-inspired outfits. Find attire inspiration below:

Brunch 

Websites for Indian Outfits

<a href="https://www.basantikekapde.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.basantikekapde.com</a><a href="https://www.kalkifashion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.kalkifashion.com</a><a href="https://www.indianweddingsaree.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.indianweddingsaree.com</a><a href="https://holichic.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://holichic.com</a> Or shop local! Let Naureen and Samir know if you have any questions or need help

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Marrakech, Morocco

Check-In: : May 22, 2025 at 2:30pm. Check-Out: May 25, 2025 at 5pm. Please book your trip to and from the airport using New Direction Travel (see below).

The Villa has requested that guests book their travel through New Directions Travel. Taxis from the airport often get lost getting to Villa Taj, so please use this company for all Villa Taj related travel. Please book your trip from the airport to the Villa beforehand using the email or Whatsapp number above.

Naureen & Samir

Naureen & Samir

N&S

Welcome

2:30 PM

Check-in

7:00 PM–8:00 PM

Haldi Ceremony and Sangeet

8:00 PM–12:00 AM

Dinner

Wedding Day

8:30 AM–10:00 AM

Breakfast

10:00 AM–11:00 AM

Yoga by the Pool

12:00 PM–1:00 PM

Lunch

5:30 PM–6:30 PM

Ceremony

6:30 PM–8:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

8:00 PM–3:00 AM

Reception w/ Dinner

Desert Day

1:00 PM–4:00 PM

Lunch Buffet

5:00 PM–11:00 PM

Oasis Dinner

Checkout