Tag Archives: Hatteras Island Weddings

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!

01/19/12

Hatteras Island Information

We have compiled area information, attractions, things to do, driving directions, ideas and tips for an unforgettable island vacation full of fun, love and relaxation!

Still need to book your vacation home on Hatteras Island? No worries! Call or email our Event Coordinator and let her know what wedding you are with. She is happy to help you find the perfect accommodations! Toll free (800) 237-1138 | rent@surforsound.com Now, on to the fun stuff!


Entertaining the Entourage

It doesn’t get any better than a week at the beach. Below are a list of local Hatteras Island activities and attractions that are perfect for just the bridal party, the groomsmen or the whole group all together!


Shopping

Hatteras Island offers a variety of cute boutiques, unique art galleries and more! Visit Indian Town Gallery with the girls for one of their sea glass wrapping workshops. You get to take a piece of authentic sea glass and make it into a custom piece of jewelry to keep. Classes and prices vary throughout the season, so please be sure to call ahead at (252)995-5181.

The local surf shops, from REAL Watersports to Kitty Hawk Kites, offer a selection of men’s, women’s and kids’ clothing. Stop in for a cute summer dress, flip-flops, or matching sunglasses for the wedding party to sport in fun photos on the big day!


Spa Day

Whether looking for pampering or painted nails, a visit to one of our area spas offers the perfect dose of relaxation and rejuvenation! The In Touch Massage and Wellness Center offers a selection of facials, body and foot massages and acupuncture as well as Jane Iredale Make up and Eminence organic skin care. Make your appointments today at (252)995-4067. Spa Koru, also on the island, is a spa, fitness center and salon, offering everything from massages to hair styling, manicures and pedicures.


Adventure Chic

Okay, girls, we know you just wanna’ have fun! The latest water sport to make a splash on Hatteras Island is Stand Up Paddle boarding, more commonly called “SUP.” If surfing doesn’t sound like your thing, and body boarding the waves onto shore sounds like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen, then SUP is just the activity to get you comfortably out on the water! Stop in one of the locally-owned surf shops, like FOX Watersports, to rent the board and paddle and get a quick how-to lesson. It’s pretty simple, really fun and the views from the board are amazing!


The Boys’ Club

With close friends and family on the island for the big day, what a better chance to get the guys together and head out for an unforgettable day of fishing the gulf stream! For avid anglers or first time fishermen, it is really an awesome experience. Hatteras Island is known as the “billfish capital of the world” for the Blue Marlin, White Marlin and Sailfish caught offshore. Depending on the time of year, you will also catch colorful Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna and Mackerel. Call Captain Jay with Bite Me Sportfishing and book your private charter today (252) 996-0295. Hatteras Island offshore fishing is a guaranteed good time for the guys!


Something for Everyone

Check out these unique island activities for even more fun, sun and adventure!


Kayaking

Try a Kayak Eco-Tour with Kitty Hawk Kites or rent a kayak from Ocean Atlantic Rentals and head out to explore the canals and waterways that lead to the beautiful Pamlico Sound. Many of the Day Use areas on the soundside of Highway 12 have pull-outs with parking and shallow areas to easily launch a kayak.


Parasailing

Looking for a different perspective of Hatteras Island? Try Parasailing in the Pamlico Sound. Even if you prefer watching, rather than parasailing, it is still a fun adventure to head out on the boat together.


Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding on the beach can be a fun group activity or, if you prefer, head out there with your significant other and enjoy a romantic guided ride on the beach! Equine Adventures can accommodate up to 10 riders per trip. Give them a call for more details and information (252)995-4897. They also offer photography options to capture the fun memories!


Dolphin Cruise

Looking for something that everyone in the group can do? Head out on the Miss Hatteras Head Boat at Oden’s Dock for a Dolphin Cruise! The trips run Wednesday through Friday, 6 to 7 PM. Each trip accommodates 80 people and seats fill up fast!


Aerial Sightseeing Tours

We hope you left your fear of heights at home, because seeing the island and ocean from the sky is one trip you will never forget! Outer Banks Air Tours offers a bird’s eye view of Hatteras Island so grab one or two friends and schedule your flight with Dwight Burrus today!


Historical Attractions & Museums

If museums, history and mystery are more your speed, then you are in the right place! Hatteras Island is full of historical significance from the colonization of America, war battles at sea, shipwrecks, pirates and more!


The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
 Celebrating, discovering and displaying our island’s rich maritime history, The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is located in Hatteras village just south of the ferry docks. The rough shoals off our coast made seafaring very dangerous for old sailing vessels and thus this became known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” due to the amount of shipwrecks. Admission is free to the public and donations are appreciated.


Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

Located in Rodanthe, the Chicamacomico Historical Association’s purpose is to restore, preserve and interpret the buildings and history of Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, as well as the U.S. Life-Saving Service (USLSS) and its successor, the U.S. Coast Guard. This location has one of only two 1874 USLSS stations in the nation that are open to the public. The historical site offers programs in the summer from the filming of the “Nights in Rodanthe” movie to the mystery of the lost colony.


Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The world’s tallest brick lighthouse, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is an iconic symbol of Hatteras Island. The lighthouse is open for climbing from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day and the view from the top is well worth the 248 steps to get there! If climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is not for you, the visit itself is still very memorable and offers a great location for photos! Also, full moon tours and evening climbs are offered on select nights.


Day Trip to Ocracoke Island

Drive your car onto the free ferry to neighboring Ocracoke Island, home to the second oldest operational lighthouse in the United States. Only 13 miles long, Ocracoke Island has a charming village with little shops and restaurants that can be easily explored on foot or by rental bike or golf cart. Stop in Howard’s Pub for a vast selection of beer, a good meal and a fun atmosphere!


Family Beach Portraits

With close friends, family and loved ones together on vacation, it is the perfect time to get professional family photos at the beach, which make great holiday cards! Maybe the wedding photographer is available one day before or after the wedding. They will be so busy the day of the wedding that it is almost impossible to get every picture that you want and still have a great time with friends!
There are some great family beach photographers on the Outer Banks that know the best time, the best lighting and the best places to capture those special memories and moments. Local photographer, Daniel Pullen and his wife are team photographers with a passion for family, fun and everything naturally stunning about Hatteras Island. danielpullenphotography.com
Definitely take time to capture these special memories at the beach, you will be so glad you did!


Helpful Resources

From maps to travel information, click the links below so you can easily find your way to fun!

Hatteras Island Map

Driving Directions

Cape Hatteras Weather

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.

01/14/10

The 2010 Outer Banks Wedding Expo was one of the biggest and best yet

On Sunday, January 10, Surf or Sound Realty representatives welcomed hundreds of soon-to-be brides and grooms and their families at the 2010 Outer Banks Wedding Expo at the First Flight Middle School in Kill Devil Hills. The 2010 expo was one of the biggest yet, with more than 100 vendors ranging from caterers to wedding planners, photographers to musicians, all offering visiting brides a taste of the Outer Banks wedding experience. Continue reading →

01/6/10

Welcome Hatteras Island Brides to the 2010 Wedding Expo!

Surf or Sound Realty is delighted to welcome Hatteras Island brides as we participate in the 2010 Outer Banks Wedding Expo. The island festivities start Saturday, January 9th, with two of our premier vacation rental homes featured in the Outer Banks Wedding Tour. Continue reading →

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 →

01/7/09

Visit Surf or Sound Realty at the Outer Banks Wedding Expo and Wedding Tour

The Outer Banks Wedding Expo is being held January 10-11, and Surf or Sound Realty is delighted to be a part of the region’s largest wedding expo of 2009.

On Saturday, January 10th, we invite brides-to-be and their families to stop by our spotlight wedding tour home #553 Seas the Day, located in Salvo in the upscale Hattie Creef subdivision. (Click here to view the floor plans of the home.) This stunning 8 bedroom oceanfront home will be open for the public to tour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Appetizers, courtesy of the Inn at Pamlico Sound, will be available at the home. Information about our wedding homes and maps will be available at the home and also at our two offices located in Avon and Salvo. We encourage everyone to stop by and check out this impressive representative of our portfolio of premier vacation homes. Continue reading →

12/8/08

Church Weddings on Hatteras Island

Just because you’re having a destination wedding doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a traditional church wedding. Hatteras Island has a number of churches that can accommodate a traditional ceremony, many in lovely scenic locales, surrounded by live oaks and maritime forests. If you’re planning on a church ceremony, be sure you call the church well in advance, particularly for the popular spring, summer and fall wedding seasons. Continue reading →