Monday, April 09, 2012

To the Gardens and Chapel we will go...

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens was created in the 1930's.  There are 5 miles worth of allies, walkways and paths to meander...  It's meticulously cared for and it's quite amazing as you will see.  Each year, many weddings are arranged at Duke Gardens (and Duke Chapel).  There are only so many slots and only have a calendar open one year to the month in advance.  For example you want to get married in April 2013, the slots for the entire month will open for the future dates on April 1, 2012.  With that being said, brides will wait in line the morning (or night before) outside to get their first pick at a date (same for Duke Chapel).  It's quite crazy, but you can see why there are several months (esp April) which are are ideal.  Can you imagine walking up the stairs to the pergola or down to the pond of the first image?

Joe and I were married at Duke Gardens in August of 2008 in a private ceremony spot at the top of the Gardens (different location than any of the images below).  Somehow we didn't have to wait in any lines to get a Saturday date, it just by chance was open?  Maybe someone cancelled?  Who knows...

My parents were in town the first weekend of April (for the Husbands baptism) so I thought I'd share some pictures.  I didn't want to bore you with the 100 pictures I had taken, so I tried to collage some of the better ones and narrowed it down to 11 groupings.

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham NC


  







Duke Chapel was constructed in the 1930's and completed in 1935.  This church attracts many people due to the large stone piers, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, which allow the creation of vast open spaces, uninterrupted by columns for support.

Duke Chapel, Durham NC



24 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! That chapel is incredible! And the picture you posted of the duck (or ducky as my 3 year old would say) is so cute!

    Amy

    fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com

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  2. All your pictures are gorgeous! I can definitely see why someone would want to be married in the gardens :)

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  4. Looks like a beautiful place to get married! Lovely photos.

    XO,
    Erin
    http://erinscurrentlycoveting.blogspot.com/

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  5. I am really left speechless by all your photos , especially the one with the fish in the water and the garden photos of flora and fauna and lush greenery!
    The photos are vibrant and colorful and gives solace to the soul.
    Really, the photos took my breath away,
    Have a nice day !

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  6. what an amazing place! great photos dear! have a nice day!:) kisses!

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  7. What beautiful pictures! And what a stunning place to get married..lucky you :) What kind of camera do you use?

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  8. I just realized I wasn't following you, I am now!
    Thanks so much for stopping by sweetie, please check my amazing GIVEAWAY, you can win a beautiful leather clutch:)

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  9. Oh my gosh these are gorgeous photos! Wow your wedding must have been lovely.

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  10. I wish it was as springy here as it is there! Your photos came out beautifully and what a stunning spot to be married, now I see why all of those brides to be are willing to wait!

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  11. wow what beautiful gardens! love your dress and cardigan too!

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  12. Oh my gosh these pictures are gorgeous. I cannot get over how beautiful the gardens are. xo

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  13. what unbelievable pictures...those gardens are breathtaking! xo
    www.frankieheartsfashion.com

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  14. That Chapel is gorgeous! Congratulations to your husband on his baptism!! Perfect weekend for it :)

    Xox <3 hautepinkpretty.com

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  15. I love the chapel and gardens. OUr friends are getting married there Saturday and my husband is in the wedding. I am so excited I know it will be beautiful!

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  16. Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. those photos are absolutly gorgeous! i'm in SC, so just a hop skip and jump away! what a lovely place - definitely on my list of weekend trip's to-do! :) God bless you. hope you had a wonderful Easter.

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  18. It is beyond gorgeous! oh my god! i can see why they wait and stand in line. I would too! hahaha Thanks for sharing. :D
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  19. Wow, what a stunningly beautiful setting! And what a beautiful place to have gotten married! Thank you for sharing the lovely photos with us! Perfect for spring! xoxo {thanks, lovely, for stopping by Ooh La Frou Frou! xoxo}

    Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  20. Wow the gardens look absolutely magical <3

    Love from the NaNa girls xoxo

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  21. Wow!!!wonderful photos!!!!

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  22. These are wonderful! I love how you truly captured the spirit of the place- it's gorgeous! The Cathedral reminds me of the National Cathedral in DC

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  23. The gardens are beautiful! They look like the perfect location for a wedding, your wedding photos must be lovely!

    Emma xo
    www.fluffandfripperies.com

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