Dream Wedding

{Photos: Ryan & Rach Photography}

The January 2017 Wedding Weekend and Expo's Dream Wedding winners are getting married tomorrow! This all-inclusive destination wedding and rehearsal is made possible thanks to the many Outer Banks Wedding Association vendors who donate their time and services to create a gorgeous, memorable moment for one very lucky couple. 

The Winterville, North Carolina couple, Tamara Rupke and William Carter, will exchange their vows on the oceanfront in Nags Head on Thursday, October 12, and celebrate with a special rehearsal this evening. Keep up with their special OBX destination wedding day as we share live moments on the OBXWA Instagram!

DREAM WEDDING REHEARSAL VENDORS

Coordinator | Southern Hospitality Weddings & Events

Location | Nags Head Golf Links

Photographer | Erin Everlee Photography

Music | The Captain Entertainment

Grooms Cake | Icing on the Cakes

Table Centerpieces | The Flower Gallery at Harris Teeter Kill Devil Hills

DREAM WEDDING DAY VENDORS

Ceremony + Reception Site | Jennette's Pier

Wedding Planner | Engaging Events 

Bridal Shoot Photographer | Katiedid Photography

Bouquet for Bridal Shoot | The Embellishers

Engagement & Wedding Day Photographer | Ryan & Rach Photography

Videographer | Reel Love Weddings

Beauty & Spa | It's Royalty Salon 

Officiant | Rande Banks, The Outer Banks Officiant

Ceremony Arbor, Chairs & Set-up | I Do OBX Chairs

Floral, Décor, Lighting + Lounge | Bells & Whistles

Caterer + Tableware | Basnight's Lone Cedar Catering 

Dove Release | When Doves Fly

Cake | Just Desserts 

Ceremony Musician | SoulOne

DJ | Outer Banks Music Masters

Linens + Dance Floor Rentals | Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals 

Photo Booth | OBX Photo Booths

Save the Dates + Half off Wedding Invitations | HLR Designs

Printing of Wedding Stationary Items | Coastal Impressions

Accommodations | Oasis Suites Hotel

Accommodations | First Colony Inn

Accommodations | Sea Ranch Resort

Interested in winning the Dream Wedding 2018? Attend the Wedding Weekend and Expo on January 13 and 14, 2018, and purchase a VIP ticket for your chance to enter the giveaway. The 2018 Dream Wedding will take place in October 2018 at The Currituck Club. Each VIP ticket holder is entitled to gather additional tickets during the Wedding Tour that takes place on Saturday evening at each stop they make. Make plans for your stay now!

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Each year at our annual Wedding Weekend & Expo, we reveal one lucky couple who enters to win a Dream Wedding giveaway featuring the generous work of over 20 Outer Banks Wedding Association vendors. The 2016 Dream Wedding couple, Brian and Jamie, experienced a wedding of a lifetime with a personalized celebration coordinated by Heather Events. After saying their vows on the oceanfront with an "unplugged" ceremony officiated by I Do OBX Weddings, they made their way to 108 Budleigh in Manteo for a reception filled with blush florals, rustic details, and sophisticated southwestern cuisine by Ortega'z Grill. Congratulations to Jamie and Brian, and thank you to all of the local vendors who made this Dream Wedding giveaway possible!

Photographers | Courtney Hathaway Photography, Kristi Midgette Photography 

Reception Site | 108 Budleigh

Coordinator | Heather Events

Officiant | I Do OBX Weddings

Floral & Décor | Holiday House Weddings & Events

Ceremony Design | I Do OBX Chairs

Caterer | Ortega'z Grill

Cakes & Confections | Cotton Candy Baking Company 

Cocktail Hour Music | SOULone

Ceremony Music | Graham Outten Music

Reception DJ | PROBX DJ

Beauty & Spa | Glimmer Hair & Makeup

Photo Booth | 10 Fish Photo Booth

Videographer | Reel Love Weddings by Baldwin Video

Equipment Rentals | Metro Rental 

Equipment Rentals | Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals 

Specialty Services - Table Numbers & Save the Date | HLR Designs

Specialty Services - Cocktail Hour Slushes | OBX Sunset Slush 

Specialty Services - Lighting | Blue Steel Lighting Design

Specialty Services - Sitting Services | Robbins' Nest Sitting Service 

Specialty Services - Custom Letter Art | A2Z Letter Art Photography

Transportation | Corolla Trolley Services

For more from Brian and Jamie's Dream Wedding, tons of Outer Banks wedding inspiration, and our in-demand vendor directory, request your complimentary copy of the 2017 Outer Banks Weddings Magazine.  

After winning our all-inclusive Dream Wedding, which we grant one lucky couple each year at our annual Wedding Weekend & Expo, Stephanie and Keith began planning their big day with Glam & Lace Weddings, featuring over 20 Outer Banks Wedding Association vendors! This one-of-a-kind affair features some of our favorite timeless details, southern style cuisine by Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe, customized cocktail hour music by SOULone and a sweet-filled snowball bar by Island Snowball Company - just to name a few! We have been bursting at the seams to share their sweet vows at The Elizabethan Gardens and celebration at Nags Head Golf Links, captured by Sarah D'Ambra Photography from the Outer Banks Bride Magazine! 

Congratulations to Stephanie and Keith on winning this wedding of a lifetime, and a big thank you to all of the local vendors who made this Dream Wedding giveaway possible!

View more from Stephanie and Keith's Dream Wedding, receive Outer Banks wedding inspiration and receive our in-demand vendor directory by reserving your complimentary copy of the 2016 Outer Banks Bride Magazine.

The Details:

Photographer: Sarah D'Ambra Photography | Ceremony Site: The Elizabethan Gardens | Reception Site: Nags Head Golf Links | Coordinator: Glam & Lace Weddings | Officiant: Reverend Tanya Young | Bridal Party Floral & Ceremony Design: Flower Girls OBX | Reception Flowers: The Embellishers | Deck Lounge Design: Holiday House Weddings & Events | Caterer: Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe | Cakes & Confections: Cotton Candy Baking Company | Ceremony Musicians: Kim Kalman Music, Club Violin | Cocktail Hour Musicians: SOULone | DJ: Coastal DJ & Video | Beauty & Spa: It's Royalty Salon Spa & Nails | Photo Booth: OBX Photo Booths | Videographer: Reel Love Weddings by Baldwin Video | Equipment Rentals - Dance Floor, Linens, China, & Tables: Metro Rental | Equipment Rentals - Reception Chairs: I Do OBX Chairs | Equipment Rentals - Tent: Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals | Specialty Services - Dove Release: When Doves Fly | Specialty Services - Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting Design | Specialty Services - Print Details: HLR Designs | Speciality Services - Snowball Bar: Island Snowball Company | Accommodations: The Tranquil House Inn | Bridal Party Luncheon: Ortega'z Grill

The Outer Banks is one of the most popular coastal wedding destinations in the country, and the Outer Banks Wedding Association is the premiere service organization for wedding professionals located in Currituck, Dare, and Hyde counties. With approximately 300 members strong, our organization offers the best resources to brides and those planning events in the Outer Banks. Known for it's popular Outer Banks Bride Magazine and destination wedding inspiration, the Outer Banks Wedding Association boasts local and national recognition.

If ever there was a real wedding that truly spoke to my heart, it would be Autumn and Matt's Whalehead in Historic Corolla wedding. Bubbly, passionate and charming - these two could not have been more deserving of our fully-paid for Dream Wedding, given away at the 2014 Wedding Weekend and Expo. Topped of with glittering vintage details and cranberry accents, our vendors created an atmosphere that was causal, yet elegant. From the bride's long locks styled by Hot Heads Hair Design Studio to hang gliding lessons by Kitty Hawk Kites, members of the Outer Banks Wedding Association covered every detail, activity and accommodation for their big day! We are bringing you more lovely photos by ALC Wedding Photography, from their recent feature in the 2015 Outer Banks Bride Magazine.

The Details:

Photographer: ALC Wedding Photography | Trash The Dress Session: ColemanShots | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Whalehead in Historic Corolla | Coordinator: To Have & To Hold | Floral Designer: Bells & Whistles | Cake Designer: Just Desserts | Caterers: Argyles Events & Catering, Black Pelican Catering, The Good Life Gourmet, Red Sky Cafe | Ceremony Music: Club Violin, Kim Kalman Music | Cocktail Hour Music: SOULone | DJ: Andy Lawrenson DJ Services | Hair Stylist: Hot Heads | Equipment Rentals: Metro Rental, Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals, I Do OBX Chairs | Save-The-Date Cards: HLR Designs | Ceremony Dove Release: When Doves Fly | Accommodations: The Inn at Corolla Light | Hang Gliding Lessons: Kitty Hawk Kites The Outer Banks is one of the most popular coastal wedding destinations in the country, and the Outer Banks Wedding Association is the premiere service organization for wedding professionals located in Currituck, Dare, and Hyde counties. With approximately 300 members strong, our organization offers the best resources to brides and those planning events in the Outer Banks. Known for it's popular Outer Banks Bride Magazine and destination wedding inspiration, the Outer Banks Wedding Association boasts local and national recognition.

Every year, to close our wedding weekend and expo, we rally expo attendees in an auditorium to begin our drawing for our dream giveaways. Our members amazed us beyond belief by offering an overwhelmingly wonderful Dream Wedding, Dream Honeymoon and 16 individual Dream Giveaway packages. With the room flooded with excitement, cheer and pounding hearts - brides anxiously listen for their ticket number to be called.

Thanks to Ryan & Rach Photography, we are able to share these thrilling moments with you!

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 16 individual giveaways: Jeannie Calaflore, Kelly Rafferty, Kayla Vanstaaiduinen, Sandy Williams, Emily Kline, Cheryl Sullivan, Rachel Balley, Theresa McCarthy, Jessica Lunsford, Schuylar Overbey, Caroline Clayton, Hannah Heil, Jess Karpinski, Jamie McClease, Kathryn Dickerson, and Jennifer Pell!

Congratulations to Michelle Sheley and her fiance for winning our Dream Honeymoon!

Congratulations to Stephanie Alderson and her fiance for winning our 2015 Dream Wedding!

A BIG thank you to all of our members who made each of the Dream Giveaways possible!!

The Outer Banks is one of the most popular coastal wedding destinations in the country, and the Outer Banks Wedding Association is the premiere service organization for wedding professionals located in Currituck, Dare, and Hyde counties. With approximately 300 members strong, our organization offers the best resources to brides and those planning events in the Outer Banks.

Historic Manteo is the perfect location for newlyweds to bask in post wedding bliss. From dining at Stripers Bar and Grille to taking in all of the lush beauty of the Elizabethan Gardens, the activities are endless! Shannon and Chris, our 2014 dream honeymoon winners, escaped to the Oasis Suites Hotel and enjoyed a romantic weekend on the Outer Banks thanks to our generous members. Taken by Courtney Hathaway Photography, we are thrilled to share a few sneak peak moments from Shannon and Chris's honeymoon session!

Quotes From Our Participating Members

"I met up with Shannon & Chris on Tuesday, the second day into their day, at the Elizabethan Gardens for their portrait session. There they utilized their garden passes, and even purchased some plants from the garden gift shop to take home as a remembrance of their stay. We walked the gardens photographing their love, before finishing up with photos at the Bodie Island Lighthouse in South Nags Head." - Courtney Hathaway Photography

"We provided a lush display of pink spray roses, cream English roses, candle light and rustic driftwood elements to welcome the bride and groom to the Outer Banks. From the minute they walked in the door each area of the beautiful suite was filled with special touches. Pink mini orchids on White on the fireplace mantel to dramatic white orchids on the coffee table." - Holiday House Weddings & Events

"The Outer Banks is a great honeymoon destination for couples, because there is a little something for every kind of vacationer! We have relaxation (beach, spa), adventure (fishing, hang gliding, kayak, etc), and plenty of restaurants and shopping. There is definitely something to fit every kind of desired vacation experience." - Oasis Suites Hotel

VENDORS WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN...

• Courtney Hathaway Photography
• Oasis Suites Hotel
• Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe
• Stripers Bar and Grille
• Elizabethan Gardens
• Holiday House Weddings and Events
• OBX Romance Store

The Outer Banks is one of the most popular coastal wedding destinations in the country, and the Outer Banks Wedding Association is the premiere service organization for wedding professionals located in Currituck, Dare, and Hyde counties. With approximately 300 members strong, our organization offers the best resources to brides and those planning events in the Outer Banks.

Bubbly, passionate, and enchanting - a few words that come to mind when we reminiscence about Autumn and Matt, our 2014 Dream Wedding couple. These West Virginia natives couldn't have been more deserving of having a fully-paid for wedding given by talented members of the Outer Banks Wedding Association. From glamorous makeup by All Eyes on the Bride to the serene, ceremony dove release by When Doves Fly, our members had every imaginable detail covered for their Historic Whalehead Club wedding. A day truly built around love, we are delighted to share a sneak peak of Autumn and Matt's wedding by ALC Wedding Photography and a fun-filled trash the dress session by Coleman Shots.

[caption id="attachment_8948" align="aligncenter" width="601" class=" "] Captured by ALC Wedding Photography[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_8945" align="aligncenter" width="601" class=" "] Captured by ALC Wedding Photography[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_8944" align="aligncenter" width="601" class=" "] Captured by ALC Wedding Photography[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_8935" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Captured by Coleman Shots[/caption]

A BIG thank you to all of our members who participated in this wedding and made Autumn and Matt's day so special! Stay tuned for a full feature of Autumn and Matt's big day in our 2015 issue of Outer Banks Bride Magazine, available in January! Want a chance to win our 2015 Dream Wedding, among other amazing packages? Purchase your tickets to the Outer Banks Wedding Association's 2015 Wedding Weekend and Expo by clicking here.

Quotes From Our Participating Members

"A wedding doesn't only consist of a rehearsal, a ceremony, and a reception. There are days of preparation, planning, and events that lead up to the big day. The Outer Banks not only has all of the businesses to accommodate the technical needs leading up to a wedding, but it also offers a fun, relaxing, and all-around enjoyable environment for the families involved. Being a part of such a great program as the Dream Wedding, is not only wonderful exposure for our venue, but it feels great to be able to provide a part of one lucky bride's dream wedding day!" - Historic Whalehead Club

"Autumn and Matt are a very special couple. I so enjoyed working with them throughout the process of helping them to have the wedding that they had dreamed of and both were very fun loving and we had some great times together. I feel fortunate to have met them and worked with them." -Brenda Zeigler of To Have & To Hold OBX

"I love helping someone to look their absolute most gorgeous self! And its wonderful to work with the other top notch wedding providers and making a dream wedding come true for a very lucky couple each year! I feel blessed to be a small part of a bride s big day." - Lauren of All Eyes on the Bride

"There are beautiful locations all over the Outer Banks for weddings; not just the beaches, but the Whalehead Club, golf courses, gardens, marinas. I love that so many innovative and creative people have developed sustaining businesses providing services to the wedding industry that support them and their families." - Jeanne of When Doves Fly

VENDORS WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN:

• Wedding Day Photographer: ALC Wedding Photography
• Trash The Dress Session: Coleman Shots
• Wedding/Reception Venue: Historic Whalehead Club
• Coordinator: To Have & To Hold OBX
• Save-The-Date Cards: HLR Designs
• Save-The-Date Printing: Coastal Impressions
• Officiant: My OBX Officiant
• Ceremony Music: Club Violin / Kim Kalman Music
• Reception Music: SOULone / DJ Andy
• Catering: Argyles Events & Catering / Black Pelican / Red Sky Cafe / Port-O-Call / The Good Life Gourmet
• Cake Design: Just Desserts
• Getting Ready Location: Inn at Corolla Light
• Makeup: All Eyes on the Bride
• Tuxedo Rentals: Black Tie Affair
• Floral Design: Bells & Whistles
• Equipment Rentals: I Do OBX Chairs / Metro Rental / Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals
• Dove Release: When Doves Fly
• Bachelorette Party: Port-O-Call
• Hang Gliding Lessons: Kitty Hawk Kites

As many of you are well aware, the Outer Banks Wedding Association is not only known as source for premiere venues and vendors on the Outer Banks, but also the host of the best Wedding Weekend and Expo on the East Coast! Part of the reason our we are well known for our Wedding Weekend and Expo is highly due to our Dream Wedding, Engagement and Honeymoon packages! Attending brides are giving the thrilling opportunity to win one of the fully paid for packages, that our generous members donate their time, skills, and services to create.

Over the next three weeks we will be highlighting each of our members who participated in the packages, along with a handful of sneak peak photos (you'll have to stay tuned for the 2015 Outer Banks Bride Magazine for more!). This week we are thrilled to bring you the winners of the dream engagement package, Chelsea and Anthony, as captured by Sarah D'Ambra Photography.

Chelsea and Anthony spent the weekend at The First Colony Inn in Nags Head to celebrate their engagement. The couple was greated by a feast of savory and sweet goodies provided by Outer Banks Kettle Corn and Atlantic Cake Company. Following their engagement session by Sarah D'Ambra Photography, Chelsea and Anthony grabbed lunch at the Sea Ranch Resort and took a thrilling, aerial tour of our ribbon of sand with OBX Airplanes. After catching a few rays at the beach, this lovely couple ended their day with a romantic dinner at Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar.

Quotes From Our Participating Members

"Our favorite part about being involved with the dream couple was the opportunity help them pick out their location for where they wanted their photos taken. We decided that Jennette's Pier was the perfect location the pier has these concrete pilings that create eye catching leading lines. From the historic landmarks and light houses to the majestic ocean and beautiful beaches, the Outer Banks the perfect get way and a very romantic atmosphere to get engaged or host your wedding." -Sarah D'Ambra Photography

"The Outer Banks is a beautiful and exciting place for an engagement! How romantic! The Dream Engagement couple had a warm welcome when they arrived at their accommodations and saw their gift bag full of Outer Banks Kettle Corn! The perfect sweet and salty snack for their weekend." -Outer Banks Kettle Corn

The Outer Banks is one of the most popular coastal wedding destinations in the country, and the Outer Banks Wedding Association is the premiere service organization for wedding professionals located in Currituck, Dare, and Hyde counties. With approximately 300 members strong, our organization offers the best resources to brides and those planning events in the Outer Banks.

A Dream Engagement package that took our couple, Chelsea and Tony, from the shores of Nags Head to the relaxing historic First Colony Inn also included a romantic Outer Banks photo session captured by the talented Sarah D Ambra of Sarah D Ambra Photography.

Sarah D Ambra, the creative visionary behind the stunning bridal portraits for the 2013 Dream Wedding winner, guided the lucky couple to the pristine section of beach just below Jennette s Pier, a stretch of beach famous for its picturesque backdrop and pier architecture.

I always enjoy shooting at Jennette's Pier because of its unique architecture, as it adds a little something more to the beach, said Sarah. One of my favorite features of this pier is the shaded area underneath where the concrete pilings create these eye catching leading lines that translate well into artistic photography.

The love and excitement in a couple s eyes as they begin planning their future together touches us all. Whether you re a newlywed, or married for decades, chances are you ll never forget those early moments of anticipation as you embark on your journey together.

Now, thanks to the artistic work by Sarah D Ambra Photography, Chelsea and Tony will have these beautiful images to cherish for years and anniversaries to come.

Excited to be part of the Outer Banks Wedding Association s Dream Giveaways once again, Sarah is eager to see what the future holds for these couples.

This is my second year in a row as a featured photographer for the dream wedding and I can't explain how exciting it is! exclaimed Sarah. Personally, I am truly thrilled to be a part of this event again and hope to be able to continue to contribute to the dream team in the years to come, she continued.

To learn more about the 2014 Dream Winners, follow our blog here. If you re interested in learning more about Sarah D Ambra Photography, click here.

Just over two months after winning a Dream Engagement package at the Outer Banks Wedding Association s annual Wedding Weekend & Expo in January, Chelsea Bean and Anthony Katz returned to their favorite place, Nags Head, to enjoy their Dream Engagement weekend. First, the lucky couple settled in for a two-night stay at First Colony Inn, a historical Outer Banks hotel with true southern charm and the welcoming hospitality visitors have come to expect here on the Outer Banks. After checking in, Chelsea and Anthony were surprised with a gift basket filled with gourmet popcorn from Outer Banks Kettle Corn and a dozen mouthwatering chocolate truffles by Atlantic Cake Company. However, the breathtaking room at the First Colony Inn, along with the goodie basket, were only the beginning of their romantic Nags Head getaway.

The talented Sarah D'Ambra of Sarah D'Ambra Photography captured the weekend's blissful moments during an engagement portrait session with the couple. In addition, the Dream couple took their love to new heights as they soared high above the Outer Banks in an airplane tour that took them over The Wright Brother's Monument and Jockey's Ridge State Park with OBX Airplanes. No weekend on the Outer Banks is complete without some time in the sun, so our lucky couple escaped to our famous beaches to relax and unwind between their engagement photo session and plane ride.

A busy weekend means a big appetite and Chelsea and Anthony were able to enjoy some of the Outer Banks best culinary dishes as they dined at the Beachside Bistro at Sea Ranch Resort and Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar. The Dream Engagement Weekend was filled with quiet alone time, exhilarating new adventures and romantic moments for this newly-engaged couple. Beginning with the walk up the First Colony Inn s steps where Chelsea was met with a beautiful and heartfelt proposal from Anthony to the new adventures experienced during this Dream Engagement weekend, our lucky winners have created Outer Banks memories that will last a lifetime.

[caption id="attachment_8116" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo provided by family friend[/caption]

Dream Engagement Vendors

First Colony Inn

Outer Banks Kettle Corn

Atlantic Cake Company

Sarah D Ambra Photography

Sea Ranch Resort s Beachside Bistro

OBX Airplanes

Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar