Submitted by Lori Douglas PHOTOGRAPHY. Interviewed by Emily Moliken
Ceremony Location: Corolla Chapel
Officiant: Father of the Groom
Caterer: Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering
Reception: Pine Island Lodge
Accommodations: Pine Island Lodge
Photographer: Lori Douglas Photography
For some couples who wed on the Outer Banks, the fanfare of dozens of coordinators, caterers and florists is a bit more than the desired low-maintenance vibe they want their wedding to give off. For Tara and Luke, a DIY spirit allowed their love and their faith to shine through on their big day.
Tara’s family lives in Duck, so choosing a Pine Island destination and the Corolla Chapel for their nuptials was an easy one. Keeping their festivities localized to the northern end of our beaches kept guests away from the hustle and bustle, nightlife and at times crazy crowds of the Kill Devil Hills area while making her old stomping grounds the stage for wedding activities.
Shells collected by Tara on waterfront jogs adorned the tables, found driftwood from walks with dad gave the centerpieces a sentimental and understated beachy touch. Luke, a graduate from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, lent the affair a nautical edge with boats and sails subtly throughout the decor. The chapel was left simple and classic, religious tokens of the space allowing for the high school sweethearts to humbly take center stage as they bound themselves to one another.
The couple’s families stayed together with Tara’s parents in Duck while the wedding party retreated to the Pine Island Lodge, the space that hosted her bridal shower as well as their reception. Their wedding week consisted of donut sampling around the northern end, trips to the Corolla lighthouse and putt-putt, allowing guests time to mingle and bond for several days leading up to the ceremony. The day of, guests dined on prime rib, chicken caprese, and yellowfin tuna prepared by popular Outer Banks institution, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering.
When asked for one piece of advice to other couples getting married, Tara was quick to give credit to her trusted photographer, Lori Douglas. “Let your photographer guide the timing of your wedding,” she shares. “The lighting is crucial, and you need someone to help you work with the daylight for photos.”
