01/18/13

Calling All Brides!

As a new year gets underway, many newly engaged couples travel to the Outer Banks to participate in the OBX Wedding Expo, an annual event drawing a sizeable crowd of eager brides. Throughout the weekend, couples will have an opportunity to explore venues, speak with wedding vendors, and sample delicious cuisine! After attending the Expo, brides will have a better understanding of the many options that are available for a dream destination wedding along the shores of the Outer Banks!

Having options as to the way your special day will unfold is great! Once you start fine tuning the details of your wedding day, there are a few things to consider. …Where will the wedding ceremony take place? What time of day would you like to get married? Who will serve as your officiant? Will you have attendants?

In order to assist in the planning of that magical moment, Rev. Tanya Young, an experienced officiant on the Outer Banks, has this bit of advice for any bride planning a wedding at the beach during the warm summer months:

Your Outer Banks ceremony should be no longer than 30 minutes which would include the processional and recessional. Guests will start gathering on the oceanfront 15- 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and may want to linger afterwards. However, they should not be held on the beach any more than one hour due to the heat of the summer months. I would suggest between 6 and 7 p.m. for ceremonies June- August and 6 to 5 p.m. at all other times. Spring and fall are beautiful times and often ceremonies are held from 11 a.m. onward. A sunrise ceremony is also possible but should include a small amount of guests.

Be sure to check out Rev. Tanya Young’s website for many helpful resources for Outer Banks’ brides!

Congratulations and we’ll see you at the beach!


12/21/11

Hatteras Island Beach Weddings

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of strolling down an aisle of sand, reciting your nuptials with the ocean in the background, the waves as your music, and letting the sunrise or sunset provide the lighting for your wedding photos.

The beach is understandably the most popular site for Hatteras Island weddings, but before you kick off your sandals to take the plunge, remember that all Hatteras Island beaches are part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and some restrictions apply. Be sure you familiarize yourself with the wedding guidelines provided by the National Park Service. Those guidelines can be found here at the NPS website.

You will also need a special use permit to have your wedding at the beach or at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the most recognizable lighthouse in the world. Relax, a special use permit can cost as little as $100, and all information and guidelines can be found here at the NPS web site. You can also call 252-473-2111 for more information.