Wedding Expo

ScarletB10

Hello!  We were thinking of checking the wedding expo out this weekend but I feel awfully unprepared...were not even positive we will get married in the OBX since we would like to be married by end of Summer/Fall and budget and whatnot.  Is it possible to plan a wedding there with less than a years time?  I liked the Sea Ranch and some other venues, we want to go and get a feel for things but I feel like I should already know what we want to do before we go this weekend.  Any advice would be appreciated! 

ksj10032782

Hi! Welcome to the board! I'm sure some of the already married ladies would be happy to help as well. We started planning about a year and a half in advance for our September 2012 wedding. I think your biggest issue would be getting your venue for the selected date, we opted to go with a Friday, so an off day wedding might be better to help get a date. It also depends on wether your interested in an event house or a venue. We are not going to the expo, but only because we have all of our vendors already booked. I would take a look at the wedding assocations website to start looking at possible venues, http://www.outerbanksweddingassoc.org/. Are you familiar with the Outer Banks? I think the expo would be a good place to start, so you can visit with multiple vendors at one time. If your close enough, I would go for it!

sarahebrown

Hi Scarlet and Congrats on your engagement!
My husband and I were married in the Outer Banks in October 2011 and we planned our wedding long-distance. The great thing about the expo is that you have many vendors in one place for you to check out, ask questions to, etc. If you are planning long-distance, this is a great opportunity to check out your options without having to setup individual appointments and make special trips. Don't feel like you have to have it all figured out!! That's the fun in planning (or it should be), to make it what you and your Fiance envision. The Outer Banks is a beautiful place to be married though and I know everyone who was married there will agree that they were very happy with their choice.

You mentioned the Sea Ranch, that was our venue. They were associated last year with a resturant called The Pearl which is now out of business, and that was where we held our reception. The location is beautiful and our guests enjoyed having their hotel only a short walk from the wedding venue.

Since it sounds like you're in your early brainstorming phase of planning, the Expo would be a great idea I think. It will give you some ideas on price comparisons and other venue options. Also, the website Kelly posted above is a great resource. There are other brides and married gals who regularly post on this board who may have some more suggestions for you as well.

Happy Planning and feel free to ask anything you might have questions about!

asoho0704

Hi Scarlet!

Just some info about The Sea Ranch:

That is where we're getting married this May.  They recently went through a new change in ownership, and Belinda is the person who you would want to talk to (her number is 252-715-1009).  I'm not sure if you know anything about the craziness that's just gone on there (the old owner of the venue, formerly known as The Pearl skipped town with our deposit cash without telling us to Naples, FL)... but Belinda has done a superb job of handling it and has been very attentive to all of our needs, the price range we need to work within, etc.  You may want to give her a call - tell her that Anna Fisher referred you!  She is a sweet, wonderful woman, and has honored the $1000 venue rental fee that we originally paid for the pearl. 

If you talk to her about your budget being slim, she will likely work with you.  The new owners are trying to develop a good name for themselves and are being so thoughtful when it comes to trying to give the brides/grooms what they want.  I was even promised chairs to be included for the beach ceremony by Trish (former owner of the pearl) who later denied that she offered me that; however, Belinda and the owners honored what I was saying and are providing the chairs for me at no cost.  I'm not saying they're going to do that for new brides, but just an idea of how accommodating they are. 

Also, in terms of florists/decor, 150% go with Bells and Whistles.  Talk to Dorothy.  She is AMAZING.  I didn't want to buy all my decorations, and have a pretty strict budget to work with.  She suggested that I may want to rent from her (they have so much decor to rent!!)...  I gave her some ideas and she is fully decorating our reception venue, and has sent me ideas that go with our vintage-ish theme and they are absolutely beautiful.  Their flowers are reasonably priced and they even offer (for $200 rental) a DIY space you can use for up to 2 days before the wedding to put together your own arrangements and save yourself some cash (that's what we're doing).

That's pretty much all I've got by way of recommendations - I can tell you now, this was the least expensive venue we found down there that would accomodate our guests, give us an on-the-beach wedding, and everything else we wanted.  I'd say it's at least worth giving the Sea Ranch a call.  I know Belinda is out of the office prepping for the expo the next couple of days, but I'd leave her a message or shoot her an email (belinda@searanchhotel.com).

GOOD LUCK!

Anna

OBX2011

Hi Scarlet and welcome! (I have always loved that name btw)

Most of the PP's covered everything.  I do think the expo would be a great place to start and yes, you can do this in 9 months.  I was engaged Christmas Day 2010, went to the expo 3 weeks later, booked my venue that weekend and got married 9/16/11.  I booked 108 Budleigh and chose a Friday date b/c 1) its cheaper and 2) we rented a beach house for the week and most turn on a Sat/Sat or Sun/Sun and I didn't want to get married and then be rushed to check out.  We rented a Sun/Sun home, married on Friday, relaxed Sat and checked-out Sunday.

Don't feel like you need to do anything in advance of this weekend as far as being prepared b/c that is the entire point of the expo.  It's there for you to meet and greet everyone, check out venues, taste test food and cakes, etc. all in one place, to make it easier for you and FI.  Rick mentioned the obxwa and that is great place to get started!  When I went to the expo, I had nothing planned out and like I said, booked my venue that weekend and pretty much firmed up our caterer too.  One thing you can do is look at different venues from the obxwa.com and cross off the ones that you don't want.  Ohhh and the cost this year is higher if you choose to go to the cocktail party Sat night b/c David Tutera will be a guest speaker.  The cocktail party isn't necessary IMO b/c the same exact venors, food, etc. that is there Sat night, will be at the actual expo on Sunday.

If you are working on a budget like most of us are, you will get discounts from vendors just by attending the expo.  They hand out welcome bags and marketing material that include discounts if you book by a certain date.  The vendors will know whether or not you actually attended the expo b/c the only way you get the discounts is if you actually go and get the marketing stuff they all pass out.  It's like a 1 time of year only type of thing, so definitely take advantage.

If you decide to go this weekend, I recommend any local hotel to suppport the local economy such as The Cameron House Inn (beautiful B&B in Manteo), The Nags Head Inn or the recently rennovated Sea Spray Cottages that are absolutely adorable and only $75 a night!

We wish you the best of luck and if you do decide to book for late Summer/Fall, you have an entire board of ladies and 2 gents to help you with anything you need

OBX2011

Don't worry too much about family traveling in for the wedding b/c the ones that are most important will definitely make the trip to the OBX for your big day.  I was concerned abou this as well and with 123 invites, we had 96 guests make the trip!   We have brides/grooms on the board that are from Colorado, Ohio, Rhode Island and have even had guests from Spain!  Most people will fly into Norfolk and make the 1.5 hour drive to the OBX or maybe Raleigh since that is where you guys live.

Very excited for you that this is your first trip to the OBX.....you will never want to leave!  Just a few helpful tips since this is your 1st time going:

When going down 158 and you go across a long bridge, you are now in Nags Head.  The island uses MP (mileposts) up and down the island for points of location, so if you see a restaurant or venue that is "located at MP 4" don't be surprised.  I hope that makes sense.  Carova, Corolla (Ka-rahhh-laa not as in the Toyota Corolla), Duck and Southern Shores are your most nothern parts of the island.  Then it's Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and S. Nags Head.  There are 2 main roads on the island--Highway 12 is the main road of travel and then Virginia Dare Trail which is commonly referred to as Beach Rd and runs parallel to the Atlantic. 

You will be tasting a lot of food over the weekend which is nice b/c it's less you have to spend eating out, but I will recommend a few places (and yes everyone, it's one of my favorites as you all know, lol).....Sam & Omie's!!  It's at MP 16 on the Beach Rd right across the street from Jennette's Pier (which is brand new and gorgeous).  It's one of the longest running restaurants on the island and have great breakfasts, lunch, etc.  Kelly's has been there for a very long time as well as The Black Pelican, Tortugas Lie, Jolly Rodgers, etc.  I will say that Coastal Provisions (my caterer) who is located at the stoplight going into Duck, has THE BEST crabcakes I have ever had in my life! 

On Highway 12 near MP 16 is where you can take a left to go to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore or stay right and take the bridge across into Manteo--which is where you will probably be going to get your marriage license.  108 Budleigh is also in Manteo and has some of the neatest shops, art galleries, cafes, etc.  Manteo is so quaint and I love to walk around the streets and do window shopping.

Ok, so I think I am done ranting now!  I  have been going to Nags Head when I was a kid and always get excited when it's someone's first trip....just ask JAK, lol

I hope you have a fabulous time this weekend and fall in love with the Outer Banks like so many of us have.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask

OBX2011

Ummmmm....I just looked back at my post and apparently wrote a novel, lol

keb2482

Haha!  Its cool OBX, I've been there sooo many times but you just made me twice as excited for this weekend!  As if that was possible...

OBXGirly

The expo was so much fun and you get so much information. Definitely worth going to - I am not getting married until 2013 and I already have a most vendors signed with a contract  - even my makeup artist. Of course one of my best friends had a wedding in the Outer Banks last year (I was in it) and one of my other best friends is a local in the Outer Banks so she gets the dish lol.