A Colorful Indian Wedding Featuring Dazzling Desert Hues at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
It was an ordinary day, with a group of first-year students on a library tour of UCLA’s campus. Taylor Munuz, always quick with humor, cracked a joke. Alina Ahmed recalls, “Taylor made a joke (that was actually pretty funny), and I happened to be the one who laughed the loudest.” Taylor turned to find out who’d reacted so well, and “the rest is history!” That shared moment of laughter sparked an unexpected connection between them. Alina fondly notes, “From that moment, he was happy to have someone who would always laugh at his jokes.”
Years later, after Alina graduated from law school, they found themselves in San Remo, Italy, celebrating her accomplishment. On a romantic evening stroll along the boardwalk, with the Mediterranean Sea stretching out before them, Taylor stopped, turned to Alina, and asked her the question that would change their lives. Of course, there was only one answer for her—“I said yes!”
The pair wanted to design their wedding to be a unique celebration—a reflection of their diverse backgrounds, shared passions and deep love for one another. With Alina’s Indian heritage, Taylor’s American upbringing, and their shared Muslim faith, they were determined to blend everything into their big day. But it wasn’t just about tradition. Alina and Taylor also wanted the day to feel fresh, colorful and—most importantly—fun. Their vision was a Muslim-Indian-American fusion wedding that honored their roots while still embracing the modern vibe they loved. “We were going for a classy, fun, lively wedding style,” Alina explains. “We wanted lots of pretty colors when it came to the decorations and people’s outfits, and we wanted to see lots of people dancing at the end of the night.”
But before the dancing, plenty of important decisions had to be made. The first task was figuring out the wedding’s overall look and feel. Inspired by their love for Palm Springs—the bride had fond memories of visiting as a child—they wanted their decor to reflect the desert’s natural beauty while also bringing in some bold and vibrant colors. They ultimately settled on hues that would pop against the lush backdrop of a desert locale: the JW Desert Springs hotel. They chose a palette of oranges, reds and pinks. These bright desert-inspired florals transformed their wedding spaces, from the aisle lined with snapdragons to the reception tables adorned with bougainvillea centerpieces.
When it came to fashion, Alina faced a bit of a dilemma. Should she wear the classic white American dress or embrace her Indian heritage with a traditional gown? After trying on nearly 20 white dresses and feeling uninspired, she visited an Indian boutique with her mother. There, something magical happened. “We both saw a fabric bundled up that we thought was such a beautiful color,” recalls the bride. “It was the first Indian gown I tried on, and it worked perfectly—it fit like a glove!”
The gown, a stunning pale rose and champagne color with intricate floral detailing, became the centerpiece of her bridal look. She accessorized with a ruby necklace, matching earrings and bracelets and completed her look with traditional henna on her hands and arms. Taylor embraced the fusion theme by opting for a white sherwani with a red dupatta that matched the florals and his groomsmen’s colorful vests.
With their attire set and the vision for the day coming to life, the couple eagerly awaited the big event. As guests arrived for the ceremony, they were greeted by the vibrant florals and stunning decor that Alina and Taylor had carefully curated with the help of their wedding planner. The couple had chosen to incorporate both a traditional Nikkah ceremony and elements of a Western wedding, allowing them to honor their Muslim faith while also putting their personal stamp on the day. “My favorite part of the wedding was walking down the aisle,” the bride reveals. “I got to see my beautiful friends and family all dressed up, see the dream wedding decor come to life and, of course, see Taylor waiting for me at the end.”
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour complete with live entertainment by DJ Sharp, who dazzled the crowd with his electric violin. The reception hall was a feast for the eyes, with large bougainvillea centerpieces towering over each table. And while the decor was stunning, it was the personal touches that made the night special. Later, the couple took time to savor the experience. One of Taylor’s favorite moments came as they entered the reception hall. “We also asked everyone to take a group picture together!” he shares. “It’s one of our favorite photos from the entire day and it was a great way to make sure everyone felt included in the celebration.”
As the evening drew to a close, the dance floor remained packed, just as Alina and Taylor had hoped. The celebration was everything they had dreamed of and more—colorful, lively and filled with love. Looking back, the couple had some advice for future brides and grooms. Alina emphasizes the importance of teamwork: “Try to support each other as much as you can during the planning process. I was very grateful to Taylor for wanting to be a part of every step. The most important thing was communication and figuring out what was most important to each of us so that it felt entirely like our day.”
Taylor adds his perspective: “You don’t need everything to be perfect to have a perfect day! The most important thing is that you spend time together. We made a deal that we wouldn’t leave each other’s sides throughout the day so we could share every moment.”