1. What venue choices did you make for your ceremony and reception?  Did they work out well?
The ceremony was at Manteo Baptist and the reception at 108 Budleigh and both were wonderful.  I loved 108 Budleigh as soon as I saw it.

2. What time of year was your event?  Did you honeymoon on the Outer Banks as well?  
October which I highly recommend, weather is usually still great.  We honeymooned in the Dominican Republic and loved it.

3. What type of accommodations did your wedding party and out of town guests use?  
We had room blocks at two hotels, Comfort Inn South and Surfside Hotel, and our parents each rented a home through Village Realty for the week.  A group of my college friends also rented a home through Village Realty and loved it. They are used to staying in hotels for out of town weddings but loved the convenience of a beach house ... turned out to be more economical than a hotel as well.  Our parents stayed down the street from each other in The Village at Nags Head.  It was nice for them to be close to each other and also our venues.  I used my parents' house as kind of a base for the week.  We all had a really nice week. 

4. Did you plan the event yourself or use a wedding planner or event day coordinator? 
My mom and I planned the wedding but did have some pre-wedding day help and wedding day help from Linda Bradley, who also made my delicious wedding cake. She was wonderful and we highly recommend her.

5. Favorite and/or funniest moment? 
Having fun and dancing at the reception with family and friends.  Neither of us really like being the center of attention so I think we were somewhat relieved when the ceremony and structured part of the day was over.  After dinner we were able to kick back and have some fun.

6. Best budget splurge? 
108 Budleigh was a little pricey and that was just for the space.  We also used 1587 Restaurant catering and they were worth every penny.  Ann Pond took wonderful care of us.
 
7. Best budget savings/value?
We did not purchase flower arrangements for every table but instead order buckets of fresh cut Astromelia.  We then put a handful of stems into vases on every table.  We loved it just as much as fancy flower arrangements on every table but it cost a whole lot less.   

Photo by Stuart Chamberlain

8. How was your experience with vendors? Any tips or suggestions? 
All my vendors were great.  I think you just have to find who works well with you and who will work with the vision and budget you have for your day.  I have to especially thank my photographer, Stuart Chamberlain.  My wedding was his first and he agreed to do it (probably as kind of a favor) but did an outstanding job.  My parents were so happy.

9. Any aspect of planning or the big day you wish you’d done differently?  Anything you forgot to consider?
I think there are always little things you would do differently but overall we were really happy with everything.  My mom and I joke now that we wished we had dimmed the lights in the church during the ceremony.  We just didn’t think about it that day. 

10. Your #1 piece of advice for brides-to-be planning their upcoming Outer Banks Weddings? 
Do what you want and ignore others if you need to.  Everyone will want to give you their little piece of advice.  There is no wrong or right way to plan and have a wedding.  I was told numerous times, no matter what kind of wedding day you have, all brides outcomes are the same in the end ... married.


Photo by Stuart Chamberlain

A big thank you to our first 'Past OBX bride' guest blogger!  Keep an eye out for our next 'Advice from OBX Brides' installment!