The local Outer Banks wedding scene has flourished over the past few years as more and more couples fall in love with the barrier island backdrop, and businesses respond with a host of services that can make the dream beach wedding a breezy reality. With annual expos that bring couples and local vendors together, a suite of reputable businesses that cater to weddings, and some of the most gorgeous sites on the Eastern Seaboard, it's no surprise that the Outer Banks is becoming the venue of choice for destination weddings.
Organizing a wedding in any setting can be daunting, but with a little planning and a little assistance from the innumerable local vendors, OBX brides-to-be will soon discover that orchestrating the perfect Outer Banks wedding can be, essentially, a day at the beach. The following tips for finding vendors, venues and other services will help Outer Banks couples obtain the resources required for the perfect OBX event.
Boutiques
The Outer Banks has a small collection of boutiques that specialize in wedding dresses, tuxedos, and other proper wedding attire, but the region really shines when it comes to jewelry, gifts and decor. When it comes to sea-themed bridesmaids' presents, guest favors, or intricate tabletop settings, couples need only to check out the many gift shops and boutiques where plenty of coastal treasures can be found. The Outer Banks' jewelry stores will be especially inviting for beachy brides, and art galleries throughout the islands are also good places to find one-of-a-kind, beach inspired pieces.
Caterers and Chefs
Virtually every region of the Outer Banks has a local selection of chefs and caterers who are happy to set-up and serve delicious fare at virtually any reception site. (There are even Outer Banks caterers and chefs who can accommodate off-road sites, including Carova which is only accessible by a 4WD vehicle.) Many of these catering businesses are offshoot enterprises of some of the Outer Banks' top restaurants, and can cater to sites within a 50 mile range or so. In addition, Outer Banks caterers and chefs are more than happy to assist with menu planning, and tweak or create dishes that can cater to a wide variety of tastes and budgets.
Couples can enjoy a sample of the local wedding fare by attending the Outer Banks Wedding Expo in January or the Taste of the Beach celebration in March, or can simply schedule a consultation with a local chef, caterer or restaurant for sample menus. Be sure and add plenty of seafood to your Outer Banks reception, as this coastal region is renowned for fresh catches, and the seafood dishes are always a highlight of any OBX wedding reception.
DJ Services
The Outer Banks is home to more than a dozen local DJs who are happy to cater to wedding receptions and special events. Though the majority of local disc jockeys are concentrated in the central Outer Banks communities of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk, most DJs are perfectly happy to travel to any reception site along the Outer Banks. Best of all, local DJs are accustomed to beachside and outdoor receptions, and can bring all the equipment required to make any reception a dance party, regardless of the setting. From sound and lighting systems to portable dance floors, the Outer Banks DJs are adept at traveling to remote OBX locales to get the party started.
Florists
There are nearly a dozen local florists and decor specialists who can help couples create the perfect setting for a beach-themed wedding. From decorative seashell touches to regal bouquets, these island professionals have all the tools required to add a dose of the beach to any Outer Banks wedding. While specialty flowers can be imported throughout the year with advanced notice, brides may want to inquire about local flowers for an authentic touch to a bouquet or floral table setting. Firewheels, hydrangeas, oleanders and azaleas are all popular local flowers that thrive in the salty, warm Outer Banks climate.
Ministers and Officiants
There are a surprisingly wide range of options when it comes to selecting Outer Banks officiants. Brides and grooms who want a religious ceremony in a traditional church setting will find dozens of churches in virtually all major denominations, as well as a number of interdenominational churches, in virtually every area along the Outer Banks coastline. Couples are urged to contact their local church and minister of choice well in advance to both reserve the church / chapel, and schedule a time to meet with the overseeing minister.
There are also a number of non-denominational local officiants who specialize solely in Outer Banks weddings, and who can accommodate special ceremony requests. The "sand ceremony," where two glasses of different colored sand are poured into a single vase by the bride and groom, is an especially popular OBX ceremony element that perfectly ties together the new couple's union with the beach backdrop. Be sure and ask your local officiant of choice for suggestions, themes, and any other recommendations to ensure your wedding ceremony perfectly captures the romance and significance of the occasion.
Photographers
There are dozens of Outer Banks photographers who take inspiration from the local scenery and transform this beautiful backdrop into impeccable, and simply memorable, wedding photos. Because the local photographers have an intricate knowledge of the best lighting and settings for the area, brides and grooms are encouraged to "go local" when selecting a wedding photographer.
Many local photographers will have beautiful and nearby settings in mind that can be easily accessed, but will provide an extra striking element to wedding photos. It's not unusual for the wedding party to make a short trip to the beach, the soundfront, or even a local dock or maritime setting for a photo shoot with a natural appeal. Best of all, because there are a healthy number of photographers on the OBX, virtually every region from Corolla to Ocracoke has local professionals who specialize in that particular Outer Banks area, and who know all the "secret" and secluded spots which can serve as fantastic backdrops. Just be sure to call well in advance, as the best of the best photographers tend to book up early during the height of the OBX wedding season, (May through September.)
Reception Sites
Many couples are initially concerned that the Outer Banks is too quiet and isolated to cater to larger, elaborate receptions, but in fact virtually every region has a healthy handful of reception sites that are nothing short of enchanting. From intimate celebrations at a pristine rental home to a grand celebration in a decadent ballroom, these reception sites can effortlessly cater to parties of all sizes and styles.
- Country Clubs - The Outer Banks and the Currituck County mainland are home to a number of local golf courses that boast extensive club houses, picturesque grounds, and expansive facilities that can comfortably seat 100 guests or more. In addition, these country clubs may also feature extensive kitchen and dining areas, ballrooms or dancing areas, and / or soundfront or waterfront outdoor settings for the ceremony itself. The Pointe Golf Club in Currituck County, Duck Woods Country Club, and Nags Head Golf Links, (all Outer Banks Wedding Association Members), are just a few of the local country club sites that are happy to provide a gorgeous backdrop to an elegant and extensive wedding reception.
- Resorts / Hotels - There are a number of resorts and hotels that can accommodate wedding receptions of all sizes and budgets. Smaller establishments like the Inn at Pamlico Sound in Buxton have on-site catering available, covered gathering areas, and beautiful soundfront backdrops, while larger hotels and resorts, like the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk, boast grand ballrooms and large gathering spaces that can accommodate 200 guests or more. Each region has its own collection of resorts and hotels, and spring and summertime couples are advised to call their venue of choice well in advance to secure a reception site. Best of all, because the local resorts and hotels can also reserve blocks of rooms for the wedding party, guests won't have to travel too far after the reception to get back to their accommodations.
- Vacation Rental Homes - With gourmet kitchens, expansive great rooms, and stunning oceanside or soundside locales, vacation rental homes can be an ideal setting for an intimate but posh wedding reception. Caterers can often utilize the kitchen and cooking areas with ease, while outdoor poolside decks or covered porches can provide extra room for an overflow of guests. Every region from Carova to Hatteras Village has vacation rentals that can accommodate weddings, and couples can simply contact their preferred local property management company for more information on vacation rentals that welcome wedding receptions.
- Special Event Sites - With a steadily growing number of weddings in the OBX area, several local businesses on the Outer Banks have set up sites that are designed especially with weddings and grand events in mind. These sites, like the Spa Koru Beach Club in Avon, Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo, or Pelicans Landing in Corolla can cater to a large number of people, and may have special facilities designed to accommodate caterers, DJs, and other reception essentials. These venues tend to book quickly, so be sure and contact the site's manager or event coordinator well in advance to reserve the locale for a full day (and night) of post-wedding celebrations.
- Community Centers - Virtually every town and / or region along the Outer Banks has their own community center which can be rented for personal use, including a wedding reception. Ideal for larger wedding parties, community centers generally have a large kitchen or cooking area, ample space for dancing, and are fantastic options for enjoyable receptions regardless of the weather. A community Center is an especially good venue for weddings in more isolated regions, like Hatteras and Ocracoke, where accommodating 100 guests or more can be challenging.
Cakes
There are professional bakers in every region of the Outer Banks who specialize in beachy wedding cakes. While some local restaurants and caterers may have cake specialists on hand, the majority of cake providers are local bakeries or entrepreneurs who put their great taste to good use for destination wedding couples. Because the demand can be high, couples are encouraged to contact local bakers well in advance to secure their wedding cake. Many local bakers are also adept at adding beach-worthy accoutrements, like sugary sand, chocolate seashells, or deck chair or flip-flop wedding cake toppers. Ask to see a portfolio, or ask what coastal themes that a baker can integrate into a gorgeous Outer Banks wedding cake design.
Ceremony Sites
Virtually any stretch of shoreline on the Outer Banks can serve as a stunning setting for an Outer Banks beach wedding, and couples will find a number of options when it comes to selecting a ceremony backdrop. From local churches to romantic gardens, every bride and groom will surely be able to find a unique locale to make a beach wedding their own. With that being said, there are a few ceremony sites that tend to be popular with destination wedding couples, and which are found throughout the Outer Banks.
- Local Lighthouses - Couple are welcome to have a ceremony in front of three of the Outer Banks towering lighthouses, including the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, and the Bodie Island Lighthouse just south of Nags Head. For Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses, a special use permit is required from the National Park Service, which manages these two sites. Currituck Beach Lighthouse ceremonies will also require plenty of advance notice, and a fee may also be involved.
- Whalehead in Historic Corolla / Historic Corolla Park - Arguably one of the most elite outdoor settings, the 1920s-era Whalehead in Historic Corolla and neighboring Historic Corolla Park, which borders the Currituck Sound, are both upscale and romantic sites, with ample room for larger ceremonies. Contact the Whalehead in Historic Corolla via their website at https://www.visitwhalehead.com/ for more information on weddings, including fees, reservations and FAQs.
- Elizabethan Gardens - Manteo's Elizabethan Gardens are stunning year-round, and especially in the spring and summer months when the roses, hydrangeas, and other local flowers are in full bloom. The Elizabethan Gardens has several outdoor and indoor sites to choose from when it comes to weddings, from the grand lawn to the intimate rose garden, and rates vary by both site, time of year, and number of attendees. Visit the Elizabethan Gardens at http://elizabethangardens.org/ for an overview of its altogether romantic wedding sites, and what's in bloom by season.
- Local Piers - For a completely unique ceremony site that's miles away from the ordinary, contact a local Outer Banks fishing pier. Several Piers, like the Jennette's Pier in Nags Head and the Kitty Hawk Pier, (which is managed by the Hilton Garden Inn), can accommodate smaller wedding parties and can even reserve a portion or all of the pier specifically for wedding ceremonies and events. Not all piers can accommodate weddings, and some may close in the winter months, so be sure and call ahead well in advance to ask about availability, rates and local policies.
- Churches and Chapels - There are more than 50 churches on the Outer Banks, which are located in every village from Corolla to Ocracoke, and which represent virtually all faiths. Some churches are historic icons, dating back 100 years or more, while others are simply beautiful settings with soundfront locales or sprawling cathedral interiors. Couples are simply advised to contact their local church ahead of time for availability, meet the minister as needed, and ensure that the church allows non-membership weddings (although most churches on the Outer Banks are happy to cater to destination wedding couples.)
- County Clubs - The central Outer Banks and the Currituck County mainland are home to several golf courses and country clubs that can cater to weddings for non-club members. These establishments are great choices for larger wedding parties, and often offer a number of both indoor and outdoor ceremony sites to choose from. Local Outer Banks Wedding Association members, like The Pointe Golf Club in Currituck County, Duck Woods Country Club, and Nags Head Golf Links, may also have event specialists on staff to help couples plan the perfect wedding day.
- Resorts and Hotels - The central and northern Outer Banks, (from Nags Head to Corolla), are home to a number of large resorts and hotels which can provide indoor and outdoor accommodations for wedding parties of all sizes. Establishments like the Hilton Garden Inn, Sea Ranch Resort, The Currituck Club and Sanderling Resort are accustomed to hosting ceremonies and are happy to help couples determine the perfect setting, (as well as accommodations) for their Outer Banks wedding ceremony.
- Vacation Rental Homes - Many of the Outer Banks' elite vacation rental homes allow weddings, and can often be a perfect backdrop for smaller ceremonies of up to 75 people. Properties that allow wedding ceremonies are often 5-6 bedrooms or more, and may even offer multiple indoor and outdoor venues to choose from, such as a soundfront dock or soundfront beach backyard, or an indoor oceanview great room. Couples will just want to be sure that the property they are renting is wedding or special event-friendly, and will want to touch base with the property management company beforehand to see if any extra fees and / or security despots apply.
- Soundfront - The soundfront is an ideal backdrop for evening weddings, as the sun setting over the Pamlico Sound provides a perfectly romantic environment that is quintessentially Outer Banks. Couples can contact local soundfront establishments, like the Inn on Pamlico Sound, for a posh and catered backdrop, or can find a stretch of soundfront beach along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, like Canadian Hole or Kite Point in between Avon and Buxton, for a completely wild but beautiful atmosphere. Just be sure to secure a special use permit from the National Park Service before holding a ceremony on the publish Cape Hatteras National Seashore soundside beaches.
- Beachfront - The Atlantic shoreline is the most popular locale for wedding ceremonies on the Outer Banks, and for good reason. With well more than 100 miles of beaches from Carova to Ocracoke, (and much of it uncrowded and unpopulated), the OBX is the ideal destination for a romantic beach wedding. Couples are advised to have a back-up ceremony locale just in case of inclement weather, and certain towns or regions may have specific rules for holding a wedding on their region's respective beaches. Contact the individual town for information on beach weddings in the central and northern Outer Banks, (Nags Head to Corolla), and visit the National Park Services website at http://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm for weddings on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
Equipment Rentals
Many of the same local Outer Banks businesses that provide vacation rentals - like watersports gear and beach equipment - also carry a suite of equipment designed for wedding receptions, ceremonies, and special events of all sizes. Equipment can range from chairs and alters to portable tents and dance floors, and can even be delivered and set-up on site for a small extra fee. Every region of the Outer Banks can be accommodated, and local vendors are often happy to drop off and pick up the equipment, saving a harried couple hours of time. Contact local equipment vendors with multiple Outer Banks offices, like Ocean Atlantic Rentals or Moneysworth Rentals, for an overview of inventory and prices.
Limos and Transportation
There are several limousine services for couples, which are primarily located in the central Outer Banks region of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, as well as taxi services in every OBX town to ensure that wedding guests get home safe and sound. Elaborate transport services should be booked well in advance, and couples who are holding a wedding in the Carova area will want to arrange for guest transport as the area is only accessible via a 4WD vehicle. (Luckily, arranging for special event transport is not uncommon, and there are plenty of shuttle / taxi services for Carova brides and grooms to utilize.)
Musicians
From string quartets to classic rock bands, couples will find dozens of musicians that can set the stage for a perfect wedding. There are nearly a dozen local musicians who are members of the Outer Banks Wedding Association and are accustomed to performing the wedding standards, and many local bands and performers are also happy to play for private parties. Because the Outer Banks has such an impressive music scene, couples will have little trouble finding a local soloist or group who can provide an entertaining, fun, or purely romantic vibe for an Outer Banks wedding or reception.
Planners
Planning an Outer Banks wedding can be tricky for visitors who are not familiar with the local vendors and sites that can accommodate special events. Thankfully, there are a number of local Outer Banks wedding planners who are both familiar with local businesses and sites, and who can help plan the perfect wedding day while removing the stress of extensive wedding planning. Virtually every region of the Outer Banks has a handful of wedding planners who are familiar with the vendors who service the area, and brides and grooms can simply call or email the planner directly to schedule a consultation to outline their perfect OBX wedding day.
Videographers
Like photographers, the local OBX videographers are experts at capturing the perfect shots that encapsulate the very best of the Outer Banks environment. Each region has its own handful of local videographers that specialize in the beautiful settings of the individual area, and videographers should be reserved well in advance to ensure availability for a popular spring or summer wedding date.
