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Long & Vaughn BY KA I T LY N H A R M O N PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRACY TIMMESTER, TI M M E ST E R P H OTO.COM
M
itchell “Moe” Long and Rachel Vaughn met on
Bumble in 2022 while Rachel was completing her doctorate of philosophy at UNC, the same university that Carrboro native Moe received his bachelor’s degree from 10 years earlier. They shared their first date at Steel String Brewery, and two years later, on leap day in 2024, the couple got engaged on a walk with their dog, Sebastian, to Carrboro Town Commons. The wedding took place on April 26, 2025, at The Barn at Union Grove Farm with help from many local vendors. Tracy Timmester photographed their day, which was planned by I Do Weddings by Michele; DK the DJ took on the music; Acme Food & Beverage Co. hosted the rehearsal dinner; and Hampton Inn & Suites in Carrboro provided comfortable lodging for guests. What truly made their day special was the involvement of their loved ones, including parents Re Hatem, Chris Long, Ray Vaughn and Marcia Vaughn. “The moment I’ll remember forever is … looking back and forth between my bride, our siblings and a sea of smiling loved ones’ faces,” Moe says. His sister, Paula Rosine Long, and Rachel’s brother, Mitch Vaughn, co-officiated the wedding. Paula Rosine also
designed the wedding invitations, while Rachel’s sister, Sarah Vaughn – the artist behind Stacking Stones Studio – made the drinking glasses used by guests and gifted as wedding favors. Rachel surprised her father by kicking a soccer ball with him during their father-daughter dance as a nod to his soccer coaching days. Even their sweets were baked with love – friends and family made cookies and their cutting cake. The couple lives in Carrboro, where Moe works as an editor, writer and podcaster, and Rachel is a postdoctoral researcher at UNC as well as an occupational therapist. CHM
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chapelhillmagazine.com
January/February 2026