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Sites & Accommodations
If you want to get married on the Outer Banks, here are some logistics to help you decide where to hold your ceremony and reception. Remember to make your reservations early. Most wedding planners recommend reserving sites at least twelve months in advance. Outer Banks wedding sites are a hot commodity. There are more than 2,000 weddings a year on the Outer Banks, so the competition is stiff for securing churches, reception halls, outdoor locations and accommodations.
The Beach
Beach weddings are popular on the Outer Banks. More than 130 miles of beach provide a romantic backdrop for saying your vows, and the setting will stand out in your guests’ minds forever. Some beach brides choose formal attire, and the contrast between elegant dress and natural setting is certainly stunning. Others prefer the less formal, barefootfreedom that the beach affords.
The beaches in North Carolina are public, but the local towns and counties do have jurisdiction over their beaches and beach-access areas. All the local governments allow weddings and good-natured gatherings on the beach, and they won’t give you a problem as long as you follow their individual rules and don’t disturb other beachgoers.
Guest parking can be a problem for a beach wedding. Many couples solve this problem by hiring bus and van transpor-tation to shuttle their guests from the accommodations to the wedding location. If you’re renting an oceanfront house, a few guests can park there, but keep in mind that the photographer, florist and other vendors will need to park there, too. An alternative is to choose as your wedding site a beach access that has plenty of parking. Then, of course, you have to consider crowds of regular beachgoers, depending on the time of year and the time of day.
It’s always a good idea to call the town you’re getting married in to consult with them about their rules on beach weddings and parking at your location. The local towns are real sticklers about parking and won’t tolerate any bending of the rules for a minute.
Town of Duck, 252-255-1234. The town does not have any public beach accesses. The Town of Duck requires that a wedding-related gathering of 50 or more people register with the Town of Duck Department of Community Development at least 30 days before the event. This includes rehearsal dinners, post-wedding parties and brunches. Registration forms are available online at www.townofduck.com.
Town of Southern Shores, 252-261-2394. There is no public parking in Southern Shores. The town recommends that brides shuttle in guests from other locations. Building permits are required to erect tents.
Town of Kitty Hawk, 252-261-3552. A $25 outdoor gathering permit from the town is required. If you’re setting up a tent over 200 square feet, there’s an additional fee of $25.
Town of Kill Devil Hills, 252-449-5300. A building permit is required for all tents over 120 square feet.
Town of Nags Head, 252-441-5508. Nags Head allows a maximum of 20 chairs on the beach for close family, elderly or handicapped guests. Tents 200 square feet or greater require an inspection, and that fee is $50. Tents are not allowed on the beach.
Currituck County, 252-232-3055. If setting up a tent on the beaches in Corolla, you must get a permit from the county. Permits are $50 per tent.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 252-473-2111. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are wide, uncrowded and undeveloped. Since there are no houses along this stretch, you’ll need to find a beach access that has plenty of parking for your guests. Coquina Beach Bathhouse, Pea Island and the beach in front of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are great places. If you get married within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you must get a permit and pay a $100 fee to the National Park Service. Make sure they get your application at least 30 days in advance of your event. This location is for simple weddings only: You cannot bring wedding accoutrements like flowers, garlands, chairs, gazebos and rice or birdseed into the park. Visit www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/wedding-permits.htm.
Renting a Beach House
Renting an oceanfront house is an ideal way to get married on the beach. A large oceanfront house can provide the perfect backdrop for a beautiful ceremony and a small reception. Many of the homes have long, private walkways that lead to the beach, decks and gazebos on the dunes, or pools with surrounding decks that make a great place for a gathering. More and more couples are going this route for a smaller wedding, getting married right in front of the house then having the reception around the pool or indoors. There are numerous rental homes on the Outer Banks that are suitable for weddings and receptions; in fact, some have been built expressly for this purpose.
In these days of destination weddings, many couples are taking nuptial vacations, choosing to have smaller, casual celebrations that last a long weekend or up to a week. They invite select friends and family and spend a fun-filled Outer Banks week that includes the wedding. Large homes, some with 12 bedrooms or more, make great accommodations for the bridal party and family, and can turn a wedding into one long house party. If you’ve got a crowd in one house, consider hiring a personal chef to cook all the meals in addition to catering the reception. You may want to consider renting two or three neighboring houses to accommodate families and friends.
Several property management companies offer rental homes that are suitable for weddings, including Hatteras Realty, 800-HATTERAS (428-8372); Midgett Realty, 800-527-2903; The Saltaire, 252 255-5409; Stan White Realty, 252-441-1515; Sun Realty, 800-334-4745; Village Realty, 252-480-2224, and The Wright House, 252-441-7331, obxlodging.com. The number of guests allowed in the houses varies. When you contact these companies, describe your wedding plans to the rental managers so they can advise you of the homes that will be appropriate. A security deposit will be required. Maid service is limited to the end of your stay unless special arrangements are made with housekeeping personnel.
Churches
Several Outer Banks churches allow nonmember weddings. Most churches prefer that you use the in-house minister or priest for your ceremony, and some churches require premarital counseling with the minister before you are married. Many of the churches have reception halls.
Local Attractions
The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park is situated on 39 acres of breathtaking soundfront property in Corolla. Built in the mid-1920s, “Corolla Island,” as it was originally named, continues to stand as one of the most spectacular historic landmarks on the Currituck Outer Banks. This picturesque location is truly magical for a wedding ceremony and tented reception, and it can accommodate up to 400 people. The park features the historic Whalehead Club house museum, wooden bridge and boathouse, a soundfront gazebo and expansive lush lawns. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and located in the shadow of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse (circa 1875). Fees range from $800 for a four-hour block of time for a ceremony to $3,200 for a ceremony and/or reception, which includes the lawn of your choice for the whole day, permits, restrooms, security, golf cart rental, etc. You’ll also have to put down a refundable liability deposit. For more information about weddings at The Whalehead Club visit the website at www.whaleheadclub.org, or contact the Wedding Coordinator, at 252-453-9040 ext.4, 252-305-0401 (cell), or at weddings@whaleheadclub.com.
The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular wedding locations on the Outer Banks for good reason. The lush gardens with constantly blooming flowers, old-growth oaks, beautiful fountains and winding paths are elegant year-round. You have a choice of locations and the staff is on hand to facilitate arrangements. You can have up to 400 guests at your ceremony and chair rental with set-up is included. Guided tours for your guests are available for a small fee to keep them entertained while you have your pictures taken. Receptions can be held on-site with usage of tables, chairs and a full kitchen. For more information or to book a wedding date, call 252-473-3234 or write to info@elizabethangardens.org.
For a truly unique wedding, the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island allows weddings inside next to the aquariums or outside next to the sound. Some couples choose to be married outdoors and have the reception indoors. The aquarium facility is large and can accommodate up to 1,500 guests! Caterers, DJs, bands, beer and wine, bartenders and all the usual wedding services are allowed. A four-hour rental of the entire facility ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, and you can purchase extra hours. A self-guided tour of the facility is included for all wedding guests. All weddings must occur after operating hours. Call the special events coordinator at 252-473-3494 ext. 258.
For weddings at Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke lighthouses, you must contact the National Park Service. The NPS charges a $100 fee for gatherings. For weddings at Bodie Island, have everyone stay in Nags Head, and for Cape Hatteras, guests should stay in Buxton. You cannot bring in chairs, altars, flowers, birdseed or any of the usual wedding accoutrements, so a wedding here will be very simple. The NPS does not allow receptions because there are no facilities. Call 252-473-2111.
For a really exotic wedding ceremony, you can get married on top of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, the East Coast’s largest sand dune, with amazing views of the ocean and sound surrounding you. At sunset, this place cannot be beat. Parking is ample. The park also has a soundside beach that makes a great site for a small ceremony. The fee is just $30 for a special activity permit. You could rent the picnic area for a small reception; fees vary depending on the number of tables you reserve. Call 252-441-7132.
There are no accommodations for large receptions, so look to Nags Head restaurants, the Village Beach Club or the Nags Head Golf Links for a location.
For some couples the ultimate outdoor wedding would be held on a boat. To look into hiring a boat for your wedding or reception, contact The Crystal Dawn at 252-473-5577 or The Downeast Rover at 866-SAILOBX. The Crystal Dawn is docked at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo and it’s perfect for accommodating a lot of guests. The Downeast Rover is berthed in Manteo and is well suited for small wedding parties.
Reception Sites
All of the following sites can accommodate a large crowd for wedding receptions. We’ve listed these sites in geographical order, from north to south.
The Kilmarlic Golf Club in Point Harbor. The spacious Kilmarlic Clubhouse offers panoramic views of the award-winning Kilmarlic Golf Course. The reception facility can accommodate large weddings, and the golf course makes a great place for pre-wedding golf outings. Call 252-207-2212.
The Currituck Golf Club in Corolla. The Currituck Golf Club rents its clubhouse for receptions of up to 120 people. They offer in-house catering. There are areas both inside and outdoors for receptions, and the facility has a golf course view. Call 888-453-9400 or 252-453-9400 *222.
The Sanderling Resort, Spa & Conference Center in Duck. Receptions at The Sanderling are held in the conference center, on the back deck of the conference center or in the soundside pavilion. The conference center holds about 100 people, and with a tent on the back deck and lawn, it can handle up to 200. Ceremonies can be held on the main oceanfront deck or the conference center ocean-side lawn. Only in-house catering is allowed. Call 252-261-7730.
The Saltaire in Duck. This weekly rental home is a perfect ceremony or reception location. The Saltaire includes a personal chef/caterer in a beautiful Victorian setting. The gardens and pool area make a good site for a large ceremony and/or tented reception for up to 125 guests. Rentals are from Wednesday to Wednesday, ideal for a weekend wedding or a corporate event. Six master bedrooms, a hot tub, and a pool are features of this home. Tables, chairs and place settings are available free of charge. Call 252-255-5409.
Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk. This new, full-service hotel in Kitty Hawk offers a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people. Catering is done in-house, though cakes from outside vendors are allowed. Blocks of rooms are available onsite, though you don’t have to be renting rooms to rent the ballroom. Call 877-OBX-HLTN (629-4586).
Sea Ranch Hotel. This centrally located oceanfront hotel has a private ballroom and oceanfront restaurant with an outdoor deck. Custom wedding packages are available. The Sea Ranch Hotel has 50 rooms – many with ocean views – as well as an enclosed, heated pool. Blocks of rooms are available at group rates. Call 252-441-7126.
Ramada Plaza Resort and Conference Center in Kill Devil Hills. The Ramada’s ballroom is one of the few oceanfront reception facilities on the Outer Banks. There’s a great view of the ocean through picture windows. The ballroom can hold up to 300 people and a dance floor is included in the rental rate. The Ramada provides full-service catering and does not allow outside caterers. Blocks of rooms are available at the hotel, but you don’t have to rent rooms here to rent the ballroom. Call 252-441-2151.
Players’ Grill at Nags Head Golf Links. This golf course clubhouse is available for receptions. It has a great view of the sound and golf course and can accommodate around 200 people. In-house catering is offered by the on-site restaurant. Call 252-441-8076.
Village Beach Club in Nags Head. The Village Beach Club is an oceanfront reception facility that can accommodate up to 250 people. There is an indoor facility with a café, bar and large open area, plus a large poolside deck where your guests can gather. Call 252-480-2222.
Mallards Marsh on Roanoke Island. Overlooking a great expanse of marsh and sound between Manteo and Wanchese, this reception facility was designed specifically for special events like weddings. It has two dining rooms, a ballroom and a huge screened-in porch. For a seated dinner, it can hold 200 people. For a buffet reception, it can hold more than 300. For wedding ceremonies, Mallards Marsh has a charming greenhouse chapel. Or, if you prefer an ocean-side ceremony, the Mallards Marsh staff will set up chairs and accessories for you. Call Mallards Marsh for wedding package information. The reception facility is only a five-minute drive from the Nags Head beaches. Call Linda at 252-473-4993.
Kinnakeet Shores Resort Beach Club in Avon. This luxury planned community in Avon on Hatteras Island has an oceanfront Beach Club that makes a great reception location. Events are held on the deck around the swimming pool, which has an ocean view, and though there are no indoor facilities, you can rent a tent from a local vendor. Restrooms and a bar area are available, and caterers of your choice are welcome. The Beach Club can accommodate up to 100 people, and the rental fee is $1,950 plus a refundable security deposit. Rental homes are available in the Kinnakeet Shores Resort, and there are several areas within the development that would make a good location for a small wedding, such as a sound beach and boardwalk. Call 252-995-3302 and ask for Kelly, or check out their website at www.kinnakeetweddings.com.
Restaurants. For receptions and rehearsal dinners, most local restaurants are willing to accommodate you. The following offer reception space and/or catering:
Corolla: Mike Dianna’s Grill Room, 252-453-4336
Duck: Aqua S Restaurant, 252-261-9700; Elizabeth’s Café and Winery, 252-261-6145; The Left Bank and Lifesaving Station Restaurant at The Sanderling, 252-261-4111; Red Sky Café, 252-261-8646; Fishbones Sunset Grill and Raw Bar, 252-261-3901
Kill Devil Hills: Good Life Gourmet, 252-480-2855; Mako Mike’s, 252-480-1919
Nags Head: Kelly’s Restaurant, 252-441-4116; Lucky 12 Restaurant, 252-255-LUCK; Owens’ Restaurant, 252-441-7309; Penguin Isle Soundside Restaurant, 252-441-2637
Hatteras Island: The Sunset Room at Hatteras Landing, 941-321-3243
Where to Stay
If you, like most Outer Banks wedding couples, are coming from out of town, you need to find a place for everyone to stay. It’s nice to have all of the guests stay together, either in neighboring rented homes or a hotel. First consider where you are getting married. Have the guests stay as nearby as possible to avoid a lot of driving around to the wedding and reception sites.
If you’re getting married at the Whalehead Club or Currituck Beach Lighthouse, or are having your reception at the Currituck Club, you’ll definitely want your guests and family to stay in the Corolla area. Try The Inn at Corolla Light, 252-453-3340 or 800-215-0772, or the Hampton Inn, 252-453-6565. If you’re getting married in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head, great places to put up your guests are the centrally located Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk, 877-OBX-HLTN (629-4586); Ramada Plaza Resort and Conference Center, 252-441-2151; Colony IV Motel, 252-441-5581; Outer Banks Lodging, www.obxlodging.com; First Colony Inn, 800-368-9390; or Owens’ Motel, 252-441-6361, www.owensmotel.com.
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