A Spectacular (Rainy) Wedding Day
The Outer Banks, one of the nation's top destination wedding locations, offers the most beautiful sunrises over the ocean and sunsets over the sound anyone could hope for, most days. But every now and then, it rains, even on a wedding day.
Lauren and Chris planned their perfect wedding like all couples, with an attention to detail to ensure the pictures would be breathtaking, the guests would be comfortable and impressed with lavish catered gourmet food and cocktails after the ceremony. The wedding ceremony would take place on the promenade pier at Pirate's Cove Marina and Yacht Club, one of the most posh destination resort/marinas on the Roanoke Sound.
Father of the Bride, Michael with Bride, Lauren
Photo is courtesy of Mary Basnight Photography
As the guests gathered, dressed in their wedding best to take their seats outside the pavilion on the white folding chairs, with chocolate brown satin ribbons tied on each one, to match the bridesmaids dresses, the winds began to pick up and the tinkling of the boats became louder. Unbidden raindrops began to spill from the suddenly cloudy skies, but the guests remained in their seats....hoping the bride would be able to make her entrance, say the vows and run back to the pavilion before the upcoming storm got too bad. Some of the women began to take off their satin shoes to try to save them from getting ruined in the saturated grass. The beautiful monogrammed programs were being used as temporary umbrellas, to save freshly sprayed hairdos.
Lauren had hired a DJ to play songs during the dance reception after the ceremony, and he was supposed to play "Brown Eyed Girl" while she walked from the pavilion, down the wooden deck aisle, to where her groom and wedding party awaited along the pier. Unfortunately, the DJ didn't have enough time, during set-up to do a sound check, so the guests were startled when a portion of the song blared from the loud speakers along with a "test" "test" from the DJ who was inside the pavilion. Everyone smiled...this was going to be fun. But just imagine, poor Lauren, surrounded by her mother, sister and best friends who were all dressed in chocolate silk...hovering inside as the skies opened up to a deluge of rain just as she was about to make her entrance.
Someone shouted, "Everyone grab a chair and bring it inside!!!" We all jumped up, grabbed a chair as requested and ran under the covered pavilion, which we were not supposed to even see until after the ceremony. It was lovely. All of the tables were set with matching linen napkins and a combination of white and chocolate decorations were everywhere. My heart went out to the bride...especially, as the wind began to pick up and some of the beautiful cocktail napkins began to fly off of the tables like little brown birds.
Just as suddenly as the rain started, it stopped....we all stared in awe at the beautiful double rainbow that appeared above the bridge on the horizon. We heard that the bride was in tears by that point, but her friends showed her the rainbow...which was a sign that all would be well from that moment on.
We carried our chairs back outside, and tried to set them up in the perfect symmetry of rows that we had originally found them, however, the end result was a bit misshapen. Nonetheless, it was time...."Brown Eyed Girl" started playing again, this time at a more reasonable volume, and we turned our dampened heads to watch the beautiful young bride walk towards her handsome groom. Chris smiled at her, and she relaxed....we all sighed in relief.
The young officiant, who had apparently recently performed the same vows with another couple, started off by calling the groom "Scott". "Do you Lauren, take "Scott" to be your lawfully wedded husband?" At the look of complete horror on Lauren's face, he bashfully apologized and consulted his notes..."CHRIS...do you Lauren take CHRIS...?"
After the ceremony, the newlyweds walked hand in hand back inside the pavilion while we guests gathered our sodden shoes and droopy dresses and dripping hair to join them inside for pictures.
Here's the thing about weddings. They are not always perfect. Sometimes, it rains. But let me just say, we all had a blast at that reception...as the rain continued to pour, everyone danced in the water. There were no restroom facilities in the pavilion and there was absolutely no way to get to them without walking through a foot of water...dresses were hiked up exposing bare feet, and we simply made do.
Watching Lauren and Chris, holding each other on that dance floor and smiling with sheer delight as they swirled through the puddles to their first dance, was enchanting.
Their wedding, in my memory, was one of the best ever...unforgettably romantic and absolutely spectacular down to the last detail.
Love is in the Air
Outer Banks Air Charters offers personalized service for up to five passengers per flight with tours of the Outer Banks, or anywhere along the North Carolina coastline.
Pilot Charlie Snow has lived on Roanoke Island for over 20 years. Not only does Charlie know this area like the back of his hand, but as a retired National Park Service engineer and pilot, he also understands the history, geography and lifestyle that makes this place so special. Charlie has hundreds of great stories and tidbits only a local would know and he loves to share this knowledge. So not only do you get extraordinary aerial views of the Outer Banks, you get a great explanation of everything you see.
Standard Outer Banks Air Charter Tours take approximately 1/2 hour, departing from Manteo Airport and start at $195.00 (for up to five passengers.) Customized Tours are also available for an additional cost.
For more information: Contact Pilot Charlie Snow (252) 256-2322
410 Airport Road
Manteo, NC 27954
Elopement Ceremony on the Outer Banks
He said, "Wow."
She said, "When?"
He said, "How about right now?"
Love can't wait...and if you ask if they believe in fate...they said "Yes!"
The Outer Banks Officiant, Rande Banks offers an Elopement Ceremony Package featuring a gorgeous soundfront, sunset location (including an intimate "Seabreeze" champagne toast) starting at $350.00.
Guest List Includes: Just the bride and groom, two witnesses (up to 10 additional guests are optional) and a whole lot of love, faith, happiness and hope...
Imagine: The bride approaches to the sound of "The Wedding March" (Canon in D) down a pine path lined with love grass and Tiki torches to the gazebo beneath the live oak where her fiance awaits her under the decorated trellis on the beautiful waterfront at sunset. There they shall be wed to the vows of their choice. While many choose "The Land of Beginnings" vows, (Traditional Christian and Casual Contemporary vows are very popular as well.)
After the ceremony and photos, all are invited to Whalebone Soundside Bistro for a Champagne toast.
Additional options are available for a nominal fee, i.e. photographer, flowers, food, etc.
Marriage License Info:
To be married on the Outer Banks, you will need to obtain a Marriage License at any register of deeds office in the state of North Carolina. You will need a photo ID and proof of social security. If either person is divorced, a divorce decree is required. You must have two witnesses, at least 18 years old sign your marriage license after your ceremony is complete as well as your Officiant and it is the job of your Officiant to file it with the Register of Deeds in its proper county. A marriage license will cost $60.00 - there is no blood test or waiting period and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and in any county in North Carolina.
Rande Banks, The Outer Banks Officiant:
(252) 473-0551 or (252) 441-4228
Email: randebanks@theouterbanksofficiant.com
A Beach Wedding ~ Getting Married on the Outer Banks
This information is provided by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. Please click on the link above for even more information including a list of wedding vendors registered with the Chamber of Commerce... officiants, locations, flowers, photography, cakes, wedding planners, limo services, rentals and more!
|
4. There must be two witnesses at any marriage ceremony, whether it is civil or religious. The minister or magistrate must sign the license, then return it to the register of deeds who issues the license. This is the official record of the ceremony. Certified copies of the certificate can be obtained from the office where the license was issues.
What is the best time of day to get married on the beach? For photography purposes, one or two hours before sunset is best. A bride or wedding planner will also want to consider high tide (depending on the beach/sand you've chosen). At the very peak of a sunshiny afternoon in the summer time, the sand is often too hot to stand on, and there are many tourists using the public beaches that will invariably wander into your wedding photos. Ideally, choose a secluded area or private beach, an hour before sunset in the evening or after sunrise in the morning.
|
|||
| The location choices for weddings on the Outer Banks are endless. In addition to the traditional church wedding, some other ideas include the Elizabethan Gardens, North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Fort Raleigh Historic Site, Jockeys Ridge State Park, the Whalehead Club in Corolla, Currituck Lighthouse, an airplane at the Wright Brothers Memorial, the beach, a local wedding chapel, charter fishing boat, pier, favorite motel or historic inn, or in a large rental home on the beach. Two new publications are available to help you with your planning. They are The Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks produced by Three Dog Ink and the Outer Banks Bride Magazine produced by the Outer Banks Wedding Association. | ||||
Callour Chamber office at (252) 441-8144,
8:30 am - 5:00 pm,Monday-Friday, EST.
Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals
They have a coordinator who handles everything from table linens to public address systems. Of course, they also rent surfboards, beach chairs and anythign else you might need for your special time at the beach.
Poking around their website, I'm thinking I should rent the "Fill n Chill" table just for general summer use
Check out their new location at milepost 9.5 on the bypass, right by the Kill Devil Hills/Nags Head town line. They're in between the highways in the big barn with a sunset painted on the side. And tell them Maslin sent you!
Tips from a Photographer
After photographing approximately 250 wedding in the past seven or eight years, I’ve come up with five important ideas to share with brides-to-be:
- Touch base. Be sure to contact your photographer the day before or the morning of your wedding. This should help smooth some of your last minute jitters about whether he or she will show up on time.
- Allow extra time. Have your photographer arrive at least 30 minutes if not an hour before your ceremony. Leaving some cushion for your photographer is important in case they were to have car or other problems. Expect to pay them for this time too as any experienced photographer will start working the minute he or she arrives.
- Have a rain plan. If you’re planning an outside wedding, be sure to have a back-up plan in case of poor weather. You need to decide in advance where to get married if it rains or storms. Most of the beach houses have large great rooms and this space should work fine. Have a cut-off time no less than an hour before the ceremony when you make the call to go inside or out.
- Pay vendors early. If vendor payments have not been made before the wedding day, they should be handed out in envelopes as the vendors arrive for the ceremony. From a vendor’s point of view, it’s no fun to chase down the bride at the end of the event to get paid.
- Relax! Try not to let details take over your mood the day of your wedding. Focus on the positive and don’t get upset if some of the flowers are wrong or one of the groom’s friends acted up at the rehearsal dinner. Just enjoy the day!
I hope these tips help in preparing for your wedding!
Forget the Horse and Carriage! What About a Helicopter Ride?
This ancient memory percolated to the surface yesterday when we met with Larry from Coastal Helicopters. It turns out he offers the only helicopter rides on the Outer Banks. In addition to being whisked away, he says the helicopter-eye-view is great for photos of your beach wedding. Or how about a mini-mancation before the wedding including a helicopter tour for the groomsmen?
Larry flies a Robinson R-44 Raven II helicopter. It is air conditioned and seats three passengers. You can arrange a charter for as little as 20-minutes for $175. For three people, that's less than $60 each!
Okay, so here's a little extra for all you romantics out there: helicopter video of the Great Serendipity Move of 2010. Yes, that's the house from Nights in Rodanthe. The ocean was getting a little too close close for comfort, so it had to be moved to a safer location. Always on the ball, Larry took to the skies to bring us this awesome video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4aNjCxd_TM
If you want to find out more about chartering a helicopter on the Outer Banks, check out http://www.obxhelicopters.com/
Colleen's Wedding on the Beach
This week's guest blogger is Colleen Almoney of HomeTour Magazine here on the beach.
If you are reading this, you are either thinking about having a beach wedding, already planning a beach wedding, or wishing you had your wedding at the beach and are simply beating yourself up because you didn’t do it.
Let me be frank. Weddings make you crazy. Some women go full-out bridezilla, and some slowly watch themselves turn into someone that they no longer recognize. The pressure to try and please everyone is daunting. Add to the mix a healthy dose of unrealistic expectations, and your future Mother-in-law telling you that you “just haaaave to invite so-and-so, and her husband, and their four children” who you have never met, not to mention MONEY, and it’s no wonder that so many brides spend too many nights crying in the closet so no one will hear.
Beach weddings elicit warm, comfortable feelings that are captured in the heat of the sand beneath your feet, and the sweet, salty breeze off of the ocean. It’s no wonder that people are drawn to the idea of a destination wedding! First of all, the pictures are to DIE FOR, and the less people know, the less they can try to influence you!
I have to be honest, my first wedding (I call it my “practice wedding”) was typical in that we did the church/flower/big family/wedding party/buffet reception with a band thing. It was good fun for everyone, and it put my parents so far into debt that I, to this day, want to kick myself.
My second time around, I vowed to make this the wedding that WE wanted… and it was perfect. No, I don’t mean the bride-y, “Oh! My wedding was PERFECT” perfect. It was simply perfect.
Having a wedding on the Outer Banks meant that our family and friends would converge on the beach in a swarm. We had rented from a super company, Village Realty, in the past, so they were our first call. We rented an amazing oceanfront home for the event, and our “people” managed to band together and snatch-up a few rental homes next door and across the street from the event location. NO DRIVING REQUIRED!
Friday night, we had a very casual, un-rehearsal BBQ to welcome everyone into town. Our guests showed-up and left when they wanted. They ate, drank, and were very merry. Music was provided by local friends, The Little Kings. We had THE best burgers, and chicken, and salads, and dessert, and, oh, the feeding frenzy was gross display. I loved every second of it. I don’t remember when the night ended.
Saturday morning, I picked-up my best friend and my mother, and we went to get our hair done at Hair Designers in Kill Devil Hills. We had a lovely, relaxing morning with no fuss. A few hours later, I met my father at his rental home. We had a shot (or two?) of Captain Morgan and we just walked across the street to the wedding. Everything was just as I had hoped.
Our “important flowers” (bouquet, corsages and boutonnières) were provided by Holiday House in Manteo. I am in love with their work and they didn’t let me down. The rest of the décor was casual, with shells, starfish and candles.
We had a few chairs on the beach for the folks who needed them. Everyone else stood close by us so they could hear and to bear witness to the exchange of our vows… indeed there were a few people who didn’t believe it was actually happening J We did the “I Do’s” and took some amazing photos. Carrie Roen, of Brooke Mayo Photography, did the unthinkable! She actually got my husband to do some fairly goofy things and SMILE the whole time! That alone was worth the cost of admission.
We had a giant buffet that was provided by a company that is no longer in business, which is a crying shame because I would tell you all to use them in a second. We had prime rib,
Our DJ, John Harper, put up with my list of “Don’ts” (you know, Achy Breaky Heart, We Are Family, etc) and managed to keep us dancing well into the morning.
I had a strategy going into this event: marry my husband. That’s really all I wanted. In my humble opinion, too many brides get tied-up in the WEDDING. The truth is, I really can’t remember too much about my “practice wedding” activities. I don’t remember what flowers we choose, or who said what.
We used the bulk of our budget on what was most important to us: location, food, drinks, entertainment. We made memories that are cherished by the two of us. We’ve been told by many that ours was the most “laid back, fun, authentic” wedding they had ever attended. The question is this…
What do YOU want? When you decide, go get it, and don’t take “no” for an answer.
PS, your future Mother-in-law will eventually forgive you for not inviting her best friend’s daughter that married that guy from around the block back in the day. But not right away.
Thanks Colleen for sharing your awesome beach wedding with us!
Colleen Almoney works for HomeTour of the Outer Banks. You can email her at htourcolleen@earthlink.net or visit them online at http://www.hometour-obx.com/skins/hometourobx/
The “Official” Part of Getting Married on the Outer Banks
Our guest blogger today is Janice Lane of Seaside Healing. Janice is an officiant for non-denominational weddings on the Outer Banks.
There are some very basic things to consider when planning a wedding on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in addition to the catering, flowers, location, etc. And that is planning for the marriage itself.
Often couples get caught up so much in the planning for the event, that they forget this is about bringing together two people who love each other and want to spend their lives together. There are many fine officiants locally that can assist you with planning for the marriage. Here are some things to consider as you are planning for this part.....
Work on your vows; they should be very personal for the two of you. These vows will express the feelings you have for each other, and those that you feel comfortable to share publicly before family and friends. Most officiants have suggested services and readings, or there are plenty on the internet and in books. But make sure they come from your heart and express what you want to express. This is not the time for anyone else to have input except for the two of you.
Make sure you have the necessary paperwork. To be married on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, you can obtain a marriage license at any Register of Deeds office in the State of North Carolina. They cost $50.00 and are good for 60 days from the date of issue. You must be at least 18 years old and present the following items:
- A picture ID
- Social security card or another certificate with your social security number listed, such as a W2 form or old pay stub.
- Birth certificate if under 21
- Divorce papers (with Judge's signature)
Outer Banks locations are:
- Dare County Register of Deeds Office located in the Dare County Justice Center at 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo (252) 475-5970;
- Currituck County offices on the Currituck mainland (252)232-3297 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm);
- Hyde County Register of Deeds office in Swan Quarter (for Ocracoke weddings) at (252)926-3011.
Allow someone besides the two of you to be in charge of the papers on your wedding day. On my own wedding day, we realized a couple of hours before the service that the marriage license had been packed and was somewhere in a box in the U-Haul! With so many other things on your mind, let a trusted friend or family member take care of this for you. The officiant will need to have the marriage license before the ceremony begins, and it is a good idea to have the witnesses be briefed by the officiant about the signing of the license by them before the marriage can be legal. This is also a good time for the officiant to receive their payment. After the ceremony, people feel like celebrating, not like doing paperwork. The officiant will mail the completed license into the proper office within a week after the ceremony.
There are two witnesses needed at a marriage ceremony. Consider carefully who you would like to sign your certificates as your witnesses, since their signatures are there forever. Often the best man and maid/matron of honor are the witnesses, but if a couple wishes to come on their own without family or friends, often an officiant can find willing friends of their own to come and witness the marriage. There is a retired couple I often call when witnesses are needed – they think it’s so much fun. After all, who doesn't’t love a wedding?
It is a good idea to meet privately with your officiant before the wedding, and also before the rehearsal, if there is to be one. At this meeting, you can discuss how you would like things to take place during the ceremony and most officiants will be able to offer good suggestions about things that may not be readily apparent to a couple making plans. This is our home, and we know many of the ins and outs of doing things that may make things much easier. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want - this is your wedding. It is also nice on your wedding day to say your vows in front of someone you have met and talked to, and who has an idea of who you are individually, and as a couple.
If there is to be a blending of families, such as children from previous relationships, consider making those children a special part of your ceremony. Something simple can be done, some sort of acknowledgment, that will allow them to feel more secure about their place in the new relationship. One of my favorite weddings included the giving of rings to two young girls who were getting a new step-parent. The couple offered a vow to the children that they would make this a happy family and be the best parents they could be. It was beautiful and so very meaningful to all of them.
If you are having your ceremony on the beach, or on an outdoor deck, please-please-please keep your rings in their ring box. There is little worse than looking for a dropped wedding ring in the sand, or seeing it drop through the space between the boards on a deck.
Have fun. This may be the most important piece of advice of all!
Thanks Janice! I had a mishap with my marriage license too - not something you want to deal with on your wedding day
Janice Lane performs non-denominational marriage and commitment ceremonies on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She has been providing this service for several years and loves bringing people together in our beautiful natural area. You may reach her at 252.202.6842 or seasidehealing@gmail.com.
A Wedding from Ocracoke to Nags Head
I knew from the start that David and Hillary were a perfect match. My first contact with the couple was the day David called me to schedule their engagement portrait session on Ocracoke Island. I found out during our conversation that David had not proposed to Hillary... well, not yet. He was waiting till they arrived on Ocracoke Island, their favorite spot.
I photographed their engagement portrait at Springer's Point at sunset. This was the place where only a day before David proposed, and Hillary said “yes!” It is a very beautiful natural place where the sun sets over the sound at Teach's Hole.
It was my good fortune to get another call from the couple. They were planning their wedding in Nags Head at the First Colony Inn. It was my joy to be the photographer for this fun and elegant wedding. The ocean, the beautiful beach and the Inn were a perfect backdrop for a day filled with family, friends, laughter and smiles! 100 guests came from all over to share in this wonderful couple's wedding day.
Hillary wore a strapless gown wrapped in white lace and walked barefoot on the beach to join David for the ceremony by the ocean. She wore a pale blue beach glass necklace with tiny white pearls. She had beach glass pieces in her blue flower bouquet. She wore a blue starfish in her hair.
The bridesmaids were dressed in beach glass colors: dresses in the shades of blues, green, and brown. Each bridesmaid had coordinating beach glass earrings. David and the groomsmen wore starfish boutonnieres. The flower girl carried a pretty starfish wand.
There was lots of love, friendship, and laughter at this special wedding. I am glad I was there to capture all the smiles and memories.
Thanks for the sweet story and great photos Mary!
See more of Mary Haggerty's work www.OcracokePhoto.com. She also offers complete wedding packages at NCIslandWedding.com . Or call her at 252-928-7000
