After being set up by a mutual friend and dating for five years, Nzimiro Oputa, an engineer at Unilever and fashion designer, proposed to Fallon Alexandria Oputa, the Limitless Private Client Styling Director at Saks, in Negril, Jamaica. The locale was especially sentimental, as Fallon’s late father and her mother grew up nearby.
Nzimiro tried to call in favors with his friends in Jamaica but due to the pandemic, he couldn’t find a photographer anywhere, so he asked Fallon to join him in the sea to record a video of what they were grateful for. Phone in hand, he suddenly asked Fallon, “What if I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me?” And then proceeded to find out the answer to his own question, while presenting her with a ring that he had custom-designed with Rebecca Pinto.
Once engaged, the two decided to host their wedding locally in New York City. Fallon immediately knew that Greenpoint Loft was the ideal choice, and they signed the contract for a date nine months out.
The bride-to-be’s everyday style is based on essentials in neutral colors, so she knew she wanted to wear something that embodied the same vibe on her wedding day. Years prior to getting engaged, Fallon saved an image of a wedding dress worn by the then-editor of Vogue Mexico. Fallon’s maid of honor, Yirima Veloz, did some digging and found out it was by Juan Carlos Obando. Fallon recalled working with him during her management days at Barneys New York and reached out via Instagram to see if he would be interested in collaborating on a dress. He responded via a voice note expressing his excitement to help.
On the day-of, the bride got ready with hairstylist Lisa Bailey and makeup artists Shennel Patrick of Hey Nelli Inc. and Lorrie Reid. Fallon’s “something new” was a pair of Bottega Veneta chain-embellished sandals, while her “something blue” was a handkerchief with blue embroidery by Yirima.
Nzimiro looked handsome in a cream double-breasted Aldo Maria Camillo suit with a custom shirt he made himself, Gucci Jordaan loafers, and a bow-tie fabricated from the same material as Fallon’s dress. For the reception, he changed into native African garb, custom-designed in Nigeria. And the groom made Fallon’s second look, a black one-shoulder gown, paired with a Loewe belt.
On October 2, 2021, Fallon and Nzimiro were married by Pastor Omar Jolly and exchanged vows in front of their loved ones. “During the ceremony I felt anxious but [had] a sense of calm and comfort,” the groom shares. “The anxiety was my perfectionist ways kicking into full gear and accepting the fact there was no changing or fixing what was already in place, design-wise.” However, she also felt that every individual she loved and her own love were in one place. “That feeling is surreal and made me feel at home.” Fallon adds, “I always wanted to be married and to know that I was going to be with my divinely appointed husband forever from that moment forward, literally left me speechless.”
Dinner was catered by Nadia Mitchell, who served Jamaican cuisine, and Buka, which presented Nigerian dishes. After heartfelt speeches that touched the couple to their core, the celebrations continued with MikeMusic. Fallon concludes, “The words that come to mind when we think of our wedding are ‘authentic’ and ‘organic.'”
