“High Potential” Star Javicia Leslie Marries Nana-Yaw Asamoah in ‘Luxurious’ Mexico Wedding (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• High Potential star Javicia Leslie married Nana-Yaw Asamoah on April 18 in Riviera Maya, Mexico

• The multi-day celebration included an Afrobeats welcome party, and a faith-centered ceremony with a live quartet

• “A dream come true — beautiful, intentional, and filled with love, set against the calming backdrop of the Caribbean Sea,” the bride tells PEOPLE

High Potential star Javicia Leslie tied the knot in a stunning spring destination wedding.

The actress, 38, married Nana-Yaw Asamoah, 43, on Saturday, April 18, at luxury beachfront resort Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. About 150 guests attended the “warm, timeless, and effortlessly luxurious” affair.

“We wanted a destination that felt warm, romantic, and immersive,” Leslie tells PEOPLE. “The ocean, the lush natural surroundings, and the serene beauty of Banyan Tree Mayakoba made it the perfect place to gather our loved ones and celebrate such a meaningful moment.”

The multi-day celebration captured the couple’s shared love of artistry, creativity, and style. Festivities began with a “fun” rehearsal dinner on Thursday, followed by a full day of events on Friday: a daytime golf outing with the groom and pool party with the bride, and a lively nighttime Afrobeats welcome party.

“It was important for us to create an experience that felt intentional, joyful, and full of love,” Leslie says, adding, “We wanted every moment to feel like a true celebration of our union.”

Faith was “central” to the wedding on Saturday. Gospel music and intentional moments of prayer were weaved throughout the “deeply meaningful and spiritual” ceremony, which concluded with a prayer circle in which the couple’s parents and wedding party surrounded them with their arms around each other as they prayed over their marriage.

A live quartet performed during the wedding processional, playing “So High” by John Legend for Leslie and “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” by UGK and Outkast for Asamoah.

The couple exchanged personal vows, and were married by Asamoah’s sister, Afia Reed.

The evening ceremony flowed into a star-lit beachside reception with an “elevated neutral” aesthetic of champagnes, tans, beiges, bronzes, and golds.

For the ceremony, the bride wore a “timeless” and “classic” gown by Pallas Couture with “a beautifully cinched waist with a full, dramatic flare.” She changed into two different bridal outfits for the reception. Her “elegant but still sexy and effortless” second look had a “sleek, fitted silhouette with a modern, sculpted feel.” Her third look was a “fun, flirty” two-piece set designed by Galia Lahav.

Guests dined on salmon, slow-cooked short rib, and a pumpkin risotto for dinner, and churros for dessert instead of cake “as a nod to the beautiful culture of Mexico.”

Great music was “key” for the reception, with DJ Casanova setting the tone. A bat circled Leslie and Asamoah on the dance floor during their first dance to Lauryn Hill’s “Nothing Even Matters” as a special nod to Leslie’s role on the CW series Batwoman.

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The wedding was planned by Diann Valentine, who guided the couple “every step of the way and brought such ease to the process.”

“A dream come true — beautiful, intentional, and filled with love, set against the calming backdrop of the Caribbean Sea,” Leslie says.

The Family Business star met Asamoah at a karaoke bar in Los Angeles after they were introduced by a mutual friend who knew they were both “ready for something serious.” They got engaged on May 25, 2025, in an “intimate, thoughtful, and perfect” proposal at a Napa Valley winery.

“I love and admire Nana-Yaw’s leadership, his patience, and his ability to dream big and make those dreams a reality. He’s steady, kind, and always shows up for the people he loves,” Leslie gushes. “He loves my joy for life, my optimism, and the way I care for and pour into the people around me. I bring warmth, energy, and intention into our relationship and our future together.”

The couple views marriage as “building a lasting legacy together,” and they are excited to “experience new cultures, foods, and adventures” by traveling the world together. Later on, they hope to start a family of their own.

“The next chapter looks like us continuing to grow together, traveling the world, and building a life that balances love, family, and purpose,” the Batwoman alum says.

First up on the couple’s world travel plans is a honeymoon in South Africa and Mauritius.

“We’ll start in Cape Town for four days, immersing ourselves in the culture, art, music, and incredible food. Then we’ll head to Franschhoek, South Africa’s wine country, where we’ll stay on a working winery and enjoy curated tastings and the beauty of the vineyards,” Leslie explains. “From there, we’ll travel to Kruger National Park for a three-day safari, going on game drives and spotting some of the world’s most incredible wildlife, including the Big Five. We’ll end our honeymoon in Mauritius, relaxing oceanside at a beautiful resort for the final leg of our trip.”

Read the original article on People