Nell & Clevie’s Intimate American and Congolese Wedding Captured by Fancy This Photography
Nell Fortune-Greeley and Clevie Selengbe’s big moments always seem to revolve around 21c Museum Hotel Durham. Their love story began there in 2017 when Nell was hired as the museum manager and Clevie as a sales manager within the same month. Five years later, the couple hosted their rehearsal dinner at 21c’s Counting House restaurant. “It was important to us to have our rehearsal at [a] restaurant that was part of our relationship’s history,” Nell says.
A Romantic, Intimate Backyard Wedding in Durham, NC
On Oct. 15, 2022, the two shared their vows at Nell’s family home in Durham. “Once we decided on the venue, everything else fell into place,” the bride says. “The things that were most important to us were food, photography and flowers.”
Fancy This Photography was Prepped and Ready for the Big Day
The pair met Fancy This Photography founder Nikki Whitt Belch when Nikki took headshots for 21c employees. Nikki recommended Fancy This’ Courtney Collins, who turned out to be a perfect fit for the couple. “[Courtney] was very helpful with the shot list and put my mind at ease before the big day, not to mention she was funny and fun to work with,” Nell says. “Her photos are absolutely stunning, and we will treasure them forever. She made our backyard wedding look like a fancy venue.”
“Weddings in Congolese culture take place in three parts: the traditional wedding, or ‘marriage coutumier;’ the civil wedding; and the religious wedding,” Nell says. “You can have them all in one weekend or space them out over a year. Our wedding was both a marriage coutumier and a civil wedding. The marriage coutumier is … the meeting of both families. They come together in agreement and support of the couple and their marriage.”
Nell’s family china, silverware and glassware gave the reception a personal feel, while Clevie’s family gifted the couple Congolese wedding attire. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude at this gesture,” Nell says. “We changed into our traditional clothing halfway through the reception.” – by Lucy Thomas
