Congratulations on being selected as a winner in our inaugural Best Of Weddings contest! You placed due to the number of votes you received by the general public throughout the contest. We hope you are … Read More

Choosing the right wedding photographer is an essential step in ensuring your special day is captured beautifully. By following these steps and considering your personal style, you can find a photographer who not only meets your needs but also enhances your wedding experience. Embrace this journey, and let your wedding photos tell your beautiful love story for years to come!

Selecting the perfect Outer Banks wedding photographer is crucial for capturing your special day. Learn essential tips on choosing a style, researching photographers, and comparing packages. Ensure your wedding memories are timeless with our expert advice.

In sharing the work of a few of our finest photographers, the Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks recognizes three of the most memorable weddings of 2023.

In our inaugural 2024 Best Of OBX contest, we asked Outer Banks Coastal Life magazine readers, recently married couples, wedding guests, brides and grooms to be, and industry professionals to weigh in on their favorite wedding venues, vendors and much more from around the region.

Everything that draws people to the Outer Banks for a beach vacation—the peace and relative isolation offered by these barrier islands—also poses logistical challenges for couples planning a magical wedding day in Dare County.

Whether you have a gaggle of nieces and nephews, lots of friends with kids, or children of your own when you get married, sometimes thinking of creative ways to include them can get complicated.

At long last, all the courtship is coming to fruition. A year or two years—sometimes less, sometimes more—of dancing around; the ultimate moment is here, and you’re about to get married. There is so much to do, so many decisions to be made.

During this wonderfully exciting time preparing for a wedding, there are fantastic wedding planners who are ready to walk you through this time of transition.

From Corolla to Hatteras, or across the inlet to Ocracoke via ferry, there’s a destination to suit every taste and budget.

From Corolla to Hatteras, or across the inlet to Ocracoke via ferry, there’s a destination to suit every taste and budget.

The accessories can tell the story that you want to tell on your special day. Have fun. Tell your story!

Your wedding day is the most romantic day of your life. Don’t let the unnecessary evils of paperwork put a damper on the day. Make sure you and your future spouse are prepared.

Whether you have nieces and nephews, friends with kids, or children of your own, sometimes thinking of creative ways to include them in your wedding can get complicated.

You’ve planned your wedding. You have the venue, the photographer, the music, the catering, and the dress. Now comes the fun. You get to accessorize.

Tara and Luke, allowed the DIY spirit to express their love and their faith to shine through on their big day.

The Outer Banks has been luring people to its shores for centuries, some siren call or sparkling shore always to blame.

For some couples, a wedding on the Outer Banks is more than a dream destination, it’s a homecoming.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it seems to take an entire country to plan a wedding.

The Outer Banks, is one of the most picturesque places to celebrate your wedding day.

You’ve likely been dreaming about this day for a very long time. It’s your one chance to get it right. The hair. The makeup. Your skin. Here are a few tips for Bridal Beauty to ensure your special day is truly special.

Your wedding day is the most romantic day of your life. Don’t let the unnecessary evils of paperwork put a damper on the day. Make sure you and your future spouse are prepared. There are 100 counties in North Carolina and a marriage license can be obtained in any one of them.

Weddings! Your engagement ring has as many facets as it makes your choice of a wedding photographer. There are as many photography choices to be dealt with after that selection as there are petals on a bouquet of forget-me-not daisies.

At long last, all the courtship is coming to fruition. A year or two years—sometimes less, sometimes more – of dancing around; the ultimate moment is here, and you’re about to get married. There is so much to do, so many decisions to be made.

Everything that draws people to the Outer Banks for a beach vacation – the peace and relative isolation offered by these barrier islands – also poses logistical challenges for couples planning a magical wedding day in Dare County.

When it comes to booking a wedding on the Outer Banks, one of the most popular wedding destinations in the country aside from the stray locale sporting Elvis ministers and test tube shot toasts, timing is everything.

You’ve planned your wedding. You have the venue, the photographer, the music, the catering, and the dress. Now comes the fun. You get to accessorize. What shoes go with your dress? What jewelry? The accessories can tell the story that you want to tell on your special day.

Every new wedding season brings with it exciting trends. Of course, the tastiest of trends is wedding cake choices. Mmm! Just the idea is enough to tingle those tastebuds and make your mouth water. Let’s review some of the hottest wedding cake trends for 2022 that can take the cake portion of your special day from boring and traditional to delectable and unforgettable.

The marriage of Sarah and Derek Warren was one long in the works, the kind of on-and-off love story that makes girls hold onto withering prom corsages and boys reconsider perpetual bachelordom.

Today’s wedding planners have educated themselves on best practices and problem-solving techniques to navigate these turbulent times and the ripple effect that has affected the events industry.

Your big day has finally arrived, and you are anxiously waiting to see just how the years, months, weeks, and days of planning will all unravel. In your mind, you may be envisioning a problem-free fairytale, but then WHAM! A small dose of reality hits.

There are two contrasts in wedding flower trends for 2022: go big or focus on the more minor details. As the current trend for intimate weddings is likely to continue, couples want to trade up and go all out with their wedding flowers while making every guest feel special even after the pandemic.

Bridesmaids have long been part of the wedding pomp and circumstance. With some debate, the history of bridesmaids can be dated back to Biblical times when some brides were known to have their maids of the servant variety.

Another new wedding season is upon us. That means a different set of trends than what was popular in 2021. But don’t fret, The Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks has assembled exactly what you need to know when it comes to your wedding day.

Children always have a place at your wedding. They tend to bring out joy and warm feelings in everyone. They can be a ring bearer and flower girl or a junior bridesmaid. No matter the role they play, kids are always a great addition to any wedding.

Couples have plenty of options for providing alcohol to guests on this special day – including making it a dry ceremony. So is it an open bar, a cash bar, or a DIY affair?

The past year has been challenging, ballancing being careful and maintaining normalcy. The Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks would like to take a moment to recognize some of those brides who were married in 2021. Congratulations!

Wedding music is the heart and soul of the celebration. Therefore, the repertoire for your wedding deserves thoughtful and careful preparation. From the recessional to the last dance, music is the soundtrack of your important day.

As wedding planning has evolved during the pandemic, we have seen a lot of changes within the wedding industry. With smaller groups gathering, the micro wedding was born out of necessity.

While the Outer Banks may be one of the most desirous locales for a destination wedding, for those, who call our long stretches of beach their backyard, this place still offers something as unique as the love stories it hosts.

Without a doubt, your wedding day is one of the biggest events in your life. To get there requires a lot of forethought and planning between you and your fiancé. Indeed, there are important groom responsibilities. Love, understanding, and compromise should go hand-in-hand (pun intended) into your joint decisions.

To a lot of us, our pets can be more family than, well, actual family. Of course we would want them to take part in our special day. Pet-friendly weddings are more popular than ever before with dogs, cats, and even potbelly pigs playing roles as ring bearers, flower girls, and welcoming hosts.

Bridesmaids have long been part of the wedding pomp and circumstance. With some debate, the history of bridesmaids can be dated back to Biblical times when some brides were known to have their own maids of the servant variety

Your big day has finally arrived, and you are anxiously waiting to see just how the years, months, weeks, and days of planning will all unravel. In your mind, you may be envisioning a problem-free fairytale, but then WHAM! A small dose of reality hits.

As the wedding party makes their entrance, the music becomes more distinctive, drawing the audience’s attention. Then, with a dramatic change in the music, all eyes move to the bride who is making her grand entrance. It is music that helps amplify the emotion of the ceremony.

Children always have a place at your wedding. They tend to bring out joy and warm feelings in everyone. They can be a ring bearer and flower girl or a junior bridesmaid. No matter the role they play, kids are always a great addition to any wedding.

In 2021, wedding cake trends will be driven by intentionality and personality. Luckily, this is not the time to worry about carbs, so free yourself of that notion. Before calling the bakeries or pastry chefs, though, jot down your ideas and explore some options. Then, grab your groom and get ready for the real fun: cake sampling.

It’s your wedding day – of course you want to look your best. But that doesn’t have to mean a lot of stress if you follow a few simple dos and don’ts to ensure things go just as you’ve always dreamed as you walk down the aisle.

After just a few weeks of attempting to go it alone – the trials and tribulations of booking vendors, searching for the perfect venue, choosing every element of the décor for the ceremony and reception – you realize planning a wedding is time consuming and frequently frustrating. Even a bride who is ultra-organized, has an impressive knack for decorating, and knows just what she wants can falter under the sheer number of decisions, causing her to throw up a white flag and shout, “Bring in the professionals!”

For many couples, getting married on the Outer Banks is the perfect way to start that perfect new life together. Picture the golden rays of sunlight streaming down as waves lap against the shore; family … Read More

With everything else you have to think about, choosing your wedding flowers should be the fun part! Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Another new wedding season is upon us. That means a different set of trends than what was popular in 2020. But don’t fret, The Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks has assembled exactly what you need to know when it comes to your wedding day.

No doubt about it, these are pretty crazy times. As wedding planning has evolved during the pandemic, we have seen a lot of weddings postponed or scheduled for another date. While some brides and grooms have opted for something else; a micro wedding.

Children are the embodiment of love and joy for life, and their presence at a wedding can enrich the celebration of family and connectedness. Even beyond the cherished roles as flower girls, junior bridesmaids and … Read More

What you wear on your wedding day is a reflection of your own unique style – so it makes sense to put some thought into what you and your groomsmen are sporting on your special … Read More

The story, it is said, is in the details. This is true when writing a short story, an article, or a blog. But this is especially true when telling the story of your wedding, on … Read More

A favorite part of every wedding has to be the photos; sometimes, a cherished picture may not come from your professional photographer, but a candid shot by a guest on their cell phone. And, of … Read More

Ceremony/Reception: The First Colony Inn | Coordinator: Milly Ward Photographer: Lori Douglas Photography Accommodations: The First Colony Inn | Catering: Tom Thumb Cookouts Cake: Zen Pops | Flowers: Bells & Whistles Rentals: Metro Rentals | Tent Decorator: … Read More

Do you already own decorative hand towels, fancy party dishware, and comfortable linens? Are you looking for another way to guide generous wedding guests in their gift giving? If so, you may consider doing a “honey … Read More

Location & Accommodations: Pine Island Lodge | Attire: Sottero & Midgley Photography: Sarah Keenan Creative Beauty & Spa: Lovie’s Salon | Catering: Metropolis Rentals: Ocean Atlantic Rentals | Officiant: Brian Collier Music: Andy Begina (Ceremony); … Read More

Ceremony: Our Lady of the Seas | Reception: Koru Village Beach Klub Planner: The Proper Setting | Photographer: Hope Taylor Photography Officiant: Father Pat, Our Lady of the Seas Catering: Steamers; Late night Pizza: Cosmo’s … Read More

Ceremony/Reception: Sanderling Resort | Planner: Davis Walker Photographer: Daniel Pullen Photography Officiant: Reverend Jay Bowman | Catering: Sanderling Resort Cake: Just Desserts | Flowers: Sugar Snap Events Hair & Makeup: Glimmer | Spray Tan: Artistic … Read More

Main Photo by Julie Dreelin Imagine yourself looking around at the sun, the sand, and the sea. To your right and left, there are family and friends. In front of you, you can see your … Read More

Greenery is a powerful foundation upon which to build your life.  Founded in 1963, Pantone ®, a world-renowned authority on announcing the latest trends in color, can provide an excellent starting point for designing for future. … Read More

Unplugged Wedding Ceremony: You’ve searched for and hired the perfect wedding photographer to capture those special moments of your big day, and you certainly want them to be able to do their job. After all, … Read More

OBX Florists – Today’s flower trends are as diverse as a wildflower bouquet and are constantly evolving. You may be leaning toward the traditional and romantic, or a chic and trendy floral motif. Whatever your … Read More

Kids in weddings: Children can add so much more to a dream wedding than just their usual roles as flower girls or ring bearers. Their youthful ebullience and appreciation for time-honored rituals make them naturals … Read More

In today’s digital age, there’s no denying that the hashtag has become commonplace in the world of social media. Formerly known as the “pound sign,” the most popular platform for using hashtags is Instagram, which … Read More

Weddings are rife with wedding traditions and expectations. When it comes to planning your own wedding, you and your spouse-to-be may find joy in perpetuating those traditions or participating in a ritual that has been … Read More

For many couples, wedding cakes are the centerpiece of their reception. If you don’t already have a clear idea of what you want your wedding confection to look and taste like, you can draw inspiration … Read More