ROSA WU & JACK PHILLIPS
April 15, 2023 | The Baker | North Little Rock | Alyssa Simpson Photos
Rosa and Jack are a Bumble success story. The two connected while Rosa was living in Hot Springs and Jack was a traveling pharmacist. Rosa was excited to meet Jack, but before the two could officially meet, their dogs had to meet and get along, first.
“I said if his dog didn't love me and my dog Josie, we wouldn't make it past date one. You could say several dates and four years later, that our dogs very much got along.”
When the COVID-19 outbreak hit Arkansas, Jack stayed with Rosa at her house in Hot Springs. During the first month of the lockdown, Rosa’s sister needed to move back to Arkansas from Florida for full-time medical care. Watching Jack take care of her sister meant the world to Rosa, and she knew he was the one.
“I could never give up on a person who supported me during one of my hardest life changes,” Rosa said. “I knew marriage was something that we could conquer together.”
Rosa and Jack traveled to Florida to visit his family for a reunion when he decided to take her to Miami for the first time. He drove along the beach and they enjoyed the day exploring and eating Cuban food. While on their balcony overlooking the area, she turned around to see Jack about to propose.
“He was down on one knee asking me to spend the rest of our lives together,” Rosa said. “I said yes as quickly as I possibly could!”
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography
Alyssa Simpson Photos
Venue
The Baker
Florist and rentals
A Perfect Bloom Florist & Wedding Rentals
DJ
DJ Chad Mansfield of Central Arkansas Entertainment
Wedding dress
Low’s Bridal & Formal
Bar services
The Southern Sippery Mobile Bar
MORE VENDORS
Planning and design: Ramsey & Co. Weddings & Events; Jewelry: A Gilded Leaf; Stationery: Minted; Catering: Vibrant Catering; Cake: Sweets by Logan; Boba bar: Cha Cha Tea Shoppe; Photo booth: RBS Photobooth; Reception dress: East Meets Dress; Suits: Men’s Wearhouse; Bridesmaid’s dresses: David’s Bridal; HMUA: Painted by Haley
Q & A
Q: What are some of your favorite details from the big day?
A: “The florals from A Perfect Bloom with traditional Chinese umbrellas were bursting with color with a whimsical flair,” Rosa said. “The backdrop with the origami cranes and flower garlands was beautiful to see walking down the aisle.”
Q: How did you choose your venue?
A: “I wanted [the wedding] to feel like a house party with my closest friends, and I got exactly that. I've always wanted to get married in a venue that was effortlessly romantic and had history to it.”
Q: Did you have a guest dress code?
A: “I planned for semi-formal attire as well as Chinese-inspired attire. I had my friends dressed in beautiful qipaos dancing the night away with Chinese-style fans keeping them cool on the dance floor. It was so fun to see.”
Q: What personalizations were a must for the wedding?
A: “During the reception, we had chopstick favors engraved with ‘Rosa & Jack: A Perfect Pair’— we love a good pun… We love our pups, we had stir sticks made that had our dog's faces to place in our specialty cocktails by Southern Sippery.”
Q: Was there a favorite moment of the day?
A: “The reception,” Rosa said. “We had a huge storm come through as we were serving food outdoors, which was my worst fear. When the party moved inside, I felt relieved that we never stopped having fun. I could relax and dance with my husband all night long.”
FULL OF MEANING
Rosa wanted to pay homage to her heritage with a qipao (Mandarin) or cheongsam (Cantonese). She wanted to add a modern twist to the gown with traditional features, such as the Mandarin collar. East Meets Dress made the custom gown and hair pins to match!
AWE-INSPIRING AISLE
“The backdrop with the origami cranes and flower garlands was beautiful to see walking down the aisle.”
