Wedding Traditions: UnveiledPosted: May 11, 2012 | Author: carrie | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Beach Wedding, nc beach weddings, NC Destination Weddings, OBX Wedding, Outer Banks Wedding, Outer Banks Weddings, Real Wedding, Wedding PlannersWedding Traditions: Unveiled While most brides incorporate many, if not all, of these traditional wedding customs, the history behind these practices often remains unknown. After all, who first thought a bride should stand to the left of her groom? Why is the customary wedding cake tiered, rather than a simple sheet cake? And why would a bride want to throw her bouquet into the air for her friends to fight over?  Bouquet created by Holiday House Weddings and photographed by Beach Productions Bridesmaids: Originally used to ward off evil spirits, friends of the bride would dress similar to her in an effort to confuse these unwanted spirits. Today, these women are selected by the bride to stand by her, help with planning, host showers, and lend support. Bouquet: Flowers have long held significance such as roses for love, lilies for virtue and so on. Originally, brides carried herbs under their veil to symbolize fidelity and in their bouquet to ward off evil spirits. Orange blossoms, the world-renowned wedding flower, were carried to represent happiness and fulfillment. Tossing the Bouquet: A tradition dating back centuries to a time when brides’ female guests would attempt to rip pieces of her gown to obtain some of her luck. To escape, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Many believe the woman who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. Tiered Wedding Cake: A custom that dates back to a time when newlyweds kissed over a pile of buns or small cakes to ensure a prosperous future. As sugar became more plentiful in the mid sixteenth century, white icing became a wedding cake staple. The purest sugar yielded the whitest icing. White icing was no longer just alluding to the bride’s virginity, but her status in society as well. Something Old: This tradition symbolizes the link between a bride and her family, as well as the past that has defined them all. Something New: As the bride takes the hand of her mate, to walk together in the future, this piece symbolizes her hope for good fortune and future success. Many brides choose their dress, if newly purchased, as the “something new” piece.
Something Borrowed: It is thought this item, typically borrowed from a happily married woman, will bring the new bride the same marital success and good fortune the lender has enjoyed over the years. Something Blue: The blue item symbolizes love, purity and fidelity. The traditional bride may hold an antique blue hankie while the modern bride may walk down the aisle in stunning blue heels hidden underneath her white gown.  Maya and Ben's wedding day at The Inn at Pamlico Sound photographed by Basnight Photography Six Pence in the Shoe: This tradition is honored in hopes the bride and her new husband will enjoy wealth in their future. Many families pass the cherished six pence down through generations stemming hundreds of years. Bride Stands Left of her Groom: Ever the chivalrous groom, the soon-to-be husband takes his position to the right of his bride to ensure his right arm is free to wield a sword should his bride require protection. Best Man: In ancient times, men captured women to make them brides. Often, the lady’s family opposed the union, leaving the groom in need of protection. The groom would then enlist his strongest, most trusted friend, to fight off the opposing family. The best man would then accompany the groom up the aisle in case opposition continued. Wedding Ring: Dating back to the ancient Greek belief that the vein in the third finger of the left hand goes directly to the heart, people began wearing the wedding band on the important finger. The band, a never-ending circle, symbolizes everlasting love. Giving Away the Bride: The roots of this custom date back to the days of arranged marriages. The father would give his daughter away for a price. Today, the act of giving his daughter away symbolizes his blessing of this union.  A sneak peak into Jamie and Micheal's wedding day photographed by Beach Productions Photo Credits: Beach Productions (top right); Basnight Photography (middle); Beach Productions (bottom) and boquet created by Holiday House Wedding (top right)
Why Use A Wedding Planner?Posted: April 25, 2012 | Author: carrie | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Beach Weddings, Destination Wedding Planner, Destination Weddings, NC Destination Weddings, OBX weddings, Outer Banks Wedding Planner, Outer Banks Weddings, Wedding Planners
As many a host will attest, party planning isn’t always as fun as the actual event. In fact, Forbes recently declared party planning the sixth most stressful career behind dangerous jobs such as military personnel, firefighter, pilot and police officer. Now, couple party planning with the stress of a wedding, and it’s no wonder brides find themselves too overwhelmed to enjoy their wedding day.
In recent decades, the wedding industry has seen growth as brides’ budgets increase, extravagance and celebrity style weddings become the norm, and destination weddings become more appealing to couples looking to escape. Also, as the average age of today’s bride increases, she is more likely to be established in her career and lack the time needed to plan such a big event.
Enter: wedding planner. These professionals will assist the bride in everything up to and including: - Selecting a theme – beach, country, destination – for the wedding - Utilizing their extensive contact list to assure competitive pricing on vendors, venues, accommodations - Creating a timetable for the day, keeping the couple from dealing with the overwhelming number of details - Handling all emergencies from wardrobe malfunctions to vendor tardiness Wedding planners will work with the bride to ensure she stays within her budget while getting the biggest bang for her buck. Hiring a wedding coordinator certainly doesn’t relieve the bride from all decisions; rather, it provides a professional opinion and assistance on those things in which a bride may not be prepared to handle, minute details that need attention, and those minor emergencies a bride shouldn’t even be aware of on her wedding day. If you’re considering having your wedding at a resort, or a popular wedding venue, be sure to ask if they have a wedding coordinator onsite. Resorts, churches and large wedding facilities often provide their own coordinators. Your wedding day should be an image reel of fond memories, laughter and love. Let a professional handle the stressful aspect of such an important event. The story about the top layer of your cake falling off when it was delivered will be much funnier if you hear it from your wedding planner…post honeymoon. Trust me.
Wedding Crasher, Queen Elizabeth?Posted: April 4, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: OBWA, OBX weddings, outer banks, outer banks wedding association, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Wedding Crashers
Who do you include on the invitation list? The obvious choices are the bridal couple’s close friends and family, but they often have to disappoint their parents by leaving off neighbors or past acquaintances, but what about the Queen of England? John and Frances Canning of Manchester, England did send an invitation to the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip to attend their wedding at the Manchester Town Hall during the royal visit to Manchester. Although the Queen’s staff returned a polite decline to the invitation, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip did drop in to the reception to wish the couple well, as reported through TIME.
Definitely a moment for the wedding album and a story that will be shared during a long, happy marriage. Who would you love to crash your wedding? Welcome Baskets for your Wedding GuestsPosted: March 28, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Beach Weddings, Destination Weddings, OBX weddings, Outer Banks Weddings, Weddings - Welcome GiftsConsider the unique environment of the Outer Banks when selecting items to welcome your wedding guests to the area.
Depending on when you’re getting married, choosing items applicable to the festivities you have planned is an excellent option. If you’re hosting a summer beach wedding, it would be a nice idea to provide guests with a few necessities such as sunscreen, flip flops and a couple of personalized koozies for their frosty beverages. A beach tote or mini soft cooler makes an ideal container for these gifts. If your event is kid-friendly, this is the perfect opportunity to fill a sand bucket with crayons, coloring books and a plastic shovel – and hey – the coloring book will keep the kids entertained at your reception. If you’re hosting an event for out of town guests, such as a crab bake, it’s a great idea to include a bib and an individual crab cracker in each welcome basket. Again, it will be something they can use on their vacation, and afterwards. The unique feeling small towns have should be used to your advantage when planning your guests’ welcome baskets. Think about what your locale is known for, and try to incorporate that in the baskets. These traveling guests will be from all over the country, so this is a great time to introduce them to something exclusive to your favorite town.
Another great option is local food items. Guests arriving from landlocked states will relish a taste of the south’s seafood. Find a local company specializing in dry mixes, such as crab dip or seafood seasoning. This is something your guests can take home with them and remember your wedding weekend long after the festivities have ended. If you’re searching for something guests can cherish for years to come, contact a local artist and see if he or she has any small sketches of a landmark specific to your wedding destination. Again, if you’re buying multiple pieces, artists are more likely to work with you on pricing. Another option when considering out of towners, is to arrange local activities and provide that information in welcome packets. If they need to make advance reservations, simply send out this information ahead of time. Many guests will do their research beforehand; however, many may be unaware of unique excursions unknown to those outside the local community. Again, be sure to probe the locals for information such as the best fishing charters, kayaking tours, or the local crabbing spot for those looking for a “hands on” experience. Keep in mind while this weekend is about your wedding, many are traveling to make the day even more special for you and your groom and in this economy that is no small feat. Take this opportunity to say “Thank You” while also providing a few mementos they will cherish along with the memories made at your wedding celebration. Photos provided by Beach Ball Events (top) and Daniel Pullen Photography (bottom). Outer Banks Taste of the BeachPosted: March 21, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Blue Ocean Events, Daniel Pullen Photography, nags head, OBWA, OBX Taste of the Beach, OBX weddings, OBXWA, outer banks, Outer Banks Taste of the Beach, Outer Banks Wedding, outer banks wedding association
OBWA Attends 2012 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach OBWA board member, Kathy Halloran of Blue Ocean Events, and OBWA’s administrative assistant Kellye Halloran volunteered to host a booth at the annual Outer Banks Taste of the Beach event on March 18th at Pamlico Jack’s in Nags Head. OBWA’s booth display included a colorful candy bar supplied by Blue Ocean Events, while Kathy and Kellye handed out OBWA promotional materials and Outer Banks Bride™ Magazines.
Photos: Daniel Pullen Photography Wedding Rings Through the AgesPosted: March 7, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Beach Wedding, History of Wedding Rings, OBX Wedding, Outer Banks Wedding, wedding ring photo, Wedding Rings11 Little Known Facts About Wedding Rings Through the Ages
Fact #2: Not all rings were made to be worn. Hebrew rings used in wedding ceremonies were shaped like the roof of a Jewish temple. Due to their cumbersome shape, they were often borrowed from the synagogue just for the ceremony.
Fact #4: Wedding rings made of gold and iron became a symbol of beauty and artisanship. The combination of the two intertwined metals represented a union of strength for the wedded couple.
Fact #6: During the 13th century in England and Ireland, rings were viewed as a ceremonial necessity due to the religious connection placed upon the rings by Bishop Durant. At the time, if a groom was too poor to buy a ring, he rented one for the wedding ceremony.
Fact #8: Wedding rings were viewed as contracts between families, and not between two individuals. Rings also symbolized an exchange of valuables during the wedding ceremony. Fact #9: Instead of an engagement ring, some brides received a thimble when they accepted a marriage proposal during the late 19th century.
Fact #11: In an effort to increase diamond sales at the beginning of the 20th century, one jewelry company promoted the idea that a man should spend the equivalent of one month’s salary on an engagement ring. Later, the amount was increased to two month’s salary.
Photos provided by: Photo 1 – Shooters at the Beach; Photo 2 – Neil GT Photography; Photos 3 & 4 – Genevieve Stewart Moving Art Production; Photo 5 – Courtney Hathaway Photography; Photo 6- Beach Productions, Julie Dreelin Photographer Wedding Cake HistoryPosted: January 18, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Destination Weddings, OBX weddings, Outer Banks Weddings, wedding cake, wedding cake history, wedding traditions7 Things You Didn’t Know About Wedding Cakes Mary Basnight Photography Wedding traditions have come and gone through the years, but wedding cakes have managed to be a part of the celebration since the Roman Empire. Though these delicate confections continue to be a focal point of the reception, wedding cakes have certainly evolved over time. Here are seven things you may not know about these edible masterpieces.
#1: A Dominating Tradition Original cakes were actually loaves of barley bread in the Roman Empire. After the groom took a bite from the loaf, he then broke the rest of it over his bride’s head. Historians believe it symbolized the dominance of the husband over the wife. Today’s couples often enjoy smearing cake and frosting over both of their faces, showing much more equality than the ancient Romans. #2: Pile-Up Prediction As sugar was not a common ingredient in medieval times, the term “cake” referred more to “bread” than a sweet concoction. Ancient French tales record the tradition of sweet rolls that were stacked in front of the couple, and the newlyweds attempted to kiss over the pile. Kissing success meant that many children were in the couple’s future.  Moving Art Photography Wedding cakes were originally referred to as the “bride’s cake.” This cake was traditionally white to signify the bride’s purity. Grooms commonly had their own cake, which in contrast to the bride’s cake was often chocolate. While groom’s cakes have decreased in popularity, they are most frequently found at southern wedding receptions. #4: Priceless Decor Prior to Victorian times, white wedding cakes were often more about ingredients than the bride’s purity. Edible food dyes were hard to come by and expensive if they were available. This expense helped to propel the continuing tradition of white cake layers and frosting. #5: Layered Wealth Multi-tiered cakes were a symbol of wealth, with more layers equating to more wealth. In 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) had a wedding cake that weighed 500 pounds to symbolize the wealth of the monarchy. #6: Move Over Baby Cakes Once upon a time, christening cakes took center stage, with large elaborate cakes to celebrate the christening event. When multi-layered wedding cakes became part of the tradition, initially the top layers were saved to be served at the christening, which was presumed to shortly follow weddings. Over time, this evolved into the tradition of saving the top layer for the bride and groom’s first anniversary. #7: “Faux” Real “Faux” cake layers have become a recent fad to help save money. Styrofoam is shaped and iced to match the cake on one or more of the bottom layers. Some brides even opt for the entire show-stopping cake to be made out of Styrofoam, and layer cakes are cut behind the scenes to be served to the wedding guests.  Coastal Shots  Neil GT Photography  Brooke Mayo Photography Destination Weddings in the U.S. – Cities in America Perfect for Destination WeddingsPosted: January 11, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Beach Wedding, Destination Wedding, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, OBX Wedding, Outer Banks WeddingDestination Weddings and Honeymoons
Explore the Outer Banks Real Weddings on our website, and more Real Weddings on our blog, to see examples of all that is available throughout the Outer Banks.
From the beaches to the sounds, visit our website, OBXWA.com to discover all that is available for you to celebrate your Love on the Outer Banks. Photography by: Daniel Pullen Photography (top); Kirsten Lewis, Photographer (bottom, left); The Love Project (bottom, right).
2012 Outer Banks Wedding ExpoPosted: January 9, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: Beach Weddings, David Tutera, Destination Weddings, North Carolina Weddings, OBX weddings, OBXWA, outer banks wedding association, Outer Banks Weddings, wedding expo
David Tutera spoke to the guests about the upcoming season of My Fair Wedding, how his career began in event planning and his “Never Say No” philosophy that has had led to his business development. He opened up the floor to answer questions, and with honesty and candor, provided feedback to the guests on their events.
OBWA vendors woke early on Sunday morning and completed their set up at the First Flight Middle and High Schools in Kill Devil Hills and at 10 am we welcomed the brides to tour over 175 vendor booths. Beautiful booth design, floral displays and more excellent food samples were available throughout the day.
Thank you to the OBWA members and all of our guests for another amazing Wedding Weekend and Expo. We look forward to next year, our 15th Expo. Discover More Wedding Weekend Highlights on Facebook! All photos submitted by Bellagurl, Inc. Winter Wedding Dress OptionsPosted: January 6, 2012 | Author: cmegown | Filed under: Sandbox | Tags: 2012 wedding dress trends, Beach Wedding, Destination Wedding, OBX weddings, outer banks wedding association, winter wedding dresses Mary Basnight Photography As brides flock to the Outer Banks this weekend for the 14th annual Wedding Weekend and Expo, to meet and select all of their wedding vendors, many may not have considered their dress options. True, the busiest time for weddings in the Outer Banks typically falls during the middle of the year. However, love doesn’t always wait for fireflies and warm summer breezes. Fortunately for winter brides, fashion doesn’t die when the last tourist crosses the causeway. In fact, if you’re a woman who loves layers and covets accessories and textures, you’re in luck! This time of year, more is better. Many of the 2012 wedding dress trends, from illusion necklines to lace sleeves, work wonderfully for the winter beach bride. Illusion necklines have long been considered for the demure bride who desires coverage in places that would otherwise be bare. However, designers have added a touch of sensual to the sexy strapless silhouette, lending it an air of mystery. In 2012, illusion necklines are more modern than modest. For the bride braving the cooler weather, this neckline is ideal. While a bride desiring a traditional look may want an illusion neckline with sleeves, the modern bride can easily incorporate this sheer look into her trendy one-shoulder gown.
Now, if you were one of the millions of women whose eyes widened and jaw dropped as Kate Middleton was first spotted, you’re loving that lace is everywhere in 2012. Typically, lace has spoken to the brides wanting a more traditional look with a touch of romanticism. Fortunately, with many thanks going to the new Duchess, designers took to their sketchbooks and created masterpieces constructed from the most exquisite fabric in the wedding industry. Nothing says “love” quite like lace. An option to consider is lace sleeves; adorn your ears with simple diamonds, and watch your fiance’s jaw drop. Or consider lace coupled with another trend popping up in 2012, the plunging neckline, and you have a dress that screams “strong, modern and oh so in love.” Stereotypically, the beach bride is known for soft and simple; a dress that will flutter softly in the afternoon breezes found in the South. A simple capelet, shawl or fur shrug will complement your laidback style should a cold front arrive in time for your big day. Color is also making an appearance this year, in the form of blush or pale pink – recently seen on Reese Witherspoon for her wedding to Jim Toth. In years past, brides have bucked tradition by adding color in sashes and bows. However, this year, brides who aren’t fond of white can saunter down the aisle in a stunning pink wedding gown. It isn’t for everyone, but it gives a bride the option to stray from tradition while still keeping frills and romanticism in her look. When scouring wedding boutiques, remember the advice of Hubert de Givenchy, “the dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.” If necessary, overlook the trends and wear a style complementary to your body and a dress in which you’ll feel comfortable celebrating your Love in the Outer Banks. |
  
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