We didn’t want the traditional wedding reception with the traditional songs, instead we wanted a big party and that’s exactly what it was!įor our entrance, “When I Saw You” by Mariah Carey played for our first dance, we chose “You & I” by John Legend. The reception was most definitely unforgettable. Smith for the first time and for me, the vows and the reception. You’re surrounded by family and friends all there to witness you marry the love of your life and then you blink and it’s over.įor Nolan, being introduced as Mr. It was one of those surreal moments that go by way too fast. Naturally, before walking down the aisle, I was filled with emotions but the entire day was so perfect and even if I could, I wouldn’t change a thing. I was excited and couldn’t believe the day had finally arrived. On the big day, however, I honestly wasn’t nervous or anything the entire time leading up to the ceremony. Leading up to the day was stressful but only because I was planning a wedding from almost 2,200 miles away. When he let go and I turned around and saw our family and friends and he was down on one knee and the rest was the beginning of our fairytale.

He grabbed me and held on so tight and kissed me and wouldn’t let go (this gave the family and friends time to walk in behind me). It wasn’t until I tried turning around that I realized something was about to happen. When we walked into Cameron the lights were off and Carol, a close friend of mine that had come along with us, went to go turn them on but in the meantime Brookelyn wanted to get pictures in the dark, which confused me. We got to Cameron and Nolan had to “use the bathroom,” which ended up being his way to stall until our family and friends were situated. We went to Duke Gardens first then to the Chapel and at that point the humidity had completely ruined my hair so I was ready to be done with the shoot and just say forget Cameron but Nolan insisted that since he had already paid we might as well do it. At first, he wasn’t excited for a photo shoot, I don’t know many men that are, but I talked it up – which ended up working in his favor – and he even let me choose my own photographer, Brookelyn. He let me choose where – I chose the Duke Gardens, Duke Chapel and Cameron Indoor Stadium. I told Nolan I wanted us to do a Christmas photoshoot with our puppy, Kobe, we had just gotten earlier that year. With me just getting there, I didn’t expect to go home for Christmas but about three weeks out, I found out I was able to so in time for the holidays. In September 2015, I went on active duty and was stationed in Great Falls, Montana.

Honeymoon Destination: Jamaica & Cayman Islands Wedding location: First Presbyterian Church – Durham, North Carolina, Duke University Cameron Indoor Stadium – Durham, North Carolina Place of residence: Durham, North Carolina Groom’s full name, age, and occupation: Nolan Derek Smith, Director of Basketball Operations – Duke University Men’s Basketball

Check out their special day, captured by Brookelyn Riley Photography.īride’s full name, age, and occupation: Cheyna Elliott Smith, Security Forces Officer – U.S. Six years later and this destined pair united with a modern and sentimental wedding at Duke University. The next day, they went out grabbing food together and the rest is history. He joked about how they were rivals, Duke vs. Nolan had slid into her DMs on Twitter to thank her for defending him even though they didn’t know each other. Later that night she was half asleep when she heard her phone ding. Cheyna happened to come across the Tweet and without hesitation she Tweeted the guy back about how rude and uncalled for his message was.

On February 2, 2011, Nolan had just finished playing in a basketball game in Maryland when an opposing team’s fan Tweeted something very offensive about him. Cheyna and Nolan met when she was a freshman at the University of North Carolina and he a senior at Duke University.

A favor for a friend dukes full