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When asked their idea of the perfect
place for romance, most everyone will say
the beach. Maybe it's the melodic rhythm
of the waves upon the sand or the gentle
breezes that caress a bare shoulder. Perhaps it's a gust of wind laced with salt on
a clear autumn day that infuses you with
energy and renewal. One thing's for sure:
The Outer Banks is becoming more and
more popular as a place for brides and
grooms to pledge their love to each other
for eternity. Service providers (caterers,
photographers, musicians, ministers, etc.)
are having trouble keeping up with
demand. Everyone recommends that you
start planning your wedding at the very
least a year in advance.
The main wedding season on the
Outer Banks is April through October. May
and October are the most popular wedding months thanks to nice weather, fewer
visitors, and off-peak accommodations
rates. Remember that hurricane season
is July through early November, so be
sure to inquire with all your service
providers about their policy concerning
hurricane evacuations or other causes for
cancellation.
North Carolina law requires that a
wedding ceremony be conducted by an
ordained minister or a magistrate. A boat
captain can't do the trick any more.
The state has replaced its former justice of the peace system with court-
appointed magistrates. These officials
perform wedding services but are often
severely limited as to the times and places
they can accommodate. A magistrate's
fee for performing a ceremony is $10.
Magistrates are, however, required to
marry any people who show up with a
marriage license and two witnesses.
Most major Christian denominations are
represented on the Outer Banks. Many do
require a special counseling period, and
some have specific requirements regarding
remarrying divorced persons. If you wish to
be married in the Outer Banks Catholic
parish, you must meet with the priest at
least six months before the wedding. There
is no Jewish congregation on the Outer
Banks; the nearest temple is in Norfolk, Virginia. Most Jewish couples bring a rabbi
from their home temple. For more information on local churches, see our Places
to
Worship chapter or visit www.outer
banks.org/locations for a list of churches.
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You must obtain a marriage license to be
wed in North Carolina. Licenses are issued
by the register of deeds in any North Carolina county. Both applicants must bring a
photo ID and a Social Security card or
proof of Social Security number. If you have
been divorced, you must bring your legal
divorce papers. The license costs $50, is
good for 60 days after it is issued, and can
be used in any county in North Carolina.
There is no waiting period. A blood test is
not required in North Carolina.
Bring your marriage license to the
wedding. After the wedding ceremony,
whoever performs the ceremony is
required to give the couple a marriage
certificate. This certificate includes the
couple's names and address, the date
of the marriage, the county that issued
the license, and the date of the license.
The minister or magistrate must sign the
license. The license must be returned to
the register of deeds in the county in
which the couple was married.
Dare County
Register of Deeds (252) 473-3438
Magistrate's Office (252) 473-2010
Currituck County (Corolla)
Register of Deeds (252) 232-3297
Magistrate's Office (252) 232-3404
Hyde County (Ocracoke)
Register of Deeds (252) 926-3011
Magistrate's Office (252) 926-4101
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In addition to the numerous churches on
the Outer Banks, you might consider an
outdoor wedding, perhaps a barefoot
affair on the beach. The trend in Outer
Banks weddings is to rent a large oceanfront house, or several in a row, and house
all the family and friends together for the
weekend or a week. The wedding takes place on the beach in front of one of the
houses, and the reception takes place
either in one of the homes or at a nearby
location. More and more vacation rental
companies are equipped to handle this,
and some allow an unlimited number of
guests for a reception in a few of their
rental properties. If this appeals to you,
call several of the companies in our
Weekly and Long-Term Rentals chapter to
look for a suitable home or homes. If you
have trouble finding something, ask your
wedding planner or caterer to recommend
a company, or contact the Outer Banks
Wedding Association at (252) 473-4800.
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A traditional wedding often requires that
you have some affiliation with the church
if you are planning to use its facilities. The
best thing to do is to contact the minister
of the church you would like to use, and
he or she can give you the specifics. You
also may have the option of bringing a
minister from home to perform the ceremony in a local church.
Prepare to pay a fee for the use of the
church as well as to compensate the minister for his or her services. It is customary
to pay the minister from $50 to $250 for
services and to add something for travel
and accommodations if the wedding is
taking place away from the minister's
usual church.
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Beach Weddings
Getting married on the beach is romantic
and special-if you're one of those people
who won't be upset if everything isn't perfect. You can't predict or control the elements. Wind is a major factor, something
that brides with fancy hairdos should consider. The width and condition of the
beach will depend on the tides and the
wind direction on your wedding day.
Lighting is also difficult on the beach. Talk
with your photographer about having the
wedding at the proper time of day. You
don't want everyone squinting in the wedding photographs. While sunset is a
romantic time to be married, remember
that the light will be very low, making it
difficult for the photographer and videographer to get vivid shots.
The National Park Service charges a
fee of $100 for gatherings within its
boundaries, including the beach. You cannot bring in chairs, arbors, flowers, balloons, ribbons, or anything else that is not
natural to the area. For information, contact the National Park Service at (252)
473-2111.
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Many people choose to have their ceremony on the Outer Banks because of the
magnificent outdoor settings. With more
than 100 miles of pristine beaches from
Corolla to Ocracoke, weddings on the
shore are quite appealing. The Outer
Banks weather can change quickly, so
have an indoor alternative available.
There is no guarantee as to what the
weather will be like on any given day on
the Outer Banks, but generally the summer is sunny, hot, and humid; spring can
be a bit rainy and cool; winter is cold and
raw, but warm days make an appearance;
and autumn offers warm clear days and
crisp cool nights, perfect for an outdoor
wedding.
The Whalehead Club
NC 12, Corolla
(252) 457-0128
www.whaleheadclub.com
Corolla's historic Whalehead Club (see our
Attractions chapter), situated on the Currituck Sound, is a popular choice for an
outdoor wedding. Waterfowl abound in
this location, and sunsets are spectacular.
An old arched, wooden bridge spans a
channel that leads to the club's marina and boathouse; instead of a walk down the
aisle, many brides walk across the bridge.
A long pier on the premises leads to a
gazebo where some couples exchange
vows over the water. For added ambience,
the Currituck Lighthouse is visible over the
tree line. Fees to use the grounds range
from $750 to $2,500. Alcohol is allowed on
the grounds only for receptions.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
NC 12, Corolla
(252) 453-8152
www.currituckbeachlight.com
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse allows
weddings and receptions on its charming,
well-kept property. The keeper's quarters,
lighthouse, and outbuildings make a beautiful setting. The cost for weddings is
$500, and the cost for receptions is an
additional $500. If you plan to have alcohol at your reception, add a $250 fee for
the alcohol license. All weddings are held
on the southwest corner of the grounds.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
US 158, MP 12, Nags Head
(252) 441-7132
www.jockeysridgestatepark.com
The East Coast's largest sand dune provides amazing views of the ocean and
sound as the backdrop for a wedding ceremony. The park also has a soundside
beach that makes a great site for a small
ceremony, especially at sunset. This state
park charges only $30 to use the site for
wedding ceremonies. There are no accommodations for receptions.
The Elizabethan Gardens
Off US 64, Roanoke Island
(252) 473-3234
www.elizabethangardens.org
This is one of the most romantic spots to
exchange vows on the Outer Banks, and
it's also one of the most popular. On some
Saturdays, there are as many as four weddings here. These gardens provide an outstanding location for weddings year-round.
Besides the large, grassy lawns that are
ideal for the ceremony, the setting offers
many backgrounds for picture poses after
the wedding. For more intimate gatherings, you may wish to investigate the rose
garden or thatch-roofed gazebo overlooking the sound. Pricing for a wedding in the
gardens is dependent upon the number of
guests. For an additional fee, receptions
may be held in the Meeting Hall. Wine,
beer, and champagne may be served in
the Meeting Hall.
Hatteras Island Soundfront
Recreation Center
Rodanthe
(252) 987-2777
www.camphatteras.com
Camp Hatteras, a premier camping resort
in the historic village of Rodanthe, provides a reception site. The 3,000-squarefoot building has a fully equipped kitchen
and two restrooms, plus a window-lined
reception hall with views of Pamlico
Sound. There's a corner stage for the
cake-cutting ceremonies. If your guests
decide to stay at Camp Hatteras, they'll
also enjoy one of the finest outdoor recreation facilities found anywhere.
National Park Service Lighthouses
Bodie Island, Buxton, Ocracoke
(252) 473-2111, ext. 121
The Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and Ocracoke Lighthouses make beautiful backdrops
for a wedding ceremony. The National Park
Service charges a $100 fee for gatherings.
Weddings at these sites are very simple
because the NPS does not allow chairs,
altars, flowers, or any of the usual wedding
items. Receptions are not allowed on-site
because there are no facilities, but there are
places nearby for receptions.
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Boat
Weddings
Downeast Rover
Manteo
(252) 473-4866, (866) SAIL-OBX
www.downeastrover.com
If you really want to do something unique, get married on a boat. The Downeast
Rover is a 55-foot topsail schooner based
in Manteo. It accommodates up to 29
people for a two-and-a-half-hour sail in
Roanoke Sound in the afternoon or at
sunset. The cost to charter the boat
ranges from $500 to $800, depending on
the time of day and season. You can bring
your own food and drinks and have a
party on the boat, or just have your ceremony on the boat and then have your
reception at one of several locations in
downtown Manteo. Call Capt. Mark Kopp
for information.
Crystal Dawn
Pirate's Cove Yacht Club, Manteo
(252) 473-5577
www.themefifty.com/crystaldawn
The Crystal Dawn is a huge headboat that
accommodates up to 97 passengers. You
can have your ceremony and reception on
the boat, floating through the scenic
waters of Roanoke Sound. Cost to rent the
boat is $250 an hour, with a minimum of
two hours. Alcohol is allowed. The boarding location is Pirate's Cove Yacht Club.
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On the Outer Banks, you may discover that your accommodations are the perfect place to host your rehearsal dinner or wedding. We've included a few suggestions here. See our Accommodations chapter and Weekly
and Long-Term Cottage Rentals chapter for more options.
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Cypress House Inn
NC 12, MP 8, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6127, (800) 554-2764
The Cypress House Inn is an ideal location
for a wedding. A tent up to 30 feet x 70
feet can be assembled in the yard to
accommodate a caterer, dance floor, bar,
and DJ. The wraparound porch is a
romantic spot to have the rehearsal dinner or small intimate receptions. The six-
room inn can be booked for a minimum
of two nights for an on-site wedding.
Midgett Realty
P.O. Box 250, US 12, Hatteras, NC 27943
Offices also in Avon and Rodanthe
(252) 986-2841, (800) 527-2903
www.midgettrealty.com
Host your family for the big event or find
the perfect honeymoon spot in one of
Midgett Realty's 550 rental cottages and
condos. You can choose from a sound-
front hideaway to an oceanfront paradise. Accommodations are available from
Rodanthe through Hatteras. Online secure bookings are available. Call the toll-
free number to receive a free rental
brochure or to find out more information.
Elan Vacations
Hunt Club Drive,
Currituck Club Center, Corolla
(866) 760-ELAN
www.elanvacations.com
Elan Vacations is a full-service travel company representing fine vacation homes
along the Outer Banks. Elan Vacations
offers a special event package for weddings offered in many of their homes. For
a relaxing and fun-filled event, Elan will
help you find the home of your dreams
for your special day.
ResortQuest Outer Banks
1184 NC 12, Duck
(800) 433-8805
www.resortquestouterbanks.com
ResortQuest represents premium vacation
rental homes situated along some of the
most pristine beaches and sounds on the
East Coast. Many selections are oceanfront or soundfront and feature private
pools and romantic hot tubs and fireplaces-perfect for an Outer Banks
wedding. ResortQuest has a number of
spacious homes that welcome small
wedding parties. Any of these is an ideal
choice for an intimate, one-of-a-kind
seaside event.
Stan White Realty & Construction
Inc./Duck's Real Estate
US 158, MP 10 1/2, Nags Head
(252) 441-1515, (800) 338-3233
Duck Road, Duck
(252) 261-4614, (800) 992-2976
www.outerbanksrentals.com
If you're looking for a rental house at
which to host your wedding by the sea,
Stan White Realty & Construction Inc./
Duck's Real Estate offers legacy vacation
rental homes on the northern Outer
Banks. They offer oceanfront and sound-
front homes, some with private pools, hot
tubs, and fireplaces.
The Inn at Corolla Light
1066 Ocean Trail, Corolla
(252) 453-3340, (800) 215-0772
www.corolla-inn.com
Quiet, undiscovered, and romantic best
describe the Inn at Corolla Light, with its
luxurious soundfront rooms, pool, and hot-
tub deck overlooking Currituck Sound. The
inn has an on-site consultant to assist with
your wedding, catering, and limousine
service. Honeymoon packages with special
pricing that include dinner and champagne
are available all seasons of the year. The
inn also offers receptions or rehearsal dinners in its intimate dining room or ceremonies in the pier gazebo on the sound.
Surf Side Motel
NC 12, MP 16, Nags Head
(252) 441-2105, (800) 552-7873
www.surfsideobx.com
The Surf Side Motel in Nags Head is a
great place to accommodate a large wedding party, especially when the wedding
events are in Nags Head or on Roanoke
Island. The motel is on the oceanfront,
with rooms facing the ocean with private
balconies. For the bride and groom, the
honeymoon suites have king-size beds
and Jacuzzis. The motel has an indoor
pool and hot tub and an outdoor pool.
The Surf Side is open year-round.
The White Doe Inn
319 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, Manteo
(252) 473-9851, (800) 473-6091
www.whitedoeinn.com
The White Doe Inn is a picturesque turn-
of-the-20th-century inn located in historic
Manteo. The inn provides special yet comfortable surroundings decorated with
antiques and reproductions-perfect for
gathering the members of your wedding
party. Weddings of up to 50 people are
handled in the inn and lovely outdoor garden. All-inclusive wedding packages with
every last detail covered are available.
The Cameron House Inn
300 Budleigh Street, Manteo
(252) 473-6596, (800) 279-8178
www.cameronhouseinn.com
The Cameron House Inn is a restored 1919
Arts & Crafts bungalow in the heart of historic Manteo. The inn offers five guest
rooms, a comfortable sitting area, and a
cozy back porch, making a wonderful
place for the special members of your
wedding party to stay together. For small
weddings, both ceremonies and receptions, Cameron House has a spacious lawn
covered by trees. The yard accommodates
a wedding tent easily.
The Tranquil House Inn
405 Queen Elizabeth Street, Manteo
(252) 473-1404
www.tranquilhouseinn.com
The Tranquil House, right on the waterfront in Manteo, offers 25 rooms, making it
an excellent lodging choice for wedding
parties. And the on-site 1587 Restaurant
provides an exquisite waterfront reception
location, including catering.
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Any out-of-town wedding requires early
preparations and an established budget.
Since visits to the area and long-distance
phone calls add up, you may wish to hire
a local wedding planner. A local contact
can save you time and money by making phone calls, setting up appointments,
and booking blocks of discounted hotel
rooms. Since a wedding planner is already
familiar with area musicians, florists, caterers, and everyone else necessary to make
your day successful, he or she can really
ease your mind and may even suggest
options that you haven't yet considered.
To find more coordinators and planners,
try the Outer Banks Wedding Association's Web site; it has an extensive listing
at www.outerbanksweddingassoc.org.