Holiday Inspired Wedding at The Cotton Room in Durham NC

Wedding at The Cotton Room Durham NC

Bennett Sasser and Rawls Zollicoffer had a downright durty wedding – and if you’re from Durham, North Carolina, you know that’s a good thing. The couple met and fell in love in Washington, D.C. but decided to tie the knot in their shared hometown. Saturday, December 18, 2021, one week before Christmas, Bennett and Rawls hosted a Bull City wedding at The Cotton Room Durham NC. 

Fancy This Photography’s own, Sarah Martin, documented Bennett and Sasser’s wedding on a Sony A7RIII camera. The weather was overcast, but rain held off just long enough for outdoor portraits. Temperatures were surprisingly pleasant and not too chilly for December. Bennett and Sasser said “I do” at the bride’s childhood church, Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. The couple cared about supporting local business when it came to selecting their wedding vendors.

On Saturday, December 18, 2021, Bennett and Rawls hosted their wedding reception at The Cotton Room Durham NC. Jennifer V. Events planned their wedding weekend.

“We loved Nikki and Sarah from the moment we met them,” says Bennett. “They have an energy about them that makes you feel comfortable and excited, and we love the types of photos they take (not overly exposed or overedited).”

Keep scrolling to read Bennett & Rawls’ love story and to witness more from their winter wedding at The Cotton Room Durham NC. 

The Love Story 

Bennett and Rawls met in Washington, D.C. as college graduates and kickball teammates. She went to UNC and he went to USC – they were a collision of Carolina fans who bonded quickly over their shared hometown of Durham, North Carolina.  

Back-to-back national championships on the kickball field aka the National Mall led to love. Bennett and Rawls’ relationship continued to grow over dinner dates, football games and concerts. On Thursday, November 25, 2020 (Thanksgiving), he proposed. 

The Proposal

Bennett had accepted a new job in Charlotte and the pair decided to move back to The Old North State together. The timing was perfect. 

Rawls’ family invited Bennett’s family over for Thanksgiving. Before anyone arrived, Rawls got down on one knee in the front yard and asked Bennett to spend the rest of her life with him. 

The proposal was a complete surprise. Rawls received Bennett’s father’s blessing a couple of days prior and didn’t tell anyone when he planned to pop the question. Bennett said “yes” and the two families celebrated together over a Thanksgiving feast. 

Winter Wedding at The Cotton Room Durham NC

With the wedding set to take place one week before Christmas, Bennett and Rawls wanted to decorate The Cotton Room Durham NC with lots of white, gold and green. Black tartan tablecloths set the tone for a fabulously festive event. Gold ornaments with black tartan ribbon placed at each table setting tied the holiday theme together. 

The Cotton Room is a Durham NC wedding photographer’s dream. The venue is filled with warehouse windows and receives gorgeous natural light during the day and evening hours. Exposed brick walls and wooden beams frame and fill images with warm contrast. Overall, The Cotton Room Durham NC’s appearance and layout is a ten out of ten.

This was Sarah’s first time photographing a Christmas-style wedding. She says the bride and groom did a wonderful job balancing Christmas cheer with sophisticated style. 

First Look at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church 

Bennett says that their first look at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church was her favorite moment of the wedding day. 

“I always thought walking down the aisle would be the first time my husband would see me, but since we were having a winter wedding and the sun sets so early that time of year, a first look was sort of a necessity,” says Bennett. “It was so nice to share that moment with Rawls and to be able to see my dad and the entire wedding party before walking down the aisle took a lot of nerves away.” 

Bennett grew up attending Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. It is the same church that her grandparents got married in.

Meet Bennett & Rawls’ Wedding Party 

Bennett had 12 bridesmaids and Rawls had 13 groomsmen. Bridesmaids included: Kara Alvarado (Matron of Honor), Claire Murray (Maid of Honor), Emma Berry, Shannon Spillane, Laura Welsh, Hallie Deyton, Jessica Sawyer, Jaclyn McCarthy, Rachel Babler, Sabrina Sasser, Lucy Sasser and Kate Schaefer. Groomsmen included: Wilkins Zollicoffer (Best Man), Andrew King, Will Townsend, John Plonk, Nat Luger, Lane Page, Paul Hosmann, Joe Saunders, Max Frankel, James Waid, Hank LeFlore, Thomas DeLoache and Tate Sasser.

Dogsmaids: Sadie & Callie (not pictured)

Wedding Ceremony at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church

Bennett and Rawls shared vows in Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, the bride’s childhood church and the same church that Bennett’s grandparents got married in. At the ceremony, Rawls’ sister surprised the couple with homemade program inserts of a photo from Bennett’s grandparent’s wedding at Duke Memorial. Some guests in attendance were members of Bennett’s grandparent’s wedding party!  

Duke Memorial United Methodist Church is a Durham icon/local landmark. The church is rich in history - a fitting characteristic, since the bride's grandparents were also married there.

Fancy This Photography’s team were not able to use flash inside the church. This can be difficult in historic buildings that typically have lots of darkness and shadows. Sarah’s advice for photographing dark wedding venues is to use cameras that can handle higher ISO’s without producing grainy images. It’s also beneficial to use a fast lens with a wide aperture of f/2.8 or wider. 

Rockin’ Reception at The Cotton Room Durham NC 

After their wedding ceremony at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, the newlyweds invited guests to join them at cocktail hour and the reception. Bennett and Rawls were sold on The Cotton Room’s openness and natural beauty. They also loved the venue’s unique location on Golden Belt campus and close proximity to Downtown. Guests had their choice of nearby hotels. As friends and family entered the reception space, they were greeted by lyrics from one of Bennett and Rawls’ favorite Avett Brothers songs written on a giant chalkboard. 

“Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name"

Calligraphy // Marika Wendelken

Bennett and Rawls’ college mascots, Cocky and Rameses, are pictured on these wedding favor koozies.

As photographer, Sarah’s favorite moment from Bennett & Rawls' wedding was their first dance! Instead of a traditional first dance, the newlyweds chose an upbeat and fun song. 

Sarah’s favorite detail? The “B&R Candy Bar” of course! This was a sweet surprise from Bennett’s mom and a nod to Rawls’ severe sweet tooth (months later, they are still eating candy from their dessert bar). To cut the wedding cake, Mr. and Mrs. Zollicoffer used Bennett’s great grandparent’s cake cutter and server. 

The “B&R Candy Bar” was a surprise from Bennett’s mom and a nod to Rawls’ sweet tooth.

Loved ones toasted and danced to the newlyweds at The Cotton Room Durham NC. Another one of the bride’s favorite moments was when live band, Irresistible Groove, played Jay Sean's "Down" - which is “a banger of a wedding song.”

Live Band // Irresistible Groove

We love holiday-inspired weddings! Click here to see Alex and Danielle’s New Year’s Eve wedding at The Meroney Theater in Salisbury, North Carolina. 

Photographer // Fancy This Photography 
Planner // Jennifer V. Event
Ceremony Venue // Duke Memorial United Methodist
Rehearsal Dinner Venue // The Rickhouse
Rehearsal Dinner Caterer // Rocky Top Catering
Reception Venue // The Cotton Room
Reception Caterer // Triangle Catering 
Florals // West Queen Studio
Groom’s Tuxedo // Fairclough & Co.
Wedding Dress // Bellissima
Hair & Makeup // Bella Trio Salon and Spa
Party Rentals // CE Rental Raleigh
Cake // Publix
Live Band // Irresistible Groove
Calligraphy // Marika Wendelken