Couples are naturally attracted by the secluded beauty and the laidback, leisurely pace that defines Hatteras Island’s culture. In an island wedding, the ocean provides the background music, barefoot brides are not uncommon, and the originality and uniqueness of a Hatteras Island ceremony is sure to be an event the couple and their guests will never forget.
Many couples choose Hatteras Island to steer clear of the complexities a big wedding can entail, and it’s easy to see why. The location alone can limit the guest list to close family and friends, because as far as destination weddings go, Hatteras Island is one of the most remote parts of the Outer Banks spanning 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and encompassing over 70 miles of natural seashore. But if your dream wedding is a relaxed, intimate, seaside gathering that’s truly unique, the results are well worth the travel.
Hatteras Island also has a wide variety of vendors who specialize in wedding party needs. There are several award winning Outer Banks photographers, catering businesses, upscale food and wine shops and equipment rental vendors. You can even find a spa, Avon’s Spa Koru, which can host private parties for the bride and her ladies. In essence, just because you feel a million miles away doesn’t mean the necessities that accompany a wedding are not available and easy to find.
The seclusion, leisurely pace, and boundless miles of natural seashore that Hatteras Island has to offer might lure you to celebrate your wedding island style.
Waterfront Ceremonies:
Offering one of the widest selections of natural settings, the most popular location for a Hatteras Island wedding is, of course, the beach. There are many ideal stretches of sand to choose from, but remember that all of Hatteras Island’s beaches are part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and a special use permit is required. Relax, it’s no big deal. A permit can cost as little as $100 and guidelines can be found on the web at www.nps.gov/caha/fees.html.
For an evening ceremony, there’s no better setting than the sunset backdrop of the Pamlico Sound. There are a number of different sound accesses all along the island, and for smaller parties, you may want to look into renting a soundfront rental home that allows weddings and provides a secluded soundside beach.
Of course, one of the most distinctive wedding locations is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. One of the most recognizable in the world for its black candy cane stripes, the lighthouse is a unique and treasured location for a wedding ceremony, sure to stay in the minds of the couple and guests alike. The lighthouse is part of the national seashore, so park service guidelines and the special use permit applies.
Home Ceremonies:
One of the largest benefits of a Hatteras style wedding is that the wedding party can stay and enjoy the post wedding festivities in an inviting vacation rental home. In response to the popularity of island weddings, Surf or Sound Realty has many premier vacation homes that welcome wedding parties and will host receptions, rehearsal dinners, and sometimes the wedding itself. Give us a call for a comprehensive guide of these homes, and any restrictions that may apply.
When you host the wedding at a rental home, the size of the party a home can accommodate is limited. Typically 50 people is the maximum for an event. You may also want to inquire about any available adjacent homes for your wedding party and guests’ accommodations during the week of the event.
If your wedding party is a perfect fit for a vacation rental home, a small reception at a premier home can truly be a wonderful experience. Many of our homes offer exceptional views, spacious decks, pools, comfortable and sophisticated furnishings, and all the amenities to make the event preparations an easy endeavor.
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