Sites & Accommodations
Please refer to each advertiser listed on The Wedding Guide site for contact information.
If you want to get married on the Outer Banks, here are some logistics to help you decide where to hold your ceremony and reception. Remember to make your reservations early. Most wedding planners recommend reserving sites at least twelve months in advance. There are more than 2,000 weddings a year on the Outer Banks, so the competition is stiff for securing churches, reception halls, outdoor locations and accommodations.
The Beach Beach weddings are popular on the Outer Banks. More than 130 miles of beach provide a romantic backdrop for saying your vows, and the setting will stand out in your guests’ minds forever.
The beaches in North Carolina are public, but the local towns and counties do have jurisdiction over their beaches and beach-access areas. All the local governments allow weddings and good-natured gatherings on the beach, and they won’t give you a problem as long as you follow their individual rules and don’t disturb other beachgoers.
Guest parking can be a problem for a beach wedding. Many couples solve this problem by hiring bus and van transportation to shuttle their guests from the accommodations to the wedding location. If you’re renting an oceanfront house, a few guests can park there, but keep in mind that the photographer, florist and other vendors will need to park there, too. An alternative is to choose as your wedding site a beach access that has plenty of parking. Then, of course, you have to consider crowds of regular beachgoers, depending on the time of year and the time of day. It’s always a good idea to call the town you’re getting married in to consult with them about their rules on beach weddings and parking at your location.
Town of Duck, 252-255-1234. The Town of Duck does not have any public beach accesses. The Town of Duck requires that a wedding-related gathering of 50 or more people register with the Town of Duck Department of Community Development at least 30 days before the event. This includes rehearsal dinners, post-wedding parties and brunches. Registration forms are available online at www.townofduck.com.
Town of Southern Shores, 252-261-2394. There is no public parking in Southern Shores. The town recommends that brides shuttle in guests from other locations. Building permits are required to erect tents.
Town of Kitty Hawk, 252-261-3552. A $50 outdoor gathering permit is required for groups of 50 or more. If you’re setting up a tent over 200 square feet, there’s an additional fee of $25.
Town of Kill Devil Hills, 252-449-5300. A building permit is required if you want to erect a tent, but there is no fee.
Town of Nags Head, 252-441-5508. Nags Head allows a maximum of 20 chairs on the beach for close family, elderly or handicapped guests. Tents 200 square feet or greater require an inspection, and that fee is $50. Tents are not allowed on the beach.
Currituck County, 252-232-3055. If setting up a tent in Corolla, call the county for a permit.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are wide, uncrowded and undeveloped. Since there are no houses along this stretch, you’ll need to find a beach access that has plenty of parking for your guests. Coquina Beach Bathhouse, Pea Island and the beach in front of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are great places. If you get married within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you must get a permit and pay a $100 fee to the National Park Service. Make sure they get your application at least 30 days in advance of your event. This location is for simple weddings only: You cannot bring wedding accoutrements like flowers, garlands, chairs, gazebos and rice or birdseed into the park. Call 252-473-2111, or visit www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/ wedding-permits.htm.
Renting a Beach House Renting an oceanfront house is an ideal way to get married on the beach. A large oceanfront house can provide the perfect backdrop for a beautiful ceremony and a small reception. Many of the homes have long, private walkways that lead to the beach, decks and gazebos on the dunes, or pools with surrounding decks that make a great place for a gathering. More and more couples are going this route for a smaller wedding, getting married right in front of the house then having the reception around the pool or indoors. There are numerous rental homes on the Outer Banks that are suitable for weddings and receptions; in fact, some have been built expressly for this purpose.
Several property management companies offer rental homes that are suitable for weddings, including Brindley Beach Vacations, Corolla Classic Vacations, Hatteras Realty, Resort Realty, The Saltaire, Stan White Realty, Sun Realty, Surf or Sound Realty, and The Wright House. The number of guests allowed in the houses varies. When you contact these companies, describe your wedding plans to the rental managers so they can advise you of the homes that will be appropriate. A security deposit will be required. Maid service is limited to the end of your stay unless special arrangements are made with housekeeping personnel.
Churches See our other articles for a list of Outer Banks churches that allow nonmember weddings. Most churches prefer that you use the in-house minister or priest for your ceremony, and some churches require premarital counseling with the minister before you are married. Many of the churches have reception halls.
Local Attractions The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park is situated on 39 acres of breathtaking soundfront property in Corolla. Built in the mid-1920s, “Corolla Island,” as it was originally named, continues to stand as one of the most spectacular historic landmarks on the Currituck Outer Banks. This picturesque location is truly magical for a wedding ceremony and tented reception, and it can accommodate up to 400 people. The park features the historic Whalehead Club house museum, wooden bridge and boathouse, a soundfront gazebo and expansive lush lawns. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and located in the shadow of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse (circa 1875). Fees range from $800 for a four-hour block of time for a ceremony to $3,200 for a ceremony and/or reception, which includes the lawn of your choice for the whole day, permits, restrooms, security, golf cart rental, etc. You’ll also have to put down a refundable liability deposit. All ceremonies and receptions are held outdoors and must conclude fifteen minutes after sunset.
The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular wedding locations on the Outer Banks for good reason. The lush gardens are elegant year round with constantly blooming flowers, old-growth oaks, beautiful fountains and winding paths. You can have a choice of locations, plan your ceremony for any number of guests and rely on an on-site assistant to help with the details. Set up and use of chairs is included with site rentals, as is use of The Gardens for engagement or wedding photos. Receptions can be held on-site in the Reception Hall and tent, and includes tables, chairs and use of the catering kitchen.
For a truly unique wedding, the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island allows weddings inside next to the aquariums or outside next to the sound. Some couples choose to be married outdoors and have the reception indoors. The aquarium facility is large and can accommodate up to 1,500 guests! Caterers, DJs, bands, beer and wine, bartenders and all the usual wedding services are allowed. A five-hour rental of the entire facility ranges from $1,000 to $2,800, and you can purchase extra hours. The rental includes tables and chairs. A self-guided tour of the facility is included for all wedding guests.
For weddings at Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke lighthouses, you must contact the National Park Service. The NPS charges a $100 fee for gatherings, but does not allow receptions because there are no facilities.
For a gorgeous sunset ceremony, you can get married at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, the East Coast’s largest sand dune, with amazing views of the ocean and sound surrounding you. At sunset, this place cannot be beat. The park’s sound-side beach makes a great site for a small ceremony. The fee is just $30 for a special activity permit. Parking is ample. There are no accommodations for large receptions, so look to Nags Head restaurants or the Village Beach Club for a location.
Reception Sites All of the following sites can accommodate a large crowd for wedding receptions. We’ve listed these sites in geographical order, from north to south.
The Currituck Club in Corolla. The Currituck Club rents its clubhouse for receptions of up to 150 people. They offer in-house catering. There are areas both inside and outdoors for receptions, and the facility has a golf course view.
The Sanderling Resort, Spa & Conference Center in Duck. Receptions at The Sanderling are held in the conference center, on the back deck of the conference center or in the soundside pavilion. The conference center holds about 100 people, and with a tent on the back deck and lawn, it can handle up to 220. Ceremonies can be held on the main oceanfront deck or the conference center ocean-side lawn. Only in-house catering is allowed.
The Saltaire in Duck. This Victorian rental home in Duck is a perfect ceremony or reception location. The gardens and pool area make a good site for a large ceremony and/or tented reception for up to 150 guests. Rentals are from Wednesday to Wednesday, ideal for a weekend wedding or a corporate event. During the spring and fall, the house is available from Thursday to Monday. Six master bedrooms, a pool and jacuzzi are features of this home. Chef services can be arranged.
Duck Woods Country Club in Southern Shores. Duck Woods has a clubhouse ballroom that is one of the largest indoor reception facilities on the Outer Banks. The ballroom can hold more than 200 people. Catering is done in-house, though cakes from outside vendors are allowed.
The Pointe Golf Club in Powells Point. Located across the Wright Memorial Bridge, the Pointe Golf Club is nestled amongst wax myrtles, cypress and tall pines. Their on-site restaurant, Keefer’s Bar & Grille, can comfortably accommodate between 100-150 people. They provide catering and carry full ABC permits. Optional outdoor tents can increase capacity to over 300.
Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk. This full-service hotel in Kitty Hawk offers a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people as well as the Kitty Hawk Pier, the hotel’s newest banquet facility. Catering is done in-house, though cakes from outside vendors are allowed. Blocks of rooms are available onsite, though you don’t have to be renting rooms to rent the ballroom.
The Sea Ranch Hotel in Kill Devil Hills. Centrally located in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, the Sea Ranch Hotel has a private ballroom for weddings and special events. Full service catering and custom packages are available. Ask about group rates for special events. Ramada Plaza Nags Head Beach Hotel in Kill Devil Hills. The Ramada’s ballroom is one of the few oceanfront reception facilities on the Outer Banks. There’s a great view of the ocean through picture windows. The ballroom can hold up to 300 people and a dance floor is included in the rental rate. The Ramada provides full-service catering and does not allow outside caterers. Blocks of rooms are available at the hotel, but you don’t have to rent rooms here to rent the ballroom.
Players’ Grill at Nags Head Golf Links. This golf course clubhouse is available for receptions. It has a great view of the sound and golf course and can accommodate around 200 people. In-house catering is offered by the on-site restaurant.
Village Beach Club in Nags Head. The Village Beach Club is an oceanfront reception facility that can accommodate up to 250 people. There is an indoor facility with a bar and a large open area, plus a large poolside deck where your guests can gather. You must bring in your own caterer.
Crystal Dawn Head Boat in Manteo. This 65' head boat has a maximum capacity of 100 for you and your guests. Docked in the Pirate’s Cove Marina on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway, the boat can also charter up to 50 guests for a fishing trip.
Mallards Marsh on Roanoke Island in Wanchese. Overlooking a great expanse of marsh and sound between Manteo and Wanchese, this reception facility was designed specifically for special events like weddings. It has two dining rooms, a ballroom and a huge screened-in porch. For a seated dinner, it can hold 200 people. For a buffet reception, it can hold more than 300. The reception facility is only a five-minute drive from the Nags Head beaches.
Queen Anne’s Events in Wanchese. Located just a few minutes from Nags Head, this new, spacious reception facility is available for weddings. Lease the building and plan your own day, or let them take care of the details – from the flowers to the catering – for you.
Adrianna’s on the Waterfront in Manteo. Opening March 1, 2009, Adrianna’s on the Waterfront is Roanoke Island’s newest event facility. Enjoy the view of the Roanoke Sound and Marshes Lighthouse through the twelve floor to ceiling oval windows.
Downeast Rover in Manteo. Docked in the Manteo waterfront, the Downeast Rover is a 55' topsail schooner that can be chartered for small weddings, rehearsals, or pre-wedding parties.
Restaurants. For receptions and rehearsal dinners, most local restaurants are willing to accommodate you. The following offer space for special events and/or catering:
Corolla: Mike Dianna’s Grill Room
Duck: The Left Bank and Lifesaving Station Restaurant at The Sanderling, Red Sky Café, Fishbones Sunset Grill and Raw Bar
Mainland: Keefer's Bar & Grille
Kitty Hawk: High Cotton, Ocean Boulevard, Black Pelican Catering
Kill Devil Hills: Good Life Gourmet, Pigman’s Bar-B-Que
Nags Head: Kelly’s Restaurant, Penguin Isle Soundside Restaurant, Owens’ Restaurant, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café
Where to Stay If you, like most Outer Banks wedding couples, are coming from out of town, you need to find a place for everyone to stay. It’s nice to have all of the guests stay together, either in neighboring rented homes or a hotel. First consider where you are getting married. Have the guests stay as nearby as possible to avoid a lot of driving around to the wedding and reception sites.
If you’re getting married at the Whalehead Club or Currituck Beach Lighthouse, or are having your reception at the Currituck Club, you’ll definitely want your guests and family to stay nearby. Corolla’s Hampton Inn is a good choice. If you’re getting married in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head, great places to put up your guests are the centrally located Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk, Sea Ranch Hotel, Ramada Plaza Resort and Conference Center, Colony IV Motel, Outer Banks Lodging, or Owens’ Motel. For guests who’d rather rent houses, contact any of the realty companies listed on our website.
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