If you are looking for a wedding venue that offers the perfect combination of a romantic, historic inn complete with the plush amenities of a modern hotel, your first choice should be the First Colony Inn. For more than 75 years, this one-of-a-kind historic treasure has welcomed guests to Nags Head with traditional southern hospitality. Opened in 1932, the First Colony Inn was "the place to be" when vacationing members of Albemarle society came to the Outer Banks. By 1988, the property had changed hands and was in imminent danger of being washed away by the Atlantic Ocean. The Lawrence family saved the historic building by having it moved to a safer location in three separate sections, and lovingly restored it to its former glory. Today, the First Colony Inn is a masterpiece of Outer Banks history, filled with personality and character.

Two stories of wrap-around verandas and rocking chairs invite you and your guests to relax and rock to the rhythm of the nearby ocean. Sun, salt air and ocean breezes will warm your heart and stir your senses. Although the First Colony is on the National Register of Historic places, and great care has been taken to maintain its Old Nags Head charm, the Inn is also chic and comfortably sophisticated. A complementary hot breakfast is provided, served in the beautifully appointed John White room. Each standard guest room is stylishly decorated with antique furniture, and includes a refrigerator, television, phone, and tiled bath with heated towel bars. Upgrades are available that include Jacuzzi tubs, wet bars, and private porches. Whether you need just a few rooms or the entire twenty-six room Inn for your wedding party, family, and guests - the First Colony Inn will surround your guests with Southern charm and warmth.

The perfectly manicured lawns can accommodate even the largest tent for your reception. Lush, colorful, and fragrant flowers spring from pots, flower beds, and covered doorways. Over the years, the First Colony Inn has been the site of many weddings and receptions. Our experienced staff provides world class service as well as expert advice on the selection of wedding professionals. The result is a unique destination wedding that your guests will be talking about for years to come.

At the First Colony Inn, your family and wedding guests can be as busy or as laid back as they choose. Whether they are staying for a few nights or a week, there is something available for every age and interest. Play games, access the Internet, relax in the Inn's library, swim in the crystal blue private pool or walk to the beach on the Inn's private boardwalk. Fitness minded guests can work out for free at the nearby, state-of-the art YMCA. The adventurers in your group can scale Jockey's Ridge, explore Pea Island Wildlife Refuge or climb the Bodie Island, Hatteras or Currituck Beach Lighthouses. Taking a tour to see the magnificent wild horses of Corolla is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience and the golfers in your group can challenge their best game at any of the eight area championship golf courses. There are endless choices for dining, offering everything from fresh locally caught seafood to exotic ethnic cuisine. Shop 'til you drop at the Tanger Outlets, historic Manteo and hundreds of specialty shops. Thirsty? There is plenty of nightlife at a wide variety of taverns, clubs, and bars where talented local musicians can play everything from beach to alternative music.

Gracious southern style and tradition, attention to detail, and superior service are what you will find at the First Colony Inn. We know that your wedding day is the most important day of your life and our expert staff will always go above and beyond to be sure that your experience exceeds your expectations. When you choose our Inn for your special day, we will provide you and your guests with unparalleled memories.

Immerse yourself in the charm of Old Nags Head at the First Colony Inn. Visit our website at www.FirstColonyInn.com for a glimpse of how the richness of the past can combine with the amenities of the present.

We've spent years preparing for your special day.

--by Karen McCalpin

Images (c) 2009 First Colony Inn.  All Rights Reserved.

He proposed!   Now it's time to start planning for the wedding of your dreams. Venue selection is the first and one of the most important decisions you will make. An intimate and classically designed resort and spa, The Sanderling is tucked between the ocean dunes and the tranquil Currituck Sound. It is the perfect setting to start your life as a married couple.  Imagine sharing your vows as guests are swept away by the breathtaking beauty of sea oat covered dunes, the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop for your wedding photos and the most spectacular sunset at day's end, casting it's warm rays over your reception.  From the reception site, envision a short walk down our dock to a charming gazebo lit by a fiery setting sun. Blue herons and other shore birds are wading in shallow water. Unforgettable.  Priceless.  Our professional staff  work closely with you on all phases of your event - from vendor referrals to rehearsal dinner options, ceremony details, reception menu guidance and wedding cake selection.  We make a personal commitment to eliminate any stress that planning a 'destination' wedding may present and we love working with you step-by-step. Our goal is for you to have a perfect wedding day from beginning to end.

Numerous lodging options and amenities, including houses and suites, restaurants, a swimming pool,  spa, and of course - the beach, allow your family and guests to park their cars and fully enjoy the celebration without ever having to leave the property. We offer a full-service Spa for wedding day make-up and hair as well as soothing massage for singles or couples.  At the Sanderling, you will find the same spa treatments as those available in major cities. Our restaurants feature something for everyone and are prepared by our world class chefs.  The same chefs who will ensure that your reception fare is designed to impress.

If you are looking for a venue that will ensure the perfect wedding experience from start to finish - visit the Sanderling. Natural beauty, luxurious amenities, and affordable elegance combine to make the Sanderling the perfect place to be.

--by Belinda Anderson, The Sanderling

The Castle on Silver Lake Bed & Breakfast Inn

Complete Your Fairy Tale Wedding with a Honeymoon in The Castle. . .

You're planning the perfect wedding. Of course you want to follow it with the perfect honeymoon. Imagine a picturesque harbor dotted with boats bobbing gently against the docks. Sea gulls and pelicans circle lazily overhead. Rising above the live oak and cedar trees are the multiple shingled towers and gables that are characteristic of The Castle on Silver Lake Bed & Breakfast Inn on Ocracoke Island. Lovingly and expertly built by local craftsmen as a private retreat for industrialist and local legend Sam Jones, the Castle and accompanying Castle Villas provide the perfect setting for an absolutely unforgettable honeymoon.

Jones, who first came to Ocracoke in the late 1930s, fell in love with the island home of his wife's relatives. The construction of the Castle began in the 1950s and took nearly two decades to complete. Once known as Berkley Castle, the final building encompassed 12,500 square feet as additional rooms were added over the years. In his glory days, Sam Jones hosted lavish parties in its ballroom. Used as a corporate retreat, costume balls and square dances were held, set to the music of talented local musicians. Guests played croquet on the bulkheaded lawns with the finest view of the sparkling Silver Lake harbor on the island. Local watermen traded fish stories and whale tales at the neighboring Whittler's house, also built for Jones.

Handpicked cypress was used to build the Federal style mantels that adorned the fireplaces and dancers dosey-doed on the quarter sawn fir used in the ballroom. Jones furnished the Castle with oriental rugs and ornately carved Victorian furnishings as well as the art deco style. It is said that he when he ran out of space for the rugs, he layered them on top of one another! The Castle's historic photographs chronicle Sam Jones' eclectic style and his deep connection with the island and its people.

After his death in 1977, Jones' masterpiece lay vacant and neglected for nearly 20 years. In 1994 it was purchased and renovated by two local businessmen and longtime friends. They bought it along with the house known as the Whittler's Club, which is now a private residence. Every available inch of the enormous original structure was saved except the heavily deteriorated breezeway. A six year renovation project culminated in what is now The Castle on Silver Lake Bed & Breakfast Inn and Castle Villas.

The Castle offers 11 rooms, each with a private bath, television and a small refrigerator. Three rooms are equipped with whirlpool tubs and the unique third floor Lighthouse Suite has two sitting rooms in addition to the bedroom area. The downstairs den offers satellite TV and a custom made pool table. The entire Castle is furnished in exquisite style that reflects its rich history.  A sumptuous buffet breakfast is served every morning that includes eggs, biscuits, pancakes, fried potatoes, cheese grits, bacon, grilled sausage, fresh fruit, juices, muffins, and pastries.

Tucked behind the Castle are 16 courtyard one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury villas that complement the magnificent architecture of the Castle. Eight of the villas are designed with master suites. Each villa has a fully equipped kitchen, screened porch or deck, washer, dryer and whirlpool tub.

Whether you choose the Castle or the Villas, you can lounge around the heated outdoor pool, enjoy a relaxing massage or sit in the sauna or steam room after a busy day of touring the island. Stroll into Ocracoke's laid back coastal village for shopping and dining or use our bicycles to explore the village and beyond. Of course you'll want to dig your toes into the sand of the island's vast, pristine and never crowded beaches - recognized as the best beach in America year after year.

Getting here is easy. Drive your car onto the Hatteras Island Ferry for a leisurely (and free) ride to the island. Fly your private or chartered plane into the Ocracoke airstrip and we'll pick you up. Bring your boat or arrive by boat and enjoy complimentary docking. Our innkeeper is dedicated to the traditions of hospitality and service that have been the hallmark of the Castle since its inception. Experience the romance of Ocracoke by honeymooning at the most romantic and picturesque location on the island. Your fairy tale honeymoon is waiting for you at The Castle.

Don't you deserve the royal treatment?

--by Karen McCalpin

Images (c) 2009 The Castle on Silver Lake Bed & Breakfast Inn.

All Rights Reserved.