Normally our couples tend to meet through virtual matchmakers… aka dating apps and sites. However, Sharaf and Naima actually met through a matchmaking service, which we think is incredibly cool. Naima explained that she went on one awful date after the next, and she finally decided one day that she needed someone else to look for her while she lived her life. So, she signed up for a service, didn’t hear anything back, and promptly forgot about it. Then, through an unfortunate turned incredibly fortunate situation, a tornado came through Nashville and destroyed her home (hint: this is the bad part). A couple weeks later, the Pandemic officially started, and in the midst of all that panic and confusion, the matchmaking service she’d forgotten about popped up and asked if she’d like to meet Sharaf. With everything going on, she was in a weird headspace and didn’t think it would, or even could, go anywhere, but said yes anyways… and the rest is history!
While the couple was visiting Sharaf’s family in California sometime later, they were in a gorgeous botanical garden where peacocks could wander the grounds. They explored for a while and then stopped in a wildflower garden— and that’s when Naima realized he was trying to propose! Except, it had taken her a bit to realize, as she’d been trying to tell him a bunch of fun facts on lizards! Haha, we love it! Eventually he did indeed get to his proposal, and a secretly-hired photographer who was hiding nearby caught the big moment for them.
Currently, Naima still lives in Nashville, and Sharaf lives in NYC as a producer, so they rely heavily on phone calls and zoom dates. Together they enjoy traveling (so it’s no wonder they opted for a destination wedding!), along with checking out the newest and greatest restaurants. Knowing she loves nature, Sharaf has also planned some amazing outdoor dates for the two of them: climbing the mountains of Virginia and roaming the beaches of California together are just a couple examples.
These two were so incredibly sweet, and we absolutely loved meeting their welcoming families as well! The colors of their wedding were utterly breathtaking (we’re still dying over her veil and the resulting detail shots using it, and Sharaf’s matching kicks (mint green Air Jordans!) We are so honored they chose us to document their big day. Congratulations, Sharaf and Naima, and we wish you all the happiness in the world!
Vendors:
Venue: Hyatt Regency Tamaya
Rentals: Beloved Rentals
Florist: Florecita
HMUA: Tamaya— on site
Jewelry: Shahla Jewlery
Attire: Bilal Hussain Kazimov
design by ASHLEY FERREIRA DESIGN
Customized by amanda Mays
copyright of Maura Jane Photography