November 8th, 2010 

Article by:  Desi Velikova (Thank you for sharing...for more Outer Banks Wedding information please visit www.mybeachwedding.co.uk )

Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island are unique islands situated on the outer banks of North Carolina, USA. Hatteras Island is home of the Outer Banks’ most captivating open spaces and unadulterated island villages. Ocracoke Island is called “Pearl of the Outer Banks” and was named “Number One Beach in America” in 2007 with its sixteen miles of beach surrounded by the crystal water of the Atlantic.

You can say “I do” on these amazing places of Earth and we found the easiest way to do that. Mary Haggerty is a wedding planner who organizes beach weddings on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Mary has been a photographer for over twenty years. She is originally from New York and has worked as a wedding, portrait and fine art photographer. She has also been a photojournalist for many years. Mary organizes unusual weddings like beach weddings, Lighthouse weddings, sunset weddings, and pirate weddings.

How did you start this business?

I moved to Ocracoke Island five years ago and opened a photography shop, Ocracoke Photo. I  photograph family portraits and weddings. Being a wedding photographer, I started spending a lot of time helping my couples plan their weddings. I understood how hard it was for them to find all the wedding services they needed long distance. That’s why I started offering wedding packages along with my wedding photography.

I see you make really exotic weddings. What kind of packages do you offer?

All my wedding packages include everything you would need for a small beach wedding. We start with a theme like “Sunset and Seashells” or “Lighthouse wedding”, then my couples can customize the package. They can choose the type of flowers they like, the flavor and decorations for their cake. I also coordinate getting the necessary permits to get married at the beach or the lighthouse. I try to make it easy to plan their wedding. If couples want to have a bigger wedding, we just add upgrades to the package, like a larger cake, etc. I can also help plan a reception.

Is it easy to get married on the beach on Ocracoke Island or Hatteras Island?

It’s easy to get married on the beach. There is no waiting period once you have obtained your marriage license in North Carolina. Our beach is a US National Park, so you will need a permit, which costs $100. That’s included in my packages.

How big are the weddings you usually organize?

I have done weddings with just the Bride and the Groom and I’ve done weddings with 100 guests. I would say most weddings on the Island have 12-30 guests.

Is there something specific couples should know before they decide to get married on Ocracoke Island or Hatteras Island? Is it dangerous? When is the best time of the year to get married there?

I think the best time to get married on Hatteras or Ocracoke Island is the spring and fall. Summer is great too. Winter is good also, because you can get off season rates on lodging. From May to October the weather is perfect for a beach wedding.

It’s not dangerous. We haven’t had pirates on our Island since Blackbeard in the 1700s.

One thing you should know is that Ocracoke Island is accessible only by ferry or small plane. There is a free 30 min ferry from Hatteras Island. Ocracoke Island was named the “Number One Beach in America” in 2007.

What are the required documents?

A marriage license with no waiting period can be obtained at any registrar of deeds office in North Carolina. The couple will need two witnesses to sign the document. A National Park Service permit is also necessary.

Which are some of your most remarkable weddings? Tell me one unusual and romantic wedding story.

All weddings are special, you just have to remember everyone gets their own perfect day. I remember a couple who got married on a schooner on a sunset sailing cruise. It was so cloudy and gray all day we didn’t see the sun at all. We were out in the sound as the officiant came to the end of the ceremony and pronounced them man and wife, they kissed. Then dolphins began jumping out of the water everywhere all around the boat as if on cue. So they didn’t have a bright sunny day, but they did have the dolphins at their ceremony and that was spectacular!

How much does it cost to get married on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands?

My packages are under $2,000 and include a wedding photography package with an album, a wedding cake, a bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutineer, the site fee for the beach, ceremony decorations, two custom etched champagne flutes with the couples name and date engraved on them, and a complimentary bottle of champagne. I take care of all the running around, so when couples get to the island, they can relax.

Why should people choose to get married on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands?

I think couples come to get married on the Island because they want to be surrounded by the beauty of nature, the sound of the waves, the blue sky overhead, the sand between their toes. These beautiful surroundings make a wedding much more personal, intimate, and unique. One very special thing about Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands is that the sun both rises and sets over the water. It rises over the Atlantic Ocean and sets over the Pamlico sound. Our sunsets are breathtaking!

MARY HAGGERTY, wedding planner and photographer

www.NCIslandWedding.com

www.facebook.com/IslandWedding

www.Ocracokeweb.com

Email: NCIslandWedding@gmail.com

Phone Number: (252) 928-7000

Photos: http://www.ocracokephoto.com/

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