Ayanna & Craig

This originally ran as a Local Love in the 2025 issue.

Wedding Date September 14, 2024

It was the summer of 2019 and Craig Jenkins, who was living in Dallas, was fed up with two things—the scorching Texas sun and dating apps. In fact, he had swiped right for the last time and was about to delete Bumble for good when he matched with Ayanna Warrington. She was also living in Dallas and had sent Craig a friendly message that eventually turned into a first date. It was love at first sight for Craig. They had their second date the very next day and have been inseparable ever since.

After a sweet engagement, they both knew they wanted the wedding to be in her hometown of Baltimore and also feel “deeply rooted in family,” says Ayanna, head of culture at a private equity platform. That meant her two sisters, Njeri Warrington and Loryn Higgins, officiated the wedding and her cousin played the piano as guests waited for the ceremony to begin at the Engineers Club.

The two also wanted to celebrate their heritage. Ayanna’s family is from Anguilla and Dominica, two small islands in the Caribbean. “We invited a moko jumbie—an entertainer on eight-foot stilts—who danced the night away at the reception,” she says. They also designed custom flags for their guests to wave during the reception, a cherished tradition at Caribbean parties. “We also included the Texas state flag for guests to wave as they danced, honoring Craig’s Texan roots,” says Ayanna. “Together, these elements turned our celebration into a joyous blend of our backgrounds, making it a day filled with love, laughter, and cultural pride.”

And while some rituals were cloaked in tradition, others had a more modern spin. Ayanna had both her parents walk her down the aisle to the song “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. “This is the song my parents had their first dance to at their wedding 39 years ago,” she says. “It was so nice to see the surprise on their faces when they heard the song.”

While most things ran smoothly, Ayanna had dropped the ball on one vital piece—she waited until 10 minutes before the ceremony to write her vows. She quickly pulled Craig into a room and he coached her through it, reassuring her that he could feel her love come through in every word. And although this meant that he got a sneak peek at her vows, the intimate moment helped calm her nerves and reenforced why she wanted to marry him. “Craig is the best teammate and most supportive partner a girl could ask for.”

BEAUTY Blush by Makki (makeup); Hair by MicDiva (hair); CocoTea (bridesmaids) BRIDESMAIDS House of CB CAKE Fluffy Thoughts CATERER The Engineers Club FLORAL DESIGN Victoria Clausen Floral Events GROOM AND GROOMSMEN The Gentlemen’s Closet INVITATIONS Deus Wedding Invitations LOCATION The Engineers Club MUSIC DJ Supreme OFFICIANTS Njeri Warrington and Loryn Higgins, sisters of the bride Photographer Wild June Photography VIDEOGRAPHER Stunt Media Productions WEDDING DRESS Alonuko Bridal