InsideIndian MatchmakingStars Arti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed's 4-Day Mexican Wedding (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jamal Ahmed and Arti Lalwani.Photo:Priyanca Rao Photography

Priyanca Rao Photography

Indian Matchmaking’sArti LalwaniandJamal Ahmedhave tied the knot!

“Each event had a theme, but the entire wedding was focused on fun, vibrant and colorful,” Lalwani tells PEOPLE. “Most importantly, love conquers all.”

Arti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed’s welcome party.Priyanca Rao Photography

Notable guests includeIndian Matchmakingcostars Shekar Jayaraman, Shital Patel, Avi Shingwani and Viral Joshi.

Lalwani and Ahmed’s romance played out on season 3 ofIndian Matchmaking. Their engagement was hopeful to viewers because Muslims and Hindus have historically not married due to political tension between Indians (Hindus) and Pakistanis (Muslims). The couple ensured their wedding combined both cultures.

“Being able to marry the man I love in front of our friends and family is a symbol that love conquers all. After the show, we had lots of love but a ton of criticism because we grew up with different religions,” Lalwani says. “Showing that we could do everything we wanted from both cultures and religions meant the world to me.”

Arti Lalwani during Haldi.Priyanca Rao Photography

“Our love is sacred — through the ups and downs we will not back down and give up,” she continues. “We want to be an example for all the Muslim/Hindu couples out there that you can absolutely get to this step one day too.”

The destination nuptials were the first time the bride and groom’s families met in person, as Lalwani’s family is based in Georgia while Ahmed’s family is from Michigan.

“We wanted our wedding to feel like a vacation,” Lalwani says. “We wanted to mash up the two cultures and take every fun part of a Hindu and Muslim wedding and create our own.”

Tug-of-war.Priyanca Rao Photography

The beach welcome party included the tradition of Haldi, in which turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom’s skin to bless them with prosperity and purity. They also had a not-so-traditional game of tug-of-war between the two families. “Spoiler: the rope broke in half,” Lalwani jokes.

The following night was Sangeet, a party filled with music, dancing and other festivities.

Arti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed.Priyanca Rao Photography

Although the bride’s late father was unable to walk her down the aisle, his picture was pinned to her bouquet and her custom kaleeras (traditional Indian bridal accessories) were dedicated to him and her dog. She also wore a white lehenga and custom veil that read, “Dad, with you in my heart I never walk alone.”

“My nephews somehow convinced Jamal to take off his shoes before even entering the ceremony location. They then walked down the aisle with each shoe, a Hindu tradition we loved,” says Lalwani, who like her fiancé had custom Nike Air Force 1 shoes for the ceremony.

Lalwani’s nephews wore mini tuxedos and held a sign that read, “Too Late to Run Uncle Jamal. Here She Comes!”

Arti Lalwani dances.Arti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed.Arti Lalwani dances.PHOTO:Priyanca Rao PhotographyArti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed.PHOTO:Priyanca Rao Photography

Arti Lalwani dances.Arti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed.

Arti Lalwani dances.

Arti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed.

Arti Lalwani dances.PHOTO:Priyanca Rao PhotographyArti Lalwani and Jamal Ahmed.PHOTO:Priyanca Rao Photography

“We kept the tradition of the Saptapadi with seven circles around the fire, but we had seven family members read each vow, including my nephews for the vow on children,” Lalwani explains.

Afterward, guests had a mix of Indian and Italian food for dinner before getting a slice of the two-tier vanilla wedding cake. They also enjoyed performances from the newlyweds and Lalwani’s nephews.

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Lalwani and Ahmed — who met on a dating app, had their first date at Costco and got engaged on Sept. 12, 2022, at The Deck at Island Gardens in Miami — are most excited for “traveling, a puppy and kids — in that order only.”

“Every morning I wake up and see a ring on his finger and absolutely cheese because I know he is now mine,” Lalwani says. “He is my biggest supporter and every day I find a reason to love him a little more.”

She continues: “They say that fairy tales are made up for little girls, and it’s easy to feel discouraged dating in this day and age. Don’t be afraid to love with your whole heart. As Sima Aunty [the Netflix series' matchmaker] said, ‘I wanted to be a princess and at the end of the day I married my prince charming.’ "

Additional Credits:

DJ: Elite Entertainment @eliteent

Decoration: Gama Group @gamagroup

AV: Mills and James @millsjames_weddings

Content Creation: The Muse @the_musemx

Groom’s Barber: Jonathan @icutart

source: people.com