Nicole Spahich picked out her own engagement ring, but then-boyfriend Nick Brandley “held it hostage” until the time was right. In this case, that moment was “in the midst of Duke students and empty beer cans” during T-Pain’s live rendition of Lorde’s “Royals,” a popular karaoke song with the couple, at the university’s last-day-of-class concert in April 2015.
Nicole, who goes by Niki, and Nick met in grad school at Duke through mutual friends. Niki’s former housemate the Rev. Lizzie Wright officiated the June ceremony held at All Saints Chapel in Raleigh, and Gillian Rose Galdy of Bloomin’ Rose Flowers provided local blossoms for the big day. The reception at The Rickhouse “was a blur,” Niki says, “but a ton of fun.”
And the night finished with an after party at Dain’s Place, the bride and groom’s favorite bar.“The best part of our day,” Niki says, “was that we shared it with our friends and included them in the wedding.” That consisted of Durhamites like photographer Morgan Henderson, DJ Hillo Ketty (aka Dr. Michael Rosario) and wedding party members Paul Durst, Dr. Elizabeth Williams, Dr. Liz Rogers and Dr. Amanda Sheets, among others.