Duke University Love Story with Spring Wedding Florals & Fashion

Spring Florals and Formal Decor Fill the Duke Chapel and Washington Duke Inn for a Black Tie Wedding

When you think “classic romance”, think Hope and Rob. Florals and formal was the theme of their elegant southern wedding. Local vendor, Watered Garden Florist designed beautiful pastel bouquets of blush, yellow, and white to match the Spring NC landscape. From the engagement to the reception, this wedding was truly a Duke inspired occasion. The two Blue Devils met and fell in love at Duke and said “I Do” in the University’s beloved Duke Chapel. Instead of camping out for basketball tickets, Hope and Rob camped out for a chance to host their dream wedding ceremony at the Duke Chapel! Rob even proposed to Hope at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens with her whole family hidden in the atrium. The couple’s exquisite wedding style fit the Duke Chapel and the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club like Cinderella’s glass slipper! Perfectly.

DC wedding photographer, Kir Tuben captured this sweet southern love affair on film for us to enjoy.

Duke Chapel Steeple Gothic Style NC Wedding Bride and Groom Spring Black Tie Ceremony Kir Tuben

Getting Ready in Floral and Formal Bridesmaids Dresses at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Springtime at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is a magical scene. All of the flowers are in bloom and people are alive with the excitement of a new season. Hope and her bridesmaids got ready for the Duke Chapel wedding ceremony in the lovely guest rooms of the Washington Duke Inn. The bridesmaids wore formal, floor length dresses covered in pink, white, and green florals. Hope chose a stunning Vera Wang bridal gown with a full ball gown skirt and bedazzled, strapless neckline. An elegant pearl necklace completed this southern bride’s wedding attire.

Meanwhile, Rob and his groomsmen kicked back to some ESPN on a different floor of the Washington Duke Inn to prepare for the Duke Chapel wedding ceremony! Nonetheless, when it came time for the wedding ceremony, the men looked handsome and ready to go. Classic black tuxedos with white bow ties and gloves was the formalwear of the day. Rob and his team looked royal as they walked beneath the magnificent arches of the Duke Chapel.

Wedding hair and makeup at the Washington duke inn bride and bridesmaids in white satin robes kir tuben
San Pellegrino Sparkling Water and Fancy Straws Bridesmaids gift or wedding favor at Washington Duke Inn Kir Tuben
Bride in Vera Wang Ball Gown Wedding Dress and Bridesmaids in Pink Floral Dresses Under Duke Chapel Kir Tuben
Laughing bride in Vera Wang ball gown Dress Watered Garden Florist Spring Floral Bridesmaids Dresses Duke Chapel Kir Tuben
Black Tie Event Handsome Groom in Tuxedo White Bow Tie Staring out Washington Duke Inn Window Kir Tuben
Dapper Southern Groom and Groomsmen in Black Tuxedos White Gloves and Bow Ties Duke Chapel Wedding Kir Tuben

Royal Blue Devil Wedding Ceremony at the Duke Chapel

There’s something powerful about the Duke Chapel wedding ceremony venue. When you step through those enormous front doors, you can’t help but get goosebumps and a sense of holy reverence. Watered Garden Florist designed floral arrangement that accentuated the Duke Chapel’s royal architecture. When Hope walked down the aisle wearing her Vera Wang ball gown and holding an elegant bouquet of all white flowers, she looked like a queen. In a word, the Duke Chapel wedding ceremony was divine. Hope and Rob skipped the readings to make more space for hymns sung at the lectern with the congregation. After their first kiss, the newlyweds signed their marriage license and snapped a few “Just Married” portraits on West Campus.

Magnificent Duke Chapel Wedding Ceremony High Ceilings Stained Glass Windows Formal Elegant Altar Kir Tuben
Bride and Groom Kiss at Purple Gold Altar at Duke Chapel Wedding Ceremony in Durham NC Vera Wang Dress Kir Tuben
Duke Chapel Wedding Ceremony Exit Bride in Vera Wang Dress and Groom with Watered Garden Florist Bouquet Kir Tuben
Wedding Portrait of Smiling Bride and Groom outside Duke Chapel in Vera Wang Gown with white bouquet Kir Tuben
Groom Twirls Bride in Vera Wang Ball Gown Dress Under Duke Chapel on Spring Wedding Day Kir Tuben
Bride leading Groom in Vera Wang Ball Gown Dress on Spring Wedding Day at Duke Chapel with White Floral Bouquet Kir Tuben

Black Tie Wedding Reception at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

The ornate floral and formal theme of Hope and Rob’s Duke Chapel wedding ceremony flowed easily into their wedding reception at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. The Washington Duke Inn wedding venue is famous for its gorgeous ballroom event spaces. Wedding guests were greeted by an interior design full of gold, chandeliers, and royal decor. Watered Garden Florist designed elegant white, pink and green bouquets for each of the tables and a fantastic fresh foliage design for the head table. The Washington Duke Inn wedding venue makes wedding planning easy with their full package deals that include on-site party rentals and catering. Did we mention their catering team is incredible? For dessert, the bride and groom cut into an amazing, five tiered, white wedding cake covered in Watered Garden Flowers.     

Bride and Groom Sitting at Wedding Reception Table at Washington Duke Inn with Watered Garden Flowers Kir Tuben
Bride and Groom Chairs at Wedding Reception Table with Romantic Greenery at Washington Duke Inn Kir Tuben
First Dance Groom and Bride in Vera Wang Dress at Washington Duke Inn Ballroom Wedding Reception Kir Tuben
Five Tier White Wedding Cake with Pink Yellow White Florals by Watered Garden at Washington Duke Inn Reception Kir Tuben
Bride and Groom Sing on Stage Together at Washington Duke Inn Wedding Reception Event Kir Tuben
Bride and Groom Exit Washington Duke Inn Wedding Reception through Rice Confetti Kir Tuben

Storytelling Raleigh NC Wedding Videographer: Twenty-One Films

Grab your tissues and press play on this incredible wedding film from Twenty-One Films. This Duke Chapel and Washington Duke Inn wedding is quintessential Durham. Twenty-One Films captured Hope and Rob’s love story and perfectly represented their story in this wedding film. Twenty-One Films has been our top recommendation for wedding videography in the Raleigh Durham area of NC for years. Not only are they amazing at making storytelling styled wedding films, but they are also the kindest folks. Sit back and enjoy this genuine film, and consider using these talented pros for your own keepsake wedding video.

Hope & Rob, Duke Chapel from Twenty-One Films on Vimeo.

Hope and Rob danced their Washington Duke Inn wedding night away to a rockin’ live band. At the end of the night, the newlyweds ran out to their car after being showered by rice and cheers from their friends and family. Today, Hope is finishing up med school at Duke and the two live together in Durham, NC. Cheers to a life full of love and happiness!

Interested in seeing another local University inspired wedding day? Check out this romantic wedding day on Duke’s rivalry school’s campus – UNC Chapel Hill!

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