Outer Banks Wedding Blog
Outer Banks Wedding Blog
10th Annual Outer Banks Wedding Expo
The 10th Annual Outer Banks Wedding Association Expo was held at First Flight High School on Sunday, January 13. The expo is the oldest and largest wedding event on the Outer Banks with over 100 vendors to help brides plan their wedding. What a success! Village Realty, First Colony Inn and Outer Banks Beach Bus hosted booths at the expo. Village Realty was able to garner leads through the show, not just rental accommodations but also for weddings hosted at the home. The goodies given to countless brides-to-be included mints stamped with the Village Realty's website address, fliers of our wedding homes, and pen and paper. We even gave a free weekend getaway to one lucky bride. On Saturday, prior to the expo, brides were able to enjoy a self-guided "Dream Drive" tour of exceptional reception and ceremony sites. Kara Beatty was at one of our wedding homes, DE20N, awaiting the brides-to-be with coffee and snacks. During their visit, the brides were asked to complete information cards on what type of accommodations would meet their wedding needs. The information was passed to the rental department staff who printed out brochures on houses that met the brides criteria. It was a tremendous team effort! During the expo, each bride that visited the Village Realty booth received their customized information packet. Overall, we were very pleased with the turnout of brides and their families.
We are already planning for next year and looking forward to a successful 2009 expo!
Trip to Ocracoke
Yesterday was our first day back on tour for the fall season. We could not have asked for better weather or a better day, it was absolutely beautiful. Our driver for the day was Rick, the tour guide was Bryan, Bob our new driver and myself tagged along for the ride.
This trip was different for me because I got to ride along and listen, I was not the guide I was just there to observe and take pictures. It is amazing how much more you get to see when you are just riding along, especially in a motorcoach bus that sits up so high. The Outer Banks holds such beauty that we see everyday and so often we take it all for granted. We are truly blessed to live in an area that holds such history, beautiful lighthouses, endless beaches and of course the awesomely painted Carolina blue sky. I'm so grateful that I can call the Outer Banks my home.
The 35 guest on board were great, full of personality and happy to be there. As for our tour guide, he was very full of life and told some great stories that kept everyones interest. Doug Leal (KDH Sound and Lights) installed our new sound system that worked like a charm as I knew it would.
Our first stop was at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse then on to the ferry to take us over to Ocracoke. Once we arrived in Ocracoke we stopped at the pony pasture and the beach for some pictures. We left there and stopped by the Ocracoke Lighthouse and then headed over to the Swan Quarter Ferry Docks where we had a wonderful picnic lunch. After lunch we took a trip to a small piece of England for a brief visit of the British Cemetery. And then it was time to head back home.
It is always interesting to watch the expressions on the faces of new visitors when they look out the window of the bus; see the ocean on one side and sound on the other side. Both bodies of water within baseball throwing distance. I can remember as a child thinking that if they built anymore buildings this strip of land would sink, boy was I wrong. In many ways I wish I was right because we would still have the simplicity of the Outer Banks around us and the population of those we know.
But with everyday that passes things must change, I'm sure the Algonquian Indians might have had a similar feeling.
This trip was different for me because I got to ride along and listen, I was not the guide I was just there to observe and take pictures. It is amazing how much more you get to see when you are just riding along, especially in a motorcoach bus that sits up so high. The Outer Banks holds such beauty that we see everyday and so often we take it all for granted. We are truly blessed to live in an area that holds such history, beautiful lighthouses, endless beaches and of course the awesomely painted Carolina blue sky. I'm so grateful that I can call the Outer Banks my home.
The 35 guest on board were great, full of personality and happy to be there. As for our tour guide, he was very full of life and told some great stories that kept everyones interest. Doug Leal (KDH Sound and Lights) installed our new sound system that worked like a charm as I knew it would.
Our first stop was at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse then on to the ferry to take us over to Ocracoke. Once we arrived in Ocracoke we stopped at the pony pasture and the beach for some pictures. We left there and stopped by the Ocracoke Lighthouse and then headed over to the Swan Quarter Ferry Docks where we had a wonderful picnic lunch. After lunch we took a trip to a small piece of England for a brief visit of the British Cemetery. And then it was time to head back home.
It is always interesting to watch the expressions on the faces of new visitors when they look out the window of the bus; see the ocean on one side and sound on the other side. Both bodies of water within baseball throwing distance. I can remember as a child thinking that if they built anymore buildings this strip of land would sink, boy was I wrong. In many ways I wish I was right because we would still have the simplicity of the Outer Banks around us and the population of those we know.
But with everyday that passes things must change, I'm sure the Algonquian Indians might have had a similar feeling.
An update on my last blog. Please Read
A Fellow OBX Blogger
Today we are sending some good thoughts, OBX love and well wishes to another OBX Blogger; Paula D, who posts her surf report and more on Queen of the Surf Pirates.
Paula and I have never met, although we have spoken and we do link to each others blogs. And, we read her blog and she reads ours..we have a little blogging community down here that includes Stuart and me, (we take turns writing this blog), the software genius and wind surfer most excellent Bill Bell of Bill's OBX Beach Life, the handsome and charming Ronnie Roach of Ronnie Roach Outer Banks Blog and the smart, funny, thought provoking and always fun to be around Bob Mueller who writes View from the Ridge and last but not least we have Lovely Jeannie and the talented Stuart, who posts on VillageRealtyOBXBlog. Jeannie wrote today's blog and it was so well written I copied it from the Village Realty Blog and pasted it here; with permission of course.
Paula, our fellow blogger and friend is the mommy to 2 more than precious, simply adorable, 10 month old twin girls. She and her significant other live and work here on the Outer Banks. The other significant other in her life is her helper dog extraordinaire, Sammy the Surf Dog.
Now Sammy is truly a special dog; one look at his picture on Paula's blog and you can tell that. He is Paula's best friend, companion, protector and helper. A true helper, because Paula is hearing impaired and has a cochlear implant which does help, but Sammy is, to some degree, "her ears". And her hero.
Sammy and Paula were out walking Friday night when Sammy was hit by a drunk driver. Sammy stopped Paula from stepping onto the Beach Road and prevented her from possibly serious injury but in doing so, the car hit him. He has internal injuries and a broken leg and as of today is in Raleigh with Paula, at the NC Veterinary School where he is being well taken care of.
Paula's dad, a.k.a. 'The Colonel' called yesterday to give us an update. The Drs at the Vet School are doing their best to help Sammy and The Colonel was feeling good about that. Paula was holding her own, although missing her babies terribly (first time she has ever been away from them overnight), and worrying about Sammy. To make matters worse, her implant was on the fritz so she was relying solely on sign language. When the doctors and the vet hospital realized Paula was hearing impaired, they sent a vet who knows sign language right over to keep her posted.
So, for you OBX'ers who live here and those of you who want to live here and anyone who would like to; please send up a good thought for Paula and her family....and for Sammy. I know she will appreciate it.
Now, let me end today's post by saying that I am not, in all honesty, a "dog person". Never had one, do not want one. I like them, and respect that people feel very strongly about their pets. And again, I have never even met Paula. However, when you read someone's blog, you get a sense of who they are and what they are about. That is why this incident has touched me. Paula has a good and gentle spirit and you can tell she is a good mom. That is all I need to know.
The OBX Bloggers have already started talking about what we can do to help Paula and her family. We will keep you posted.
Paula and I have never met, although we have spoken and we do link to each others blogs. And, we read her blog and she reads ours..we have a little blogging community down here that includes Stuart and me, (we take turns writing this blog), the software genius and wind surfer most excellent Bill Bell of Bill's OBX Beach Life, the handsome and charming Ronnie Roach of Ronnie Roach Outer Banks Blog and the smart, funny, thought provoking and always fun to be around Bob Mueller who writes View from the Ridge and last but not least we have Lovely Jeannie and the talented Stuart, who posts on VillageRealtyOBXBlog. Jeannie wrote today's blog and it was so well written I copied it from the Village Realty Blog and pasted it here; with permission of course.
Paula, our fellow blogger and friend is the mommy to 2 more than precious, simply adorable, 10 month old twin girls. She and her significant other live and work here on the Outer Banks. The other significant other in her life is her helper dog extraordinaire, Sammy the Surf Dog.
Now Sammy is truly a special dog; one look at his picture on Paula's blog and you can tell that. He is Paula's best friend, companion, protector and helper. A true helper, because Paula is hearing impaired and has a cochlear implant which does help, but Sammy is, to some degree, "her ears". And her hero.
Sammy and Paula were out walking Friday night when Sammy was hit by a drunk driver. Sammy stopped Paula from stepping onto the Beach Road and prevented her from possibly serious injury but in doing so, the car hit him. He has internal injuries and a broken leg and as of today is in Raleigh with Paula, at the NC Veterinary School where he is being well taken care of.
Paula's dad, a.k.a. 'The Colonel' called yesterday to give us an update. The Drs at the Vet School are doing their best to help Sammy and The Colonel was feeling good about that. Paula was holding her own, although missing her babies terribly (first time she has ever been away from them overnight), and worrying about Sammy. To make matters worse, her implant was on the fritz so she was relying solely on sign language. When the doctors and the vet hospital realized Paula was hearing impaired, they sent a vet who knows sign language right over to keep her posted.
So, for you OBX'ers who live here and those of you who want to live here and anyone who would like to; please send up a good thought for Paula and her family....and for Sammy. I know she will appreciate it.
Now, let me end today's post by saying that I am not, in all honesty, a "dog person". Never had one, do not want one. I like them, and respect that people feel very strongly about their pets. And again, I have never even met Paula. However, when you read someone's blog, you get a sense of who they are and what they are about. That is why this incident has touched me. Paula has a good and gentle spirit and you can tell she is a good mom. That is all I need to know.
The OBX Bloggers have already started talking about what we can do to help Paula and her family. We will keep you posted.
Looking for a surf report?
This blog site is a little different from most because we talk about weddings on the Outer Banks, the history of the Outer Banks and tell cool pirate stories. Every now and then when I have problem trying to think of what to write I will throw in some fishing info. I'm always out there in the sound fishing for something. I may write about "remember when", and sometimes I've been known to copy Village Realty's blog (the Village bloggers have such great talent).
This morning as I was out walking and looking at the beautiful sunrise over the Currituck Sound, I tried to think of something new to blog about...note to all - thinking is not really my forte' it kinda hurts. I thought about all the things that I cover in this blog and realized that I've never covered anything to do with surfing; now I'm not a surfer so that may be the reason I've not covered it. But my daughter is and she just got her very first surf board for her birthday in June from her boyfriend. Let's just say he won some brownie points to put on the shelf to pull out when he messes up. Ok, now I need to get back on the subject of surfing.
I've recently had the opportunity to blog with a special blogger through my co-workers, which brings me to the topic of this blog. This blogger is known as "Paula the Queen of the Surf Pirates" and her partner in crime is "Sammy the Surf Dog". Both of them offer a great website that will keep you up-to-date on with a daily surf report and all the latest in surfing news.
That would be Paula on the left and Sammy on the right just in case you needed help with that. I highly recommend you check out her site if you are looking for a local surf report. If you have any questions go to her forum OBXNow and post your questions, you will be surprised at how quickly she will respond.
Happy Surfing to all and to all a happy Labor Day Weekend.
This morning as I was out walking and looking at the beautiful sunrise over the Currituck Sound, I tried to think of something new to blog about...note to all - thinking is not really my forte' it kinda hurts. I thought about all the things that I cover in this blog and realized that I've never covered anything to do with surfing; now I'm not a surfer so that may be the reason I've not covered it. But my daughter is and she just got her very first surf board for her birthday in June from her boyfriend. Let's just say he won some brownie points to put on the shelf to pull out when he messes up. Ok, now I need to get back on the subject of surfing.
I've recently had the opportunity to blog with a special blogger through my co-workers, which brings me to the topic of this blog. This blogger is known as "Paula the Queen of the Surf Pirates" and her partner in crime is "Sammy the Surf Dog". Both of them offer a great website that will keep you up-to-date on with a daily surf report and all the latest in surfing news.
That would be Paula on the left and Sammy on the right just in case you needed help with that. I highly recommend you check out her site if you are looking for a local surf report. If you have any questions go to her forum OBXNow and post your questions, you will be surprised at how quickly she will respond.Happy Surfing to all and to all a happy Labor Day Weekend.
Outer Banks Wedding Association Expo
We are still waiting on the details for the Outer Banks Wedding Expo that will be held January 12 - 13, 2007 at the First Flight High School.If you click on the above link you can sign up to request an email that will keep you up to date on the expo and the events involved.
Remember When...
Remember When…
Do you remember when the by-pass was only a two lane road and the beach road was considered the business road?
Remember when there were no stop lights except in Manteo and then we got one stop light at the Colington intersection and it was just a blinking yellow light for a long time?
Do you remember when the castle that now sticks out of Jockey’s Ridge was part of a putt putt golf course?
Do you remember when there was only one Wright Memorial Bridge with 2 lanes, one going north and the other going south?
Remember when the Oasis Restaurant on the Manteo/Nags Head Causeway allowed the waitresses to wait tables barefoot? And if you remember that then you will remember their lace cornbread, yum yum.
Remember the Circus Tent where you went to listen to music and get ice cream?
Do you remember when the very first timeshare, the Windjammer, was built in Nags Head, right where many locals from Wanchese and Manteo would go to the beach?
Do you remember when the grocery stores were IGA in Manteo on Budleigh Street with the old uneven wooden floors; you had the Old Mann’s store in Wanchese with groceries on one side and white boots and hardware on the other side and wooded floors as well; there was The Kitty Hawk Country store in Kitty Hawk Village; a Red and White in Nags Head. We’ve always had Winks.
Do you remember when clothes shopping for school meant going to Norfolk, Elizabeth City or ordering from the Sears Catalog store in Manteo?
How many of the old Manteo High School graduates remember that when it rained, the hallway would get soaked by the double doors that went out to the English Department? Or, remember when we got out of school early because it was too hot or we had strong winds that would cause the Manteo/Nags Head Causeway and Colington Road to flood?
Remember the Casino and later the Atlantis and the Foosball Palace?
Remember when going swimming in a pool meant that you were pool hopping at a hotel and praying that you did not get caught?
Remember when a deluxe rental meant that it had a window A/C and maybe a telephone?
Do you remember when the area where Pirate’s Cove is now was all marsh except for old Drafty’s Tavern?
Remember when we had two elementary schools and one high school, one middle school; the high school and middle school were in the same building? That was it for schools until you got to Hatteras or Currituck.
Remember when after Labor Day, all restaurants were closed and no one was out after dark and if you saw another car on the road you always knew who that person was? If you remember that then you will remember when it stayed like that until Memorial Day.
Remember when “french fry alley” consisted of a McDonald’s and a Hardees?
I could not help but think about all of this on my way to work this morning as I had to go through two school zones, stop at six different stoplights and sailed through approximately another 12 stoplights. I sat in stop and go traffic, passed a Wal-Mart, K-mart, four Food Lion, two SeaMark Foods, one Harris Teeter, a Staples, a million “Wings” type stores and countless real estate offices. Who would have thought…?
Do you remember when the by-pass was only a two lane road and the beach road was considered the business road?
Remember when there were no stop lights except in Manteo and then we got one stop light at the Colington intersection and it was just a blinking yellow light for a long time?
Do you remember when the castle that now sticks out of Jockey’s Ridge was part of a putt putt golf course?
Do you remember when there was only one Wright Memorial Bridge with 2 lanes, one going north and the other going south?
Remember when the Oasis Restaurant on the Manteo/Nags Head Causeway allowed the waitresses to wait tables barefoot? And if you remember that then you will remember their lace cornbread, yum yum.
Remember the Circus Tent where you went to listen to music and get ice cream?
Do you remember when the very first timeshare, the Windjammer, was built in Nags Head, right where many locals from Wanchese and Manteo would go to the beach?
Do you remember when the grocery stores were IGA in Manteo on Budleigh Street with the old uneven wooden floors; you had the Old Mann’s store in Wanchese with groceries on one side and white boots and hardware on the other side and wooded floors as well; there was The Kitty Hawk Country store in Kitty Hawk Village; a Red and White in Nags Head. We’ve always had Winks.
Do you remember when clothes shopping for school meant going to Norfolk, Elizabeth City or ordering from the Sears Catalog store in Manteo?
How many of the old Manteo High School graduates remember that when it rained, the hallway would get soaked by the double doors that went out to the English Department? Or, remember when we got out of school early because it was too hot or we had strong winds that would cause the Manteo/Nags Head Causeway and Colington Road to flood?
Remember the Casino and later the Atlantis and the Foosball Palace?
Remember when going swimming in a pool meant that you were pool hopping at a hotel and praying that you did not get caught?
Remember when a deluxe rental meant that it had a window A/C and maybe a telephone?
Do you remember when the area where Pirate’s Cove is now was all marsh except for old Drafty’s Tavern?
Remember when we had two elementary schools and one high school, one middle school; the high school and middle school were in the same building? That was it for schools until you got to Hatteras or Currituck.
Remember when after Labor Day, all restaurants were closed and no one was out after dark and if you saw another car on the road you always knew who that person was? If you remember that then you will remember when it stayed like that until Memorial Day.
Remember when “french fry alley” consisted of a McDonald’s and a Hardees?
I could not help but think about all of this on my way to work this morning as I had to go through two school zones, stop at six different stoplights and sailed through approximately another 12 stoplights. I sat in stop and go traffic, passed a Wal-Mart, K-mart, four Food Lion, two SeaMark Foods, one Harris Teeter, a Staples, a million “Wings” type stores and countless real estate offices. Who would have thought…?
Beach Weddings Pictures
I thought I would just show a few pictures from past weddings that the Beach Bus participated in...
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Ways you can tell you have pirate blood flowing thru yer veins.
Ahoy Matey, if you agree with any or all of the questions below...then beware for there may be a bit of pirate blood flowing thru yer veins.
You don't like to bathe; a bar of soap what would that be?
You don't like to brush yer teeth or tooth (or ye wonder what teeth are)
Clean clothes means ye have to steal them or kill someone and take theirs.
Alcohol is your main diet.
You like jewelry, you especially like other people's jewelry.
Your favorite letter is "Rrrrrr".
You like parrots.
You like ships and it is always a ship never a boat.
You know who Edward Teach and Anne Bonny were.
You think that walking the plank should be an olympic event.
You don't like to bathe; a bar of soap what would that be?
You don't like to brush yer teeth or tooth (or ye wonder what teeth are)
Clean clothes means ye have to steal them or kill someone and take theirs.
Alcohol is your main diet.
You like jewelry, you especially like other people's jewelry.
Your favorite letter is "Rrrrrr".
You like parrots.
You like ships and it is always a ship never a boat.
You know who Edward Teach and Anne Bonny were.
You think that walking the plank should be an olympic event.
Top 10 reasons to get married on the Outer Banks
Top ten reason to get married on the Outer Banks...
1. Your wedding, your reception and your honeymoon are all one location.
2. You don't want to wear shoes.
3. Your guest will be choosing from BBQ sandwiches or shrimp and grits for their reception dinner.
4. The only uninvited guest you have to worry about are seagulls and dolphins.
5. Your wedding crashers will be the sound of the waves.
6. You like the wind blown look.
7. It is not uncommon to have your lab as your best man.
8. Grooms tux consist of shorts, white collared shirt and flip flops(optional).
9. The bridal party does not have to worry about shoes that match their dresses just toe nail polish that matches.
10.The minister brings his surfboard just in case the waves are good after the ceremony.
1. Your wedding, your reception and your honeymoon are all one location.2. You don't want to wear shoes.
3. Your guest will be choosing from BBQ sandwiches or shrimp and grits for their reception dinner.
4. The only uninvited guest you have to worry about are seagulls and dolphins.
5. Your wedding crashers will be the sound of the waves.
6. You like the wind blown look.
7. It is not uncommon to have your lab as your best man.
8. Grooms tux consist of shorts, white collared shirt and flip flops(optional).
9. The bridal party does not have to worry about shoes that match their dresses just toe nail polish that matches.
10.The minister brings his surfboard just in case the waves are good after the ceremony.
Hair and Make up artists for your wedding
Are you getting married on the Outer Banks and wondering who will do your hair and make up for you and your bridesmaids? I have the answer "A Cut Above" Hair Salon in Manteo. They have the best crew and will come to you. These girls are professionals at what they do. They will come to your location bringing with them everything needed to stylize your wedding party.
If your just looking for a full-service salon then call "A Cut Above" they offer nail services, facial waxing, tanning and complete hair care. They also have someone on staff for complete body massages. Why go anywhere else when they can take care of it all.
Give them a call today for more information 252.473.1201, Manteo, NC.
If your just looking for a full-service salon then call "A Cut Above" they offer nail services, facial waxing, tanning and complete hair care. They also have someone on staff for complete body massages. Why go anywhere else when they can take care of it all.
Give them a call today for more information 252.473.1201, Manteo, NC.