3 "Must-Do" Tips for Outer Banks Wedding Weekend + Expo

January 9th and 10th the Outer Banks Wedding Association will be hosting their annual Wedding Weekend + Expo!  Tickets and information are available online. To those attending the show, here are three things you should plan on doing in order to avoid information overload.

1.  Purchase your tickets early to avoid standing in line when the doors open on Sunday, January 10th.

2.  Pre-print your name and address information on small stickers to avoid writing it repeatedly at the show.  Placing your sticker in the "would like more information" sign-up sheets at the various booths of vendors you find interesting is a timesaver.

3.  Bring your camera!  Everybody has one these days and it's a great tool to use at the show.  If you find a booth you are interested in learning more from but don't have time to stop and talk,take a photo to use as a reference point just in case the show closes before you've had a chance to meet with that professional.  Later, back at your hotel room, you'll have the images you can refer too.

Tips you would like to share?  Leave a suggestion here ...

Many of today's couples are facing the same question. Do we need or should we have an engagement photo session? If you are facing this same thought and are still unsure, then consider the following information before you make your final decision. For anyone who is married, you can still consider having this style of photo shoot as part of your anniversary celebration too. The couple below did just that...they requested an engagement session "with a twist" as part of their fifth wedding anniversary. Congrats to Linsey + Chad!

An engagement session is a great way to get to know your photographer, develop and build trust/rapport with your photographer and to become familiar with your photographer's style of shooting. The engagement shoot is designed for you to experience your time together in a fun, light hearted way and, at the same time, it will include some romantic moments that can show the intensity of love shared between you two. How many professional images of you with your loved one do you have in your apartment, home or office that show all the facets of your relationship in high quality imagery? I'm not talking about the snap shots your friends took of you two at the latest outing or the couple's shot with you holding the camera at arms-length away, high overhead. Those are great, fun candid images to be treasured, no argument from me. But what I'm talking about is something more.

The engagement session is all about YOU! Be creative about what you wear, where you decide to shoot, time of day and what it really is about you two as a couple that makes you two click. Bring your dog to the shoot or maybe some wine while walking under the pier? Also, look to other websites for inspiration. Remember, the engagement shoot is a time for your photographer to learn about you and for you to build trust and rapport with your photographer...all before the big day. But who said you couldn't have fun too? Once you've invested your time and have seen the final results, you'll be glad you had your engagement photos taken.

More to come on what to do with the engagement images now that you've had the photo session.

--Mary Basnight

outer banks wedding photographer
www.marybasnight.com
mary@marybasnight.com
www.marybasnightKIDS.com
http://OuterBanks.Weddings.com featured blogger for The Knot

♥ LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION ♥ Imagine your wedding day and reception with the ocean as the backdrop. Wide expansive beaches, sea gulls floating on the wind, the warmth of the sun and a beautiful house by the sea are the perfect combination for the wedding of your dreams. Village Realty can make that dream wedding a reality in one of their many exquisite rental homes. With the beach just steps away, it's not hard to picture yourself taking your vows as a gentle sea breeze lifts your veil and cools your guests. Your wedding photos will include the unspoiled natural beauty of the Outer Banks - rolling waves, sand dunes topped with graceful sea oats, and wide, pristine beaches. The Carolina blue skies are cloudless more often than not, and the purposeful limitation of bright night time lighting makes the stars in the evening sky sparkle like celestial fireworks. No wonder the Outer Banks is the number two wedding destination in the country

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A 175 mile long barrier island, the Outer Banks is a natural wonder. In an oceanfront beach house, the sound of the surf will gently wake you in the morning and lullaby you to sleep at night. Conch shells and beach glass decorate the landscape and wild horses freely roam the northernmost beaches. It just doesn't get more romantic than this.

♥ LUXURY ♥ Village Realty offers the best of beach. Choose from an array of elite properties with as many as 12 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. Lush landscaping sets the stage for what awaits you inside. Luxury homes include amenities such as elevators, wet bars, heated pools, saunas, gourmet kitchens, designer furnishings, state-of-the-art theater rooms and game rooms, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, custom tile, marble foyers, and soaring ceilings. Celebrate the most important day of your life in a home fully equipped and designed to meet your every need.

If you aren't planning on being married on the beach, visualize your wedding and reception poolside as guests toast to your happiness in the warmth of the sun or under a canopy of stars. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can easily move the festivities inside your spacious and beautifully decorated home.   

♥ VALUE ♥ Renting a beach home is a great value. House your wedding party and family under one roof for one price. Compared to other options, the per person, per night cost can be significantly lower by staying in a rental home. Our large kitchens plus additional kitchenettes allow you and your guests to purchase and prepare anything you want, anytime you want. Kitchens are fully equipped with everything you need to dine in, entertain, or just make a snack. Your guests, especially those with children, will also appreciate the opportunity to wash and dry their bathing suits, beach towels and clothing.

Take a break and relax with a movie and popcorn in your home theater, or lounge by the pool. Stretch out in your master suite and soak your cares away in your Jacuzzi tub. Large rooms and multiple floors and decks allow for plenty of elbow room for everyone to gather.

♥ CONVENIENCE ♥ Make it easy on yourself and your guests. Renting a beach home for your wedding is the ultimate in convenience. Linens and towels (even for the kitchen) are provided for all rental homes and beds are made. We even include a starter supply of kitchen and toiletry items. The kitchen facilities can accommodate your caterer; there are multiple rest rooms; free parking; instant access to your personal belongings; plenty of options to keep children occupied and supervised (theater and game room); the beach and pool are in your backyard; and if you want the party to last longer - it's your house - party on - you're already home!

♥ PRIVACY ♥ You and your guests will enjoy the privacy of your own pool, your own hot tub, and your own private walkway to the beach. Swim whenever you wish because the pool is always open. So is the kitchen, the game room and the bar!  Have your rehearsal dinner catered in your beautiful home and enjoy it in your own elegant dining room.

On the big day, you and your wedding party can dress in the privacy of your home. No rushing and no wrinkled dresses from riding in a car to the venue. Not having to share your wedding location with another bride or event is another big plus - your wedding is the only event taking place at your location. 

If you are looking for an unforgettable wedding or reception location that is loaded with amenities, is cost effective, convenient and private, let the professionals at Village Realty help you find the perfect beach house. We are known for our extraordinary customer service and attention to detail. Call either our Nags Head or Corolla office and we promise to help you make your dreams come true.

--by Karen McCalpin

Images (c) 2009 Village Realty

All Rights Reserved.

Images (c) Mary Basnight Photography

Destination weddings are so much fun, and they are more popular than ever. There are some things about planning a wedding in an exotic land that might be different than planning a wedding near your home. To get the most out of your destination wedding, try these simple tips:

• Book a site that also will make a dream honeymoon spot for you and your spouse. Having your wedding and honeymoon all in one place is called a"weddingmoon", and many resorts will offer special packages if you choose to do this.

• Arrive at your destination a few days before the ceremony. This will give you time to check up on the details of your wedding, as well as allowing time for any travel delays or late luggage. Having a few extra days will help keep the stress to a minimum, so that you are relaxed and ready for your big day.

• Send out save the date cards well in advance of a destination wedding (6 months or more). Since everyone will be traveling, it will allow them plenty of time to schedule the days off from work, book the flights, and make hotel arrangements. If you have relatives or friends who you would like to invite, but that you believe will not be able to make the trip, go ahead and invite them anyway. It is always nice to be asked, and who knows, they might surprise you by coming.     

• Dress appropriately for your wedding destination. If your wedding will be held on the beach at sunset, this could mean a romantic and flowing gown with handcrafted bridal jewelry. A simple dress always looks better on the beach than a big formal one, and the handcrafted bridal jewelry will give your ensemble a beautiful, yet relaxed flavor.

• Let go of elements that are not suitable for the site that you have chosen. This might mean having a cake with fondant frosting, even though you had your heart set on butter cream (which is notorious for melting in hot weather). It could mean that you take the planner's advice and schedule your ceremony for the late afternoon instead of sunset because the area gets too buggy at dusk. Whatever it may be, accept that some of your pre-conceived ideas may not be feasible. That is okay, though, because a special destination will have many other wonderful things about it.

• Buy travel and event insurance if you are planning a tropical wedding during hurricane season.

• Don't let the ladies in the straw market convince you (or worse, your groom!) to braid your hair the day before your wedding. Remember that you have to live with those pictures forever. If you feel like getting swept away in the island spirit, get a few braids the day after the wedding. (And grooms just say no on any day, please!)

• Serve seasonal and local food, as recommended by your venue's wedding coordinator. Part of the fun of going on a trip is exploring their culture. Don't get hung up on what you think every reception must have, whether it is steak or pigs-in-a-blanket. Be open to trying the local delicacies.

• Be prepared to let go of some of the control of the wedding planning. Any time that you are planning a wedding by long distance, it is necessary to trust someone at your site to handle many of the details for you. If you surrender to the process, you may actually find preparing for your wedding to be fairly relaxing. The good news is that most resorts will have on-site coordinators, so you will know that you are in good hands.

• There is a great spirit of celebration present at most destination weddings. Not only is it a joyous occasion, but everyone is also on vacation. The most important thing to remember is to relax and have fun on your special day.

Read Guy's other articles on weddings, society and fashions and let us know what you think. Call us at SilverlandJewelry.com for help with your wedding jewelry or gift needs. [http://www.silverlandjewelry.com/beach_theme.html]Handcrafted bridal jewelry is the perfect finishing touch for a beach wedding.

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