Outer Banks Weddings & Other Events Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I pay to have an early check-in or late check-out?
Yes a large percentage of our properties are available for early/late request and you will need to contact the office to make sure the property you are interested in is one of them. Resort Realty charges 100.00 plus tax to do early or late check in/out. If the property chosen is a Resort Club property check in is 12:00 noon and check out is 10:00am.
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LAWS, LICENSES, AND PERMITS
How do I get a North Carolina marriage license and what are the requirements?
MARRIAGE LAWS
Age requirement 18 (16 w/parental consent)
under 21 requires birth certificate
Waiting Period: none
Blood Test: none
Cost: $50
License valid for 60 days and is valid in any area in the state of North Carolina
Other:
If either applicant is divorced, a divorce decree is required. A social security card or other proof of social security number (tax return, pay stub, etc ...) is required. A picture ID is required. There must be two witnesses at any marriage ceremony, whether it is civil or religious. After the marriage ceremony, whoever performs the ceremony is required to give the couple a marriage certificate. This certificate includes the couples' names and addresses, the date of the marriage, the county that issues the marriage license, and the date of the license. The minister or magistrate must sign the license, then return it to the register of deeds who issues the license. This is the official record of the ceremony.
How do I get in contact with the officials of the town where I am having my event?
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Dare Register of Deeds
Dare County Government Center
926 Marshall Collins Drive
Manteo, NC 27954, 252 473-3438
Hours: 8:30 - 4:30, M-F
Currituck County (Corolla, Pine Island area)
Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 71
Currituck, NC 27929
(252) 232-3297
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
Hyde County (Ocracoke)
Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 294
Swanquarter, NC 27885
(252) 926-4198
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM
There are no justices of the peace in North Carolina. Magistrates may be contacted in Dare County at (252) 473-2010, in Currituck County at (252) 232-3297 or for Ocracoke Island, call (252) 926-4198.
If an applicant does not have a social security number, they need to contact a notary public. The notary public will file a special affidavit that will officially state the reason(s) why a social security number does not exist and allow the applicant to get their marriage license.
We plan to have a DJ or Band outside for our reception. Are there local noise or curfew ordinances that I need to know about?
Yes, there are local noise ordinances. Each town has its own policy so please visit the town's website or call the officials of the town in which you are going to have your events.
If am holding my wedding on the beach in front of my rental home, but I don't see any public parking in our neighborhood. Where can my guests park?
There are very few public parking areas on the Outer Banks. Parking is not allowed on the sides of the roads. We would suggest that you consider hiring our transportation company to transport your guests to and from your rental home. This will alleviate parking issues, complications with directions and prevent guests from driving after consuming alcoholic beverages.
I am thinking about renting a beach house for our wedding. Do I need to let the rental company know?
You must notify your vacation rental company of all large gatherings at the rental home. If you don't, you run the risk of being evicted. Not all rental homes allow weddings or other special events.
What does the Event Fee Include?
Our event fee is only applied to the property that is being rented to hold the actual event at. This fee is an additional charge over the rental. The event fee will cover linens and towels for your rental home, wed-safe liability insurance (see www.wedsafe.com ), the rental home administration fee, and additional cleaning for the property after your event.
Do I need any special permits or permission to put up a tent at my rental home?
Yes. Each town has its own policies regarding tents and so do individual subdivisions. Check with town and rental company management to make sure you've covered your bases before having a tent placed on the property.
Can we have fireworks as part of our event?
Again check with the town where you are having your event. Typically sparklers are allowed but not exploding fireworks.
Do I need a permit for my beach wedding?
A large portion of the Outer Banks' beaches are public and you will not need a permit. However, permits are required for any wedding taking place on National Park Service Land. Visit the National Park Service web site for policies and permits.
Can I temporarily close a public access or section of the beach so people unaffiliated with my wedding cannot use it during my ceremony?
No. Beaches are public to everyone and you may not close any public access nor section off any portion of the beach.
Are chairs, tents, arches allowed on the beach?
Each town has its own policy regarding these items. Please check with the officials of the town in which you are holding your event.
I am bringing my own officiate from home. Will he or she need any special certification to perform my ceremony?
No, if the ceremony falls into one of the four categories below. Contact the Register of Deeds in the county where your wedding is being held for more details. In addition, a mail order certificate alone is not likely sufficient for a legal marriage.
- In the presence of an ordained minister (of any religious denomination) or a minister authorized by a church.
- In the presence of a magistrate.
- In accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination.
- In accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by and federally or state recognized Indian nation of tribe.
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I'd like to send my guests information on the Outer Banks. What's the best source of general visitor information?
The three county visitor bureaus publish free comprehensive travel guides that you can order online. Visit the Visitors Bureau at www.outerbanks.org.
What is the nearest airport to the Outer Banks?
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
www.norfolkairport.com
757-857-3351
Is there transportation from the airports to the Outer Banks? Is there public transportation available on the Outer Banks?
There are rental car companies as well as transportation services that can get you to and from the airport and the Outer Banks. There is no public transportation on the Outer Banks, although a number of private companies service the area.
How much of a factor is traffic on the Outer Banks?
During June, July, and August, traffic can have a major impact on your wedding, especially if your ceremony is on a weekend. Please consult with your coordinator or one of our transportation members to discuss your event.
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Weather wise, what is the best time of the year for my Outer Banks wedding?
May, June, September, and October are the busiest wedding months on the Outer Banks because the weather is generally fair and the temperature ranging from the low 60's to mid 80's. When planning your wedding take into account that hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th. Late spring and early summer are generally fair with the exception of the occasional afternoon thunderstorm.
I'm having my wedding during hurricane season. What precautions can I take to protect my investment, just in case?
Consider obtaining wedding insurance to protect your investment in the event of a hurricane.
In the event of an immediate hurricane threat, where can I get the most current information on storm warnings, evacuations, and other hazards?
TV: Cable Channel 20 (Government Access Channel) Web: www.darenc.com
Radio: WRSF 105.7 or the NOAA weather radio station at 162.425
We're having our wedding right on the beach. Where can I find local tide tables?
Visit the National Weather Service's Tide Prediction web site to get tides for most Outer Banks locations.
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What other services do you provide?
Activities, Apparel / Formalware, Beauty & Spa, Cake, Caterers, Ceremony Sites, Dance Lessons, Florist, Gifts & Favors, Guest Accomodations, Insurance, Jewelers, Limos & Transportation, Lingerie, Musicians, Officiants & Chapels, Photographer & Videographers, Reception Sites, and Wine & Spirits.
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What should be included in a destination-wedding invitation?
You don’t need to add anything special to your invitations, but you should mail them much earlier than you would for a typical wedding. This will help give your guests a larger inventory of properties to choose from. You should also consider save the date cards or reminder emails to your guests so they can make arrangements in advance.
How far in advance should I mail the invitations?
Proper etiquette dictates that you give guests plenty of advanced notice if you’re planning a destination wedding. This way they can check finances, adjust work schedules, and make travel arrangements. Your invitations should be mailed out eight to ten weeks before the wedding. Include helpful information such as fight options, rental company information for additional homes, hotel accommodations, and a list of activities available to them from the Visitors Bureau of North Carolina.
What Should Be Included In A Destination-Wedding Invitation?
You needn’t add anything special to your destination-wedding invitations, but you should mail them much sooner than you would for typical wedding invitations – at least four months prior to the wedding. You should also strongly consider sending Save-the-Date cards or emails in advance of the wedding invitations so that guests can arrange their schedules accordingly (and perhaps make a vacation out of their trip). If your destination is a popular vacation spot, you should definitely get in touch with guests early on.
Additional information such as guest lodging, travel information, etc., can be mailed separately to those who send positive response cards; don’t try to stuff it all into your wedding invitations. Posting such information on your personal Wedding Website is ideal, and will speed the process for your guests – they can book travel and hotel accommodations right online.
How Far In Advance Should Invitations Be Sent For A Destination Wedding?
Proper etiquette dictates that you give guests plenty of advanced notice if you’re planning a destination wedding. This way they can check their finances, adjust work schedules, and make travel arrangements in a timely fashion. The first step is to send save-the-date cards as soon as you’ve decided to take your celebration afar. Your invitations should then be sent eight to ten weeks before the wedding. Include helpful information, such as flight options, hotel room blocks if any, airport transportation, and a list of any activities that may be of interest.
If guests are staying off-site, am I responsible for their transportation to the wedding?
Technically, no, you are not responsible for your guests’ transportation to the wedding, but we suggest that you transport your guests to the wedding ceremony and reception anyway (if you can work it into your budget). They have come a long way to celebrate with you and providing transportation will make it easier on them (and their wallets!) It will also eliminate the hassle of everyone having to find their way around a foreign place.
