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March 23, 2022

Boxcar Barcade Wedding in Downtown Durham

Bride and groom playing arcade games at a Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera

Nicole & Nick’s game filled wedding at Boxcar Bar + Arcade in downtown Durham

Nicole & Nick’s wedding featured Major the Bull, a sparkly jumpsuit, Carolina blue dancing shoes, and tons of tokens for everyone at the wedding to have a blast playing the games at Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Downtown Durham. In other words, it was the perfect laid-back party for this relaxed and fun couple.

We started the day with Nick & Nicole’s first look at the penthouse suite at the 21C Museum Hotel in the beautiful downtown Durham.

Bride and groom share their first look at the 21C Museum Hotel in Durham, NC Bride and groom share their first look at the 21C Museum Hotel in Durham, NC

After that, they exchanged some letters and we snuck out onto the balcony (on a WINDY and FREEZING day) for a quick bit of portraits.

Bride and groom exchange letters at the 21C Museum Hotel in Durham, NC Bride and groom exchange letters at the 21C Museum Hotel in Durham, NC

Wedding portraits in the penthouse of the 21C Hotel in downtown Durham, NC by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera

Back inside to warm up, and I did my weird arty thing in the bathroom. What can I say? I like reflections and interesting lights.

Wedding portraits in the penthouse of the 21C Hotel in downtown Durham, NC by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera

We braved the cold again to run out for photos with Durham’s mascot Major the Bull. Check out Nicole’s sparkly pumps!

A bride snuggles in the grooms coat to stay warm on their chilly wedding day in downtown Durham, NC

Now it’s time to head to Boxcar Bar + Arcade just a few blocks down the road. Theirs was a wedding that is one of my favorite types: “this is a party we’re having with our favorite people, and we’re gonna get married in the middle of it.” while the event space was being set up, we snuck out into the arcade for some pre-ceremony skee-ball and DDR.

Bride and groom playing arcade games at a Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera Bride and groom playing arcade games at a Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera Bride and groom playing arcade games at a Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera Bride and groom playing arcade games at a Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera

Around 6:30 we gathered for the very short and sweet ceremony. I think from the moment here of Nick getting everyone’s attention that they’re starting to Nick & Nicole mingling with everyone again, just under 4 minutes passed. And it was exactly what they wanted, so good job team!!!

Wedding ceremony moments at Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding in Durham, NC Wedding ceremony moments at Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding in Durham, NC Wedding ceremony moments at Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding in Durham, NC

Next, time for dancing, arcade games, and of course PIZZA. Don’t forget to watch out for the shoe change. Love love love all the Carolina Blue featured, especially in March!

TIME FOR ARCADE GAMES!!! Nick’s mom was killing it at skee-ball!

Wedding guests have fun playing games at a wedding at Durham's Boxcar Bar + Arcade | Durham Wedding Photographers Kivus & Camera

One shot. Two shot…

Bride and groom playing arcade games at a Boxcar Bar + Arcade wedding by Durham wedding photographers Kivus & Camera

three shot…

Wedding guests have fun playing games at a wedding at Durham's Boxcar Bar + Arcade | Durham Wedding Photographers Kivus & Camera

… FLOOR!

Bride, in a sparkly white jumpsuit, and groom enjoy a break from their wedding reception with a bonfire | NC wedding photographers Kivus & Camera

Congrats y’all! And thank you Boxcar for being such a fun venue!

Before you go: The Boxcar Bar + Arcade Wedding team:
Nick & Nicole and their friends and family handled most of this as a DIY wedding, but there are still some people to shout out!
Venue & pizza buffet: Boxcar Bar + Arcade, downtown Durham
Officiant: one of Nick’s good friends Zach
Music: Spotify playlist
Nicole’s bouquet: hand-made by her friend (and past Kivus & Camera bride) Allegra
Dessert: Smallcakes NC
Nicole’s dress: David’s Bridal
Nick’s suit: Indochino


We believe that love is fun and colorful, and your wedding photographs should be too.

Kivus & Camera are Raleigh Wedding photographers who create bold, colorful, magical memories of your wedding day with beautiful, artistic portraits AND enthusiastic, genuine moments. Your unique love story deserves to be told through unforgettable, breath-taking photographs that stand out from the crowd. Kivus & Camera love creating that magic. After all, as past bride Courtney says, we are photography sorcerers.

And though we call ourselves Raleigh wedding photographers, we definitely photograph Durham weddings, Chapel Hill weddings, Cary weddings, etc. We’re all over the Triangle area, and we’re happy to head to the beach or mountains and even to places outside of North Carolina! Just let us know where your love story is headed.

Want to know more? Check out more of our images or learn more about our nerdy selves or just send us a note! Can’t wait to hear from you.