The Cotton Room Wedding Photography
Telling life’s stories with heart, creativity, and confidence.
The Cotton Room Wedding Photographer
The Cotton Room is one of Durham’s most iconic wedding venues, known for its industrial character, exposed brick, and downtown energy. Located in the heart of the city, it’s a favorite for couples who want a wedding day that feels modern, intentional, and rooted in place.
We photograph weddings at The Cotton Room with a documentary-first approach, focusing on real moments, natural movement, and clean composition. Our goal is to capture the energy of the space while keeping the focus on the people inside it.
What It’s Like to Photograph a Wedding at The Cotton Room
The Cotton Room has a strong personality, and that’s part of what makes it photograph so well. The exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, and large windows create depth and texture that give images a timeless, editorial feel without needing heavy styling.
From a photography perspective, this venue offers:
Beautiful natural light during the day
Dramatic contrast and atmosphere in the evening
Clean architectural lines that frame moments naturally
A layout that supports both intimate ceremonies and packed dance floors
Because the space is so visually distinct, knowing how to work with light and angles here makes a big difference.
Why Get Married at the Cotton Room in Durham, NC
Ceremony and Portrait Options at The Cotton Room
Ceremonies at The Cotton Room often take place indoors, allowing couples to lean fully into the industrial aesthetic. The brick walls and open floor plan create a warm, immersive environment that photographs beautifully from every angle.
For portraits, we love using:
The exposed brick as a textured backdrop
Window light for soft, natural portraits
Walking portraits that feel relaxed and unforced
Nearby downtown Durham streets for added variety
We keep portrait time efficient so couples can stay present and enjoy their guests.
Our Approach as The Cotton Room Wedding Photographers
Our style blends documentary storytelling with a subtle editorial touch. That balance pairs especially well with The Cotton Room’s industrial design.
When we photograph weddings here, we focus on:
Genuine moments over stiff posing
Clean, intentional framing
True-to-life color and consistent editing
Capturing the full experience, not just the highlights
The Cotton Room is a venue that rewards authenticity. When couples feel comfortable and present, the photos reflect that.
Our Wedding Prep Process
Step 1
Initial Consultation
We will have a short consultation to discuss your wedding details. We want to get to know YOU. This is the time that we can go over any details about your wedding, dream with you about what you are envisioning, and understand how to serve you and your partner on your wedding day.
Step 2
Get to Know You
We spend time together for an engagement session so we can really get to know you before the big day. An engagement session works two-fold. It serves as a stepping stone to get you ready for your big day (hello save-the-dates!) and we get to learn more about you and what makes you unique. We want to show up to your wedding day knowing how amazing of a couple you are, and we want to document it with you in mind first.
Step 3
Have a Perfect Day
Get excited for your big day and know that we will take care of preserving these memories with the utmost care. When you view your wedding gallery you will feel tears of happiness and excitement. Your wedding gallery will feel like everything you have ever imagined, and more.
Raving Reviews
“It’s hard to even put into words how joyful an experience working with Nikki & her team was for our wedding in April 2022. From our engagement photos at the Biltmore, my bridal session, wedding photography planning and then the actual shots captured on wedding day, Nikki over delivered beyond what I could imagine our photos to be. She captured our personal style, which can be a bit shy and composed, in a beautiful way. I would definitely hire Nikki again if I had to plan my wedding all over. One of our hardest decisions in newlywed life is narrowing down all of our amazing shots into a photo album!”
-Abigail
“Courtney photographed our intimate, backyard wedding and we absolutely loved her and Fancy This Photography! Not only were her photos INCREDIBLE, but she was kind and so easy to work with. Courtney and Nikki were an absolute pleasure to work with from the second we met them. They are responsive, thoughtful, and put my mind at ease for our big day. On the day of our wedding, Courtney was professional, punctual, funny, and so easy to work with. My entire family loved working with her and kept commenting how much they liked her. Our photos turned out stunning and we are so pleased Courtney was able to capture our wedding day and we will treasure those photos forever.
-Nell
“I cannot overstate enough how wonderful Fancy This is! We communicated with Nikki throughout our entire process from booking to our wedding day, worked with Sarah M for our engagement shoot, and both Sarah M and Sarah G for our wedding. They are all so friendly, helpful, and organized. Sarah M was especially great at helping us feel comfortable in front of the camera and both Sarahs were the perfect energy for our wedding day. We could not be happier with all of our pictures and would definitely recommend them to anyone!!”
-Mike
The Cotton Room Wedding Photographer
If you’re planning a wedding at The Cotton Room and want photography that feels honest, elevated, and grounded in real moments, we’d love to talk.
We photograph The Cotton Room with care, experience, and an understanding of how the space works best on a wedding day.
Contact Fancy This Photography to inquire about The Cotton Room wedding photography availability.