Some love stories start with a spark. Others start with a high five after calling someone an asshole and honestly, those are my favorite kinds. Kate and Duncan’s Downtown Grand Rapids wedding was vibrant, heartfelt, and deeply them, a celebration rooted in friendship, growth, and a whole lot of color. Set against the industrial textures of downtown GR, their day felt like a perfect reflection of their journey: bold, intentional, and full of joy.

From College Classmates to Best Friends

Kate and Duncan first met at Calvin University, both engineering students finding their way through freshman year. While Duncan stuck with engineering, Kate eventually shifted paths, but not before their worlds collided in a way neither would forget. Technically, their very first interaction involved Kate calling someone out for being an asshole (because… they were), and Duncan responding with an enthusiastic high five. Instant connection. They shared classes, study sessions, and a growing friendship that laid the foundation for everything to come. By junior year, that friendship turned into something more, but not without a few twists along the way.

Losing Touch, Finding Their Way Back

Like so many stories shaped by the pandemic, life pulled Kate and Duncan in different directions for a while. They lost touch, checked in occasionally, and carried on separately until college housing brought them back together in the most unexpected way. They moved into their houses… a single block apart. For an entire month, Kate didn’t realize just how close they were living until she finally reached out, jokingly asking when they’d ever live near each other again. Duncan’s response? He had already moved in and had been nervously working up the courage to ask her out. Their first hangout was a stargazing night, purely as friends. But somewhere between the stars and the quiet conversation, everything shifted. When they finally kissed, Kate knew this was something special.

Love Built in the Little Moments

Their college years together were filled with the kind of moments that build real love: parking lot Chick-fil-A dates, late-night Avatar watch marathons, and long study sessions tucked away in the library. As their relationship grew, so did their dreams. When Duncan was accepted into a PhD program in Atlanta, they made the leap together choosing partnership, adventure, and a shared future. Today, they describe each other as best friends, biggest supporters, and loving confidants the kind of relationship that feels steady and expansive all at once.

A Wedding Bursting with Color & Meaning

Their Downtown Grand Rapids wedding was a joyful reflection of everything they are together. Against an industrial backdrop, Kate brought her vision to life with bright, colorful décor, transforming the space into something vibrant, playful, and deeply personal. While the commitment itself was the heart of the day, Kate was especially excited to see the space come alive, proof that weddings don’t have to be muted or minimal to be meaningful. Color was part of the story, just like laughter, friendship, and the people who have walked alongside them.

Kate and Duncan’s wedding wasn’t just a celebration of love, it was a celebration of who they are, where they’ve been, and the life they’re building next. And honestly? It was an absolute joy to witness.

To see out more weddings like this check out these other blog posts!

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Shauni and Susie | Lit GR | Grand Rapids LGBTQ Wedding