Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head

If you’re searching for a picture-perfect oceanfront location to serve as the backdrop for your Outer Banks wedding and reception, look no further than Jennette’s Pier. Located at milepost 16.5 in Nags Head, Jennette’s Pier is an Outer Banks landmark whose history dates back nearly a century. The original fishing pier—which was made of wood and stretched just 754 feet into the Atlantic Ocean—was constructed in 1939. In the decades that followed, Jennette’s Pier suffered considerable damage due to the rough surf and high winds that accompanied a series of hurricanes and nor’easters that struck the Outer Banks over the years. In 2003, Hurricane Isabel destroyed a large portion of the pier when more than 500 feet of the structure succumbed to the storm surge, and the pier was deemed unsafe and forced to shut down its operations.  

In 2009, construction on an entirely new pier began, and in May 2011 the North Carolina Aquarium Society held a groundbreaking ceremony and officially opened the brand-new attraction to the public. Today, Jennette’s Pier stands atop sturdy concrete pilings and stretches 1,000 feet out into the sea, making it one of the longest piers on the entire East Coast of the United States. The top floor of the completely renovated pier house features panoramic ocean views, a cathedral ceiling, and plenty of space to accommodate up to 175 guests for your Outer Banks wedding, reception or rehearsal dinner. You’ll also find a covered outside deck where you and your guests can enjoy a salty sea breeze and the sounds of the surf rolling onto the shoreline should you choose Jennette’s Pier as the venue for your one-of-a-kind Outer Banks wedding.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

252.255.1501 Ext. 204

www.NCAquariums.com/Jennettes-Pier-Weddings

The Whalehead Club in Corolla

Another Outer Banks wedding venue with a unique history on the barrier islands of North Carolina is the Whalehead Club , a 21,000-square-foot mansion in Corolla that overlooks the Currituck Sound on the western edge of the island. Boasting a bright-yellow exterior, five brick chimneys, 18 dormers and a copper roof comprising 10,000 individual tiles, the historic Whalehead Club is one of the most recognizable buildings on the entire Outer Banks, making it the perfect setting to host your wedding ceremony and reception. The estate was constructed by Edward Collings Knight Jr. in 1925 to serve as a hunting lodge for his own family as well as the many wealthy businessmen from Washington, New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia who frequently ventured to Currituck County to hunt the various types of waterfowl that were once found in abundance throughout the region. 

In the years that followed the Great Depression, however, the waterfowl population on the Outer Banks began to decline significantly, as did the demand for such an extravagant hunting lodge. The estate’s ownership changed numerous times before the structure finally fell into a state of disrepair in the early 1990s. In 1992, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners undertook a $1 million project that restored the abandoned and dilapidated mansion to its former glory. Today, the Whalehead Club is a famous Outer Banks landmark that attracts thousands of visitors each year—many of whom have said “I do” on the enormous front lawn of this spectacular waterfront property during their Outer Banks wedding.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

1100 Club Road, Corolla, NC 27927

252.453.9040

www.WhaleheadWedding.com

Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg

If saying your vows while being surrounded by winding rows of grape-filled vines in a spot whose rich history dates back more than seven generations sounds like your style, head to Sanctuary Vineyards in Currituck County for your upcoming celebration. Situated on the mainland of eastern North Carolina just a short drive from the barrier island beaches, Sanctuary Vineyards is one of the most popular locations for couples who plan to host an Outer Banks wedding. The vineyard’s story begins hundreds of years ago, when a man named Jacob Wright found himself shipwrecked on the shores of nearby Duck, North Carolina. Rather than attempting to set sail along the Graveyard of the Atlantic once again, Wright made the decision to settle permanently on the Outer Banks and soon established a small farm on the edge of the Currituck Sound in Jarvisburg.

In the decades that followed, members of the Wright family discovered that the sandy soils of the coastal plains provided the perfect conditions for growing Muscadine grapes, and Sanctuary Vineyards was officially founded. Today, Sanctuary Vineyards boasts a 10-acre plot of land dedicated to producing several varietals of grapes, including the Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Norton and, of course, the ever-popular Muscadine. If you select this world-class vineyard as the location for your Outer Banks wedding, you’ll have your choice of an outdoor or indoor reception area that can accommodate up to 250 guests who will not only enjoy the stunning scenery of this quaint farm in Currituck County, but also the wide array of top-notch wines that are produced on-site by the Wright family each season.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

7005 Caratoke Highway, Jarvisburg, NC 27947

252.491.2387

www.SanctuaryVineyards.com

The Pavilion at Pirate’s Cove Marina

One of the most unique venues to host an Outer Banks wedding is the Pavilion at Pirate’s Cove Marina. Situated along the shoreline of a canal that juts off the Roanoke Sound, the Pavilion at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo is located in one of the premier resort communities of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The open-air venue offers 13,000 square feet of space that can accommodate over 300 guests for your wedding or reception. The world-class marina full of sport fishing yachts serves as a picturesque backdrop to your big event whether you hold your ceremony inside the pavilion itself or outside along the docks.

Guests will enjoy an 18-foot by 18-foot dance floor, a built-in stage, on-site restrooms, as well as a 30-footlong granite bar complete with appliances. Step outside the pavilion to the lawn along the edge of the marina, where you and your guests can hold the ceremony itself, host a cocktail hour before the reception, or simply spend the afternoon or evening playing a round of games in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a fishing enthusiast who wants easy access to one of the most coveted marinas on the East Coast or you’re searching for a unique spot with incredible views for your ceremony and reception, the Pavilion at Pirate’s Cove Marina is the perfect place to host your waterfront Outer Banks wedding.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo, NC 27954

252.473.1015

www.PiratesCoveWeddings.com

The 2020 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend & Expo

Are you planning to hold your upcoming wedding on beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks of North Carolina? If so, don’t miss your chance to attend the 2020 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend & Expo!

This annual two-day event, which will be held March 7-8, will feature 120 local vendors whose businesses will help you pull off the perfect beach wedding in your favorite slice of barrier island paradise.

To find out more about this highly anticipated event, check out our blog on the 2020 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend & Expo by clicking here.