Planning any wedding is a joyful and exasperating task. But planning a beach wedding has the additional challenge of not having a building (or chairs, or changing rooms, or a sound system) for the ceremony. Yet no building can match the natural splendor of waves, sand, sun and salt air. This step by step guide will help you plan your "OBX wedding".
Instructions
1
With your date and time in hand, choose a location on the Outer Banks that suits your needs. Each beach area is locally managed, so the first step in planning is to decide on an area. In the Outer Banks you have a choice between the ocean (east) and the sound (west), and time of year will impact your decision. For example, evening weddings in the peak of the summer heat are better suited for the east facing ocean beaches, whereas fall weddings on the sound provide cool, beautiful backgrounds with west facing sunsets. Consult a sunrise/sunset chart for the time of year and the time of day for your wedding for sunset information, and then contact the town where you plan to be married to obtain permission (if needed) for a beach ceremony.
2
Make arrangements for the ceremony. Find an officiant using the Outer Banks Wedding Planner website and secure a date with him/her. Next, decide on the 'furniture' you will need. Small, intimate weddings often don't use chairs, and the guests simply stand in a semi-circle around the bride and groom. Larger weddings, and those with elderly guests, may require folding chairs or benches. These can be obtained easily from local rental companies such as Metro Rentals, and delivery and set up can be part of their service or you can rally the nephews and save some money. Other items such as altar tables, gazebo, and arches can also be rented. Unity candles are not recommended, as it is disheartening to watch the flame blow out in the wind! Flower arrangements may be limited to what the bridesmaids and bride will carry, as floral arrangements in containers are sure to fall over in the wind. Remember that the beach comes with it's own decoration, and so simplicity is best. Arrange for beach musicians, who come with their own amplification. Soloists and ensembles can be found at http://www.obxweddingplanner.com and music samples can be downloaded so that you can actually hear your performer.
3
Hire a local photographer whose work you like. Internet access allows for the viewing of wedding pictures and provides easy information about the photographer' s style. Wedding photographers come in two varieties; 'photo journalists', who shoot straightforward pictures that tell a story; and 'portrait creators', who stage and create portrait shots as they go. Prices can vary from the upper hundreds to the upper thousands, and negotiating for exactly what you want is acceptable. Remember that with digital photo processing so easily available, hiring a photographer to shoot pictures and supply only a CD can be a real savings to the wedding budget. Couples can then select the exact pictures they want and make them into prints of any size at a local drug store or WalMart. Most photographers post their shots on their website for one year and family members can order high quality prints or albums directly from the photographer as desired. A fun idea is to hire the photographer only for the wedding itself and provide disposable cameras at each table for candid reception shots. This provides the bride and the groom with scenes of their reception that they would otherwise not have and saves money on the photographer' s fee.
4
Choose a reception site. Many OBX wedding receptions take place in large beach rental homes, providing bridal party housing, several changing areas and convenient rest rooms for the wedding. Local restaurants have catering departments which feature fresh, local selections which are delivered, set up and served right at your wedding site. Another option is to use a hotel such as the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk on the ocean, or the Sander ling Inn in Duck on the sound. These venues come with everything you would otherwise have to arrange yourself; tables, chairs, table arrangements, dance areas, chefs, servers, plates, utensils, etc. After arranging for a cake and a DJ or band, the reception is basically planned. Most restaurants allow for tastings ahead of time, and a trip to the Outer Banks in January to attend the annual Outer Banks Wedding Expo is a must for easy access to all the major wedding vendors.
5
Choose your wedding clothes with care. All female participants should be in flats or bare feet, and dressy flip flops give permission to wedding guests to also wear sensible footwear. The bride's gown should be suitable for heat, wind, and sand drag. Many bridal shops feature 'destination gowns' which are designed with lighter weight fabrics for easy maneuverability. Bridesmaids can be in short dresses and groomsmen have the perfect excuse not to wear a tie and suit. Many bridal parties outfit the men in 'Hawaiian' style shirts, or classic khaki slacks with cotton button down shirts with the sleeves rolled up. Adding a tie in the bridesmaids' color is a nice touch. A dressier option is to go to the tuxedo rental place and rent pants, vests and pleated shirts, which could be worn with an open collar. Keeping cool is key! Wedding invitations should be very specific about the sand so that guests aren't caught off guard.
6
Obtain a North Carolina wedding license at the Register of Deeds in the Dare County Justice Center, 962 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo, NC. Both bride and groom must be present to apply. Be sure to bring:
- 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 (if needed)
Plus the bride and groom will need to know the counties they were born in and their mothers' maiden names for the application!
The license costs $50 (cash only) and good for 60 days.
7
Make a detailed wedding day time line and give copies to the officiant, the bridal party, the parents, grandparents, and the photographer. Be specific about times and locations so that everyone is present as needed for pre-wedding hair appointments, make up, dressing, pictures, and processing down the beach together. Make hair appointments several months in advance and schedule the appointment four to five hours prior to the ceremony. It is also recommended that you have your hairdresser do a practice styling several weeks before the wedding. Take pictures to refer to on the wedding day, and don't be afraid to voice any concerns; this is the time to get it sorted out.
8
The night before the wedding, go over the time line and pack everything that will be needed for the day. Be sure to pack extra make up, hair accessories, safety pins, a small sewing kit, band aids, ibuprofen and water bottles. It pays to be prepared! Get a good night's rest and stay well fed and hydrated the next day. And relax ... proper planning makes for perfect parties. Enjoy your wedding. It's your day!
5
Choose your wedding clothes with care. All female participants should be in flats or bare feet, and dressy flip flops give permission to wedding guests to also wear sensible footwear. The bride's gown should be suitable for heat, wind, and sand drag. Many bridal shops feature 'destination gowns' which are designed with lighter weight fabrics for easy maneuverability. Bridesmaids can be in short dresses and groomsmen have the perfect excuse not to wear a tie and suit. Many bridal parties outfit the men in 'Hawaiian' style shirts, or classic khaki slacks with cotton button down shirts with the sleeves rolled up. Adding a tie in the bridesmaids' color is a nice touch. A dressier option is to go to the tuxedo rental place and rent pants, vests and pleated shirts, which could be worn with an open collar. Keeping cool is key! Wedding invitations should be very specific about the sand so that guests aren't caught off guard.
6
Obtain a North Carolina wedding license at the Register of Deeds in the Dare County Justice Center, 962 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo, NC. Both bride and groom must be present to apply. Be sure to bring:
- 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 (if needed)
Plus the bride and groom will need to know the counties they were born in and their mothers' maiden names for the application!
The license costs $50 (cash only) and good for 60 days.
7
Make a detailed wedding day time line and give copies to the officiant, the bridal party, the parents, grandparents, and the photographer. Be specific about times and locations so that everyone is present as needed for pre-wedding hair appointments, make up, dressing, pictures, and processing down the beach together. Make hair appointments several months in advance and schedule the appointment four to five hours prior to the ceremony. It is also recommended that you have your hairdresser do a practice styling several weeks before the wedding. Take pictures to refer to on the wedding day, and don't be afraid to voice any concerns; this is the time to get it sorted out.
8
The night before the wedding, go over the time line and pack everything that will be needed for the day. Be sure to pack extra make up, hair accessories, safety pins, a small sewing kit, band aids, ibuprofen and water bottles. It pays to be prepared! Get a good night's rest and stay well fed and hydrated the next day. And relax ... proper planning makes for perfect parties. Enjoy your wedding. It's your day!
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