As a Raleigh wedding photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph weddings at some of the most beautiful venues in the Triangle. One location that continues to stand out is The Upchurch — a top wedding venue located in Cary, North Carolina. Nestled just minutes from Raleigh, this historic property offers a blend of elegant Southern character and modern event design. All this makes it a dream backdrop for timeless and elegant wedding photography.
Why The Upchurch Is One of the Best Wedding Venues Near Raleigh
Originally built in 1905, The Upchurch has been carefully restored to serve as one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the Raleigh–Durham area. The venue sits on several manicured acres and offers multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces, including:
- Magnolia Lawn — a lush ceremony space surrounded by beautiful magnolia trees
- The Conservatory — a bright, spacious, and modern reception space with stunning natural light
- The Historic Main House — full of character, perfect for getting ready, portraits, and first looks
- Expansive Patio + Grounds — beautifully designed and maintained grounds, ideal for cocktail hour, family photos, and golden-hour photos
Photographer’s Perspective
From a photography standpoint, the venue offers clean light, architectural interest, and versatile scenery — all essential ingredients for editorial-style wedding imagery.
I absolutely love photographing weddings and events at The Upchurch—not just for its stunning and versatile aesthetic, but for the incredible people behind the venue. Owner Cara Powell has thoughtfully curated a preferred vendor list that reflects her high standards for professionalism, artistry, and client care. Anyone who met and worked with the director of Operations, Hannah Vestal, will agree that her dedication to client satisfaction, diligence, and attention to detail plays an important role in the success of the Upchurch. As a result, every celebration I photograph there runs seamlessly. The vendors are collaborative, the staff is attentive, and everyone is genuinely invested in creating the best possible experience for the clients. It’s a place where teamwork isn’t just talked about—it’s felt. Working at The Upchurch is truly a joy!
Without a doubt, one of my favorite things about The Upchurch is how many beautiful photo opportunities it offers throughout the property. From the historic main house, magnolia lawn, and charming porches, to the elegant reception hall and quiet wooded corners—there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops. Whether I’m capturing intimate first looks, family portraits, or golden-hour couple photos, the venue gives me an incredible variety of settings without ever having to leave the grounds. It’s a photographer’s dream and a huge perk for couples who want timeless, cohesive images all in one location.
Vendor Team Spotlight
The Planning Team
A huge part of what made this particular wedding day flow so beautifully was the coordination team. Eddie McDaniel Events team provided exceptional planning and event management, ensuring the timeline stayed on track and the couple could remain present throughout their celebration.
Working with a seasoned wedding coordinator elevates both the guest experience and the creative process. Eddie’s professionalism, calm demeanor, and attention to detail helped create a relaxed environment that allowed me to focus fully on capturing this amazing wedding.
The Catering Team
Rocky Top Catering is the in-house caterer for the Upchurch. It plays an important part in making weddings and events hosted there a great success! The locally owned and operated company has been devoted to hospitality for over 20 years. They are fully committed to local leadership, studying food and service trends, and listening to customer needs. Without a doubt, they take a tailored approach to every client they serve!
The Rentals
Rental products were provided by Party Reflections, a top choice for event rental products and services in Nort Carolina. Their extensive event rental product line inspired the bride and groom to plan and envision their unique celebration. Party Reflection’s extensive catalog of event rentals has it all! From stylish linens, classy tabletop items, staging, dance floors, bars, draping, to tenting and much more!
The Florist
English Garden Florals did an amazing job designing the bridal bouquets and florals for this amazing wedding. I love photographing flowers and capturing their natural beauty. This exceptional florist amazes me each time, creating outstanding designs that are so fun to capture.
The Dj
All guests had an amazing time dancing the night away with tunes by Making Memories DJ. The music choices were perfect for the younger crowd, including kids, as well as the older folks. Everyone had the best time, and the dance floor was rarely empty!
The Dessert
Andia Ice Cream was a great choice for a unique dessert option. It was very popular among the wedding guests. I must admit, I was lucky enough to try their ice cream before! I can tell why the line was long, as this delicious dessert is hard to resist!
As the Upchurch Cary Wedding Photographer, I appreciate when the wedding vendors work together to bring the wedding couple’s vision to life! Teamwork is extremely important during special events like weddings. This vendor team made this wedding a dream!
Bride & Groom Who Trusted the Creative Vision
One of the things that made this wedding so memorable was how much the bride and groom trusted my artistic direction. They were open, collaborative, and excited to create beautiful imagery together — which is every photographer’s dream.
Because they placed full confidence in my vision, the creative process felt effortless. We moved through portraits, candid moments, and editorial-style scenes with complete fluidity. That sense of trust always translates into the final gallery. You can see it in the natural expressions, relaxed body language, and the overall emotion of the images. The bride and groom had this amazing chemistry that was rooted in deep respect and a beautiful friendship. All that mixed with the love and affection for each other was a perfect recipe for beautiful, natural-looking photos.
The creative shots
After capturing all of the must-have shots, for instance, the traditional portraits, family groupings, and documentary-style moments—I like to carve out time for more artistic imagery. These are the photos that feel a little extra creative and adventurous. That’s why they often end up being some of my favorites in a couple’s gallery. Lately, I’ve been incorporating the popular “intentional blur” technique, which, when done well, creates an artful, romantic look full of motion and emotion. It’s such a fun way to showcase the energy of the day in a more editorial style. I always appreciate when my couples are excited to trust my vision, and just enjoy the moment while we create together—because that’s when the magic really happens.
As I mentioned, The Upchurch has many beautiful photo opportunities! These include a beautiful outdoor space, full of lush greenery and mature trees. One of my go-to shots is photographing through the greenery. Although the focus is still on the bride and groom, it makes it more interesting to incorporate the beautiful magnolia trees in the foreground. While I still take the classic, “clean” shot of them kissing during the sunset hour, I like to include this type of artsy shot as well.
About Magdalena Stefanek Photography
I specialize in creating elegant, timeless, and emotive wedding imagery for couples in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond. I love to travel, so destination weddings are always an exciting experience! My style mostly blends photojournalism with editorial portraiture. Capturing real moments as they unfold while also crafting beautiful, intentional portraits that stand the test of time.
My mission is to provide couples with an exceptional photography experience rooted in timeless, authentic, and photojournalistic storytelling. I focus on creating imagery that is natural, candid, and elegant—capturing genuine emotion and meaningful connections that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. From the intimate moment you exchange vows to the lively celebration that follows, my goal is to curate a heartfelt visual narrative that reflects the love, joy, and atmosphere of your day.
I believe the most memorable wedding photography comes from true collaboration between the photographer and the couple. That’s why I invest time in getting to know my clients, understanding their vision, and tailoring my approach to their unique preferences. My style blends editorial sophistication with documentary authenticity, ensuring your gallery feels both polished and deeply personal.
Without a doubt, weddings like this one at The Upchurch are a perfect example of how collaborative vendor teams, trusted artistic partnerships, and a breathtaking venue can create an unforgettable photography experience. To sum up, as the Upchurch Cary Wedding Photographer, I am honored to capture love stories at this stunning wedding venue!
Planning a Wedding at The Upchurch in Cary, NC?
If you’re searching for:
- a Raleigh wedding photographer experienced with The Upchurch,
- a Cary NC wedding venue that blends history with modern charm, or
- a vendor team dedicated to elevating your wedding day experience,
As the Upchurch Cary Wedding Photographer, I would love to connect with you.
Visit my portfolio at Magdalena Stefanek Photography or reach out to inquire about availability. I’m always honored to document love stories across the Triangle and beyond.
