Katie Conger & Harrison Benson
Award-Winning Wedding at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh
Saturday, November 17, 2023, was an unforgettable day. Picture this – crisp fall weather, trees full of warm color, honest love, and joyful celebration. Katie Conger and Harrison Benson’s wedding at Saint Mary's Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina, was simply stunning. Every detail, from fashion to decor, was thoughtful and beautiful. Nikki Whitt-Belch, owner and founder of Fancy This Photography, was honored to capture the occasion in images that The Bensons and their loved ones will cherish forever.
Katie and Harrison’s classic North Carolina wedding weekend kicked off on Friday with a welcome party at the historic Heights House Hotel. Have y’all ever been to this downtown Raleigh gem? If not, add it to your list of must-see local landmarks. The Heights House Hotel welcome party set the stage for a weekend filled with romance, emotion, and pinch-yourself moments.
Fancy This Photography Receives Award for Best Wedding Photographer 2023
As you scroll through the gorgeous images of this black-tie wedding by Nikki, you'll start to understand why this wedding has gotten so much well-deserved attention. Nikki’s ability to photograph the spirit of this fall wedding day earned her the 2023 title of Best Wedding Photographer from Triangle NACE.
Triangle NACE is the North Carolina chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), an organization that brings together event professionals from different areas of the industry. NACE provides education, networking opportunities, and resources to help members enhance their skills and grow their businesses. Thank you Triangle NACE for all that you do in North Carolina!
Katie Conger and Harrison Benson tied the knot at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Wedding Invitation Details
We were smitten kitten with Katie and Harrison’s wedding stationery. Their wedding invitation suite was a dream come true for any hopeless romantic, featuring a modern blue color palette, elegant fonts, and sweet Southern monograms. It was the perfect match for their wedding at Saint Mary's Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina. Katie and Harrison designed their stationery from If It’s Paper, a local gem in Raleigh. The styling was so stunning that we couldn’t resist capturing every detail in a dedicated photo shoot, showcasing its beauty and detail.
Katie Conger got ready with her best friends and closest family at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Getting Ready in Style at The Carolina Country Club
Katie and Harrison started the wedding day surrounded by their closest friends and family at the Carolina Country Club. You better believe that mimosas were involved! We had so much fun photographing the bride and groom in those exciting minutes leading up to the ceremony at Saint Mary’s Chapel.
At 5:00 p.m., the bride and groom exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony at Saint Mary's Chapel. The celebration of love continued with a reception at the Carolina Country Club. I can attest, guests danced the night away in true Raleigh style.
The wedding was seamless. We have to shoutout Jessica Alexander Events for planning and coordinating such an exceptional event. It was the perfect combination of sophistication and warmth.
Keep scrolling to experience more from this extraordinary fall wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina. See for yourself why Fancy This Photography is recognized as one of the best in the industry. Truly outstanding!
The Groom and his groomsmen take a walk across the gorgeous grounds at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Katie Conger and Harrison Benson posed for some candid and plandid photos at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Katie and her bridesmaids held onto beautiful wedding bouquets by Kelly Odom Flowers.
Wedding at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina
Location: 900 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, North Carolina
Saint Mary’s Chapel is straight out of a fairytale. Nestled within the historic campus of Saint Mary’s School, this Gothic Revival chapel whispers timeless romance. The North Carolina wedding venue can host up to 230 guests. Whether or not a couple has ties to the school, they can exchange vows in this ethereal space. Saint Mary’s Chapel is affiliated with the Episcopal Church but welcomes couples of all denominations.
Built in 1855, Saint Mary’s Chapel is a testament to history and architecture. Its steeply pitched roof and whimsical stained glass windows create an atmosphere that was made for weddings. While the chapel is pretty in every season, there’s something especially magical about a fall wedding at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Fun Fact: Saint Mary’s Chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to Know: Wedding Photography at Saint Mary’s Chapel
Capturing the magic of a wedding at Saint Mary’s Chapel comes with unique rules. The chapel has guidelines for wedding photographers and videographers to preserve the spirituality and sacredness of the space. Photos can only be taken from the back of the chapel, and movement is restricted during the ceremony. After the vows are exchanged, there’s a brief window for photos inside the chapel.
To maintain the chapel’s unique ambiance, additional lighting or external microphones are not permitted. North Carolina wedding photographers must rely solely on the camera’s built-in microphone and keep the camera stationary on a tripod throughout the service.
Fancy This Photography takes special care to respect the rules set in place by wedding venues, especially when they are places of worship.
Saint Mary’s Chapel Weddings
When it comes to decor, Saint Mary’s Chapel has a few special guidelines. Altar flowers must not exceed the height of the cross, and while candelabras and candles for the altar are provided, additional candles are not allowed. Flower petals can be scattered outside, but not inside on the chapel carpet. Birdseed and rice are also prohibited, as is any food or drink inside the chapel, with the exception of bottled water.
These guidelines ensure that every wedding at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina, is as beautiful and special as the setting itself.
Katie Conger and Harrison Benson stand by their closest friends at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
The Newlyweds took The Great Raleigh Trolley from Saint Mary’s Chapel to their reception at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Wedding Reception at The Carolina Country Club
After their beautiful wedding at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh, Katie and Harrison invited their guests to continue the celebration at the Carolina Country Club. Y’all, this is honestly one of North Carolina’s best wedding venues.
The 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, perched overlooking a green golf course, provided a picture-perfect backdrop for the reception. With its traditional yet luxurious interior design, the Carolina Country Club offers cool views of the manicured lawns and tranquil lakes. You can even see the Raleigh, North Carolina landscape from the clubhouse bar, the parlor, and all of the venue’s event spaces.
Capturing Katie and Harrison’s wedding reception here was a joy for Fancy This Photography. The Carolina Country Club’s classic architecture, paired with the scenic beauty of the surroundings, offered endless opportunities for striking candid and formal portraits. We had a hard time picking our favorite images from this fall wedding day!
The bride and groom’s guests were treated to a culinary experience crafted by Chef Jalen Williams. Carolina Country Club’s head chef guarantees the menu is as unforgettable as the venue. The attentive service provided by the venue’s staff makes the evening even more special. It’s really easy for couples to relax and enjoy their celebration here.
As the night unfolded, the sounds of Irresistible Groove, one of North Carolina’s top wedding bands, filled the air. They kept the dance floor packed and the energy high. The blend of music, laughter, and toasts made for some surreal moments, all captured by Fancy This Photography.
The Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, with its mix of elegance, charm, and top-tier service, was the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind wedding.
The Bensons at Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Wedding Flowers that Make You Say “Wow”
Throughout the day, fabulous floral arrangements by Kelly Odom Flowers adorned both the ceremony and reception spaces. As a photographer, these wedding flowers added an extra layer of detail and beauty to the celebration. From the towering table centerpieces and entryway displays to the thoughtfully crafted altar decor and bouquets, each piece was designed specifically for Katie and Harrison’s big day.
The Art of Wedding Reception Photos
Capturing action photos during wedding receptions is all about being in the moment and anticipating the energy of the event. From the couple’s first dance to unpredictable moves on the dance floor, candid photos document the genuine joy and excitement of the celebration. For Fancy This Photography, the key is to blend into the background while staying ready to capture those fleeting moments that tell the story of the night. Whether it’s a groom spinning his bride around or a family member sharing an emotional toast, action photos bring the spirit of the reception to life. These photos preserve the raw emotions that make each wedding unique.
Katie Benson and Harrison Benson’s first dance as newlyweds at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Meet The Vendors
Photography // Fancy This Photography
Event Management // Jessica Alexander Events
Chapel // Saint Mary's School
Reception // Carolina Country Club
Floral Design // Kelly Odom Flowers
Entertainment // Irresistible Groove
Rentals // Curated Events Raleigh
Beauty // Reign Beauty NC
Lighting // Stylus Events
Stationery // If It's Paper
Transportation // Great Raleigh Trolley & White Horse Transportation
Dress // Alexia's Bridal