Junior Rasmussen
On 16 October 2021, Jennifer Gates, the daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, married Nayel Nassar, an Egyptian showjumper, at her horse farm in Westchester, New York. The couple met on the equestrian circuit and got engaged in January 2020. The wedding was attended by close friends and family, including Gates' parents, who reunited for the occasion two months after their divorce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 October 2021 |
| Time | Not stated, but the main ceremony took place on a Saturday |
| Location | The couple's farm in Westchester County, New York |
| Bride | Jennifer Gates |
| Groom | Nayel Nassar |
| Bride's Parents | Bill and Melinda Gates |
| Groom's Parents | Iman Harby and Fouad Nassar |
| Bride's Dress | Custom Vera Wang Haute |
| Bride's Hair | Rolando Beauchamp |
| Bride's Makeup | Mario Dedivanovic, Makeup by Mario |
| Groom's Suit | Not stated |
| Wedding Planner | Marcy Blum Events |
| Florist | Rishi Patel, HMR Designs |
| Caterer | Jean-George & Creative Edge Catering |
| Cake | Sylvia Weinstock |
| Photographer | Allan Zepeda |
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What You'll Learn
Jennifer Gates wore a custom Vera Wang Haute wedding dress
Jennifer Gates wore not just one, but two custom Vera Wang Haute wedding dresses for her wedding to Nayel Nassar. The 25-year-old medical student and daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates married her longtime beau, an Egyptian showjumper, at her family's North Salem horse farm in Westchester County, New York.
For the outdoor ceremony, Jennifer wore a custom ivory long-sleeved A-line gown with hand-appliquéd French macramé lace on the bodice, sleeves, and Italian tulle skirt. The romantic design was finished with a matching tulle chapel-length veil, also trimmed with hand-appliquéd French macramé lace. She wore her hair down for this part of the celebrations.
For the indoor reception, she changed into a second custom Vera Wang Haute creation: an ivory trumpet gown lined in nude tulle and embellished with hand-appliquéd French macramé lace on the skirt and straps. She also changed her hairstyle to a chic updo for this part of the wedding.
Jennifer was thrilled with her dresses, writing to Vera Wang: "Both dresses were beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She also praised the designer in a separate comment, saying: "Vera and her whole team were so wonderful to work with, and made my dream dress come true. She is an icon in the fashion industry and a trailblazer as a woman who changed careers late and followed her passions. From our first meeting, I knew that I was in such good hands."
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The wedding took place at the family's North Salem horse farm
The wedding of Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar took place at the family's North Salem horse farm in Westchester County, New York. Bill and Melinda Gates bought the 124-acre, $16 million equestrian property for their daughter in 2018, shortly after she graduated from Stanford. In the lead-up to the wedding, workers were spotted constructing large platforms and glass-walled tents on the land. The main ceremony took place on Saturday, with a Katb el Kitab, or Islamic marriage ceremony, on the preceding Friday. The Saturday ceremony was facilitated by a longtime family friend, and the couple exchanged their own vows.
The wedding was a lavish affair, reportedly costing $2 million. Jennifer wore a custom Vera Wang Haute wedding dress with hand-appliqued French macrame lace and an Italian tulle skirt. The couple's wedding planner was Marcy Blum Events, and the florals were designed by Rishi Patel of HMR Designs. The food was catered by Jean-George and Creative Edge Catering, and the cake was made by Sylvia Weinstock. Jennifer's hair was done by Rolando Beauchamp, and her makeup was done by Mario Dedivanovic.
The wedding was attended by close friends and family, including Jennifer's parents, Bill and Melinda, and her husband's parents, Iman Harby and Fouad Nassar. The couple was grateful to be able to gather safely with their loved ones during the pandemic. "It's been a challenging year, both collectively with the pandemic and for our families going through transitions," Jennifer said. "But our love for one another has been a constant. Being able to celebrate our wedding with our closest friends and family was a dream come true."
Preparations for the event included building large raised pavilions with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on the lawn. The couple was mindful of the pandemic and required all guests to be fully vaccinated and tested before the wedding, and masks were also made available.
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The couple met on the equestrian circuit
The wedding of Jennifer Gates, the eldest daughter of Melinda and Bill Gates, and her longtime beau Nayel Nassar, took place in October 2021. The couple first met on the equestrian circuit. While Nassar is a professional equestrian, Gates rides as an amateur. They share a passion for horses and equestrian sports.
Nassar is an Olympic equestrian and is ranked No. 44 in the world by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, with 48 jumping competition wins under his belt since 2010. He also represented Egypt in the Tokyo Olympics, marking the first time in 61 years that the country's equestrian team had qualified for the Olympics.
Gates, a medical school student, took a hiatus from equestrian sports due to pregnancy-induced woes. However, she made a comeback in August 2023, participating in various events, including the National Horse Show. She has been competing in the sport since her youth and has achieved success in the arena.
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Leila, in March 2023, and their second daughter, Mia, in October 2024, on their third wedding anniversary. They continue to pursue their shared passion for equestrian sports while also enjoying their life as new parents.
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The wedding was attended by close friends and family
The wedding of Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar was a private affair, with only close friends and family in attendance. The couple kicked off their wedding weekend with a Katb el Kitab, an Islamic marriage ceremony, which was attended by their immediate family. The main ceremony took place on Saturday, with a small group of friends joining the family.
The guest list included the parents of the bride, Bill and Melinda Gates, who reunited for their daughter's wedding two months after their divorce. Melinda hosted a wedding shower for her daughter at the family's lakefront Washington state home in September 2021. Bill Gates, a billionaire Microsoft co-founder, was photographed arriving in New York City ahead of the wedding, along with some family and friends.
The groom, Nayel Nassar, is an equestrian and show jumper, ranked 44th in the world. He and Jennifer are both Stanford graduates and met on the equestrian circuit, becoming friends before their friendship turned into something more. They got engaged in January 2020 when Nayel proposed to Jennifer on her favourite ski run.
The wedding took place at the couple's farm in Westchester County, New York, which was acquired for Jennifer Gates in 2018. The property, known as Evergate Stables, was renovated by Gates in 2019 and includes a massive barn. The wedding preparations included building large raised pavilions with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on the home's lawn.
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The bride and groom wrote their own vows
The wedding of Jennifer Gates, daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, to Nayel Nassar was a lavish affair. The couple, who met on the equestrian circuit, tied the knot in a ceremony at their North Salem farm in Westchester County, New York. The bride and groom wrote their own vows for the ceremony, which was facilitated by a longtime family friend.
The wedding, which took place in October 2021, was an intimate affair with only close friends and family in attendance. In the lead-up to the big day, workers were spotted setting up massive platforms and glass-walled tents on the property. The property, known as Evergate Stables, was acquired for Jennifer Gates for $15,825,000 in 2018 through a trust.
Jennifer Gates wore a custom Vera Wang Haute wedding dress, while the groom, Nayel Nassar, an Egyptian show jumper, looked dapper in a suit. The bride's parents, Bill and Melinda Gates, expressed their pride and joy for the couple on social media. The wedding was a special occasion for the family, as it took place just two months after the finalization of Bill and Melinda's divorce.
The couple's wedding celebrations began with a Katb el Kitab, the Islamic marriage ceremony, on Friday, with just their immediate families in attendance. The main ceremony took place on Saturday, with the couple exchanging their personally written vows. The entire event was planned by the couple with the help of Marcy Blum Events, while Rishi Patel of HMR Designs handled the florals.
The wedding of Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar was a beautiful and intimate celebration of their love, made even more special by the personal touches they added, such as writing their own vows. The couple's dedication to making their day unique and meaningful is a testament to their love and commitment to each other.
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Frequently asked questions
Jennifer Gates is the daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates.
Jennifer Gates married Nayel Nassar.
Jennifer Gates got married on the weekend of 16-17 October 2021.
Jennifer Gates got married on her 124-acre horse farm in Westchester County, New York.
Jennifer Gates wore a custom Vera Wang Haute wedding dress.
