A Durham Wedding Weekend Done Right

Durham NC Wedding Weekend with Top Venues: Washington Duke Inn, Duke Chapel, and Bay 7

For two Duke blue devils in love, Mary and James wanted a Durham wedding weekend that would make history. The couple sought out A Southern Soiree, an award winning NC wedding and events planning team, to make their dream Durham wedding a reality. Mary and James’ spectacular weekend of events started with a wedding rehearsal dinner at the world renowned Washington Duke Inn. After saying their vows at Duke Chapel, they danced the night away at Bay 7 , a warehouse venue on the American Tobacco Campus. Read on to ooh and ahh over the Duke blue details and white, green, and gold floral masterpieces!

Elegant Duke Chapel Doors Wedding Bridal Party in Navy Blue Durham NC Weekend

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! 

Southern Charm Couple at Washington Duke Inn Rehearsal Dinner Classy Outdoor Patio Area

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. 

Elegant and Distinguished Washington Duke Ballroom Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Delicious Cheese Biscuits on a Navy Blue Serving Platter at The Washington Duke Inn Wedding Rehearsal
Dazzling Navy Gold Greenery Capture the Eye at this Elegant Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Classy Trio Band Plays Acoustic Instruments at Wedding Rehearsal Dinner On Outdoor Patio
Delicate and Delicious Wedding Rehearsal Pastry Desserts

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. 

 

Sparkling Sapphire Ring on Navy Blue and White Wedding Invitation Classic Script
Satin Floor Length Navy Blue Bridesmaids Dresses and Bride in Durham NC
Lucious White and Green Floral Bouquets against Satin Navy Blue Bridesmaids Gowns
Vibrant and Colorful Monogram Keychain Groomsmen Gifts For Durham Groomsmen
Elegant Monogram Gold Cufflinks For a Classy Groomsman
Duke University Couple has a Romantic First Look Before Duke Chapel Wedding Durham NC
Duke University Couple Excited First Look at Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club Durham NC
Happy Durham Bride and Groom Lucious White Green Bouquet at Washington Duke Inn

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.  

Massive Duke Chapel Doorway with Navy and Black Wedding Bridal Party Durham, NC
Gorgeous Bride and Bridal Party at Historic Gothic Style Duke Chapel Archway Navy and Greenery
Glowing Divine Duke Chapel Wedding Altar Symmetrical White and Green Floral Bouquets
First Kiss as Husband and Wife at Duke Chapel Wedding Ceremony in Durham NC

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.  

Bay 7 Downtown Durham Wedding Reception American Tobacco District Glowing Lighting and Design
VENUE Bay 7 | RENTALS CE Rental | PLANNER A Southern Soiree
Romantic First Dance at Bay 7 at American Tobacco Campus Warm Pinewood Floors
VENUE Bay 7 | LIGHTING Get Lit Event Lighting | PLANNER A Southern Soiree
White Green and Gold Flowers and Linens look Stunning on Wedding Reception Tables
Glamorous White Green and Gold Table Decor Glowing in Bay 7 Wedding Reception
RENTALS CE Rental
Whimsical Magical Hanging Head Table Flowers with Glowing Candles and Glassware
Groom Crowd Surfing in the Air at Wild Fun Bay 7 Wedding Reception
Urban Chic Warehouse Wedding Reception at Bay 7 Venue in Downtown Durham
VENUE Bay 7 | LIGHTING Get Lit Event Lighting | PLANNER A Southern Soiree
Sassy and Classy Bride Limbos Under Duke University Banner at Durham NC Bay 7
Bride and Groom Cut the Wedding Cake with Fresh Green, White, and Pink Flowers
Dazzling Sparkler Exit from Durham NC Wedding Weekend
Creative Durham NC Wedding Exit by Rickshaw with Initial Monogram Giant Gold Balloons

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.

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