How to get married on Wrightsville Beach in 2024 | Planning from Start to Finish, Cost, and Vendors

THRILLED YOU’RE HERE! Are you planning to get married on the beach in North Carolina? Planning a beach wedding should be easy, intimate, and relaxing. So, let’s make sure you’re fully prepped to make it everything you imagined.

Step-by-step guide on how to get married in Wrightsville Beach

1. Decide on a ceremony date
2. Rent an Airbnb or book a hotel room
3. Send your invitations
4. Visualize your wedding day
5. Hire your vendors
6. Get Food and Drinks
7. Get your Wrightsville Beach Event permit
8. Hire an officiant
9. Get your NC marriage license permit
10. Attend your ceremony

Congrats! You're married!

That's literally it.

Ceremony date | guest considerations, best months, dates to avoid

Picking the right date is everything! Your guests, vendors, even your cat and grandma will need a ceremony date to add to their calendar.

Try not to overthink it; people will attend your wedding because they want to be there for you. The goal here is to make sure that everyone you love will be able to make it.

One of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding on the beach is moving a large number people from their homes to your wedding.

Here's what people consider when attending your beach wedding.

1. Are they free on that day? People are likely to attend because they can take off during the weekend.
2. Is it financially doable? They're going to the beach, so book an Airbnb with the most rooms. Or a hotel with block packages.
3. Where are they staying? I created a list of places you or them can use.
4. Is it going to be fun for them? - Make sure that its easy for them. Get them a map to all of the convenient stores, restaurants, hospitals, and amenities.

Best months for a beach wedding

• January: cooler weather, fewer crowds, and lower costs.
• February: Same perks as January, but closer to Valentine’s Day vibes.
• March-April: warmer weather, still not too crowded.
• May: perfect balance of weather, pricing, and fewer tourists.
• June-July: Kicking off summer but before it gets TOO hot.
• August-September: Late summer with some risks of heat but potentially fewer crowds.
• October-November - Cool, calm, and collected. Great for those post-summer beach weddings!

Avoid these dates

I'd avoid getting married in the summer. Anytime after August before July is much better. Here's why.

• The Heat: Summer beach weddings can be brutal with the heat, and you don’t want your family passing out before the vows.
• Expense: Everything’s more expensive—hotels, rentals, and even vendors.
• Crowded Beaches: You’ll be fighting for space with the tourists. Longer days mean people stay on the beach longer, too.
• Parking Stress: Expect packed parking lots, so this could be a logistical headache for your guests.

If you HAVE to get married in the summer.

• Plan your ceremony earlier in the morning or late in the evening. Will keep your wedding out of people's way.
• Plan it AT LEAST 1 year in advance. Set it in your calendar so you can let everyone know the date and get better hotel or Airbnb deals.
• Hire a wedding planner to plan it for you as well as a day of coordination.

Pro Tip: Plan to spend at least 2-3 days at the beach to allow some time for setup, relaxation, and photos before or after the wedding. (I highly recommend making it a weekend thing!)

remember

People aren't required to be with you throughout the wedding, they can just attend your ceremony and reception, everyone can just hang out on the beach on their own.

If you're planning to a ceremony on the beach, click here.

Hotel vs. Airbnb | Where to book, cost of stay, things to consider

Now that you have your wedding date, let's talk about lodging.

Hotels

There are 6 Hotels on Wrightsville Beach for you and your guests.

• The Surf Suites
• Blockade Runner
• Summer Sands
• Holiday Inn Resort Lumia on Wrightsville Beach
• Silver Gull Motel
• Shell Island Resort

Airbnb

There are a ton of Airbnb places. Here's what I recommend

• Villa Marguerita by WB Abodes
• 29 South by Mira-Mar
• The Bungalow Loft by WB Abodes

Cost:

• Hotels at Wrightsville Beach can start at $120 per night per room, you might be able to get a discount for blocked rooms.
• Airbnb starts at $300+ per night of people of 6. Check the Airbnb website for accurate pricing.

Things to consider:

• How many are you inviting?
• Who will be covering their stay?
• Are they going to be in a Hotel or Airbnb?
• Can people attend just for the ceremony?

Opting to book lodging for yourself

Booking a hotel or renting beach houses are expensive, however if you book them early enough, you can secure lodging at a reasonable rate. This will avoid drama and make it easier for your guests to attend your wedding.

Guests to pay for their own lodging

The easiest way is sending your guests a link to book. Make sure you give them a deadline otherwise, they'll forget about it and they'll have to scramble for one. If this happens Airbnb is available for them to purchase.

Pro-tip

Add "Are you staying with us" to your invitations.

✅ Yes, add me to your Hotel/Airbnb

✅ No, I will be booking on my own

Schedule a wedding day consultation with me! Click here

Send your invitations | Engagement photographer, invitations, and cost

I'd recommend sending out your invitations at least 8-24 month before your wedding date.

The longer you wait, the harder it is for everyone to RSVP to your wedding.

Here's what I'd recommend doing.

1. Hire an engagement photographer here.
2. You can hire someone to design your invitation cards or D.I.Y. it.
3. It's possible to send an e-invite to people on social media or by email

Why hire an engagement photographer?

• You can streamline your invitations. You can purchase your invitations via online gallery.
• If you like them. You can also hire them for your wedding to make it easier.
• Get beautiful photos. If photography is important to you, then this is a must to have.

Sending out your invitations

1. There is a bit of an art to designing your invitations. People can opt to hire someone to design your invitations.
2. Contact a local Wilmington artist, Lyndsey for custom invitations www.lyndseysfinepaper.com.
3. You can also purchase a premade invitations via online gallery.

Pro-Tip

If you're coming from out of town, I'd highly recommend hiring a Wedding planner. Schedule a weekend to book a photoshoot with the photographer. Book a taste test with your caterer, a test with make-up artist, find a wedding dress.

Wedding day vision | Best time to do your Ceremony, Timelines

Before you hire out your vendors, lets go over your beach wedding day vision. This will set your expectations, help you decide if you needed a vendor, hence, save you a little bit of money in the long run.

Best time to do your ceremony

Winter wedding (Best Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)

Winter days are shorter, and it gets dark early. An afternoon ceremony gives you plenty of daylight for those epic photos but still wraps up before the chill kicks in. Plus, your guests won’t have to deal with freezing temps in the evening.

Spring wedding (Best Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Spring offers mild weather and longer days, so you’ve got a lot of flexibility. A late afternoon ceremony avoids the midday sun and keeps things comfortable for your guests. Plus, golden hour is right around the corner for photos!

Summer wedding (Best Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

Summer can be brutal with the heat, especially if you’re outdoors. Early morning or late afternoon ceremonies are ideal for avoiding the hottest part of the day, and you’ll also dodge the biggest beach crowds if you’re on the coast.

Fall wedding (Best Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

Fall days are cooler and the lighting is so good for photos. An afternoon ceremony is perfect for enjoying that crisp air and making sure you’re done before it gets dark. Fall is all about cozy, warm vibes, so timing it around the cooler temps makes sense.

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Fall Beach Wedding Timeline in 2024

Here's a typical timeline for a Fall Wedding on the beach in 2024 featuring Little Chapel on the Boardwalk | Blockade Runner | Carolina Yacht Club

Friday, October 11th, 2024 (Rehearsal Day):

11:30 AM: Bridesmaids Luncheon at Figure 8 Island Yacht Club

4:15 PM: Trolley picks up bridal party and groomsmen for the rehearsal at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk

4:30 PM: Rehearsal at the Chapel

6:00 PM: Rehearsal dinner at City Club of Wilmington

9:00 PM: Welcome party ends

Saturday, October 12th, 2024 (Wedding Day):

Morning:

8:15 AM: Hair and makeup begins at bridesmaids’ beach house

12:00 PM: Groom and groomsmen start getting dressed at Blockade Runner

12:30 PM: Quick “jammy” photos (bride and bridesmaids in pajamas)

1:00 PM: Bridal party gets dressed

1:50 PM: First look with Groom at Carolina Yacht Club

Afternoon:

2:00 PM: Bridal party and immediate family photos at the Yacht Club

3:10 PM: Bridal party and groomsmen depart for Little Chapel on the Boardwalk

4:00 PM: Guests begin arriving at the Chapel

5:00 PM: Ceremony begins at the Chapel

Evening (Reception):

5:30 PM: Guests head to Carolina Yacht Club for cocktail hour

7:00 PM: Grand entrance of bride and groom with saber arch

7:15 PM: First dance, followed by father-daughter and mother-son dances

7:20 PM: Dinner service begins

9:00 PM: Cake cutting

10:45 PM: Sparkler exit followed by a boat send-off for Virginia and Conner

End:

11:00 PM: Event ends; bridal party departs via trolley

Book Your Wedding Vendors | Websites and Recommendations

Alright! You've got your wedding date, your rental, your people, beach wedding vision, and timeline.

Now lets go over your vendors. Your vendors will help bring your ceremony to life.

Here are the most important vendors of your day

1. Photographer and Videography | www.pinkpenguinstudios.com
2. Florist | www.floraldesignsbysol.com
3. Rental | www.partysuppliers.net
4. Hair & Make up | www.alicelawsonsalon.com
5. DJ | www.atlanticpremierentertainment.com
6. Wedding Coordinator | www.detailedeventvisions.com
7. Caterer | www.spoonfedkitchen.com
8. Transportation | www.azalealimo.com
9. Stationary | www.lyndseysfinepaper.com
10. Officiant | Will Poole

Pink Penguin Studios

As a local wedding photographer/videographer, I love my wedding vendors I worked in the past; we've shared a drink, ate dinner, and had karaoke with these amazing individuals that do amazing work.

1. Sol - Florist from Floral Designs by Sol
2. Dev-Wedding Planner/Coordinator from Detailed Event Visions
3. Will, our local officiant

If you decide that you need a florist, wedding coordinator/planner, and officiant, I'll let them know the good news and send your info to them.

Food and drinks for everyone!

There are plenty of ways to feed your people. Here are the ways I've seen couples do.

1. Hire a caterer
2. Rent a food truck
3. Hire a private chef
4. Home cooks

Catering:

If you want to hire a caterer, they'll cook your dinner at their restaurant and bring it in with a foil. However, they'll need to pack up 2 hours after they've exposed the food. Its a North Carolina law that they can only serve food within 2 hours.

Rent a food truck:

I really like this idea because they can be there for more than 2 hours. They'll serve fresh food throughout the night. You can come back however many times as you like. People do get hungry again after a few minutes of consuming their plate.

Hire a private chef:

A Private Chef will bring fresh ingredients, kitchen tools, and utensils. They may even bring their wok or stove. You're guaranteed 5/5 star food. It's more intimate.

Home cooking:

This is probably the cheapest of them. You can make a ton of food. There aren't a ton of diverse foods, so if you're Filipino like me, I would probably opt to do this. The biggest draw back is time and someone to dedicate their time cooking. However, it's never failed to make a lasting impression on me.

Pro Tip: If you’re keeping it low-key with family-style or buffet meals, make sure to have coolers and shade tents to keep food fresh and drinks cold.

Here's my favorite vendors

1. Spoonfed
2. Little Pond Caterers
3. A Thyme Savor
4. Chef Anna Masteller

Pro-Tip

1. Estimate how many people are attending, then calculate your food budget. Each caterer has different quotes because of the market price of ingredients, time, and transportation. You can also calculate by how many people RSVP'ed and close your caterer that way.
2. Send another stationery of their food preferences.
3. Book a taste test with the caterer.

Hire Your Officiant

You can go for a traditional officiant or have a friend or family member get ordained for your day.

• Licensed Officiant: Make sure they’re experienced in performing outdoor ceremonies.

• Friend/Family Member: They can easily get ordained online, and it makes for a super personal touch.

Preferred Vendor: Will Poole www.pinkpenguinstudios.com/contact

Get your Wrightsville Beach Permit

In most cases, you’ll need a permit to hold a ceremony on public beaches. Reach out to the local city or county government to make sure you have everything in order.

• Contact the town or municipality where your beach is located (e.g., Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Outer Banks).

• Most beach permits are super affordable but need to be secured in advance.

• Important: Some beaches may have restrictions on the number of guests or the setup you can have (chairs, tents, etc.).

Pro Tip: If you’re renting a beach house, ask the property owner about the rules and permits for beach access.

Get your North Carolina Marriage License

You're almost there! First off, your marriage license has an expiration date of 60 days. Any day beyond that, you'll need to get another. Your marriage license has to be issued within North Carolina. If you're coming from out of state, just go to the Register of Deeds of the county you're getting married at and get it there. Make sure you bring it back to the same county or have the officiant do it for you.

The county on Wrightsville Beach is New Hanover

Here's how you get your marriage license.

Attend your wedding | Pre-Wedding Beach day Checklist, Day-of, Post Wedding Beach Day Checklist

Holy crap, you actually made it!

60-Day Pre-Wedding Checklist:

Contact Your Vendors

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to confirm all details with your vendors (venue, photographer, DJ, caterer, etc.). If you’re feeling overwhelmed, hiring a wedding planner can help take care of this for you.

Confirm Contracts & Invoices

Double-check that all contracts and invoices are finalized and paid for. Keep receipts of every transaction.

Send an Excited Email to Your Guests

• Send an email to every guest, including your bridal party and groomsmen, letting them know how excited you are! Include:
• Date, location, and ceremony time
• Food preferences (so they can make dietary requests)
• Beach amenities (if it’s a beach wedding)
• Wedding attire details
• You can also hand this off to your wedding planner if you’d rather not handle it yourself.)

Final Dress/Suit Alterations

Schedule and complete your final alterations. Whether it’s your dress, suit, or bridesmaids’ outfits, this is the last chance to make sure everything fits perfectly.

Confirm Shot List and Timeline with Your Photographer

Meet with your photographer (or wedding planner) to review your shot list and the day’s timeline. Ensure all key moments are included so no special moments are missed.

Get Your Marriage License

This needs to be done within 60 days of the wedding, so don’t wait too long! Each state has different rules, so check what’s required.

Send Your Song List to the DJ

Pick those must-play songs and send them to your DJ or band. Be sure to include your first dance song, any special requests, and songs you definitely don’t want to hear.

Talk to Your Officiant About Wedding Vows

Meet with your officiant to finalize your vows and discuss any personal touches or customizations you’d like during the ceremony.

Prepare Thank You Gifts

Have your thank you gifts or cards ready for your bridal party, groomsmen, and any key family members or friends who helped along the way.

Day-of Checklist for a Beach Wedding

Arrive Early to the Beach

Make sure to get to the beach well in advance to avoid any last-minute rush or surprises. Have your wedding planner or a trusted friend handle last-minute setup checks.

Prepare for the Weather

Bring sunscreen for yourself and your bridal party (nobody wants sunburn on the big day!).

Have sunglasses or cute parasols handy for you and your guests if the sun is bright.

Keep an eye on the tide and have a backup plan if the weather changes (your wedding planner should know this, but double-check).

Protect Your Dress/Suit from Sand

Pack a towel or a beach blanket to keep your attire from dragging in the sand while you’re getting ready.

Opt for sandal-friendly footwear or barefoot shoes for easy walking.

Bring Extra Hair Products

The beach breeze is beautiful but can mess with your hair. Have extra hair spray, pins, or styling tools nearby for quick touch-ups.

Ensure Sound Setup

Make sure the sound system is beach-ready. Wind and waves can drown out vows, so work with your DJ or wedding planner to ensure mics and speakers are set up correctly.

Keep Hydration and Snacks Handy

Keep a cooler stocked with water bottles, mini snacks, and maybe some energy bars for the bridal party. Beach weddings can be hot, so it’s easy to get dehydrated.

Have a Clean-Up Plan

If you’re throwing a beach reception, make sure to have trash bags or bins so guests can keep the beach clean. Leave no trace!

Beach-Friendly Décor

Keep decorations simple and windproof. Avoid anything lightweight that could fly away, and make sure all décor is secure.

Post-Wedding Day Checklist

Return Rentals

Gather any rented items like linens, chairs, or décor, and return them promptly to avoid extra fees.

Collect Your Dress/Suit from the Cleaner

Send your dress or suit to the cleaner within a few days to avoid any long-term damage, especially with sand or saltwater exposure.

Send Thank You Notes

Within a couple of weeks, send thank you cards to your guests, bridal party, vendors, and anyone who contributed to your special day.

Review Your Wedding Photos and Videos

Sit down with your photographer/videographer to review the photos and videos, and pick out your favorite shots for your album.

Preserve Your Bouquet/Dress

If you want to preserve your bouquet or your wedding dress, now’s the time to send them to a professional preservationist.

Freeze the Cake

If you’re planning to save the top tier of your wedding cake for your anniversary, now’s the time to freeze it properly.

Leave Vendor Reviews

If you loved your vendors (photographer, caterer, planner, etc.), leave them positive reviews online to help them get future business.

Take Time to Relax

Whether it’s a mini-moon or a cozy staycation, take some time for just the two of you to relax and reflect on your day!

Update Your Name/Legal Documents

If you’re changing your last name, begin the process of updating your driver’s license, Social Security, passport, and any other legal documents.

Plan a Date to Open Gifts

Set aside time with your partner to open your wedding gifts, and take notes so you can thank your guests personally.