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!


01/9/12

Surf or Sound Realty Promotes Hatteras Island at the 2012 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend & Expo

Surf or Sound Realty was thrilled to promote Hatteras Island and to once again be part of the Outer Banks Wedding Weekend & Expo, held January 6-8. Hosted by the Outer Banks Wedding Association (OBWA), this has become one of the largest annual events in the Outer Banks and Surf or Sound Realty participated again this year to showcase our wedding event homes on Hatteras Island. From touring event homes and reception sites, to meeting the top wedding professionals in our area, this is a one of a kind experience for brides looking to have a fun, relaxed and affordable destination wedding on the Outer Banks!

“Due to its unique island appeal, natural beauty and variety of vacation homes that allow events, brides are asking for Hatteras Island specifically for their destination wedding,” says Jessica Perry, Marketing Director for Surf or Sound Realty. “It is an affordable escape to paradise!”

Island festivities began Saturday, January 7th. Our Avon office served as an Open House stop on the Wedding Tour with a selection of our premier Hatteras Island event homes featured on the Outer Banks Wedding Tour. Brides came to visit us at Bramasole, Hatteras Paradise and others to see how an Event Home can be the perfect setting for a destination wedding. Surf or Sound Realty representatives were on hand to happily answer any questions about these or any of our premier vacation homes.

On Sunday, January 8th, Surf or Sound Realty joined over 200 wedding vendors at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills for the grand Outer Banks Wedding Expo. Surf or Sound Realty has premier beach wedding event homes that can accommodate 40 guests in a party to beach wedding event homes that can accommodate 100 guests in a party as well as an Event Coordinator to assist brides and help further promote Hatteras Island as a wedding destination. Wedding groups bring additional revenue and travel which can benefit every business on the island and throughout the Outer Banks.

For more information about renting an event home for your wedding, family reunion or special celebration, contact the Surf or Sound Realty Event Coordinator today!
800-237-1138 x 122 | rent@surforsound.com.


12/28/11

Finding The Right Location For Your Hatteras Island Wedding

With miles of beautiful, natural background to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the perfect spot for your Hatteras Island wedding. You may want to keep the following locations in mind, but remember with so many miles of seashore, and dozens of dreamy vacation rental homes, your imagination is your only limit to choosing the ideal setting for your wedding and reception.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Find your favorite stretch of sand and say your nuptials Oceanfront or Soundfront. You can even choose a vacation rental home that’s just steps from the shore or a sandy sound beach for added convenience for the entire party. Just remember that as part of the National Seashore, some restrictions and a special use permit will apply. Visit the National Park Service website for more information.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: The breathtaking black and white candy cane striped landmark lighthouse provides the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. As part of the National Seashore, be sure you obtain a special use permit. Visit the National Park Service website for more information.

Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station: Want a ceremony and reception that’s truly unique? Explore the grounds of the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station. Built in 1874, the station provided 80 years of maritime service and history, and the property itself is a beautiful spread of the main station house, bordered by a white picket fence. Fees vary depending on the complexity of the wedding and/or reception. Visit the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station’s official website for details and contact information.

Kinnakeet Shores Oceanfront Beach Club: One of Hatteras Island’s newest reception sites, the Oceanfront Beach Club is an ideal setting to host a larger wedding or reception. With enough room for a 100 person sit-down function, and a second floor observation deck for front row views, the beach club is one of Hatteras Island’s best wedding reception facilities. Call (252) 995-3511 for more information.

Local Community Centers: Many local couples rely on the town community centers for a laid-back, Hatteras style wedding reception. For a nice, simple reception with a hometown feel, contact the local community centers in the different villages for information on renting the site for an afternoon. These centers include:

Rodanthe Waves, Salvo Community Center

Avon Fire House / Community Center

Hatteras Village Civic Center

Local Restaurants: For an intimate reception, many Hatteras Island restaurants can accommodate small wedding parties. For a list of area restaurants, visit the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce website or simply call or visit your favorite local restaurant for more information.

Vacation Rental Homes: Surf or Sound Realty offers a number of premier rental homes perfect for an intimate reception, and with all the amenities to make the festivities easy and enjoyable. Many homes have private pools, plenty of decking with views, spacious great rooms, first class kitchen facilities, wet bars, ice machines, and all the little features that comprise the perfect reception.


12/26/11

Tips For Having Your Wedding At A Vacation Rental Home

Bramasole Wedding

A Surf or Sound Realty vacation rental home can be a fabulous locale for a Hatteras Island wedding, rehearsal dinner, or reception. With all the amenities you’ll need for an exceptional event right at home, many couples find that rental home weddings are simpler and more laid back than the average wedding. Perhaps best of all, you can enjoy your home, and your vacation, long after the reception is over.

Before you book your dream home, however, there are a few key questions and tips to bear in mind as you browse through our portfolio of vacation homes that allow weddings and special events.

Think about the amenities you’ll need: Would it be convenient to have multiple wet bars or an elevator? Do you need easy access to the beach for an oceanfront ceremony? Jot down a list of the amenities that would be the most beneficial, and use it as a guideline as you narrow your search.

Think about benefits and restrictions: The joy of using a rental home for a wedding event is that it’s perfect for intimate wedding parties of a couple dozen family member and friends. Wedding homes are not conducive, however, for large affairs with several hundred guests. If your island wedding is a grand scale celebration, look into local island sites that cater to large events, and simply book a vacation home to enjoy before and after the celebration.

Think about accommodations for your guests: A benefit of having a wedding or reception at a vacation home is that many Surf or Sound Realty homes are grouped together in small communities and neighborhoods, making it easy for your guests to find accommodations for their visit. While booking your home, send an email or card to your guests letting them know where your vacation home is located, and allowing them to find appropriate lodgings nearby. Your guests can also call us at (800) 237-1138, and our vacation specialists will be happy to help them find the right rental home, near the ceremony or reception site, for their island stay.

Think about a second week: Because the majority of vacation rental homes are Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday rentals, it might be a good idea to book two weeks, giving the wedding party plenty of time to prepare before the ceremony, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy their vacation afterwards.

Above all else, consider what your dream wedding entails, and use that information to decide if a rental home is a good fit. If you’re planning an intimate island ceremony and reception that’s simple but tasteful, then a vacation rental home might just be the perfect fit.


12/21/11

Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo

The annual Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo will be held January 6-8, 2012. Hosted by the Outer Banks Wedding Association (OBWA), this has become one of the largest annual events in the Outer Banks and Surf or Sound Realty will participate again this year to showcase our wedding event homes on Hatteras Island. From touring event homes and reception sites, to meeting the top wedding professionals in our area, this is a one of a kind experience for brides looking to have a fun, relaxed and affordable destination wedding on the Outer Banks!

This year OBWA welcomes David Tutera of WE TV’s My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. During an exclusive cocktail reception on Saturday, January 7th, David Tutera will mingle with guests, take photos and answer questions with the audience. Don’t miss your chance to meet this Hollywood celebrity!

Tour Hatteras Island Event Homes
Island festivities start Saturday, January 7th. Our Avon office will be an Open House stop on the Wedding Tour with a selection of our premier Hatteras Island event homes featured on the Outer Banks Wedding Tour. Visit us at Bramasole, Hatteras Paradise and others and see how an Event Home can be the perfect setting for a destination wedding. Surf or Sound Realty representatives will be on hand to happily answer any questions about these or any of our premier vacation homes.
The tour is from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Feel free to stop by either our Avon office to request a map and wedding information, or simply look for the “Wedding Tour” signs along Highway 12.

Outer Banks Wedding Expo
On Sunday, January 8th, Surf or Sound Realty will join over 200 wedding vendors at the First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills for the grand Outer Banks Wedding Expo. Doors open at 11:00 a.m., and brides can stroll through the booths to browse and sample all that the Outer Banks Wedding Association members have to offer. Surf or Sound Realty invites all Outer Banks brides to come by our booth, #44, to learn more about our event homes and premier island accommodations, as well as enter for a chance to win a Surf or Sound beach gift basket.

We welcome all Outer Banks brides who are joining us for the 2012 expo, and look forward to making your Hatteras Island wedding a truly special and wonderful event. For the Outer Banks Wedding Expo schedule of events, or to order tickets online, visit the Outer Banks Wedding Association.

For more information about renting an event home for your wedding, family reunion or special celebration, contact the Surf or Sound Realty Event Coordinator today!
800-237-1138 x 122 | rent@surforsound.com


12/16/11

Wedding Vendors for Hatteras Island

Dreaming of a Hatteras Island wedding but not sure where to start? A common misconception is that an island ceremony and reception can be tricky, as there are limited vendors available. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are a variety of vendors specializing in event planning, equipment rentals, wedding cakes, photography, flowers, catering, and all the professionals you’ll need to make your special day on the beach picture perfect. Continue reading


12/29/10

Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo

The annual Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo will be held January 7-9, 2011. Hosted by the Outer Banks Wedding Association, this has become one of the largest annual events in the Outer Banks and Surf or Sound Realty will participate again this year to showcase our wedding event homes on Hatteras Island. From touring event homes and reception sites, to meeting the top wedding professionals in our area, this is a one of a kind experience for brides looking to have a fun, relaxed and affordable destination wedding on the Outer Banks!

Tour Hatteras Island Event Homes
Island festivities start Saturday, January 8th, with a selection of our premier Hatteras Island event homes featured on the Outer Banks Wedding Tour. Visit us at these homes, Bramasole, Nautilus, Rising Sun, Island Time Paradise and see how an Event Home can be the perfect setting for a destination wedding. Surf or Sound Realty representatives will be on hand to happily answer any questions about these or any of our premier vacation homes.
The tour is from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Feel free to stop by either our Salvo or Avon office to request a map and wedding information, or simply look for the “Wedding Tour” signs along Highway 12.

Outer Banks Wedding Expo
On Sunday, January 9th, Surf or Sound Realty will join 170 wedding vendors at the First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills for the grand Outer Banks Wedding Expo. Doors open at 11:00 a.m., and brides can stroll through the booths to browse and sample all that the Outer Banks Wedding Association members have to offer. Surf or Sound Realty invites all Outer Banks brides to come by our booth, #44, to learn more about our event homes and premier island accommodations, as well as enter for a chance to win a Surf or Sound beach gift basket.

We welcome all Outer Banks brides who are joining us for the 2011 expo, and look forward to making your Hatteras Island wedding a truly special and wonderful event. For the Outer Banks Wedding Expo schedule of events, or to order tickets online, visit the Outer Banks Wedding Association.

For more information about renting an event home for your wedding, family reunion or special celebration, contact the Surf or Sound Realty Event Coordinator today!
800-237-1138 x 122 | rent@surforsound.com


08/7/09

Locals show visiting couple the meaning of Hatteras Island Hospitality

On Thursday, August 7th, a small group of local residents showed a visiting couple from West Virginia the true meaning of Hatteras Island hospitality.

Brian and Melissa had come to Hatteras Island expecting a low key but lovely wedding with their relatives and minister at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, but as the day arrived, they discovered the disheartening news that nobody in their party except for their niece, daughter, and the bride’s brother and sister-in-law would be able to come. Continue reading