| This coupled with the experience and the local | | | | specific venues for specific desires and many unique |
| knowledge of your Wedding Planner you will see that | | | | experiences in certain locations will add to the |
| a Destination Wedding is not as hard to organize as | | | | romance and "uniqueness" of your Outer Banks |
| you once thought. The old adage of a destination | | | | Wedding. |
| wedding being the code word for eloping has gone by | | | | 6) Making reservations early is a must. |
| the wayside. Destination Weddings are here to stay | | | | It means that you can be guaranteed the location that |
| and are growing into the new way for couples to get | | | | is perfect to your dreams. It also will help you stay |
| away from the traditional formal affair to a casual, | | | | within your budget because last minute bookings can |
| intimate occasion on the beautiful and pristine beaches | | | | mean more money. |
| of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. | | | | 7) Send out your wedding invitations a minimum of 4 |
| Here are the Top 10 Tips on Planning a Destination | | | | months in advance. |
| Wedding on the Outer Banks: | | | | We suggest sending out the wedding invitations early |
| 1) Choose the type of ceremony first. | | | | because we know guests have certain dietary needs, |
| Are you going to have a Religious or symbolic | | | | new babies are expected and many things might need |
| ceremony, this will help you in deciding which wedding | | | | to be changed to meet their needs. You can also |
| locations to rule out, it will help in the pre-wedding rituals, | | | | save on group bookings for accommodations amongst |
| traditions and organizing the time-line of the wedding | | | | other things and your preparations will allow everything |
| ceremony. Your wedding planner will be able to help | | | | to run smoother. |
| you by discussing your options of locations to meet | | | | 8) Plan your reception carefully. |
| your choice. | | | | If you want a wedding band, dancing, outdoor |
| 2) Choose your destination wisely. | | | | festivities, and other unique features be prepared for |
| There are many great houses, hotels and other | | | | the unexpected. Be sure to have a back up plan just in |
| venues on the Outer Banks that are gorgeous and | | | | case. This also is a reason to have a local wedding |
| many will capture the romance, so it is makes it hard | | | | planner because it pays to have someone helping who |
| to choose one spot over the other. But, once you learn | | | | knows of people to call on in an emergency situation. |
| which location is better in certain seasons, or if the | | | | 9) Ask your guests what activities they might like. |
| location is only available in the evenings; for example, | | | | On your wedding invitations provide some option for |
| the better off you are for planning your reception and | | | | activities and get your guests to rate their preferences. |
| the guest list. | | | | This will take the guesswork out of deciding on which |
| 3) Make a list of important criteria for you and your | | | | group outings to do. Plus, they will get more excited |
| guests' stay. | | | | about coming to the Outer Banks. |
| Making a list of criteria is very helpful in determining | | | | 10) - Make yourself and the wedding party look their |
| your group outings and choosing the the right reception | | | | best. |
| location. The details will help tremendously in finding the | | | | A no-brainer, you say, don't be so sure. You need to |
| location of all activities and where you will be staying. | | | | plan ahead and make sure that all of your needs and |
| You don't want to be running all over the beach. | | | | special requests are available ahead of time. This is a |
| 4) Outline a budget. | | | | small island of beautiful sunsets irgo we don't have the |
| You must remember a 'unique' wedding will have a | | | | mega stores that have every knick-knack but they |
| range of costs. Don't set yourself at a low budget and | | | | can be gotten if needed. Also the good providers are |
| expect the 'red carpet' treatment. Give yourself a little | | | | spoken for quickly and their schedules are booked. |
| space in your budget to add a touch of the many | | | | You don't want to wait until the last minute to find a |
| Outer Banks flavors and traditions. | | | | hairstylist who can handle your hair because she might |
| 5) Get expert and local advice regarding the customs | | | | be booked with another wedding party that day. So |
| and traditions. | | | | be sure to convey your wants and needs to your |
| You will definitely need the help of a wedding planner | | | | "Local Wedding Planner" with time to spare. |
| for this tip. Coming to the Outer Banks for the first time | | | | So there are your Top 10 Tips On Planning A |
| can be a daunting affair with so many great foods, | | | | Destination Wedding on the Outer Banks . |