Preparation
NFL defensive end Alex Okafor and realtor Kaylee Lumsden met in Orange County during Alex’s off-season in February 2017—and several years later Alex asked Kaylee to marry him during an intimate vacation. “We got engaged on a private island in the Maldives,” says Kaylee. “We took a catamaran to a remote island where we had a picnic and photoshoot, and then he got down on bended knee.”
Back home, Kaylee and Alex chose The Arlo in Austin, Texas, to host their 220 guests for a March 25, 2022, wedding with a carnival twist. The modern, spacious venue allowed them to show off their fun-loving (and competitive) personalities by bringing in a roomful of classic games—Skee-Ball, Ms. Pac-Man, and a balloon pop—plus a tarot card reader, several musical acts, cotton candy and popcorn vendors, and a trio of food trucks serving the couple’s favorites for dinner. A floral wall selfie backdrop included a neon sign with the newlyweds’ branding—#okaforever—and the couple’s twin Pomski dogs walked down the aisle with sunglass-clad ring bearers the couple dubbed “Ring Security.”
After a joy-filled ceremony and an evening of lighthearted competition at the carnival games, the couple served bundt cake and gelato for dessert as fireworks filled the sky. “Don’t get hung up on the little things, and do exactly what your heart desires,” says Kaylee. “Who cares about tradition? Do you!”
Kaylee scheduled wedding-dress shopping trips at both big-name and “boho” boutiques “for the experience,” but, she says, “I knew from the very beginning I wanted to design the dress myself with Valdrin Sahiti.” Her custom gown included a pearl-encrusted illusion bodice, draped accent at the waist, and exposed corset back; she paired it with her grandmother’s veil and heirloom pearls, and a bouquet of long-stemmed white roses from Stems Floral Design.
The bride’s Aquazzura shoes reinforced her ensemble’s sparkle factor, thanks to their bedazzled tips and glamorous stiletto detail.
The bridesmaids donned black satin gowns with high front slits from ModaGlam Boutique—“I wanted them to look and feel sexy,” says Kaylee—and carried asymmetrical bunches of champagne-colored roses.
Alex chose a custom forest green tuxedo made by Soto & Co., and added a classic Rolex watch. His groomsmen were timeless complements in black tuxedos from Generation Tux.
The groom’s most important accessory was the pin attached to his boutonnière, which showcased a photograph of his mom. “We lost his mother in May 2020 suddenly to leukemia,” says Kaylee, “leading Alex to create the Alex Okafor Family Foundation, which raises money to provide scholarships for students that have defeated blood cancers.”
The couple’s florist created a rectangular arch with roses in neutral shades—white, champagne, blush, and ivory—and pristine white hydrangeas, which was placed in front of the venue’s outdoor fireplace. “Each side of the structure featured delicate green smilax vines ‘growing’ up the side to be slightly asymmetrical,” says Kaylee. “The back of the aisle featured low floral arrangements of roses and greenery.”
Altar pendants with draped foliage and the same blooms seen throughout the arch hung on either side of the fireplace.
The couple’s ring bearers—dubbed “ring security”—wore headpieces and sunglasses, and each carried a briefcase in one hand while leading the couple’s dogs, Zenon and Nebula, down the aisle.
After the bride and her grandfather shared a private first look, he escorted her to the altar while harpist Mallory McHenry played “Differences” by Ginuwine.
Kaylee and Alex exchanged personal vows during a Christian ceremony officiated by Marcellus Casey. For the bride and groom, laughing with their guests as they made jokes during their vows—and as Kaylee tried to get Alex’s ring over his swollen “football knuckles”—remains one of their favorite memories of the day.
Greenery vines dressed up the cocktail hour’s drink station, which composed of three connected bars.
During the interlude, couple incorporated their favorite pastimes by setting up an indoor game room and an array of outdoor activities. “Alex and I are competitive and always go to the arcade for date nights,” says Kaylee. Guests ordered cotton candy and popcorn while playing Skee-Ball and Ms. Pac Man, pulling up custom tee-shirts from a claw game, and sitting down for a one-on-one session with a tarot card reader.
Outside entertainment included balloon pop and Knock ‘Em Down, plus a caricature artist and music from DJ Bootleg Kev.
Inside, white linens covered the sweetheart table, contrasting with the black cloths on the guest stations; arrangements of ranunculus, sweet peas, lisianthus, and roses adorned the front and side.
On the guest tables, black linens set off tall crystal candelabras and gold-rimmed votives. The duo chose several different centerpiece designs: asymmetrical bouquets of champagne-colored roses; gold stands—sourced and painted by the bride and her mother—holding compotes of hydrangeas, roses, ranunculus, and sweet peas; and subtle white bud vases with smaller groups of lush blooms. Formal arrangements, composed in compote vessels, adorned their table-for-two.
Instead of choosing a single caterer come dinner, Kaylee and Alex offered guests their choice of cuisines from three different food trucks: Jerk Daddy’s, Sauce It Up Pizza, and Taco Bronco.
Kaylee and Alex shared their first dance to “Weak” by SWV. “It’s a classic that we would dance around the living room to while listening to it on vinyl,” says Kaylee. The groom also shared a special dance with his aunt, his mother’s sister.
The evening also included a private concert by Kalan.frfr, briefly interrupted by the bride’s grandmother—who pulled the rapper off stage mid-song to dance with him.
Photography, Kristin La VoieVenue, The ArloWedding Planning and Event Design, Betsy Lowery, Pearl Events Austin Catering, Jerk Daddy’s; Sauce It Up Pizza; Taco Bronco Flowers, StemsVideography, Crescent Films Officiant, Marcellus CaseyStationery, Ashley McFadden (designer); Arnett Credentials (printing); Pink Champagne Designs (day-of paper goods)Cake, Nothing Bundt Cakes Music, Bootleg Kev (reception); Kalan.Frfr (performer); Mallory McHenry (ceremony) Rentals, Panacea Collective; Premiere EventsBride’s Gown, Valdrin Sahiti Bride’s Accessories, Aquazzura shoes; Diamonds Direct jewelry Hair, Lux Beauty and Bridal Makeup, Vicky J. Rivera Bridesmaids’ Dresses, ModaGlam Boutique Groom’s Suit, Soto & Co.Menswear, Generation TuxGroom’s Watch, Rolex Lighting, Caricature Artist, and Tarot Card Reader, Groove LabsTransportation, Lonestar Party BusArcade Games, Game On! Flower Wall, Party Hard AustinGelato Cart, Dolce BacioPhoto Booth, MirMirStaffing and Bar Service,Austin’s Elite
