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Beach wedding.....advise!?!

amylm87amylm87 member
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in North Carolina
Hi!  I am planning my beach wedding in May 2012, but not sure which beach I want to do.  I live in Wilmington and would like to do either Southport/oak island, Wrightsville, Carolina, or Kure Beach (fort fisher).  But I just don't know where would be a GREAT spot.  Any suggestions??  ALSO, are there any nice area's for a reception right off of the beach (walking distance)?  I was thinking, my best option would be to rent a big beach house so I can hold my reception there.  Comments?  Suggestions??  I'm stuck.
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Re: Beach wedding.....advise!?!

  • ktyd8ktyd8 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I used the Surf City Center in Surf City, NC (Topsail Island). It is a wonderful place right on the beach. We had our ceremony right in front of the builiding on the beach and my guests walked to the recpetion which was less than 50 feet away. They are very affordable and include tables and chairs.

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  • HillShmillHillShmill
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've just started looking at venues for my beach wedding in the same locations and here's my list:

    - The Islander Inn, Ocean Isle Beach
    - Fort Fisher State Park beach (ceremony) + Aquarium (reception) 
    - The Winds Resort Beach Club, Ocean isle Beach
    - Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach
    - Atlantic Beach Sheraton, Atlantic Beach
    - Surf City Visitor's Center, Surf City, Topsail Island

    I haven't visited any of these places in person yet but I am going to the Atlantic Beach Sheraton this weekend and the Fort Fisher Aquarium next Saturday.  I'll let you know what I think!
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  • sellis128sellis128
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_beach-weddingadvise?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:6a44281a-0d74-487c-b6da-a5a29cb6fdfdPost:6f9931c3-cbcf-482b-be71-725a809ab755">Re: Beach wedding.....advise!?!</a>:
    [QUOTE]I've just started looking at venues for my beach wedding in the same locations and here's my list: - The Islander Inn, Ocean Isle Beach - Fort Fisher State Park beach (ceremony) + Aquarium (reception)  - The Winds Resort Beach Club, Ocean isle Beach - Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach - Atlantic Beach Sheraton, Atlantic Beach - Surf City Visitor's Center, Surf City, Topsail Island I haven't visited any of these places in person yet but I am going to the Atlantic Beach Sheraton this weekend and the Fort Fisher Aquarium next Saturday.  I'll let you know what I think!
    Posted by HillShmill[/QUOTE]


    I love at Ocean Isle, and I suggest The Winds over The Islander Inn....it's just a prettier place of beach and it's down on the private end so it will be nice for the reception!!

    I'm getting married in Southport at the Community Building....outside on the deck overlooking the river and then having the reception inside the building :)
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  • JulieA1976JulieA1976 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    The folks at the Isles Restaurant on Ocean Isle Beach are very nice to work with.  Our family is having  a wedding and reception there at the end of March.
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  • sksitessksites
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My old roommate got married and had the reception at the Oceanic at Wrightsville beach. It was very nicely done....may be for a slightly smaller wedding though. Also know someone who used Ft Fisher vistor center (outside) and it was pretty :)
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  • alliegator8alliegator8 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I second the surf city center. It was the perfect location at a great price. It is right on the beach and have a great deck overlooking the water.  There is handicap access as well, which was important for us. 

    The nice thing about topsail island is that you are allow to put chairs, decorations, and a band on the beach without any permits or issues.  Some beaches wopn't allow you to to anything on the beach or they might require a permit.  So if you want to get married on the beach, I would contact the towns and ask them what they allow. 
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  • amylm87amylm87 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Wow!  What great advise guys!  Thanks so much!  Please do let me know how you like the Atlantic Beach Sheraton!  My mom works as a sales and catering manager at a Sheraton in Durham, so that might be a plus ;)  I just want to make sure it is beautiful!  Please share pics if you have some!  Thanks a bunch!
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  • HillShmillHillShmill
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    OK, just got back from my weekend at the Atlantic Beach Sheraton.

    My overall impression: Meh.

    For a beach wedding, they set you up in a separate building called Sandcastles. It has its own private beach access, restrooms, and front porch.

    Pros:
    * All-in-one location. Guests won't have to travel between the ceremony, reception and hotel.
    * Lots of parking
    * Perfect size ceremony location for my wedding (no more than 100 people)
    * Pier at hotel is great location for photos
    * Only one event per day - lots of time to set up
    * Hotel has decor you can borrow including candles, shell centerpieces, Chinese lanterns, etc.
    * Very scenic front porch with rocking chairs

    Cons:
    * Stairway to beach very steep & no handicapped access
    * "Welcome to Atlantic Beach" sign right next to beach access was tagged with racial slur (seriously, can you imagine that in your photo backgrounds??!!)
    * Seemed pricy for the quality. $2,500 rental for the venue + estimated $40/pp catering costs (not including alcohol)
    * Quality of food while staying at hotel not worth the price (IMHO)

    Other Info:
    * White linens are provided with venue rental - other colors are add'l $
    * There's no private dressing area in Sandcastles to get ready - you'd have to use your hotel room
    * The Sheraton will block off rooms for your guests
    * Catering menus and costs are on the website
    * The Sheraton has 2 restaurants on premises. Molly's is a beachfront tiki bar type place with burgers & seafood. Milazzos is an Italian restaurant that offers breakfast in the mornings. Both are pretty pricy but the breakfast at Milazzos was pretty good.

    Here are some photos:


    Front Porch



    Private beach access



    Inside Sandcastles



    Inside Sandcastles



    Inside Sandcastles

    I think the venue has a lot of potential with the right decorations and lighting. However, the very steep and stair-heavy beach access won't work for me.  I have several family members that don't do well with stairs and without a less severe access or handicap ramp, I don't think this place will work for us. If you do want the contact info of the event coordinator at the Sheraton, just let me know and I'll pass along her information!
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  • amylm87amylm87 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks so much for that information and the pictures.  I, too, am in the same boat with the stairs.  Thanks again!  Keep me posted as to where you do have your ceremony and reception!  I am kind of considering getting married on the NC Battleship!  It's gorgeous, fun, and different for a ceremony site!  And it's EXTREAMLY CHEAP! 
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  • HillShmillHillShmill
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    OK, just got home from checking out the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and am IN.LOVE with it! My FI and I walked out after the tour, looked at each other, and said "Yep - this is it!" It is sooo beautiful and romantic inside. It is pricier than the Sheraton, but I won't have to buy a ton of flowers or decorations that I'm just going to throw out anyways because the aquarium exhibits provide enough decor. I may go look at another couple venues for price comparisons, but we pretty much made our decision to go with the aquarium today.

    Plus, the state park beach access just down the road is completely handicap accessible (as is the entire aquarium). Problem solved!

    But the battleship is such a cool idea too. I had no idea they did weddings until I saw an ad in a magazine today. So unique and the view of downtown Wilmington is beautiful right there.
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  • JulieA1976JulieA1976 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Our son's wedding and reception was this past weekend at the Isles Restaurant at Ocean Isle Beach and I couldn't have been happier with the staff, food, and venue. They are willing and are happy to work within your budget and have many options to choose from. In reference to handicap accessibility, they have do have a deck where someone could view the wedding if they didn't want to or weren't able to maneuver in the sand.  Also, the restaurant is located very close to many 4br/4bath condos called Islander Resort (you can find rentals on vacation rentals.com) in case you have groups of family members from out of town.  Our family rented two of them, and it was great.  Good luck in your planning
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