Jenny Higgs & Tanner Ward
November 18, 2023 | The Baker in North Little Rock | Freckled Fox Photography
Jenny and Tanner are another Bumble success story! Both had tried the app before to no avail, but, they decided to re-download it during the pandemic. One day, Tanner saw Jenny’s profile and swiped right, then spent the next few days checking his phone to see if Jenny had messaged him. Jenny had seen his profile but wasn’t sure if Tanner was looking for something serious, so she waited to message him. Tanner ended up using his only “extended match” to extend the amount of time Jenny had to message him. This convinced Jenny to give him a chance, and the two have been together ever since.
When asked when she knew Tanner was the one, Jenny said it was a more gradual realization.
“Our lives fit seamlessly together and we truly wanted to be around each other all the time,” Jenny said. “We make each other better, and I knew that a life with him would be wonderful.”
Tanner is a professional cyclist, and one day while out for a ride he called Jenny to ask her to bring him a new bike tire tube to fix a flat. After arriving at Knoop Park to deliver the tube, Jenny walked to Tanner and he asked if she could get him a tool out of the bag on his bike. She opened the bag and saw a wooden box. She looked up at Tanner who got down on one knee, took the box and proposed.
“It was very sweet and intimate — perfect for us,” Jenny said.
Wedding Vendors We Love
Venue
The Baker
Florist & Rentals
A Perfect Bloom Florist & Wedding Rentals
Cake
Sweets by Logan
DJ
DJ Waterboy of Central Arkansas Entertainment
Bartending
The Southern Sippery Mobile Bar
Wedding Dress
Unveiled Bridal Collection
Photo Credit: Freckled Fox Photography
More Vendors
Planning: Ramsey & Co.; Photographer: Freckled Fox Photography; Stationery: Jenny Higgs (Bride); HMUA: Michelle Cheesman and Abby Beachy; Catering: Make A Meal; Streamer installation: Just Peachy; Phone booth: Fete Fone; Sheet cake: Blue Cake Co.
Q&A
Q: What was your vision for your wedding day?
A: “Tanner and I just knew early on that we didn’t want to have an uber-traditional wedding in the sense of venue, colors, [or] sit-down meal,” Jenny said. “We wanted our wedding to just feel like a large gathering of friends for a party. … We also wanted something creative and fun over the dance floor. When I saw a photo of streamers over a dance floor I knew that it would be what I referenced from then on to get that vision we wanted.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day? Why?
A: “The obvious moment would be getting to marry the love of my life,” Jenny said. “But if I had to pick something outside of that, it might be our exit. Cycling is such a huge part of Tanner’s life and now my life (as a supporter). I just knew that I wanted us to make a nod toward it, but not necessarily in the literal sense of us riding bikes … The electric bike which can kind of be confused as a motorcycle was the perfect choice.”
Q: What must-have detail did you have to have?
A: “ … I knew in my heart that I wanted our wedding at The Baker,” Jenny said. “I moonlighted as a wedding photographer/videographer from 2017-2022, and though I never photographed at The Baker, I knew about the venue. I loved that it was a historic home in the heart of Argenta. I loved that it had both indoor and an intimate outdoor area. … The Baker really set the foundation, and we built the wedding from there”
Q: Tell us about the color palette! Why did you choose it? What inspired you?
A: “I was at first a little nervous about the colors (mostly that people may think it was too bold of a choice), but I truly am happy with the decision,” Jenny said. “I know that typical fall weddings gear more toward jewel tones or a traditional black and white, but something in me [thought] ‘Why can’t you do bold colors any time of the year?’ I loved the thought of just having a bold, fun party. What really inspired my colors were the streamers that I knew I wanted to have over the dance floor. Every time I researched streamers I gravitated towards the bold pinks and oranges. I also have an affinity for Wes Anderson films and appreciate his bold use of color to visually inspire a story.”
Q: What inspired your wedding look?
A: “…I wanted to go for something I felt would be timeless and yet had a unique detail to it,” Jenny said. “For me, the unique details were the sheer sleeves with a pearl/sequin cuff. On top of that, I added a pearl veil and side-swept hair that I again felt like added to the timeless/unique approach. I wanted to look back at this wedding dress in 40-50 years and still know that it could be worn down an aisle.
When Tanner and I spoke about his suit, he was really open to any idea. I asked him what he thought about a timeless black suit to match with the timeless dress, and he was completely on board. It was neat because he got to go and pick everything out himself. … He had the inside embroidered with his name along with a paisley pattern for the lining.”
Q: Is there a personalized detail that you want us to share about the day? Something with sentimental value?
A: “We loved paying homage on the program to all the marriages before us that led us to this point, including their wedding day photos,” Jenny said. “Writing and reading our vows to one another privately. My father just being able to be there as he had brain surgery only 4 months prior. All these little details really made this day special.”
Q: What advice do you have for couples planning their own weddings right now?
A: “I know a lot of advice is to make sure you are having a wedding day that reflects you, but half the time I feel like it’s hard to figure out where to begin or even understand what that means,” Jenny said. “Tanner and I sat down and spoke about five things that we would love at the wedding, and just really focused on making those ideas happen…. Be easy on yourselves — weddings are not meant to be perfect. … Find fun in the planning. Make date nights out of it, but keep it light. Always keep in mind the love you share with your partner and that ultimately there are things you can’t control, but marrying one another is the easiest decision you can make.”
Photo Credit: Freckled Fox Photography
Be Bold
“I know that typical fall weddings gear more towards jewel tones or a traditional black and white, but something in me [thought] ‘Why can’t you do bold colors any time of the year?’ I loved the thought of just having a bold, fun party.”
Photo Credit: Freckled Fox Photography
Exciting Exit
The bride and groom made their exit on an electric bike as a nod to Tanner’s love of cycling. “I loved switching dresses, putting on a motorcycle jacket and just riding off. We made a sign for the back, and our friends added the beer cans. Those pictures are some of my favorite photos because it was the perfect ending to a very happy day.”
