Maternity Photo Shoot Ideas

We are thrilled to share the Martchek maternity photo shoot on the blog! Have we mentioned how much Fancy This Photography loves capturing maternity sessions? This blog post is full of beautiful, heartfelt maternity photo shoot ideas—from cozy crib-side portraits to intimate front porch moments. Emily Martchek and Daniel Martchek are absolutely glowing. Their love for each other and their growing family radiates in every frame.

Maternity photo shoots can take place anywhere! Fancy This Photography encourages couples to choose a location that holds personal significance—it adds an emotional depth to the session. The Martcheks opted for an at-home maternity photo shoot, and we love how personal and meaningful their space felt. Their house was full of color, memories, and warmth. The baby’s nursery was especially precious. And the moody window light in their dining room? Paired with that botanical wallpaper, it was a vibe.

Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography, was honored to document this special time in their lives.

Q&A With Nikki Whitt Belch, Founder and Owner of Fancy This Photography

Q: Why do you recommend maternity photo shoots for expecting mamas and couples?

A: This is just such a sacred time. A mom is growing a soul. How amazing is that? Women are portals to this world and we should cherish that!

Q: When is the best time during pregnancy to schedule a maternity session?

A: I recommend at the end of seven months, to the beginning of the eighth month. Moms are generally showing a good bit, but they are not well into their third trimester where they feel miserable.

Keep scrolling for more maternity photo shoot ideas and inspiration!

Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography, was honored to capture Emily Martchek and Daniel Martchek’s maternity photo shoot.

Fancy This Photography Family Clients

Nikki Whitt Belch captured Emily Chrisman and Daniel Martchek’s Art Nouveau-inspired wedding ceremony and reception at Bay 7 in Downtown Durham on May 21, 2022. Their gorgeous celebration was featured in Durham Magazine later that year. Click here to read the full story.

“Not only are these two artful in style and grace, but also genuine and just all around kind people,” says Nikki. “I left their wedding feeling so inspired and filled with more love than I even thought I could give. It was a true honor.”

At Fancy This Photography, we are passionate about capturing life’s biggest milestones. It’s always special when wedding clients return for family portrait sessions. We are honored and grateful to have so many lifelong clients who trust us to document their journeys.

Your baby's nursery is an intimate, special place. Perfect for maternity photos!

Maternity Photo Shoot Ideas

Let’s make some noise for the fabulous fashion featured in this maternity photo shoot!

Emily’s first look was a lovely blush and white botanical-print sundress with ruffled sleeves. It was giving warm, feminine, and effortlessly elegant. Daniel complemented her in a light blue linen button-down and dark gray pants. They looked timeless and paired beautifully with their baby-ready home.

For the second look, Mama Martchek embraced a monochrome turquoise wrap dress that accentuated her baby bump. A chic pair of loafers completed the ensemble. Meanwhile, Papa Martchek swapped his button-down for a classic crisp white T-shirt, keeping it casual yet composed.

Emily’s final look might be our favorite. She changed into a snug gray tank top layered under an unbuttoned cotton shirt, paired with faded blue jeans. This outfit allowed her to easily lift her shirt and showcase her beautiful baby bump. Our number one maternity photo shoot fashion tip? Show the bump! Choose outfits that highlight your belly rather than hide it. Soft patterns work best, as they keep the focus on your face and the bump, rather than drawing attention away with bold prints.

How to Pose: Maternity Photo Shoot Ideas

When it comes to posing for maternity photos, please don’t overthink it. If you ever feel awkward or unsure of what to do, simply place your hands on your baby bump. That baby bump is precious, and your hands will always have a natural place to rest.

At Fancy This Photography, we love capturing solo portraits of moms-to-be as well as heartfelt moments with their partners. But we’re also here for maternity photo shoots that include best friends, family members, and even pets. Anything is possible!

The Martchek maternity photo shoot was filled with natural, flattering solo and couple poses. We loved photographing this sweet couple sitting side by side on the piano bench and snuggling together in bed. Emily looked absolutely stunning in her solo portraits—especially as she stood beside the botanical wallpaper, bathed in moody window light.

The front porch steps and picket fence provided the perfect setting for portraits with an American Gothic or Norman Rockwell-inspired touch. Every image is beautifully framed by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography.

The Martchek family maternity photo shoot by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography.

This colorful front porch was the perfect setting for maternity photos.

Bring Out the Baby Clothes

Once you’ve chosen your outfits, consider incorporating a few special baby items into your maternity photo shoot! A cheeky onesie from Auntie, a cherished baptism gown passed down through generations, or tiny baby booties make for heartfelt, sentimental photos.

At Fancy This Photography, we also love capturing the little details in the baby’s nursery. This could be handmade blankets from Grandma, a beloved childhood stuffed animal waiting to be passed down, or delicate decor that holds sentimental value. It’s all part of your life’s story.

Keep scrolling for more maternity photo shoot ideas!

The bedroom is such a sweet, intimate space. We love these images of Emily and Daniel—they are some of our favorites.

Photography by Nikki Whitt Belch, Founder and Owner of Fancy This Photography

Ready to book your maternity photo shoot? Click here to schedule a free consultation with Fancy This Photography. Our portrait collections start at $899.

Museum of Life and Science Wedding

Jen Barratt and Michael Byrd hosted their Museum of Life and Science wedding in Durham NC on Oct. 19, 2024. Fancy This Photography partner Amanda Law captured every special moment, from the pre-wedding festivities to the last dance of the night.

Before the big day, Jen and Michael kicked off the celebrations with a casual welcome dinner at their favorite brewery, Durty Bull Brewing Co. Guests enjoyed pizza, wings, and good company in a chill setting where everyone was welcome. “It was a massive party before the big day,” Jen said. “We had an open mic for anyone who wanted to make a speech. I performed a tap dance in honor of my late dad—I’ve been tap dancing since I was a kid, and I’m in a local company called Footnotes Tap Ensemble in Chapel Hill.”

The welcome party was filled with heartfelt moments. A surprise musical tribute from Michael’s family brought the house down. They rewrote the lyrics to Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to tell the couple’s love story - iconic.

Magical Museum of Life and Science Events

Jen and Michael exchanged vows on a secluded lawn beside the museum’s Butterfly Sanctuary, surrounded by their closest loved ones. Museum of Life and Science offers a variety of beautiful indoor and outdoor event spaces, but there’s something really magical about the way the setting sun reflects off the Butterfly Sanctuary’s glass walls. The mirrored building creates a breathtaking ceremony backdrop nestled in the trees. Museum of Life and Science’s unique architecture and natural surroundings are a photographer’s dream combo.

Amanda Law photographed the wedding using a Sony a7 III and Sony a7 IV, with Sarah Martin providing support as second shooter.

“The sun finished setting just as the ceremony ended, which was perfect timing—as we just ran out of light after Jen and Micheal walked back down the aisle,” recalls Amanda.

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the Butterfly Sanctuary’s patio after the ceremony. They sipped drinks and explored the museum’s exhibits in the setting sunlight. The evening continued with a buffet-style dinner, catered by Catering by Design, in the Aerospace Center—a short walk across the museum grounds. The reception was filled with music, dancing, and interactive exhibits that made the night unforgettable.

Jen and Michael expressed gratitude for the Museum of Life and Science’s event coordinator, Rachel Rahili, as well as their wedding planner, Heather Thomas of Bonafide Events, who both helped bring their vision to life.

Fall is a stunning season for weddings in Durham, and Oct. 19, 2024, was no exception. With clear skies and a perfect 70-degree day, Jen and Michael shared their first look on the walkways by the lake. They chose a more private setting for this special moment, as they also exchanged personal vows and wanted time alone to connect.

Keep scrolling to see more love-filled moments from Jen and Michael’s Museum of Life and Science wedding in Durham NC.

Museum of Life and Science offers a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces, but there’s something really magical about the way the setting sun reflects off the Butterfly Sanctuary’s glass walls. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Real Wedding Reviews: Fancy This Photography

This wasn’t Amanda’s first time photographing a wedding at the Museum of Life and Science. She loves working at this one-of-a-kind Durham venue. Her favorite thing about the museum is the incredible variety of scenery, all in one location.

“The catwalks by the lake give beautiful, serene views, the ceremony site behind the Butterfly House has gorgeous architectural interest and a really cool modern vibe that contrasts well with the more natural landscapes, and what can you even say about the Butterfly House? It’s a tropical paradise in the middle of our temperate NC climate,” says Amanda.

As an added bonus for Jen and Michael’s wedding album, Amanda’s lens captured a couple of unexpected guests—beautiful butterflies, or should we say wedding crashers?

“Amanda Law caught the whole day,” says Jen. “She was the perfect choice for a photographer. She was awesome. Our wedding day was captured so beautifully with posed and candid pictures.”

Amanda expertly adjusted her cameras for the changing light as the sun set during the ceremony and cocktail hour. She beautifully captured the radiant glow of the Butterfly Sanctuary’s greenhouse and garden backdrop. Jen and Michael were relieved to work with professionals familiar with the museum’s campus and exhibits.

“We did an engagement shoot with Amanda to get used to posing for pictures—something neither of us had ever done,” says Jen. “We had an awesome time with Amanda, who felt like a fast friend, during our shoot at West Point on the Eno—one of our favorite spots to walk our dog.”

Jen’s bridesmaids designed their own bouquets, along with the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres, using the bride’s favorite locally grown flowers from Piedmont Wholesale Flowers. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Getting Wedding Ready in Downtown Durham

Jen and Michael share their Bull City home with Rafiki Byrd, their five-year-old mutt. A dog DNA test revealed that he is mostly American foxhound. Michael adopted Rafiki when he was just nine weeks old. “He's the best and has many doggy friends around town in our Durham family,” says Jen.

Michael got ready at the couple’s home in North Durham alongside his brothers, father, Jen’s brother, their friend and wedding officiant, Adina—and, of course, Rafiki. Jen got ready at a beautiful Victorian-style home on the corner of Trinity and Roxboro, which her family rented for the weekend. She was joined by her best friends and bridesmaids, her sister and maid of honor, her mother, stepfather, and Michael’s mother as they prepared for the big day together.

The wedding’s color palette resembled a desert oasis, featuring hues of sage, eucalyptus, terracotta, and dusk. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Museum of Life and Science Wedding Venue

Jen and Michael wanted a unique, local wedding venue—somewhere that gives back to the Durham community. The Museum of Life and Science is more than a typical wedding venue and holds special meaning for the couple. They have visited the museum with out-of-town family and share many friends who are active museum members.

“We love the outdoors, we love to host parties, and we love Durham, so [the Museum of Life and Science] just made sense,” says Jen.

Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Durham, the museum offers convenience and comfort. Guests are even allowed to leave their cars overnight in the venue’s parking lot.

Jen, who loves a good theme, wanted the wedding to “speak to us as a couple and tell the story of us.” She painted and sketched watercolor postcards of every destination they visited during a nine-month road trip out West—a sentimental and artistic touch that set the tone for the wedding. The theme?

“And so our adventure continues”

The wedding’s color palette resembled a desert oasis, featuring hues of sage, eucalyptus, terracotta, and dusk. Jen created a DIY mountainscape backdrop for the seating chart and a desert bluffs display for the wedding party’s welcome table. Each table featured her watercolor postcards as centerpieces, surrounded by eucalyptus arrangements made with fresh local greens from Piedmont Wholesale Flowers, accented with twinkle lights.

Jen’s bridesmaids designed their own bouquets, along with the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres. They used the bride’s favorite locally grown flowers, including zinnias, dahlias, and greenery. As wedding favors, Jen handcrafted pottery ornaments shaped like mountains, cacti, and moons—a nod to Michael’s mother and Jen’s shared love of handmade pottery. Each ornament was stamped with a hummingbird, the bride’s favorite bird. Love is in the details, and Fancy This Photography is all about the details! 

Michael and Jen exchanged two sets of vows. They wrote private vows to each other, which they shared during their first look by the museum’s pond. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Jen and Michael’s True Love Story

The bride and groom moved to Durham more than a decade ago—Jen from New Jersey and Michael from South Carolina. Today, Jen is an occupational therapist at Duke University Hospital, and Michael is a software engineer.

Jen and Michael matched on two different dating apps before finally connecting on Hinge in March 2020. Their love story was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders, as Jen works with immunocompromised patients at Duke University Hospital. Early dates consisted of virtual hangouts, followed by socially distanced rollerblading, hiking, and tennis. They spent their first year together in a small pandemic pod of friends, “playing house,” celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas alone, and video-chatting with their families. They were thrilled to finally go on their first official dinner date in downtown Durham more than a year into their relationship.

Jen had always dreamed of taking a road trip out West. So, she and Michael packed up their Subaru and set off with their 50-pound pup, Rafiki, on a nine-month cross-country adventure focused on the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Michael surprised Jen by dropping to one knee during a self-timed photo and proposing on a hike through Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Jen’s engagement ring holds deep sentimental value—it’s the same emerald ring her late father used to propose to her mother. Not only is emerald the bride’s birthstone, but Michael’s proposal on May 6, 2023, made it all the more meaningful.

Wedding Ceremony Details

Truth be told, Jen and Michael were legally married at the courthouse a few weeks before their Museum of Life and Science wedding in Durham NC. Their courthouse ceremony was witnessed by their officiant and close friend, Adina Bianchi, along with their friend and bridesmaid, Margaret Sands.

Adina officiated their outdoor wedding ceremony at the museum, surprising the couple with a heartfelt speech and blessing. The ceremony also featured a few special readings. Abbey Riddick and Elizabeth Atwell gave a personal reading about the love of dogs and family in honor of Rafiki. Fittingly, the two were recently engaged and had just adopted their own pup, Béla. The second reading was by Erin Jones, Jen’s best friend of 15 years. She read a touching passage about love and marriage—two things she knows well, as Jen and Michael both adore her husband, Jake.

The bride and groom exchanged two sets of vows. They wrote private vows to each other, which they shared during their first look by the museum’s pond.

“Michael's vows were so beautiful, they made me tear up,” says Jen. “To this day, I think the only other person who has heard those vows is Amanda Law, hahaha.”

Jen and Michael crafted vows together for the Museum of Life and Science wedding ceremony. Their vows reflected their values. Neither of them is religious, and they wanted their wedding to be “equal, based on love and friendship, and the freedom to be ourselves.”

Jen and Michael exchanged vows on a secluded lawn beside the museum’s Butterfly Sanctuary on Oct. 19, 2024. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Cocktail Hour & Wedding Reception Details

Live music set the vibe for Jen and Michael’s cocktail hour, which featured their first dance on the Butterfly Sanctuary patio. Michael's brother and sister-in-law, Taylor Byrd and Jenny Byrd, are professional musicians based in Miami. They performed a beautiful set of Jen and Michael’s favorite songs during cocktail hour as a special gift to the couple. Jenny was on lead vocals and Taylor on guitar. Their band, The Details, made cocktail hour even more special and memorable.

Jen and Michael turned to Little Barb's Bakery to bring their wedding cake vision to life. The bakery created a cool ski slope-inspired cake in honor of the couple’s shared love of skiing.

“It was a beautiful and tasty two-tier cake with ski runs, little skiers, and evergreen trees on the sides,” says Jen. “One tier was lemon cake with lemon curd filling, and the other was vanilla cake with fresh fruit filling. Everything was covered in vanilla buttercream to resemble snow. Our cake topper was a picture of us in our ski attire on top of a mountain.”

Jen and Michael made it a priority to support local Durham businesses in planning their dream wedding at the Museum of Life and Science.

Jen created a DIY mountainscape backdrop for the seating chart and a desert bluffs display for the wedding party’s welcome table. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Each table featured Jen’s watercolor postcards as centerpieces, surrounded by eucalyptus arrangements made with fresh local greens from Piedmont Wholesale Flowers, accented with twinkle lights.

Michael's brother and sister-in-law, Taylor Byrd and Jenny Byrd, performed live music during cocktail hour. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Favorite Wedding Day Moments

• The Butterfly Sanctuary was a guest favorite during cocktail hour, offering a warm and beautiful escape.

• Heartfelt speeches from the maid of honor, Emily Barratt (Jen's sister), and the best man, Andrew Byrd (one of Michael's brothers), added to the emotional highlights of the evening.

• The reception turned into an unforgettable dance party next to the giant lunar lander in the Aerospace Center. Guests danced the night away to a playlist featuring the couple’s favorite tunes, including Mambo No. 5, Robyn, Dua Lipa, and Bruce Springsteen.

• A hilariously fun makeshift photo booth was a huge hit. Set up with a ring light and a cellphone, it featured the moonscape mural backdrop, complete with inflatable astronauts and rockets—perfect for capturing silly and spontaneous moments.

Jen and Michael expressed gratitude for the Museum of Life and Science’s event coordinator, Rachel Rahili, as well as their wedding planner, Heather Thomas of Bonafide Events, who helped bring their vision to life. Photo by Amanda Law // Fancy This Photography.

Happily Ever After Party at Kotuku Surf Club

The Byrds kept the celebration going with a wedding after-party at their favorite downtown Durham bar, Surf Club.

“It was awesome to see all of our friends from all stages of life sharing shots of whiskey and old stories,” says Jen, who sported a giant light-up jellyfish hat—because, as she put it, “why not?”

On Sunday, the newlyweds hosted a laid-back gathering at their home, giving their families and friends a chance to relax, enjoy the deck, and spend time with their beloved pup, Rafiki.

The Museum of Life and Science wedding reception turned into an unforgettable dance party next to the giant lunar lander in the Aerospace Center.

Photography // Amanda Law - Fancy This Photography

Planning // Bona Fide Events

Catering // Catering By Design

Venue // Museum of Life and Science

Hair & Makeup // @ashleylozahairandmakeup

Live Music // @thedetailsband

DJ // Boss Playa Productions

Rentals // American Party Rentals

Baker // Little Barb’s Bakery

Orange County Courthouse Wedding in Hillsborough NC

The secret is out. Hillsborough is one of the most sought-after spots in North Carolina for newlyweds and families looking to plant roots. If you’re considering an Orange County Courthouse wedding in Hillsborough NC, our team at Fancy This Photography has insider tips. We want to help you plan a seamless, stress-free day. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to walk you through the process.

It’s easy to see why more couples are choosing courthouse weddings over traditional ceremonies and receptions. They’re intimate, cost-effective, and free from the pressures of large-scale event planning. But let it be said here—courthouse weddings deserve professional photography, too! Your wedding day is a milestone, whether it happens in a courthouse or a place of worship, and Fancy This Photography would be honored to capture it.

The first group of images featured in this blog are from Samantha Tulenko and Kerry Martin’s real Orange County Courthouse wedding in July 2024, beautifully captured by Courtney Collins, a partner photographer with Fancy This Photography. Keep scrolling for more details on the legal requirements for getting married at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough NC.

Where to Get a Marriage License and Certificate in Hillsborough

The Register of Deeds office in Hillsborough, NC is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and certificates in Orange County. The office is located on the third floor of the Gateway Center Building at 228 S. Churton St.

Couples must complete an application and schedule an appointment before their Orange County Courthouse wedding in Hillsborough NC. To schedule a civil ceremony, contact the magistrate during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $20. For courthouse wedding ceremonies in Hillsborough, call (919) 644-4690. For Chapel Hill, call (919) 929-5707.

Know Before You Go: Orange County Courthouse Weddings

While the Orange County Courthouse previously hosted outdoor civil ceremonies, this option was discontinued in 2022. However, downtown Hillsborough still provides a beautiful setting for photos before or after your indoor ceremony. Capture candid moments under the large, historic tree in front of the current courthouse or in front of the old Orange County Courthouse, which has cool Grecian columns.

Samantha Tulenko and Kerry Martin’s Orange County Courthouse wedding took place in July 2024 and was beautifully captured by Courtney Collins, a partner photographer of Fancy This Photography.

To schedule a civil ceremony, contact the magistrate. For courthouse wedding ceremonies in Hillsborough, call (919) 644-4690. For Chapel Hill, call (919) 929-5707.

Orange County Courthouse Wedding Requirements

Couples must complete an application and schedule an appointment before their Orange County Courthouse wedding in Hillsborough NC. To arrange a civil ceremony, contact the magistrate during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $20. For ceremonies in Hillsborough, call (919) 644-4690. For Chapel Hill, call (919) 929-5707.

Once your date and time are set, here’s what you’ll need to bring:

• Identification: A valid ID for both partners (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or passport).

• Social Security Number for both partners.

Marriage License & Certificate Fees

Marriage license cost: $60, payable by cash, debit/credit card, money order, or certified bank check.

Marriage certificate cost: Available in person at the Register of Deeds office or by mail. Certified copies cost $10 each, and uncertified copies are 15 cents each.

License validity: Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance and can only be used within North Carolina. After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the Register of Deeds office.

Good news! Premarital physical exams or blood tests are not required.

To schedule a civil ceremony, contact the magistrate. For courthouse wedding ceremonies in Hillsborough, call (919) 644-4690. For Chapel Hill, call (919) 929-5707.

Here’s How It Goes: Orange County Courthouse Weddings

On your wedding day, meet your photographer, guests, and any other essential vendors at the Hillsborough Courthouse before your scheduled time. Take a moment to soak in the love and excitement. Fancy This Photography would love to be there to capture every beautiful moment.

After your arrival, check in with the magistrate, then head inside to pay the ceremony fee and sign your marriage license. Fancy This Photography’s team will discreetly document the experience as it unfolds. Once everything is in order, it’s time for your civil ceremony.

Photos by Courtney Collins, partner photographer of Fancy This Photography.

Samantha and Kerry’s North Carolina Love Story and Engagement

Samantha and Kerry first met as graduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill while competing on the club triathlon team. They remained close friends for years before their relationship turned romantic during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Kerry’s marriage proposal came as a surprise–even though the couple had already discussed a wedding timeline. In February 2024, Samantha had a rare free week between medical school rotations. Kerry suggested a trip, and she told him, “I’ll go anywhere, but you have to plan it because I don’t have time.”

Kerry understood the assignment. He planned an unforgettable surprise trip to Montreal and Quebec City, where he proposed to Samantha on an outdoor ice-skating trail nestled in a forest between the two cities.

“It was lightly snowing as we weaved in and out of the trees—completely magical!” Samantha recalls of the engagement on Feb. 18, 2024.

Wanting to keep their wedding simple and budget-friendly, the couple opted for an intimate courthouse ceremony.

“I was on a fairly inflexible timeline with medical school, and we didn’t feel like we needed a long engagement. I’ve always loved the idea of a chic courthouse wedding,” Samantha says. “We’ve lived in Carrboro for our whole relationship and wanted to get married at our local courthouse.”

Finding Fancy This Photography

While searching for inspiration, Samantha came across Fancy This Photography’s blog and was drawn to previous Hillsborough Courthouse weddings.

“I kept coming back to these because they really captured the energy I was looking for—especially the ones shot by Courtney,” she says. “We loved working with Courtney. She had the perfect energy for a wedding day and immaculate attention to detail, and our photos are perfect. We could not be happier with the decision!”

Samantha and Kerry’s Favorite Wedding Day Moments

• Getting ready at home with their sweet dog, Dory, an 8-year-old border collie/golden retriever mix, lying at the bride’s feet.

• Laughing about saying their vows to a magistrate through bulletproof glass in a cinder block hallway—and cherishing that private moment together when nothing else mattered.

• Seeing the "Just Married" sign and cans that a friend had secretly added to their getaway car.

• Popping into Weaver Street Market in wedding attire (at Courtney’s suggestion) to cool off.

• Enjoying every bite of food at Tesoro—especially when dessert after dessert kept arriving (there were maybe four in total?), each one better than the last.

For courthouse wedding ceremonies in Hillsborough, call (919) 644-4690. For Chapel Hill, call (919) 929-5707. Photo by Courtney Collins, a partner photographer with Fancy This Photography.

Hillsborough NC Weddings

Hillsborough, North Carolina is simply the best. No, seriously–we are obsessed with this soulful Southern town nestled along the Eno River. The historic district in downtown Hillsborough is the perfect backdrop for wedding, elopement or engagement photos. Best of all, the Orange County Courthouse sits in the heart of it all, just steps away from historic landmarks and scenic nature parks.

Before or after your civil ceremony, take a stroll with your wedding photographer down Churton Street. Old oak trees and brick buildings line the sidewalk, home to family-owned restaurants and art galleries, including fan-favorite Weaver Street Market. Picket fences and cobblestone roads add a whimsical, Americana vibe to wedding photos in Hillsborough. We especially love when couples include their pets in their wedding portraits!

Photo by Amanda Law, partner photographer of Fancy This Photography. Matt & Christine | Orange County Courthouse Wedding December 2024

Orange County Courthouse Wedding Photos by Amanda Law

The second group of images featured in this blog are from Christine and Matt’s real Orange County Courthouse wedding in December 2024, beautifully captured by Amanda Law, a partner photographer with Fancy This Photography.

To arrange a civil ceremony, contact the magistrate during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $20. For ceremonies in Hillsborough, call (919) 644-4690. For Chapel Hill, call (919) 929-5707.

Keep scrolling for more beautiful real wedding inspiration at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough NC.

Matt and Christine December 2024 - Hillsborough River Walk art sculpture - photo by Amanda Law, partner photographer of Fancy This Photography.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage

So, you had your dream Orange County Courthouse wedding in Hillsborough NC—now what? If you plan to change your name, you’ll need a certified copy of your marriage license.

• Social Security Administration: Present a certified copy of your marriage license to update your Social Security card.

• Department of Motor Vehicles: Bring a certified copy of your marriage license to the DMV to update your driver’s license. (Note: The DMV does not keep the copy.)

Orange County Courthouse Wedding Photos by Nikki Whitt Belch

The images featured in this final section of the blog are from Jeff and Sabrina’s real Orange County Courthouse wedding in July 2024, captured by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography. Cheers to love!

Fancy This Photography would be honored to capture your Orange County Courthouse wedding in Hillsborough NC. Click here to schedule a free consultation.

Jeff and Sabrina’s real Orange County Courthouse wedding took place in July 2024, captured by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography.

Jeff and Sabrina on the Riverwalk in Hillsborough, NC - July 2024, captured by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography.

Jeff and Sabrina on the Riverwalk and at The Wooden Nickel in Hillsborough, NC - July 2024, captured by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography.

Fancy This Photography would be honored to capture your Orange County Courthouse wedding in Hillsborough NC. Click here to schedule a free consultation.