After Beau’s father was diagnosed with cancer, the couple tied the knot during a family-focused ceremony. Later that year, the pair hosted an unforgettable second celebration at The Cookery.
By Caitlyn Yaede | Photography by Timmester Photography
Date Sept. 3, 2022
Occupations Grace is a critical care nurse practitioner at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, and Beau is a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Duke University Hospital.
Crossed Paths Grace and Beau met on the dating app Bumble in 2019, shortly after Grace, a Virginia native, relocated to North Carolina for work after completing her master’s degree at Vanderbilt University. Meanwhile, Beau was busy completing a doctoral program in nurse anesthesia at Duke University.
The Proposal During a trip to University of Georgia, where Grace attended undergrad, the pair posed at UGA’s Arch – a campus landmark – and Grace approached a nearby photographer, whom she recognized, to ask him to snap a photo of her and Beau on her phone. Unbeknownst to Grace, the photographer was actually there at Beau’s request to capture the moment he popped the question.
The Big Day Beau and Grace planned to tie the knot on Sept. 3, but learned in April that Beau’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Within two weeks, the couple pulled together a small, family-focused ceremony in Beau’s native Hickory, North Carolina, on May 14. Beau’s father passed away several weeks later, but, as he wished, Grace and Beau moved forward with their September ceremony and reception at The Cookery. Their “I do, part two” took place after a rehearsal dinner at The Pit. Wedding decor in gray and gold tones – matching Grace’s engagement ring – was paired with greenery and florals from Fireside Farm. The couple hired American Party Rentals to provide linens and tabletop rentals while DJ Ryan the DJ supplied the tunes and Snap Pea Catering crafted the menu. Rock Paper Scissors Salon styled Grace’s hair for the big day. “We were so lucky to work with vendors who got to know us as a couple and ran with our ‘vibe’ and helped create a beautiful and wildly fun event,” Grace says.
Favorite Moments Beau says he cherishes the memory of Grace walking out for their first look. “She was exactly as I imagined and somehow still full of surprise,” he says. Grace loved walking down the aisle after exchanging vows with Beau for the second time. “Not many people are lucky enough to marry their person twice,” she says.
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