Furhan Shah and Ben Fortuin’s wedding took place over two days and two very different Mexico City venues. The first brought Pakistani wedding traditions, colorful clothing, a dhol player, speeches, and dancing to the gardens of Museo Casa de la Bola. The next moved to Ex-Convento de San Hipólito, where black-and-white attire, dramatic lighting, a non-denominational ceremony, and a packed dance floor changed the look entirely.

Junebug vendor Alex Krotkov was there for both days of the queer Mexico City wedding. The couple, who live in Los Angeles, were excited about the Pakistani traditions they were incorporating, but they were just as enthusiastic about Mexico City. That gave Alex plenty to photograph, from their caped Pakistani outfits to the colorful alebrijes appearing on the dance floor the following night.

What We Love About This Queer Mexico City Wedding

• Two wedding days with completely different settings and dress codes
• A Sangeet and Mehndi at Casa de la Bola honoring Furhan’s Pakistani heritage
• Furhan and Ben’s caped Pakistani outfits
• A Baraat procession through the gardens with a dhol player
• Colorful alebrijes joining guests on the dance floor at the second reception

Featured Vendor:
Alex Krotkov Photography

Bringing Pakistani Wedding Traditions to Museo Casa de la Bola

Furhan and Ben found Alex’s photography online and reached out after seeing his work. Their conversations quickly moved beyond logistics. “We ‘clicked’ from the very beginning,” Alex says, remembering their “relaxed and smiley vibe; open-mindedness, respect, and love for each other,” as well as their interest in each other’s cultures and that of Mexico City.

The first day of their queer Mexico City wedding took place at Museo Casa de la Bola, a venue Alex had photographed several times before. Furhan and Ben wore Pakistani outfits with long capes, which they had specifically told Alex they were excited to photograph in a more editorial style.

A Baraat procession made its way through the garden without the grooms before the Mehndi began. A dhol player accompanied guests, while speeches and dances performed by family and friends filled the rest of the celebration.

Switching From Colorful Pakistani Dress to Black and White

Day two looked noticeably different. Furhan and Ben got ready together at the W Mexico City in Polanco, something Alex remembers as an especially sweet part of the morning. Since there was no traditional first look to plan around, they went straight into portraits together before heading to San Hipólito.

The former convent hosted their non-denominational ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception. Furhan and Ben switched to black and white for the occasion, while the venue’s dark interiors and reception lighting replaced the gardens and daylight of Casa de la Bola.

Alex had photographed at San Hipólito before, so he already knew how to work with a space that receives very little natural light. Furhan and Ben were also comfortable taking direction from him as the expert.

“They were very relaxed and very trustful through the whole process,” he says. Aside from the usual nerves that came with getting married, Alex remembers them being open to suggestions both before the wedding and while they were taking portraits.  

Wanting Great Portraits Without Missing the Party

Furhan and Ben cared about getting strong portraits, particularly while wearing their Pakistani outfits, but posed photos weren’t their only priority.

“The most important thing for us in the photos is the people laughing and having a good time,” they told Alex beforehand. They wanted him to help stage “beautifully-lit moody shots” of the two of them while also capturing candid photos with their friends and family.

That suited Alex’s guided documentary style. Portrait sessions were built into both days, but there was still plenty happening elsewhere for him to follow.

Looking back on the queer Mexico City wedding, Alex singles out the Baraat and Mehndi, the couple’s portrait sessions, the ceremony, and the second night’s party. Many of his favorite photographs came from the same thing Furhan and Ben had asked him to watch for from the start: people laughing, dancing, and spending time together.

How Alebrijes Ended Up on the Dance Floor

One of the second night’s most memorable details actually came up during a planning call with Alex. While reviewing the reception schedule, he asked Furhan and Ben whether anything unusual or particularly photo-worthy would be happening. Alex had photographs of colorful alebrijes from weddings he had previously shot and showed them a few examples. 

“Furhan & Ben loved the idea,” he says. “It became part of the reception!”

The oversized Mexican folk-art creatures eventually appeared among guests on the dance floor. Set against San Hipólito’s dark interior and the couple’s black-and-white clothing, they were hard to miss.

Why Enjoying the Wedding Mattered More Than Getting Everything Perfect

For Alex, what stood out most wasn’t a particular outfit, venue, or design detail. Instead it was the way Furhan and Ben approached the weekend and the people they were celebrating with.

He remembers their “priority to the genuine moments of love, joy, and connection over appearance.” That was something he saw across both days, whether guests were taking part in the Baraat, performing dances at the Mehndi, or crowding the dance floor at San Hipólito.

For couples inspired by Furhan and Ben’s queer Mexico City wedding, Alex’s advice is simple: “Do what feels like ‘you’; keep your mind open for new ideas, locations, and activities; and focus on enjoying that day with your loved ones.”