Some people picked up knitting during COVID. We picked international wedding planning. On three continents. During a pandemic. Because when life gives you lockdowns, you throw on a gown and say “I do” anyway—three times.
Here’s how we pulled off some spontaneous, beautiful, multicultural weddings across 3 continents.
Wedding #1: Valley of Fire, USA – The Paperwork Hustle
Our first wedding was less “storybook romance,” more “emergency logistics.” FIFI was stuck in the U.S. during peak COVID, and we needed that marriage certificate yesterday. So we slapped together a full wedding in under a week—dress, hotel, flights, a photographer who doubled as our witness, and a venue that was literally the desert.
We got married in the Valley of Fire, surrounded by Mars-like red rocks and tumbleweeds that photobombed half our shots. It was hot! but beautiful
Never thought I could say I got married in Vegas, that sounds like a joke. But the wedding was so much fun, spontaneous, made just for us, and officially sealed with a government-issued certificate. And in true Vegas fashion, we celebrated with a 13-course fine dining extravaganza at Guy Savoy, paired with absurdly good wine and a tipsy toast to our new life.
Wedding #2: Meru, Kenya – The Family & Tradition Wedding
This one was all heart and heritage. Nono is from Meru, Kenya, and there was no way we were getting married without honoring our BIG Kenyan family. So we did a full traditional ceremony, surrounded by extended family, well the whole town felt like Nono’s family anyways.
We were blessed by elders, serenaded by traditional singers, and danced with all the guests. FIFI even took part in the “bride training” session—where local aunties attempted to teach her the secrets of being a properly obedient Kenyan wife. Let’s just say…she smiled politely and immediately ignored everything.
The ceremony blended tribal customs, prayers in multiple languages, and community.
It was vibrant, joyful, and deeply meaningful.
Afterward, we went on safari in the Masai Mara, where we watched hunting and mating (for a very short of time) and then chilled on the beaches of Mombasa, and stuffed ourselves with more samosas.
Wedding #3: Phuket, Thailand – The Friends & Freedom Wedding
This was our “finally, we can party” wedding. No elders, no rules, no expecatations. Just our closest friends, a beach in Thailand, and an open bar that put all our livers at test.
We picked everything ourselves: the flowers, the seafood, the playlist, the beachfront venue, and of course, the dress. FIFI finally got her dream Vera Wang moment (a bridal glow-up years in the making).
Omicron did its best to sabotage things—some friends had to cancel—but the ones who came showed up hard. We danced under the stars and fire, chased planes landing, and played rediculous games that brought back ancient memories.
Then we spent two more glorious weeks island-hopping, drinking passionfruit mimosas for breakfast, and getting daily massages that rejuvenated our bodies. (Yes we really needed it after all the shenanigans.
The Chinese Wedding That Never Was (Yet)
We’d planned a traditional Chinese wedding too—complete with tea ceremonies, red silk, and firecrackers—but COVID border restrictions made it impossible. We’re still holding out hope. Red envelope pending.
Final Thoughts: Love, No Matter the Latitude
Three weddings, three cultures, three completely different vibes—and somehow, they were all perfect.
The desert gave us spontaneity and legal legitimacy.
Kenya gave us roots, history, and aunties who don’t mess around.
Thailand gave us freedom, joy, and hangovers.
Sure, every place has its own traditions—some involve goats, some involve monks, some involve Michelin stars—but the heart of it is the same: love, community, reunion, and celebration.
Whether you’re tossing flower petals in Africa, lighting lanterns in Asia, or signing documents in the desert—what matters is the people you’re with, the memories you make, and the pretty but too sweet cakes that everyone pretends to love.
Love is universal. Weddings are just how we dress it up.
FIFINONO - a blog about cultural exploration 
Leave a comment