Why Plan a Destination Wedding in Eastern NC?
The “go big or go home” rule doesn’t always apply to weddings. For example, swapping a destination abroad for a destination wedding right here in North Carolina makes “go home” look like a dazzling option. Eastern North Carolina is home to quality and comfortable venues, with an added bonus of in-state wedding planning and minimal travel costs. Long-distance travel is often expensive, unreliable and stressful – an ordeal you’ll want to bypass for all of your wedding guests. Read on for our top tips to planning a dreamy destination wedding in eastern NC!
Tips for Planning a Coastal Destination Wedding in NC
The coastal plains of North Carolina offer pristine natural scenery. The Outer Banks is undeniably one of the most beautiful coastal locations in the South. This unique strip of islands off of the coast of NC has incredible beaches, sound-front properties, fresh seafood and even wild horses!
Charming historic towns and waterfront destinations offer many event venue options. Whether you’re seeking a waterfront manor or a casual beachfront site, the Outer Banks have it all.
Resources for Planning Your Coastal Destination Wedding in NC
Let the Outer Banks Wedding Association (OBXWA) be your local wedding planning guide. OBXWA offers a website and magazine that features top Outer Banks venues and all categories of vendors. In addition, OBXWA also hosts a yearly wedding expo to help couples connect with local Eastern NC wedding pros!
Beth Conery of the OBXWA recommends that couples think carefully about the date for their coastal wedding. While people automatically assume that summer would be the ideal season for a beach wedding (and the natural time to visit the beach for vacation), the blazing heat can make a beach wedding quite uncomfortable unless you’re planning to tie the knot in a swimsuit. As many North Carolinians know, formal attire and a full face of makeup don’t mix with July heat. Beth says that late September and October are perfect months for a beach wedding in NC as the weather mellows out.
When planning a coastal destination wedding, Visit New Bern’s Executive Director Melissa Riggle suggests you first consider the size of your event as you would when planning a wedding anywhere in North Carolina. “This will enable you to dial in on ideal eastern North Carolina venues that can accommodate your guest count,” Melissa says. If you’re considering a microwedding or small event of fewer than 50 guests, ask venues and vendors about special elopement packages they may offer.
How Do You Plan a Beach Wedding in NC?
While Eastern North Carolina has many types of event venues, many couples look to this region to plan a ceremony with the natural beauty of the ocean as a backdrop. Imagine walking down a sandy aisle toward your soul mate during the golden hour with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. If this sounds like an incredible setting for your wedding vows, a beachfront wedding might be for you. But, there’s a few important logistical details you should be aware of if you choose a beach wedding in NC.
Should you get married on a public or private NC beach?
Public beaches don’t have a maximum guest count. But, know that most beach access points on the Outer Banks aren’t available for private rental. If you plan to tie the knot on a public beach, you’ll probably be competing for space with beachgoers, and there’s no guarantee of privacy.
Private beach access for your coastal wedding
Booking a private venue with beach access is the only way to guarantee privacy for your OBX wedding. Make sure to do your research on permit requirements if you’re planning on a beachfront event. Each Outer Banks town has different requirements and restrictions. Check out this Outer Banks permit guide for more helpful information!
Sanderling Resort and Spa is the only full-service resort in the Outer Banks, and the resort actually owns the beach adjacent to the property – meaning you’re guaranteed a beautiful, private beachfront wedding at Sanderling, and you won’t need to worry about filing a permit when you get married there!
More Key NC Coastal Wedding Planning Info – Beach Wedding Tips
It’s no secret summertime at the beach is peak tourist season. If you plan a wedding at the peak of summer, be prepared for surge prices, increased traffic and intense heat. Also, be aware that hurricane season runs from June through the end of November. Don’t let this deter your plans for a coastal wedding in that time frame – just be sure to have a backup plan. You’ll need an indoor event space to smoothly move your ceremony or reception to in case of bad weather.
One way to secure a beachfront spot is to set up well in advance. If you’re having a seated ceremony, you can set up chairs and decor early. Also, there is no minimum or maximum number of people who can attend your ceremony on a public beach! This means a beach ceremony a great option if you don’t want to pare down your guest list or police every plus-one. However, we strongly encourage booking a venue with private beach access to ensure you’ll have a private and romantic beach ceremony.
Lastly, remember that you are competing with both local and out-of-state couples who view the NC coast as a destination. Book your venue and priority venues ASAP.
Pro tip: If you are indeed having a wedding on the beach, consider having a shoe valet, shoe station and/or a de-sanding station! Your guests will appreciate this thoughtful touch.
Wedding Venues and Destinations in Eastern NC
Jessica Adele Mitsch and Joshua Reid Homes married at River Dunes. This community and event facility boasts 14 miles of coastline in the town of Oriental, North Carolina.
The couple dreamed of an intimate celebration with their closest family and friends, “and wanted everyone to feel like they were on vacation,” Jessica says.“We wanted to structure our wedding weekend in a way that maximized the quality time we could spend with our loved ones and make sure it was an all-around relaxing and fun-packed weekend. We heard about River Dunes through Josh’s aunt, who lives in New Bern, and we knew it was the perfect place for the experience we wanted to create.” River Dunes provided guest accommodations; the spaces for their rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception; and the catering, creating a seamless event.
Many Eastern North Carolina wedding venues can provide the resources for turning your wedding day into a long-lasting coastal celebration.
“We were able to spend the weekend having quality time with guests [while] enjoying the pool, river, yard games and relaxation at River Dunes’ beautiful property,” Jessica says. “It felt like a fancy but laid-back summer camp for adults.”
Eastern NC Destination: New Bern Venues
New Bern is an exceptional destination for weddings of all sizes! Be sure to visit our blog detailing all of New Bern’s wedding resources for in-depth info, but suffice it to say, this Eastern NC town is not one to miss if you’re considering a coastal event. Notable venues include in New Bern include Tryon Palace (pictured below).
Melissa Riggle of Visit New Bern says that the team “New Bern’s spring and fall seasons are ideal for couples who desire an outdoor wedding. One of New Bern’s strengths is its variety of venues, which enable couples to tie the knot throughout the year.”
“You don’t have to choose a wedding venue on the beach to have beautiful waterfront scenery,” Melissa says. “New Bern offers stunning coastal views at half the cost of venues at the beach. This allows couples to make the most of their budgets. Some examples include Amelia Grove, Copper Ridge on the Neuse, North Carolina History Center and the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County, among others. Tryon Palace’s immaculate gardens and Commission House, circa 1880, and The Gardens at Isaac Taylor are just a few notable examples for those dreaming of an intimate celebration.”
We also love The Jarvis at 220, a beautifully restored mansion in downtown New Bern that can accommodate your wedding party for an entire extended weekend. There’s even a sweet cottage on the property for newlyweds to stay at!
River Landing: Picturesque Resort Near Wilmington, NC
If you’re looking for a wedding venue near Wilmington, don’t pass up River Landing. This country club venue is situated next to the Cape Fear River with the air of an elegant countryside manor. Plenty of terraces and balconies are ideal for the couple seeking an indoor/outdoor event, while the Grand Ballroom can accommodate as many as 850 people. Of course, on-site accommodations are available so that you and your loved ones can spend as much time as possible together, and forego the stress of traveling to a secondary location.
Wrightsville, NC, Wedding Venues
Bluewater Waterfront Grill has a stunning view of the sound in Wrightsville. What’s more, there are a total of five spaces to pick from when you book this venue. The Captain’s Lounge offers a nautical theme and a private, covered deck for a perfectly beachy cocktail hour or reception.
Bluewater is owned by LM Restaurants – the same group that oversees our fave eclectic Raleigh restaurant, Vidrio – which also operates Wrightsville’s oceanfront restaurant and event venue Oceanic at the Crystal Pier. Oceanic overlooks the Atlantic Ocean on the other side of the island. For those seeking a true beach wedding experience, Oceanic offers access to Crystal Pier, the only wooden pier in Wrightsville. Tie the knot right on the pier with up to 150 guests, or choose one of Oceanic’s multiple private spaces for a larger or more intimate event.
More Eastern NC Destinations
To be clear, eastern NC is home to much more than beach venues! Juliana Gorena and Mitch Hall tied the knot at The Cornealius Properties in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in July 2022. A little over 50 miles southeast of Raleigh, this venue’s open-air chapel and intimate setting proved idyllic for their big day. “The reception hall and the entire property was beautiful – the perfect medium between modern and hometown,” Juliana says.
