If you're dreaming of a grand tropical-inspired celebration, go ahead and bookmark Stephen and Dana's wedding. It's chock full of island elegance with so many striking details. Monstera leaves abound (note the gold leaves hidden in the arbor and those amazing hanging floral wreaths!) When combined, wicker chandeliers, pampas grass, golden accents, and Lucite chairs create a flawless wedding day. From the dune-front ceremony to the magnificent and bright pavilion reception, there's not a moment that isn't totally swoon-worthy. 

Photographer & Videographer | Julie Dreelin Photographer + Film Maker

Ceremony & Reception Venue | Sanderling Resort

Floral & Decor | Renee Landry Events

Cake | Patty Bakes

Equipment Rentals | Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals & Renee Landry Events

Stephen & Dana's wedding is featured in the 2020 Outer Banks Weddings magazine. Want to see more incredible Real Weddings, Styled Shoots, and get planning tips? Request your free copy of this year's magazine.

Her acoustic stylings and live vocals will make any event feel more intimate, from when you walk down the aisle to your first dance. Kim Kalman Music has been performing for weddings on the Outer Banks for 19 years and is able to offer different musical services that will complement your special day. Visit www.kimkalman.com for more information and to see where you can hear her live on the Outer Banks. 

How long have you been involved in weddings on the Outer Banks? 

I’ve been a member of the Outer Banks Wedding Association since I relocated to the Outer Banks from Nashville, TN in January of 2001 - I joined OBWA the summer that year. I’ve been providing music for weddings since high school, so over 45 years.

October 2nd - October 9th, 2020

Governor Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that we will be moving into Phase 3 beginning Friday, October 2nd at 5 p.m. Read our blog for details about Phase 3 and how it affects weddings on the Outer Banks. 

Beach driving is back in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head until April 30th, 2021. Beach permits are available for purchase at Kill Devil Hills Town Hall by appointment only. Call (252)-449-5338 to arrange an appointment. Nags Head permits are available at Nags Head Town Hall or at all tackle shops in Nags Head. Permits issued in Nags Head are accepted on KDH beaches and vise versa. Seasonal permits are $25 and temporary permits are $10, which are accepted for 14 days. Drivers license, proof of insurance and registration are required to purchase. 

The Outer Banks tourist season is still in full-swing, with record breaking numbers of visitors coming to the Outer Banks through October! If you are planning a Fall trip, read our blog on things you can do during the Fall on the Outer Banks.

Due to increased late Summer travel to the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has extended lifeguarding services through the end of September. Lifeguards will be stationed at Coquina, Frisco and Ocracoke beach access from 9am-5pm. 

Visitors and residents are encouraged to follow the “Three W’s” as outlined by the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services. (WEAR a face covering, WAIT in line at least six feet away from others, and WASH or sanitize hands frequently. 

The Outer Banks Wedding Association has been hosting We Do! Sessions with our vendors here on the Outer Banks. Different creative vendors teach us how to do something and we ask them follower submitted questions. Check them out on our Instagram TV Channel @obxwa

Weather

Fall weather is upon us! Grab a light jacket and a beach chair and head out to the surf this weekend for some quality beach time before it gets too cold!

darksky.net

Events

• 10/2
  • Stephen Brown Band at Outer Banks Brewing Station from 5pm - 8pm.
  • Graham Outten at Avenue Grille from 6pm - 9pm.
• 10/3
  • Doc Perkins at Outer Banks Brewing Station from 5pm - 8pm.
  • Phil Watson at the Village Table & Tavern beginning at 6pm.
• 10/4
  • Graham Outten at Outer Banks Brewing Station from 5pm - 8pm.
• 10/8
  • Marc Murray at the Village Table & Tavern beginning at 6pm.

Beach Cams

• Kitty Hawk

• Downtown Manteo

• Kill Devil Hills

• Jennette's Pier

Open Status

The Ocracoke Campground at Camp Hatteras National Seashore is to remain open year-round. All 136 campsites are open to use. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov

Cape Hatteras National Seashore beached will open to permitted off-road vehicles 24 hours a day if no sea turtle nests are nearby beginning on Tuesday, September 15th. Permit and Access information can be found at https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island will open on September 14th at 50% capacity. Admission must be purchased online and guests will reserve their tickets for specific arrival times. Tickets can be purchased at www.ncaquariums.com

Header Image: Chris Bickford Photography

I think we can all agree that 2020 has been unlike any year before and for all of the engaged couples who planned to get married this year, congratulations on pulling through and either going with alternate plans or postponing to a later date! The unprecedented challenges that you and the wedding industry as a whole have faced are finally beginning to subside so that we can begin to adjust to our new version of normal in a post-quarantine world.

North Carolina has been moving in phases to ensure the health and safety of it's residents and visitors and part of that is restricting the amount of guests at wedding receptions and mass gatherings. 

Governor Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that North Carolina will transition into Phase 3 at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 2nd. 

So, the question is, how will this affect weddings? 

With Phase 3, the main takeaway is that North Carolina wedding and reception venues are amongst the small entertainment venues that can now host non-mass gatherings at a larger capacity. 

Under Executive Order No. 169, reception venues are now permitted to operate at 30% capacity or up to 100 guests, whichever is less. 

It is important to note that in order to apply the increased guest size to your event, guests must remain in their designated areas without intermingling. This can be done by informing guests of their area beforehand, passing out colored wristbands that correspond with their designated space, seated cocktail hour and dinner service, or by hiring a planner or coordinator to navigate the specifics for you to ensure that your event is following the legal guidelines and is safe for everyone involved. Venue and event staff do not fall under the "guest-size" umbrella. 

Events that do not take place at a venue must still adhere to the mass gathering guidelines already set in place, which is a maximum of 10 indoors and 50 outdoors. 

When hosting or attending an event, it is still important to follow the 3W's and to Wear a face mask or covering, Wait at least six feet apart and to Wash or sanitize hands frequently!

The next update on North Carolina's COVID-19 response is expected on October 23rd. 

Be Smart. Be Safe. Have Fun!

Always, OBX

*Updated 11/13/20 to reflect the decreased indoor gathering limit from 25 to 10. 

Header Image: Jason Denson Photography

Jonathan and Chelsey's rustic-elegant coastal wedding is a stunner. Both are graduates of East Carolina University, so they incorporated purple and gold into their wedding day, but in a subtle fashion. Muted purples and golds found their way into all aspects, from attire to decorations. We love the seating chart display, and the way the cake captures the bridesmaids dress colors and golds from the other decor to make it all come together! 

Photographer | Coleman Shots

Ceremony & Reception Venue | Jennette's Pier

Coordinator | Engaging Events

Floral & Decor | Holiday House Weddings & Events

Hair & Makeup | Glimmer Hair & Makeup

Caterer | Kelly's OBX Catering

Equipment Rentals | Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals

Entertainment | OBX Wedding DJ

Jonathan & Chelsey's wedding is featured in the 2020 Outer Banks Weddings magazine. Want to see more incredible Real Weddings, Styled Shoots, and get planning tips? Request your free copy of this year's magazine.

Chris Hannant of Swell Productions has merged his love of artistic storytelling with his passion of travel and capturing natural beauty into the way in which he films weddings here on the Outer Banks and beyond. Chris and his team are able to bring a fresh and modern approach to filming and editing your special day and the end product is nothing short of a mini-cinematic masterpiece. Read more about Swell Productions and watch a few of their films below.

Jill and Ryan - Outer Banks Wedding Films from Swell Weddings on Vimeo.

How long have you been involved in weddings on the Outer Banks? How did you get started?

I shot my first wedding on the Outer Banks in 2011. Because it was my first attempt, I did it for free under the condition I could shoot it in the way I felt like wedding videos should be shot (this was just as the more "cinematic" style of wedding video was starting to take hold.) The couple ended up loving it so much that they sent me a check for $200! I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed shooting it, so I started finding gigs on Craigslist until I felt confident enough to bring on a second shooter and try to turn it into a proper business.

Kate and Spike - Outer Banks Wedding Films from Swell Weddings on Vimeo.

What makes the Outer Banks special to you?

I grew up on the Outer Banks and it's always been special to me. After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design, most of my peers went off to New York or Los Angeles, but I just wanted to come home! The natural beauty of the Outer Banks is what got me into the visual arts to begin with and totally shaped who I am today. Growing up, I was always captivated by the way the light would fall on the dunes in the evening, or the shifting colors of the water, or even the clear, starlit skies we have at night. I wanted to capture these things to preserve and share them. I've traveled all over the world but there's really nowhere else like the Outer Banks.

Meghan and Shane - Outer Banks Wedding Films from Swell Weddings on Vimeo.

Do you have any advice for a couple booking your services?

Breathe and enjoy your day! Your emotions will translate through video, which is what can make our medium so powerful. We're documentary filmmakers by trade, so we are not only there to capture what's happening visually, but also the raw emotions of the day to an extent that it's actually FELT by the viewer, not just seen. 

What trends are you most excited to see in upcoming weddings?

We love the more minimalist style that many of our couples have been adopting, where the attention isn't so much on the details but more on the couple.

Alex and Rick - Canmore, Alberta Wedding Film from Swell Weddings on Vimeo.

What makes your business different from others on the Outer Banks?

There are so many amazing vendors, and such a variety of styles, which is what makes the Outer Banks such a cool place to hire local teams. I like to think our work, like I mentioned above, is not just visually attractive, but emotionally captivating as well. So much effort goes into our editing process to achieve this. We want people who don't even know a couple to watch their video and get goosebumps or, best case, shed a few tears! The greatest compliment we receive is when someone watches one of our videos and cries.

Is there anything new with Swell Productions we should be looking forward to?

Ohhh yeah. Major equipment upgrades coming this Fall that are going to make 2021 and beyond next-level. It's amazing where the technology with filmmaking is going, constantly bringing proper cinematic, Hollywood level production capabilities into the hands of smaller production companies like ourselves. 

Thara and Parashar - Miami Beach Wedding Film from Swell Weddings on Vimeo.

What do you think are the benefits or smaller micro-weddings and elopements?

We're actually so down with the micro-wedding movement and would be thrilled if it continues on in the future despite what may happen in the world. The greatest benefit is that it is so much more about the love and the couple, not about the wedding itself. This is what we strive to capture. You don't need the most guests or biggest cake or flashiest decorations to express your love, seal your vows, and certainly not to tell your story. Micro weddings allow the true meaning of a marriage to surface and give us the opportunity to document it in the most creative and artistic way we can.

Watch more on their Vimeo or visit Swell Productions at their website. Follow them on Instagram: @swell_weddings

September 25th - October 2nd, 2020

The Outer Banks tourist season is still in full-swing, with record breaking numbers of visitors coming to the Outer Banks through October! If you are planning a Fall trip, read our latest blog on things you can do during the Fall on the Outer Banks.

Due to increased late Summer travel to the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has extended lifeguarding services through the end of September. Lifeguards will be stationed at Coquina, Frisco and Ocracoke beach access from 9am-5pm. 

Visitors and residents are encouraged to follow the “Three W’s” as outlined by the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services. (WEAR a face covering, WAIT in line at least six feet away from others, and WASH or sanitize hands frequently. 

The Outer Banks Wedding Association has been hosting We Do! Sessions with our vendors here on the Outer Banks. Different creative vendors teach us how to do something and we ask them follower submitted questions. Check them out on our Instagram TV Channel @obxwa

Weather

It has been a rough week here due to high tides and winds from Hurricane Teddy. Over wash caused NC-12 to be shut down for a few days but is now reopen, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. 

darksky.net

Events

Kitty Hawk Kites will be hosting the 48th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular this weekend from Friday to Sunday. The event will take place from 10am-4pm at both Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head and The Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg. More info can be found here.  

Sanctuary Vineyards will be hosting Harvest Hayrides and Grape Picking every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of September. The hayrides will take place from 11am-5pm. Admissions is $5/person or with the purchase of a bottle of wine. 

Experience German cuisine and beer this Saturday and Sunday at TRiO's Restaurant & Market's Oktoberfest celebration from 11am-9pm!

Muse Originals Mobile OBX Market will be parked outside of Rundown Cafe in Kitty Hawk every: Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Every Saturday at the Currituck Club from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

The Outer Banks Brewing Station will be hosting Brew & Arts every Monday from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Join us in the backyard for Brew & Arts every Monday! Local artists, local brew and great food. This event is free of charge and family friendly. Rotating local artists will be selling art, jewelry, pottery and more in the Beer Garden (weather permitting). The OBX Muse bus will be on site as well!

Beach Cams

• Kitty Hawk

• Downtown Manteo

• Kill Devil Hills

• Jennette's Pier

Open Status

The Ocracoke Campground at Camp Hatteras National Seashore is to remain open year-round. All 136 campsites are open to use. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov

Cape Hatteras National Seashore beached will open to permitted off-road vehicles 24 hours a day if no sea turtle nests are nearby beginning on Tuesday, September 15th. Permit and Access information can be found at https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island will open on September 14th at 50% capacity. Admission must be purchased online and guests will reserve their tickets for specific arrival times. Tickets can be purchased at www.ncaquariums.com

Header Image: Courtney Hathaway Photography

Usually around this time of year, Summer tourists are packing up to go home, traffic to and from the island eases up, and the beaches see fewer and fewer footprints. But, as we are all aware, this year is unlike any other that we have had before. 

With the pandemic keeping workers out of the office and the kids home from school, many are finding a silver lining in the additional freedom they have to travel domestically. We are seeing this here on the Outer Banks with the tourist season being extended through September and even October already. People who are usually carpooling their kids to school and heading into work, are now able to take a break and get a fresh change of scenery. 

Most locals agree, Fall is the best time to be on the Outer Banks. Crowds are smaller, the weather isn't painfully hot, and a sense of calmness fills the air. If you are planning a trip to the Outer Banks this season, here are a few things that you can do to make your time here worthwhile.

The Beach is Always Open.

The water may be getting cooler, but that doesn't mean you still can't set up a chair and read a good book with the sound of waves crashing in the background. This is the perfect time to venture out of where you may normally go and visit somewhere new. If you have been going to Corolla and the northern beaches for years, take a trip down to Hatteras and see what all of the hype is about! & vise versa! The drive from one end to the other has so much to see and do along the way. Visit the lighthouses along Cape Hatteras National Seashore, or take a pit stop at the Pea Island Lifesaving Station. 

Cozy On Up!

Pack a picnic basket with some marshmallows and maybe a bottle of wine, a few blankets and firewood and have a beach bonfire! Nags Head and the southern beaches allow for fires on the beach with a permit and what could be a more magical way to spend the evening!

Experience the Wildlife

With large crowds and a lot of people around, you may not be so lucky to see some of the wildlife here on the Outer Banks. This time of year is perfect to take a ride up to Carova and check out the wild horses. Book a tour, or if you have 4WD, make the journey yourself! If you want to make a stop on your way in or out of town, book a tour with the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge where you can learn about the land and possibly see some bears, wolves or other local animals. 

If you are more into indoor activities, the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is back open and ready for visitors! Visit their website to book your time and purchase tickets online beforehand. 

Matt Lusk Photography

Take Advantage of Cheaper Rates

What may be out of your price range in the Summer can be an absolute steal in the off-season! Prices on vacation rentals and hotels typically go down in the Fall and it is such a great opportunity for a little weekend getaway at a bed and breakfast or even an entire week at one of the vacation homes! Browse all of our accommodations here.

Header Image: Ryan & Rach Photography

A true local, Rande Banks has been living on the Outer Banks all of his life and performing weddings here for 11 years. Rande incorporates his everlasting joy and positive energy into his ceremonies to create an experience that you will never forget! Browse Rande's services or visit his website at theouterbanksofficiant.com

How long have you been involved in weddings on the Outer Banks? How did you get started?

I have been officiating ceremonies for around 11 years here on a "full seasons" schedule. My wife and some friends involved in the wedding association encouraged me to join a burgeoning industry, and I thought maybe I would officiate a few here and there. It became a labor of love from the beginning and I have never looked back on my decision!

What makes the Outer Banks special to you?

The Outer Banks is special in so many ways. I was born and raised in Currituck, and every single moment I didn't have to be in school or somewhere else, I was on the beach. From Carova to Hatteras Island was my back yard. I am almost certain I spent more time on the beach than I did the mainland growing up. The Outer Banks projects an unending beauty, from sound to sea, combined with an energy that you will find nowhere else. The history is without equal, from the first English settlement in America, to the Wright Brothers, Fessendon 's wireless radio transmissions, among others, we are a land of firsts, or a land of beginnings as they say, so it's only fitting that couples come here to begin their lives together as husband and wife.

Do you have any advice for a couple booking your services?

Advice for couples booking my services? Be prepared to have fun! Just because it is one of the most important days in your life does not mean it has to be painful.

What makes your business different from others on the Outer Banks?

I try to bring joy and energy to a ceremony. I try to effuse everyone there with my energy.  I want them to "know" they have just witnessed a monumental moment in a friend or a loved ones lives. I have crafted my ceremonies, that they are melodic and flow nicely and have included some seaside specific verses. I think we have all been to at least one ceremony where we all had to endure your basic mumbling monotone minister. That's not me.

What do you think are the benefits or smaller micro-weddings and elopements?

Over the years, while I have officiated tons and tons of large weddings, I have officiated just as many elopements or "mini" weddings as well. Those weddings appeal to the couples that don't want to endure all the planning and brainstorming and fanfare and costs of the larger weddings. The Outer Bank is the perfect place for a couple to come by theirselves or bring a few family or friends, rent a place and walk right out the back door down to the beach to get married. The biggest benefit of a wedding on the beach, be it large or small, is the lifetime of memories that come with it!

Photos courtesy of Rande Banks, The Outer Banks Officiant

Header Image Venue: 108 Budleigh

September 18th - September 25th, 2020

Due to event size restrictions and to ensure the health & safety of our vendors and ticket holders, we have decided to cancel the 2020 OBX Wedding Fest scheduled for November. Thank you to everyone who made plans to attend and stay tuned for details on the much anticipated Wedding Weekend & Expo set for early 2021!

Still on the fence about hiring a planner for your wedding? Whether you hire the moment after you get engaged, or you wait until a few weeks before the big day, a planner or coordinator will have you walking down the aisle without a worry in the world. Read our latest blog for 5 reasons to convince you to take the leap and book your Planner or Coordinator! 

Visitors and residents are encouraged to follow the “Three W’s” as outlined by the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services. (WEAR a face covering, WAIT in line at least six feet away from others, and WASH or sanitize hands frequently.

Due to increased late Summer travel to the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has extended lifeguarding services through the end of September. Lifeguards will be stationed at Coquina, Frisco and Ocracoke beach access from 9am-5pm.  

The Outer Banks Wedding Association has been hosting We Do! Sessions with our vendors here on the Outer Banks. Different creative vendors teach us how to do something and we ask them follower submitted questions. Check them out on our Instagram TV Channel @obxwa

Weather

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant over wash throughout the weekend from Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras. The tides will be highest: Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 9am and 10pm and Sunday at 10am. 

darksky.net

Events

Kitty Hawk Kites will be hosting the Kayak Fishing Tournament from September 14-20. The event is virtual and is open to all NC coastal waters. Find more info here. 

Kitty Hawk Kites will also be hosting the Outer Banks Fall Kite Fly this weekend at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head. The event will take place on Saturday from 10am-3pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Info can be found here. 

Sanctuary Vineyards will be hosting Harvest Hayrides and Grape Picking every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of September. The hayrides will take place from 11am-5pm. Admissions is $5/person or with the purchase of a bottle of wine. 

Muse Originals Mobile OBX Market will be parked outside of Rundown Cafe in Kitty Hawk every: Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Every Saturday at the Currituck Club from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

The Outer Banks Brewing Station will be hosting Brew & Arts every Monday from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Join us in the backyard for Brew & Arts every Monday! Local artists, local brew and great food. This event is free of charge and family friendly. Rotating local artists will be selling art, jewelry, pottery and more in the Beer Garden (weather permitting). The OBX Muse bus will be on site as well!

Music 

• Kim Kalman performs on the patio at The Froggy Dog Restaurant & Pub every Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Beach Cams

• Kitty Hawk

• Downtown Manteo

• Kill Devil Hills

• Jennette's Pier

Open Status

The Ocracoke Campground at Camp Hatteras National Seashore is to remain open year-round. All 136 campsites are open to use. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov

Cape Hatteras National Seashore beached will open to permitted off-road vehicles 24 hours a day if no sea turtle nests are nearby beginning on Tuesday, September 15th. Permit and Access information can be found at https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island will open on September 14th at 50% capacity. Admission must be purchased online and guests will reserve their tickets for specific arrival times. Tickets can be purchased at www.ncaquariums.com

Header Image: Neil GT Photography