He shoots, he scores — he says “I do!”
New York Knicks starJalen Brunsontied the knot on Saturday with longtime girlfriend, Ali Marks, in a lavish affair at Chicago’sRitz-Carlton.
“We wanted it to be a big big party: celebratory and joyful, with lights, lasers, a fun DJ, good food, good drinks,” Marks tells PEOPLE.
DIAMOND BORN PHOTOGRAPHY / Marek Niewiarowski
As wedding plannerCarrie Zacktells PEOPLE, the twosome wanted a vibe similar to a “night out at one of their favorite spots instead of a traditional wedding celebration.”
Also important? “Many bars and bartenders so none of the guests have to wait in line.”
While they offered spicy margaritas and Tito’s strawberry lemonade cocktails, Brunson and Marks each had their own signature drinks: Casamigos with pineapple for the bride, and Casamigos with ginger ale for the groom.
Marks' Aunt Karen and Brunson’s family friend Lawanda performed readings, and even the couple’s dog, Kona, got in on the act, walking down the aisle as a flower girl.
“We wanted to bring all of our closest friends [and] family together in a city that means so much to both of us,” Brunson tells PEOPLE, adding that it’s “emotional to see everyone important to us in the same room.”
Although they were high school sweethearts at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, he went on as an undergrad to Villanova while she went on to the University of Illinois. Their high school’s basketball court was the site where Brunsonproposedlast September.
In a nod to their history, for her second look, Marks changed into her prom dress from 2015 — a “surprise” for her friends and new husband, she tells PEOPLE. “It’s an iconic look,” she says.
But while she brought out her prom dress for a late-night surprise, Marks went the more traditional route for the ceremony itself, donning a custom off-whiteEva Lendel“Lika” dress.
“I loved the simple elegance and timeless look,” the physical therapist tells PEOPLE of the dress, with which she wore white Christian Louboutin pumps, and, of course, her engagement ring from MaxiMira.
Brunson also wore Christian Louboutin, pairing velvet loafers with his custom black tux from Tom Marchitelli ofGentleman’s Playbook.
In fact, everyone wore black, according to the dress code the couple instituted.
“We chose to have an all-black dress code and really amp up the romance and drama with candles everywhere, white flowers for the ceremony —orchids, roses, carnations, hydrangea, ranunculus — deep-hued flowers for the reception,” Marks, who enlistedKehoe Designsto bring her vision to life, tells PEOPLE.
Also important: “Nonstop dancing," the bride tells PEOPLE. And whileAragon Artistskept the music going late into the night, the couple made sure their guests were fueled well into the wee hours with Dunkin Donuts coffee and pastries.
source: people.com
