The 2020 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo is just around the corner! Event sponsors help us create an amazing two-day show and tour for you, and we are honored to feature Platinum Sponsor Oak & Brine on the blog. Make plans to visit Oak & Brine at their Expo booth on Saturday, March 7 and stay tuned for details on the always anticipated Sunday, March 8 Wedding Tour!

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

My name is Chelsey Wince, Owner and Lead Planner for Oak & Brine. I’ve been involved in Outer Banks weddings since 2017 although my background in catering, marketing, planning, creative and floral design was established prior.

What makes the Outer Banks a premier location for destination weddings?

A destination wedding on the Outer Banks has something for everyone: adventure, history, relaxation and romance. From Ocracoke to Corolla, visitors find themselves surrounded by natural beauty. My personal testimonial to Outer Banks’ romance: I met the love of my life here when I was 15 years old!

What is unique about your business? What are you known for?

Oak & Brine is on the cutting edge of the wedding planning industry.

Once we begin working together, you’ll receive unlimited email access to Chelsey and our amazing Aisle Planner software. Aisle Planner incorporates many organizational tools including a personalized and detailed checklist to keep wedding to do’s in order. Six weeks prior to your wedding day, we will meet, in person or via video/conference call, to discuss details. We don’t simply plan and coordinate, we offer Wedding Management — the perfect service for couples who are excited to plan their own wedding, but need some professional assistance throughout the  process. 

What are you most looking forward to about the 2020 Wedding Weekend? Do you have any advice for a couple booking your services?

Destination wedding planning requires local knowledge. We become the point person for vendors, creating a detailed timeline, and handling minor issues that may arise.

Our Wedding Planning and Design fees are entirely custom, based on your needs and where you are in your planning.

We’ll tailor-make a unique plan to ensure your wedding day is the ideal representation of you and your partner.

Come to the show prepared with lots of questions. Take notes, talk openly with individual vendors in order to create the right fit. We can’t wait to meet you and start planning your OBX wedding!

What other information must a couple know about you?

In addition to Wedding Management and Planning, Oak & Brine’s services include Photo Booth rental. Our Photo Booth includes your choice of stock backdrops, box of props, a staff member to facilitate photo booth use, graphic photo prints, unlimited uploads to email/cell phone with a dedicated WIFI hotspot onsite, and a custom link to photos for all guests to access post event.

The 2020 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo is just around the. corner! Event sponsors help us create an amazing one day expo and tour for you, and we are honored to kickoff our sponsor features with KEES Vacations. Make plans to visit KEES at their Expo booth on Saturday, March 7 and stay tuned for details on the always anticipated Sunday, March 8 Wedding Tour!

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

KEES has been operating on the Outer Banks since 2008 and has been involved with OBX weddings since 2012.

What makes the Outer Banks a premier location for destination weddings?

KEES Vacations believes the Outer Banks provides the perfect backdrop for weddings, honeymoons, and vacations. Offering beautiful beaches and areas that suit everyone, the Outer Banks is steeped in history and natural beauty, from Corolla to Hatteras.

Couples and their guests will enjoy shops, restaurants, and other small, family owned businesses which translates to a warm, inviting atmosphere for visitors.

What is unique about your business? What are you known for?

KEES Vacations is unique because we know that not everyone can fit a seven-night vacation into their busy lives. Not everyone can check in on Saturday or check out on Sunday morning after their wedding, nor do they always want to! With KEES FlexStay^TM program, you don’t have to! There are no mandatory check in or out days, guests may stay for as little as three nights and more than 7 nights without the requirement of purchasing two full weeks.

Your Vacation Your Way With KEES FlexStay^TM!

What are you most looking forward to about the 2020 Wedding Weekend? Do you have any advice for a couple booking your services?

KEES is most excited about spreading the FlexStay^TM program flexibility. In addition, we offer a variety of services with our homes, with many of them at no additional charge, and a variety of accommodation types, including hotel rooms. You name it, KEES has it. We encourage our guests to sample KEES’ services by reserving one of our hotel rooms, condos, or homes during the wedding expo weekend and see what KEES has to offer before their big day.

Our advice to all engaged couples is timeless - remember that this is your moment. Enjoy this time with your family and friends, and enjoy your stay in a KEES property!

What other information must a couple know about you?

KEES Vacations also offers Group Room Blocks at our hotels and communities. KEES is your one-stop-shop for venues, guest accommodations, pre-planning short stays and honeymoon destinations! If you are interested in more of our services or more information, please email stay@keesvacations.com or give us a call at 866-316-1843. Check out all of our event homes on our website at www.keesouterbanks.com/properties/event-homes

"Oceans 24" 

"Sweet Carolina"

Photo: Sarah Keenan Creative

TICKETS: Tickets are on sale now! 

VIP Ticket Package ($40)

This special ticket offers you:

• our beautiful waterproof canvas bag
• special promotions and goodies from our Expo Sponsors
• a VIP lanyard for our Wedding Venue Tour + Giveaway Entries. The VIP lanyard is essential for touring around our venues and gathering stickers from our participating venues. These stickers entitle you to tickets to enter into our giveaway drawings, increasing your chances to win. Must be present to win.
• an entry for the chance to win a $1,000 voucher to use with any of our Outer Banks Wedding Association vendors. Must be present to win.

General Admission ($20)

Tickets grant you entry into the expo and the Wedding Tour. These ticket holders are not eligible to enter the VIP giveaway. 

William and Caroline wanted their guests to feel their love of the beach, so there was no doubt what their theme and colors would be from the moment they started planning the Outer Banks wedding. From the salt air and breezes during the ceremony, to the panoramic views and flavorful tastes of the sea during the reception, their special day was as beachy (and peachy) as can be!

Photographer | ColemanShots

Ceremony + Reception Venue | Jennette's Pier

Coordinator | Coastyle Weddings & Events

Officiant | Rev. Jay Bowman

Floral + Decor | Holiday House Weddings & Events

Caterer | Black Pelican Catering

Cake + Confections | Almost Heaven Bakery

Musician / DJ | Outer Banks Wedding Entertainment

Equipment Rentals, Ceremony | I Do OBX Chairs

Equipment Rentals, Reception | Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals

Hair + Makeup | Glimmer Hair and Makeup

Caroline and William's wedding is featured in the 2019 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. 

Under a glowing spring sky, vendors created a wedding inspiration shoot at soundfront venue Westside Inn. This gorgeous property is nestled back in the trees on the north end of Roanoke Island, and its private yard and beach makes the perfect place for your intimate celebration! 

This modern, feminine styled shoot is one to bookmark or pin! A candlelit tablescape that incorporates festive looking fruit to match bright lush florals, details like handmade personalized menus, a hexagon arch adorned with pampas grass and colorful roses all in an enchanting setting makes this shoot so romantic and inviting.

Wedding Date: June 9, 2018 | Hometown: Williamsburg, VA

Whitney and Kurt's chic coastal wedding is a stunner! With driftwood, delicate white flowers, tons of greenery and succulents, muted tones and candles, their waterfront wedding on Roanoke Island is pure romance. There's something special about hand-lettering too, and we love how their seating chart and table numbers are on wood that ties in the gorgeous venue and matches their chairs. Take a look at their special day and a super fun sparkler exit!

Photographer | Coastal Shots Photography

Ceremony and Reception Venue | Roanoke Island Festival Park

Officiant | Takes 2 Weddings

Planner and Coordinator | Southern Hospitality Weddings & Events

Floral and Decor | Flower Girls OBX

Hair and Makeup | Glimmer Hair and Makeup

Caterer | Basnight's Lone Cedar Catering

Cake | Just Desserts

Equipment Rentals | Reception - Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals; Ceremony - I Do OBX Chairs

Transportation | Corolla Trolley Services

Accommodations | KEES Vacations

Hand-lettering / Signage | Heart of Harlow

Whitney and Kurt's wedding is featured in the 2019 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. 

Wedding Date: October 21st | Hometown: Virginia Beach

The bride wanted her wedding to stand out with hints of nontraditional elements, such as their dog as the ring bearer, moving from the lower to the upper deck to seal the deal, and an all-succulent bouquet. Their wedding stands out in more ways than that! Ashley and Jeffrey's wedding screams beach elegance with a touch of whimsy.

The couple looked absolutely glamorous, and wooden and earthy elements strewn throughout their decor created the natural coastal vibe they adore. Peep the flowers and succulents galore, string lights and ceiling drapery, and a gorgeous floral wreath hanging over the dance floor! We swoon over the romantic and elegant atmosphere that vendors created and the husband and wife duo behind Neil GT Photography captured. 

Photographer | Neil GT Photography

Ceremony + Reception Venue | Sanderling Resort

Floral + Decor | Flower Girls OBX

Cake | Great Cakes! of the Outer Banks

Musician | Club Violin

DJ | Coastal DJ & Video

Ashley and Jeffrey's wedding is featured in the 2019 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. 

Our Information Request Form Makes Planning Easier

With the stresses of wedding planning, it can be hard to narrow down your choices and make final decisions. Fill out our Vendor Information Request form and hear from vendors directly! This is an invaluable resource for requesting information from Outer Banks wedding professionals. 

Include as many details as possible so that vendors can reply with accurate, helpful information tailored to your needs.

Create a Wedding-Only Email Address

One suggestion when planning is to create a special wedding-only email address that is designated to your wedding. (For example: smith.wedding@gmail.com). This will eliminate the frustration of organizing your regular, personal inbox and ensuring all of your wedding related emails are in one spot!

Happy planning!

Cover Photo: Amanda Hedgepeth Photography

This downtown Manteo shoot proves a coastal wedding doesn't have to mean compromising your personal style or vision! Vendors created a gorgeous mock-wedding with wild and western-inspired elements. The whimsy-bohemian beauty abounds, from the florals, texture details, and color palette.

P.S. Your photos will look effortlessly cool when you're feeling like yourself, so why not throw in your hog for a few shots, if that's your thing?!

Photographer | Sarah D'Ambra Photography

Floral & Decor | Honeysuckle Events

Equipment Rentals | I Do OBX Chairs

Cake | Patty Bakes

The "Kickstart My Heart" styled shoot is featured in the 2019 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.

Wedding Date: May 18, 2018 | Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Mike and Katie's tropical wedding is a stunner! Before moving to a gorgeous tented reception at their oceanfront event home, they tied the knot on the beach. They couple incorporated an island vibe using tropical foliage and palm leaves, King Protea, pineapples, and natural wood accents. It gave their reception a relaxed beach vibe they envisioned for their Outer Banks wedding.

Photographer | Natalie Heim Photography

Ceremony + Reception Venue | Beach King (KEES Vacations)

Coordinator | Southern Hospitality Weddings & Events

Hair + Makeup | Glimmer Hair and Makeup

Floral + Decor | flowers - Flower Girls OBX; lighting - Renee Landry Events 

Officiant | I Do OBX Weddings

Caterer | Mulligan's Raw Bar & Grille

Musician / DJ | Outer Banks Wedding Entertainment

Equipment Rentals | Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals

Katie and Mike's wedding is featured in the 2019 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.

When planning a vineyard wedding, you might think of going for a more relaxed vibe while enjoying the local grapes and drinking in your surroundings. This rustic and relaxed styled shoot is inspiration for making your wedding guests feel welcomed while leaving you at the center of the day. The barn-like arbor, wine barrels, wine-colored flowers, loose hair and simple makeup makes this one stunning shoot! Swoon over its details then request your complimentary copy of the 2019 Outer Banks Weddings magazine that this gorgeous shoot is featured in.

Photographer | Brooke Mayo Photographers

The "Rustic Vineyard" styled shoot is featured in the 2019 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.