Happy Wedding Wednesday! March Madness is almost here – why not bring a bit of that spirit to your own wedding, like Taylor and Tres did for their Duke themed wedding last fall! This elegant affair was also featured in the 2017 edition of Southern Bride & Groom Magazine.
Despite sharing similar social circles at Duke University, it took a 2011 summer internship in Guatemala for Taylor Starks and Tres Ricks to officially meet. They began dating on their return to Duke, and then long distance after graduation. When Tres was accepted to UNC Law School in 2014, Taylor moved to Raleigh so they could be in the same city. After a lunch date at the Washington Duke Inn, Tres manipulated a car stall and managed to glide into a parking spot at Duke Gardens. They strolled into the gardens, and Tres proposed to Taylor in front of the koi pond, with friends hiding on-site to photograph the occasion.
Tres and Taylor were grateful to have their wedding at Duke Chapel, which symbolized the place where their relationship began. The personal connection was made even more special by having fraternity and sorority sisters standing by them at the altar, and their vows being officiated by the father of the groom, Dr. Harriss Ricks.
Taylor desired a whimsical romantic wedding day so Grace Leisure Events helped articulate her vision with a soft pink theme, silver and white accents in the flowers, and beautiful romantic draping.
The couple hosted a full weekend of events at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, starting with a Friday night welcome bash. Between the ceremony and reception, an afternoon tailgate kept everyone entertained.
“In planning and executing my daughter’s wedding, my very high expectations were easily surpassed by Grace, of Grace Leisure Events. Clearly, she has a wealth of experience in wedding planning, and the result is an individual who is off the charts when it comes to creativity. Her demonstrated ability to really listen to the needs and desires of the client are the foundation of her business. And her positive approach throughout the planning process eliminated all anxiety. She is as nice a person as you will ever meet, and to this day, I feel like she is part of our family,” said the father of the bride, who worked directly with Grace in the planning of his daughter’s day.
SB&G Preferred Vendors
WEDDING CONSULTANT Grace Leisure Events |ASSISTANT DESIGNER & ON-SITE COORDINATION A Southern Soiree | PHOTOGRAPHER Riley MacLean Photography | RECEPTION, FOOD & GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club | HAIR & MAKEUP Makeup for Your Day | REHEARSAL DINNER Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club President’s Terrace
Other wedding contributors
CEREMONY Duke Chapel | MINISTER Dr. Harriss Ricks (Father of the Groom) | VIDEOGRAPHER 21 Films | BRIDAL GOWN Romona Keveza, Traditions by Anna | BRIDAL SHOES Badgley Mischka | BRIDESMAID DRESSES David’s Bridal | MEN’S FORMALWEAR Men’s Warehouse | FLORIST Watered Garden Florist | CAKE Sugarland | STATIONER Maria Scheel Invitations | REHEARSAL DINNER MUSIC 20 Ride | CEREMONY MUSIC Christopher Jacobson, Organist | RECEPTION MUSIC Liquid Pleasure | REGISTRY Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, Macy’s, Crate & Barrel, Amazon and Anthropology
