Donna Steinbacher & Christian Caveness | UNC Chapel Hill Wedding
UNC Chapel Hill Wedding at The Carolina Inn
Donna Steinbacher and Christian Caveness celebrated their union with a beautiful UNC Chapel Hill wedding at The Carolina Inn in July 2023. Even the sweltering summer heat couldn’t dim the sparkle of this special day. Most of the wedding festivities took place within the cool Southern sanctuary of The Carolina Inn. Fancy This Photography owner and founder, Nikki Whitt Belch, led from behind the lens with support from collaborator Sarah Martin. They used the combo of a Nikon D750 and Nikon Z6II mirrorless camera.
For photography enthusiasts curious about the technical details, a mirrorless camera adds distinct style to images. DSLR cameras rely on mirrors to reflect images into viewfinders, whereas mirrorless cameras capture moments through electronic viewfinders, offering a unique perspective. At Fancy This Photography, we pride ourselves on providing couples with high-end, professional wedding photography. Hiring a professional photographer to document your wedding is essential because their expertise ensures that your memories are preserved. Fancy This Photography team’s knowledge of composition, lighting, and storytelling will make your wedding photos unique and timeless.
Ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church
The wedding photo journey begins as Donna and Christian get ready for the day with loved ones at The Carolina Inn. St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill set the stage for a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony, beautifully incorporated within Mass. The short 8-minute drive from The Carolina Inn easily connected these two iconic Chapel Hill wedding venues.
This colorful UNC Chapel Hill wedding at The Carolina Inn was planned by Catherine Langhart of La Fête. With 12 bridesmaids and five groomsmen, Donna and Christian's wedding party was a ball of fun. Their positive energy created sincere moments for Fancy This Photography to capture. The vibrant floral arrangements, designed by Tre Bella, added a burst of color to this wedding photo gallery. We think Donna and Christian’s wedding at The Carolina Inn perfectly represents the spirit of a southern summertime celebration. From bodacious bouquets to playful pocket squares, altar arrangements to table centerpieces, every detail was a slay.
As you continue to scroll, get lost in the visual story of Donna and Christian’s wedding day. It was an honor for Fancy This Photography to document their stunning UNC Chapel Hill wedding at The Carolina Inn.
Getting Ready for Romance - UNC Chapel Hill Wedding at The Carolina Inn
Fancy This Photography loves to document intimate getting ready moments shared between couples and their closest friends and family. The gorgeous guest rooms and suites of The Carolina Inn are the perfect backdrop for wedding preparation pictures. Each room is a treasure trove of details. Swoon with us over colorfully patterned wallpaper, whimsical window panes, and cozy furnishings. This Chapel hill hotel offers 185 romantic rooms and seven luxury suites. Every room is equipped with refrigerators—perfect for storing mimosa and breakfast supplies—along with bath toiletries and flat-screen televisions.
In 2023, The Carolina Inn received modern updates while keeping its distinctive southern vintage vibe. For wedding guests who stay here, the raves are inevitable. This Chapel Hill hotel has an authentic soul and comfortable accommodations. The rooms and suites provide a clean and peaceful space for getting ready and resting. Friendly staff members go above and beyond, bending over backward to cater to the needs of your wedding party.
Stepping into this historic gem is like entering a world of elegance and charm. The interior design and architecture honor the hotel's history, creating a backdrop for countless photo opportunities. Each room tells a story, surrounding you with beauty as you prepare for one of the biggest days of your life. The Carolina Inn is more than a wedding venue; it's a window into the past and the future.
First Looks - UNC Chapel Hill Wedding at The Carolina Inn
Donna and Christian's UNC Chapel Hill Wedding at The Carolina Inn featured two unforgettable first looks. The first one unfolded in the hotel's main lobby, where Donna shared a moment with her father. The emotion on his face as he saw his daughter in her wedding dress was priceless.
The second first look was between Donna and Christian. It took place in the legendary hallway of The Carolina Inn. You know the one–where natural light bathes miles of timeless black-and-white-checkered marble floors. As Donna tapped Christian's shoulder, the vintage lantern hanging overhead gave the scene a warm glow. Splashes of color from greenery and a Carolina blue-painted bench added to these romantic first look photos.
The dramatic length of this hallway adds excitement and anticipation to first look images. After their first look, we took more individual and couple portraits of Donna and Christian walking through the hallway. We even took our cameras outside, which let us frame cool shots of the couple from a distance as they cozied up on a bench.
Chapel Hill Wedding Ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Donna and Christian tied the knot in the sacred sanctuary of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill. This local landmark set the tone for timeless vows. Couples who want to get married here must contact the church office at 919-942-1040, nine months in advance. Wedding ceremonies and rehearsals at St. Thomas More Catholic Church are officiated by a priest or deacon. St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill has a unique "sponsor couple program." Donna and Christian were paired with married members of the church, and received guidance and support as they prepared for marriage.
Couples can use flower and decor stands placed in front of the sanctuary's columns or at the foot of each candle set. Tre Bella's artistry came to life with colorful arrangements that complemented the warm ambiance of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Our Fancy This Photography cameras ate up the juxtaposition of colorful florals with the sanctuary's stained glass mural.
The church has a few wedding guidelines—no throwing flower petals, rice, or bird seed. As wedding photographers, we check on what is permitted, always respecting a couple’s venue. Discretion is key. We often limit the use of flash or anything that might disrupt the wedding ceremony or mass. Fancy This Photography is committed to capturing your entire ceremony. It starts with the anticipatory moments before the couple enters the ceremony space to joyful newlywed exits. This way, our wedding galleries promise a rich story of candid and formal photos that thoroughly document this special milestone.
Wedding Photos Under The Carolina Inn’s Porte-cochère
The Carolina Inn has a fierce porte-cochère. Do you know what that is? We also had to do a quick Google search. A porte-cochère is a grand entrance to a building or courtyard, through which carriages or cars can enter from the street. The dramatic archway provides people protection from the elements and a cool wedding photo frame.
Fancy This Photography loves to capture couples and wedding parties beneath The Carolina Inn’s porte-cochère. Donna’s bridesmaids slayed in elegant green dresses and Christian’s groomsmen looked snatched in navy blue tuxedos and black bow ties. The Carolina Inn’s brick pathways, black window shutters and fabulous porte-cochère create a sensational backdrop for wedding photos.
UNC Chapel Hill Wedding at The Carolina Inn
Donna and Christian's UNC Chapel Hill wedding at The Carolina Inn was held in the Hill Ballroom, the largest space in the venue. The Hill Ballroom features 14-foot ceilings and crystal chandeliers, creating an impressive reception setting. Architectural details add to the southern charm. I’m begging you to take a moment and look up at the ceiling!
A memorable detail from their wedding reception was a custom beer can design made by a friend. The couple also opted for a crowd-pleasing late-night snack – pizza and subs. These choices added a personal and practical element to their reception. Fancy This Photography documented every detail, capturing the uniqueness of Donna and Christian's wedding in each shot.
Planning a UNC Chapel Hill wedding at The Carolina Inn? Consider booking Fancy This Photography – a seasoned vendor at this historic gem of a wedding venue. Proudly featured on The Carolina Inn's list of recommended wedding photographers, we humbly bring our experience to the table. For a deeper dive into more real weddings, explore the blog links below. Let Fancy This Photography tell your wedding story with authenticity and artistry.
Meet The Vendors
Photographer // Fancy This Photography
Planner // Catherine Langhart of Events by La Fête
Ceremony // St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Venue // The Carolina Inn
Videography // Dean Garris Films
Reception Music // DJ Randy Bennett
Florist // Tre Bella
Cake // S. Richardson Cakes
Hair and Makeup // Perfection By Patricia