The Dukes of Hazzard meets Duke and Duchess royal vibes in this unique engagement session in Charlotte, NC.
For Georgina & Traveon, it was love at first swipe! After matching on Bumble, the pair exchanged fun and flirty Gifs that made each other smile and from that moment on, they haven’t gone a day without talking.
When it came to planning their wedding, the couple created a wedding hashtag (#TheDukesOfHarris) that played off their last names and ultimately inspired their engagement session. Tying in royal elements like a regal red ball gown and an elegant white dress, along with edgy leather jackets and an antique car, the couple’s engagement session is truly one of a kind!
Keep reading below for sweet details on their love story and more from their royalty meets Dukes of Hazzard-inspired engagement shoot.
- Couple: Georgina Dukes & Traveon Harris
- Occupations: Senior Director of Social Justice Advocacy, Unite Us & Structural Design Engineer at Stability Engineering
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: February 11, 2023
- Wedding location: Charlotte, NC
- Location of Engagement shoot: Villa Toscana Miami, Florida
- Wedding hashtag: #TheDukesOfHarris
How they met…
A “hot girl” summer was in full effect thanks to a dating app called Bumble. Georgina was climbing the corporate ladder and enjoying being a young single mom that was defeating every obstacle in her way. A partner was not the goal for her but she really enjoyed free meals and meeting new people across the Triangle area when she wasn’t busy with being a mom. Bumble was a tool for her to learn about what she liked and disliked in a potential partner, nothing more… so she claims.
As for Traveon, Bumble meant something completely different for him. Traveon was in the process of healing from a challenging relationship and was finally ready for his new found freedom when his cousin, Jamila, encouraged him to download the dating app, Bumble. After careful consideration, Traveon listened and downloaded the app on August 30, 2019.
Georgina came across Traveon’s profile on that same day which was a Friday afternoon while she was taking a walk on her lunch break at work. She thought he was so cute but had some initial doubts because she couldn’t quite figure him out by his profile, but her friend Megan encouraged her to take a leap of faith. Georgina swiped right, and went on about her day.
That next day, Traveon began swiping and came across Georgina’s profile. He saw that she was a mom, thought her marvel pics were cool, and thought she looked GOOD! He showed the profile to his cousin Jamila and she encouraged him to swipe right.
“BOOM… It’s a match! Georgina has 24 hours to message you!”
On September 1, 2019, Georgina sent the following:
Traveon responded with:
It was love at first swipe… from that moment, Georgina and Traveon have never went a day without talking to each other!
The proposal…
On May 1, 2021 at Georgina’s 30th Birthday party, Traveon got down on one knee in front of around 50 family and friends to propose to Georgina.
All of Georgina’s family and friends were saying really nice things about why she was so important to them and how they were grateful for her. Traveon insisted on being last to share his gratitude. He started speaking to Georgina and said he had a big gift for her but she had to go outside to see it. Georgina thought this was a concrete table that she had been throwing hints about because she had just closed on her first home 3 days earlier.
She jumped up with excitement to follow him outside of the venue when she saw the words, “Will You Marry Me?” hanging up in the doorway. Traveon dropped down to one knee and pulled out a beautiful gold emerald diamond ring. She backed up with so much shock. She screamed to her mom and said “ You knew!” and then fell down in front of Traveon and cried. When she regained her composure, Traveon asked again… “Will you marry me?”
She said… “Are you serious!?”
He said… “Yes”
She said… “Are you sure?”
He said… “Yes!”
She said… “ You want me AND Romeo [her son]!?”
He said “Yes!”
Someone in the crowd, “GIRL, SAY YES!”
Georgina said… “ OKAY YES!!!”
The room was filled with clapping and screaming as they made the initial commitment to love each other through forever.
When Traveon knew he found “the one”…
“I knew I was in love with Georgina on October 10, 2019. She invited me on a trip with her to DC where she was presenting for a conference. She was so sweet, thoughtful, and romantic. It really showed me that she was ALL about me even while she was working. No woman ever made me feel this special before. I wanted to tell her I love her that day but I was so afraid so I waited until I was on the train home and texted it to her and then anxiously waited for her to respond.
But loving someone is different than knowing someone is the one. I knew she was the one on August 17, 2020. I knew I was going to marry her that day. This was my first birthday with her. She planned a photoshoot for me and bought me a beat machine. These are 2 things that I’ve never had but mentioned in random conversations. She was so intentional and thoughtful about me even down to gifts. I knew a woman like that is someone that I want to build a life with forever.”
When Georgina knew…
“ I knew I was in love with Traveon in December 2019. I can’t quite remember the night but my son and I were living in a townhouse at the time. We looked out the sliding glass door and there was a strange man tugging and banging on the door trying to break into our home. I immediately called Traveon and he rushed over to check on us. We were terrified. He told us to go upstairs and try to rest and that he would sleep downstairs to watch out. He began sleeping downstairs every night just to make sure me and Romeo felt safe.
I knew then that this man was amazing. I knew then that I was in love with him! But I also realize that love does not equate to knowing when someone is the one. I realize Trae was the one when he proposed! I grew up thinking love was a feeling. Like these weird butterflies you get in the pit of your stomach. I never had those with Trae Bae and I didn’t realize why until after he proposed. That butterfly feeling symbolized nervousness & anxiety — all of the thoughts like “Does he like me? Is there another woman? Why is he not answering my texts?” come along with those butterflies. Trae never made me ask those questions. From day one he made me feel safe and protected.
On May 1, 2021 he made the ultimate sacrifice to prove that I would never have to go another day without his safety and protection. And that’s when I realized that Trae was my person for life. Love is not a feeling. It is an action. It is a decision every day to wake up and show up for another human being. There is no one in this world that I would rather show up for than Trae Bae. God created him specifically for me. He is my soulmate, my best friend, and my ride or die.
Describe your engagement session. Did you have a theme?
#TheDukesOfHarris
Our theme was a play off our wedding hashtag. We wanted to model The Dukes of Hazzard for a edgy look along with a royal look for the Duke & Duchess theme.
What did you do on your first date?
Our first date was on a Tuesday night at 7:30pm at a Hibachi restaurant called Kanki! Traveon knew Georgina was a single mom and made himself available at any time. So they met at a time that was most convenient for her schedule.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Date Night! We always try to find time to do something together that is really fun. It usually involves food and some cool activity!
How has wedding planning been so far?
So much fun! We have been strong-arming family and friends. Honestly, we don’t want or need their input. We just have been doing what we want and what we think is best. It’s been so great because family and friends have been respecting that boundary!
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
Georgina: I am looking forward to our vows. Traveon and I talk for hours and get so deep with each other. I can’t wait to hear the words he presents and I can’t wait for him to hear mine. I know its going to be so thoughtful and we will both be a ball of tears.
Traveon: I am looking forward to the first look and seeing how beautiful she will be when she walks down the aisle. She has said over and over that I better cry and I know it’s going to happen!
Looking for more edgy inspiration like this Dukes of Hazzard engagement session?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Makeup: Slay By Shay
- Photography: DLC Innocations
- Wedding planner: Sabrina Seymore Events
- Hair: NappStar & Idohair of Sew Elegant Hair, LLC
- Attire for Green and White Look: Asos & 2LoversFashion
- Attire for Black Look: Asos
- Venue: Villa Toscana
- Matched by: Bumble
This is fire and a beautiful display of their love for each other. After reading their story it is definitely love —-and I don’t even know them. Please continue to do what is best for the two of you and have those deep conversations only between the two of you. Much love!!!