Crystal Coast weddings and receptions can take place at so many beautiful venues indoors, outdoors, next to a giant fish tank or amongst local history. Where ever you are hosting your event, every venue is unique.  Decorating your event sets the tone and mood for you and your guests.  Whether you are looking to recreate a feeling or to have an unforgettable experience, picking the right decorations is key.  Here are some things to think about.

What is your personal style?  Are you laid back, casual, trendy, sophisticated or romantic?  You may want an evening wedding with rich hued flowers and glowing candles.  Or a more contemporary setting with lounge furniture and jewel toned linens.  Maybe an outdoor party with hanging party lanterns and a tropical tiki bar.  What ever you decide make sure it reflects your personal sensibility.

Know your budget and work it!  This helps determine exactly how many decorations you can have at your wedding or reception.  It’s likely that equipment and decorations will be the next to the last thing you purchase or rent.  Careful budget planning and execution will help avoid unwanted stress and disappointment.  If your budget it tight think about renting the more expensive pieces you won’t reuse.  Some rental equipment companies you work with may even be willing to purchase reusable items after your event.

Take pictures of your event site.  We know you’ll be watching “Who’s Wedding is it Anyway” and Googling pictures of your wedding ideas.  You can easily overwhelm yourself with great ideas!  Taking pictures of your event sites allows you to look back at the site to visualize if your idea will work.  It also helps your wedding planner and/or vendors share your vision for the big day.   

Less is more.  Many venues at the Crystal Coast are already festive since many of them are local attractions or locally owned and operated.  If you are having a 4 course meal your reception tables will already be crowded with place settings, you may only need one tall centerpiece instead of a centerpiece and candles.  The natural beauty of the beach only needs enhancing during your ceremony with maybe a few decorative starfish hanging from a beach bench or chair.

With thorough planning and a little creativity you can plan the wedding of your dreams, not break the bank and give your guests an affair to remember.       

Submitted by Jamie Wax,
Island Essentials
Emerald Isle, NC

By Eric Hause, Publisher of Crystal Coast Bride Magazine

Oceanfront weddings are beautiful and romantic. They also require a bit of extra planning. Here are a few tips from Crystal Coast Bride Magazine.

• ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. Please do not plan the most memorable day of your life without considering Plan B! Set a specific time for the final weather call and have your plan ready for action if necessary. Make sure you know specifically how you will inform your guests should you have to go to Plan B.

• CONSIDER YOUR GUESTS. Take a close look at your guest list and know how far they will have to walk to your beach ceremony. Include maps in your wedding invitations. If some of your guests are elderly or handicapped, make sure you provide assistance. Also, think about restrooms, water, and other comfort needs for your guests.

• KNOW WIND SPEEDS AND DIRECTIONS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY Check a weather web site or local forecast and be prepared as wind is notoriously fickle on the Crystal Coast. Fall north winds could carry insects from the sound and marsh, so prepare with insect repellent. Summer southerly winds could make for a blustery beach wedding.

• KNOW TIMES OF TIDES AND SUNSET ON YOUR WEDDING DAY. Avoid ceremonies at high tide if possible as you will have very little dry beach in certain areas on the Crystal Coast. Chairs should be set up about one hour before your ceremony if the tide is coming in, so you can gauge where the tide line will be during your ceremony. Plan your ceremony 1-2 hours prior to sunset for the best photography light. Discuss natural lighting with your photographer to establish the best time for you.

• CONSIDER THE ELEMENTS WHEN PLANNING YOUR FLORALS so that they will hold up during your ceremony. Your florist should be able to assist you with selections that work well on the beach at any given time of year. Potted tropical foliage lends an exotic air to any beach wedding and can be reused following the ceremony.

• BUY INSURANCE if your wedding is during hurricane season. While rare, nothing will ruin your wedding day more quickly than a mandatory hurricane evacuation with no financial recourse.

• CRYSTAL COAST BEACHES ARE PUBLIC PLACES and you may have to contend with beachgoers near your ceremony site. While most people are respectful and excited to be a part of such a special occasion, you can schedule your ceremony late in the day to minimize the impact.

By George Adamakis, Twlight Limousine Company

When shopping for a wedding limousine you want to ask 4 main questions.

Question 1) How long before the wedding should I book my limousine service?

Most experts will tell you to start looking for limousine 3-9 months ahead, and the reason for that is certain times of year (like April & May), it will be hard to find nice limousines due to prom season.

Question 2) What size limousine do I need?

Limousines are designed on the assumption that every person will way 150 lbs or less or 15 inches  wide per person. So thinking you can seat 10 people in a 10 passenger limousine will just not work most of the time, especially if its daytime in July, you will be creating a hot uncomfortable situation. Always get a limousine a little bigger than you think you need.

Question 3) Now the price?

A typical wedding limousine can run from $300-$500 for 3 hours plus 15-20% gratuity for the chauffeur. Brand new limousines and Hummers, Navigators etc will run more. I know it may sound like you’re paying for the chauffeur to sit and do nothing but the chauffeurs will be busy outside setting up. Also think of it as not having to worry about time, weddings usually run a little behind and the limo might have another job scheduled so he has to leave creating another situation. Most people will shop by price which is a big mistake. I’m sure you know by now you pay for what you get!

Question 4) How do I find the right limousine co.?

Most reliable limousine companies will have a web site and belong to some Limousine Associations so look for these when shopping around. When you call ask the year of the limo, type of limo your looking for and GO see it if possible. Remember, a 10 passenger limo will seat only 8, a 12 passenger limo will seat only 10. Ask about packages and whats included. Ask for references or read testimonials on their web site. Most of all get a contract stating all this; make, model, year, color of limousine you rented. Believe it or not the Limousine is a BIG part of you wedding you will see the pictures the rest of your life. Do you want to look back and say why didn’t I spend a little more for my special day?

Article submitted by George Adamakis
Twilight Limousine Company

In today’s economic conditions many brides are looking for ways to scale back on costs. While you may need to give up a trip to the Caribbean or Hawaii for a romantic beach wedding, there are more affordable options. For example, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast offers an escape to the beach but is within comfortable driving range of many urban areas such as Washington D.C., Long Island NY, Richmond VA, Charleston WV and many other East Coast and Midwestern cities. Featuring uninhabited barrier islands, quaint sea faring communities, and a history dating back to colonial times, the Crystal Coast is a wonderfully exotic spot for a wedding yet more affordable than most popular destination wedding locations.

The Crystal Coast features one of the few southern facing beaches along the United States’ east coast. Bogue Banks, the largest inhabited barrier island in the area, stretches 21 miles, bordered by lovely beaches on both the ocean and sound sides. Fort Macon State Park is located at the East end of the island and offers a pristine beach uncluttered by beach houses, condos and hotels. On the opposite end of the island is the community of Emerald Isle. A number of other popular resort communities are located on the island including Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach and Salter Path. The beaches and associated beach houses are all popular locations for Crystal Coast wedding photography, wedding ceremonies and receptions. A variety of beach clubs, such as the Dunes Club, the Ocean Club and Dolphin Ridge Club are popular wedding venues as well. Additionally the North Carolina State Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores makes a spectacular setting for weddings. There are a number of island themed bars and restaurants that also make great locations for wedding receptions.

On the mainland side several communities sit along the sounds and waterways. Beaufort is a quaint town with a rich sea faring history. Stories of pirates, colonial ghosts and other romantic historical figures abound. There are a number of venues in this sea side community that are available for weddings, receptions and wedding photography. The Beaufort waterfront is an excellent location for capturing romantic,engagement, bridal or wedding day portraits. Morehead City is the largest community on the Crystal Coast. While not as historically quaint as Beaufort’s, it too has a lovely waterfront lined with charter fishing boats, seafood restaurants and specialty shops.

There are a number of activities to entertain guests and members of the wedding party before and after the wedding. The Crystal Coast is known worldwide for both its off-shore and inshore saltwater fishing. There are many charter operations in the area. There are also several nice golf courses that are open to the public. Of course, being a resort community, boutique shopping opportunities abound. There are also a number of museums and educational attractions such as the Core Sound Waterfoul Museum, Fort Macon State Park, The History Place, and the NC State Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

When planning a Crystal Coast wedding from outside the area a wedding coordinator is almost indispensable. You can find additional information about the Crystal Coast and local wedding planners by visiting the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority’s site or Crystal Coast Bride Magazine, Coordinators/Planners directory. Enjoying a romantic, beach wedding doesn’t have to break the bank. North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, an exotic escape, close to home.