Betsy + John Henry by Kelly Mour - Together Journal

I wanted a blend of elegance and Western charm, ensuring that every detail—from decor to attire—reflected our unique style.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Betsy Jasper, originally from Edina, MN, always felt the pull of New York City from a young age. After graduating from Texas Christian University, she made the move and began her career with Ralph Lauren in the menswear division. In 2023, Betsy launched her own brand, Oriza, a haircare line that uses rice water to nourish and restore hair health—an idea sparked by her personal journey to repair her own hair from years of bleaching and damage.

John Henry Tucker grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and attended Johns Hopkins University. A few years after graduating, he relocated to New York City, joining friends to co-found a biotech venture capital firm.

Betsy and John Henry love to find time to explore together. Whether it’s trying out new restaurants during their weekly date nights or planning spontaneous trips, they love discovering the best of what life has to offer in New York and beyond.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

John Henry and I first crossed paths at Acme. His initial impression of me was simple: “She’s cute,” and without hesitation, he asked me out. At the time, I was more reserved. I remember thinking there was something undeniably magnetic about him—so friendly and warm that I was sure he couldn’t possibly be from New York. Little did I know, that night was his first real outing in the city, having just moved a few days earlier. I was actually the first person he asked out and got the number of.

In a twist of fate, we kept running into each other at Acme, three more times to be exact. Despite that, it took us seven months to go on our first date—entirely my doing. Our story was full of serendipity, and looking back, it feels almost like a manifestation straight from the podcast We Met at Acme that I used to listen to.

When did you first realize that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

For me, it was about three months into dating when I knew John Henry was someone I could see myself with long-term. A moment that stood out was when my shoelace came untied, and he knelt down right there on a busy New York sidewalk to tie it for me. It was such a simple yet thoughtful gesture that gave me a glimpse of what our future together could look like. It showed me his kindness and attentiveness, and in that moment, I felt a strong connection that made me realize he was someone truly special.

For John Henry, he knew I was the one when his mom gave her full approval. That moment of affirmation from someone so important to him sealed everything he felt.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

John Henry surprised me on a crisp fall day in Central Park. He had arranged a photoshoot under the beautiful autumn foliage, and during our session, he popped the question. To make the day even more special, he organized a surprise engagement dinner with all of our closest friends in New York City.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.

Before planning the wedding, I settled on three key adjectives to guide our vision: regal, western, and romantic. This focus made it easier to choose vendors and design elements that aligned with our aesthetic. I wanted a blend of elegance and Western charm, ensuring that every detail—from decor to attire—reflected our unique style. This approach helped us create a cohesive and memorable celebration for our guests, making sure each aspect felt meaningful and true to our vision.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

One area where we were happy to splurge on was photography and videography. With our wedding being a destination celebration spanning three days, we knew how meaningful it would be to capture as many moments as possible. Having all our loved ones together made each moment significant, and we wanted to preserve the joy, laughter, and memories we shared. The photos and videos allow us to revisit those cherished times, reflecting not only our experiences but also those of our guests. Looking back at these genuine moments has truly been a gift.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

It was over 100 degrees on our wedding day! We made some last minute changes to ensure our guests would be comfortable.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?

My gown was semi-custom from Nicole and Felicia, the designers behind some of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour looks. I was always intrigued by unique wedding gowns and knew I didn’t want a traditional white gown. I settled on my incredible gilded look and am so happy with how it turned out. It really became a centrepiece in our wedding story.