Submitted by SARAH D’AMBRA PHOTOGRAPHY. Interviewed by Emily Moliken
Caterer: Steamers
Reception/Accommodations: The Black Stallion Event Home by Kee’s Vacation
Event Rentals: Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals
Transportation: OBX Trolley
Wedding Coordinator: Southern Hospitality
Weddings & Events Ceremony: The Whalehead Club
Florals: Honeysuckle Events
Cake: Almost Heaven Bakery
Hair & Makeup: Lovies Salon
Photographer: Sarah D’Ambra Photography
Videographer: Swell Productions
Photo Booth: Bright Booth
Music: Coastal DJ & Video
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it seems to take an entire country to plan a wedding. Between flying in guests from opposite coasts, sampling cakes from every bakery within a ten-mile radius, and pinteresting wedding decor from around the world, the big day is by no means a small affair no matter how intimate or simple you may plan it to be.
When the planning becomes a bit too tough or calling it in from your Midwestern home seems daunting at best, gathering the proper wedding team is crucial to ensuring every last detail is precisely what you imagined. For Sarah and Ricky Bergstrom, native to Wisconsin, having the right bunch of vendors on their side made the wedding planning process and the day of a breeze. “Just go with the flow and trust the professionals,” advises Sarah, “I didn’t feel stressed at all.”
Choosing a venue built for hosting large weddings certainly made the experience easy. The Bergstrom’s ceremony was held at the Whalehead Club in Corolla followed by a modern nautically dressed reception at the Black Stallion event home nearby. Having never been to the Outer Banks except for a quick visit to location scout in September, taking nearly a week to have fun around the beach was definitely the right choice for this Midwestern bunch.
The lovebirds and their closest chartered a boat for deep sea fishing, went golfing, and drove on the four-wheel beaches of Carova to see the wild horses. Steamers catered the event, the delicious seafood beautifully complementing the beachy feel of the event. The one-hundred-and-twenty-person party was photographed by Sarah D’Ambra, who wonderfully captured the dusty rose and navy swathed wedding party. The event was filmed by Chris at Swell Productions, local Outer Banks videographers.
While the hubbub of teams of vendors and helpers may seem like creating a hornets’ nest rather than streamlining the day of, Sarah and Ricky swear it made their time a breeze, allowing for more intimacy between the two of them and their close friends and families. Their favorite part? “Our first look was the best choice,” exclaims Sarah, referencing the moment she and Ricky got to sneak a peek at each other before they tied the knot, captured by their photographer.
©SARAH D’AMBRA PHOTOGRAPHY