Bill and Melinda Gates's Daughter Jennifer Got Married Over the Weekend
In January 2020, Jennifer Gates, a professional show jumper and medical school student—and the daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates—shared the news that she had gotten engaged to her longtime boyfriend Nayel Nassar, a fellow equestrian who represented Egypt in this summer's Tokyo Olympics. "Nayel Nassar, you are one of a kind," she wrote in the caption of her Instagram photo. "Absolutely swept me off my feet this past weekend, surprising me in the most meaningful location over one of our many shared passions. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives learning, growing, laughing and loving together. Yes a million times over. 💍 AHHH!!!"
After a year and ten months, the couple finally tied the knot over the weekend at Jennifer's horse farm in Westchester County, New York. Here is everything we know about their nuptials—and the events leading up to it.
The couple exchanged their vows over the weekend at Jennifer's New York horse farm.
The New York Post broke the news last week that Jennifer and Nayel would be getting married over the weekend (October 16-17) at her 124-acre, $16 million horse farm in Westchester County, New York. Bill and Melinda had bought their daughter the North Salem farm in 2018 shortly after she graduated from Stanford. Preparations for the A-list event included building massive raised pavilions with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on the home’s lawn. (Prior to the celebrations, Jennifer, Melinda, and Nayel were spotted in New York City on Wednesday, attending an event at the Plaza Hotel.)
As for the big day itself, which was reported to have cost $2 million, the bride wore a custom Vera Wang gown with hand appliqué French macrame lace and an Italian tulle skirt, per Vogue. The groom wore Armani.
Following the alfresco ceremony, guests were ushered into the tent for the reception—for which Jennifer changed into another Vera Wang creation—where they enjoyed dinner by Jean-Georges and a wedding cake designed by Sylvia Weinstock for Ladurée. According to the Daily Mail, Coldplay performed.
Melinda Gates threw the wedding shower.
In September 2021, Melinda Gates threw her daughter a beautiful wedding shower at the family's lakefront Washington state home. Jennifer posted a few photos of the event on her Instagram. She wore a white maxi-dress with a light pink shawl, while Melinda opted for a black and white polka dot dress and hot pink cardigan. The backyard event was decorated with flowers and different shades of pink, and featured a buffet food selection.
"Thank you for this incredibly special celebration, @melindafrenchgates," Jennifer wrote on Instagram. "So deeply grateful for all the amazing women in my life who advise, support, and uplift me. 🥂 to this new chapter!"
The bachelorette party was in Santa Barbara, California.
Montecito is clearly the place to be. Not only do Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reside in the town, but it was also the destination for Jennifer Gates's bachelorette. The group stayed at the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel and participated in some beachside yoga.
"dreamy bachelorette, thank you to some of my favorite ladies for celebrating. my heart is full 🤍" Jennifer posted on Instagram.
Jennifer's ring may have been an early clue that the duo isn't afraid of some tasteful extravagance.
In his Instagram post, Nayel shared a better view of the rock. (You can see it in the second image in the slideshow below.) The center stone, which appears to be sizable, is set between two smaller diamonds on a platinum band.
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