Usually, when two or more people (because you never know these days) are getting married, their wedding hashtags are either a blend of their names or something soft and fairytale-like, leaning into romance and forever. So when this particular couple’s hashtag showed up, it immediately caught my attention: ‘#NeverGettingMarried‘. The irony.
Fisayo Longe, founder of Kai Collective, had once been vocal about not wanting to get married. Well, that was until she had found her person in Folabi Mosuro. There’s that familiar saying about not going out looking for love and love finding you instead, and every now and then, a story comes along that makes it sound believable again.
So when two creatives like this, a fashion entrepreneur and a creative director/photographer, decide to get married, you already know the wedding is going to be spectacular. And what’s a Nigerian wedding without serving looks? From the pre-wedding looks, featuring crimson and black fabrics and green and purple patterned silk, all designed by Kai Collective, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be just an ordinary wedding. It was a fully realised vision. 2
Fisayo, born to a Yoruba mother and an Edo father, approached her traditional wedding with intention. She wanted it to reflect both sides of her identity, and with Folabi also being Yoruba, it created the perfect canvas to celebrate heritage and to tell stories through fashion.
The Edo appearance was stunning in its symbolism. It featured a striking Kai Collective custom red skirt adorned with a hand-painted leopard, which is a symbol of power, created by Ahadi.stu, paired with a structured 24k gold-plated corset designed by MISHO, and traditional beads.
The groom met that same energy. His look, designed by Mai Atafo and styled by Denola Grey, his best man, leaned into richness and symbolism: a burgundy velvet agbada, beaded in gold, inspired by falling stars, almost like a constellation. At the back, two embroidered swords referenced Edo heritage, tying everything together. The idea was to merge royalty, luxury, and something heavenly, and it worked.
The bridal train appeared in rich burgundy and gold custom prints by Kai Collective, while the groomsmen complemented the look in gold agbadas paired with burgundy and gold damask filas, finished with subtle damask detailing on the cuffs and burgundy shoes. Together, both sides created a cohesive visual that mirrored and elevated the couple’s Edo-inspired look.
There were softer moments too, a romantic, almost cinematic interpretation of tradition. Both outfits were designed by Mazelle Bridal, and this look leaned into Victorian influences with a palette of plum, gold, and brown. Even the tiniest details carried meaning. According to Denola Grey, Folabi’s cap was styled like a sailor’s cap, just to be in line with the romantic theme, and this cap gave the idea of a sailor returning home to his beloved. But at the same time, it could also be styled as an Abeti Aja, a traditional Yoruba cap. That duality, a modern reinterpretation without losing cultural grounding, showed up more than once.
The set for this shoot also mirrored that mood. Vintage, old-money aesthetics. Old Ikoyi homes, antique furniture, and a kind of quiet luxury that didn’t need to announce itself.
This third look was my personal favourite. The couple’s outfits were designed by Couture by Tabik in collaboration with the bride herself. The Gaia print, one of Kai Collective’s earliest designs, was reworked into the Aso-oke fabric, and the result was exceptional. The groom wore a vanilla-toned agbada with purple and orange embroidery inspired by the Gaia print, while the bride was in an orange gown, with the same print used incorporated into the neckline and flowing from the hips down through the skirt of the dress. It was topped up with a gele that stood out in every sense, giving “shey tori mi lo shey we Gele Skontolo“.
The shoot itself was kept simple. Timoni Longe, the bride’s sister and creative director of the #nevergettingmarried ceremony, explained that the set was intentionally minimal so the outfits could be the centre of attraction. It was shot in an open field, with a yellow convertible adding just the right touch without taking attention away from the look.
And to the final look of the event, the afterparty. I also really liked this one, especially for its creative direction, shout out to Timoni Longe!
The set featured a ‘Never Getting Married’ kiosk, designed to mirror a typical Lagos roadside stand, the kind run by that aboki, stocked with all kinds of sweets and ‘provisions’; it carried a strong sense of nostalgia. The kiosk was filled with some of our favourite childhood snacks, like Bobo, cheeseballs, parago, and even crates of minerals, all thoughtfully included.
For this look, the Bride wore a custom Grete Henriette two-piece, a gold-toned set with chain details and adornments, while the groom kept it relaxed in a brown shirt and pants, layered with a Junya Watanabe jacket.
What stood out across everything was how deeply embedded Kai Collective was in the entire experience. Custom aso-ebi prints were designed for guests in different colourways like blue and gold and purple and gold, and they all showed up and showed out. There was even a fashion runway segment where guests showcased their outfits and competed for best dressed, with the winner taking home a $500 cash prize. And Tiwalola’s outfit ended up winning this contest.
A Kai Collective merch store was also set up at the venue, featuring pieces from the “Never Getting Married” collection — hats, totes, and tanks branded with their wedding logo.
This traditional wedding will definitely be one for the books; from the pre-wedding looks to the reception to the after-party, everything was colour, culture, and clarity of vision. Nothing felt accidental.
Fisayo Longe and Folabi Mosuro were never getting married. Until they did. And they made it unforgettable.
The DIY Collective 
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