Classic Durham Love Story
Like many Durham love stories, Mary and James met while students together at Duke University. Little did Mary know, five years later James would get down on one knee on the steps of the Duke Chapel and ask her to marry him. With Duke and Durham, NC at the centerpiece of Mary and James’ love story, it was only fitting that for the wedding weekend, they would share their treasured college town with the rest of their friends and family. Mary traded her devil in a blue dress for a gorgeous custom-made bridal gown she designed herself!
Distinguished Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
If you are familiar with Durham, you know that the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club has a timeless elegance and grace that cannot be compared to any other venue in the area. Mary and James chose this classic Durham venue as the site for their bridal luncheon, golf with the groom, rehearsal dinner, and farewell brunch. The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club are known for their luxury accommodations and classic Southern charm.
Durham Wedding Preparation and Portraits at The Classic Washington Duke Inn
Mary and her bridal party got ready for a Duke Chapel wedding ceremony in the intimate setting of the Washington Duke Inn. The bride’s beautiful engagement ring was custom designed by the groom and paired perfectly with her something borrowed – a blue sapphire ring from her mother, a gift from the bride’s late father. The bride’s locket held a family photo and note engraved in it that was placed within the bridal bouquet. These delicate, sentimental details added a feeling of family and love that defined Mary and James’ Durham wedding weekend.
A Simply Divine Duke Chapel Wedding Ceremony
As you walk up to the front doors of the Duke University Chapel, something in its towering beauty and design takes your breath away. For Mary and James, saying their wedding vows at the Duke Chapel was at the top of their agenda. Mary walked down the aisle in an elegant, ivory bridal gown, escorted by her grandfather. Her bridesmaids surrounded her with constant love and support while dressed in satin navy blue dresses. James awaited his bride-to-be in a dapper black and white tuxedo complete with a proper bow tie. Luscious floral bouquets of white and green added the perfect touch to the Duke Chapel’s innate beauty.
Downtown Durham Reception at Bay 7 American Tobacco Campus with Angus Barn Catering
Mary and James’s wedding reception at Bay 7 might just be the wedding reception of the year. From the floor to ceiling mood lighting, provided by Get Lit Event Lighting, to the overflowing white, green, and gold floral designs, Bay 7 looked simply magical. The urban chic architecture of Bay 7 offers warm exposed brick walls and a wrap around balcony that gives guests a spectacular view of the entire venue space. A Southern Soiree wedding planning team truly created a masterpiece with Mary and James’ Durham wedding design. Carefully selected tablescapes from CE Rental had the guests snapping photos all night long. The bride could not have asked for a better wedding planning team,
“Megan and Gina were absolutely flawless in their execution of the day! It couldn’t have gone more smoothly.”
Aside from Bay 7’s cool venue space and location in the heart of Durham’s historic American Tobacco District, they also come with famous in-house caterer Angus Barn. Mary raved about the delicious Angus Barn dining,
“Bay 7 had the best food I’ve ever had at a wedding.”
They even handed out sliders as a late night snack, along with custom ordered Cookout milkshakes!
Mary and James danced the night away along with all of their friends and family to their incredible wedding band, Sol Fusion from ECE – formerly EastCoast Entertainment. The dynamic 11-member band went above and beyond to have bridesmaid Ari Moledina perform a song with them at the beginning of the reception.
“Seeing our friends and family make their way onto the dance floor with us while she sang was such a surreal experience,” said Mary.
Can’t get enough of Mary and James’ down-right incredible Durham wedding weekend?
Check out this event that Southern Bride & Groom hosted at Bay 7 at American Tobacco Campus. We simply adored working with the Angus Barn team, and even the event pros who are a part of our magazine were blown away by the service.