12 to 18 months

• Determine your budget
• Decide on a location
• Choose a theme and colors for your wedding
• Choose your wedding party
• Estimate the size of your wedding and begin on your guest list, including addresses
• If possible, take an engagement trip to view possible venues in person, ideally at the same time of year you are planning to get married
• Reserve your venue
• Book your officiant
• Speak with locals and your venue host about vendors they would recommend and schedule appointments to choose wedding planner, florist, caterer, DJ or band, photographer, and videographer
• Set up appointments for wedding dress fittings
• Send save-the-dates. This is critical if guests are traveling to your wedding, giving them ample time to secure tickets and accommodations at lower rates.

9 to 12 months

• Select what the bridal party will be wearing
• Reserve your photographer (and videographer if you choose), florist, caterer, DJ/band, and hair and makeup stylists
• Choose accommodations – research vacation homes or hotel room block options for your guests and wedding party. Booking larger vacation rentals for family and friends to share generally provides great value and experience.
• Create your gift registry, making sure to include items across an array of budgets.
• Select a location and determine a budget for your honeymoon
• Build a wedding website with all the key information
• Shop for rings

6 to 12 months

• Get bridesmaids dresses sized and ordered. Order groomsmen attire.
• Book your honeymoon.
• Meet with the officiant, discussing details about the ceremony order.
• Arrange day-of transportation if necessary
• Start putting together a day-of timeline
• Choose cake style and schedule tastings.
• Reserve chairs, linens, tables, lighting, dance floor, etc. that you may need.
• Obtain any permits determined by local ordinances (ie temporary liquor license)
• Order invitations – ask guests to RSVP a minimum of one month prior to wedding day

3 to 6 months

• Book secondary locations. If you’re planning any group dinners or activities outside of the wedding day, reserve those venues.
• Finalize guest list
• Choose your music, including first dances and “must play” and “do not play” lists
• Select and order cake
• Finalize and order flower arrangements and decor
• If desired, you may want to assemble welcome baskets for out-of-town guests filled with items to help them fully enjoy your chosen destination.

2 to 3 months

• Finalize menu and bar selections with caterer
• Mail invitations (minimum 3 months before your wedding day)
• Order wedding favors
• Choose who will be making toasts
• Schedule your dress fittings
• Confirm all reservations and payments to vendors
• Choose seating arrangement
• Work on vows and ceremony order: readings, programs, music, etc

1 to 2 months

• Communicate with photographer to discuss “must have” shots and locations
• Check all RSVPs and contact those you are unsure of
• Review details with officiant
• Apply for marriage license (up to 60 days prior to wedding day)
• Schedule final fittings for wedding party
• Send wedding day timeline to vendors and confirm times and locations
• Decide on your something old, new, borrowed and blue
• Finalize printed material including menu cards, programs, signage, etc

1 to 4 weeks

• Finalize seating arrangement
• Pick up marriage license
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Purchase bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts
• If you have new shoes, break them in before the big day
• Assemble welcome baskets if applicable
• Pick up your dress

1 week

• Final confirmation of timeline with vendors
• Choose who will be doing the small tasks on the wedding day and delegate
• Get checks written for vendors (and have tips ready)
• Send final guest list to the caterer
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Prepare an emergency kit with items you may need in a pinch. Hair product, a needle and thread matching the dress and tuxedos, Tylenol, Tide 2 Go, etc.
• Deliver welcome baskets as guest arrive at the destination or have them waiting for them.
• Travel to your destination and get settled in, preferably at least a few days before your wedding to tackle any last-minute issues.

The Day Before

• Attend the rehearsal
• Get a good night’s sleep before the big day

The Big Day

• Try to get up early enough for a relaxed breakfast
• Get wedding rings to the the ring bearer
• The groom should have the officiant fee (what’s this one?)
• Try not to end up on you YouTube fainting compilation.
  (this would not be in the graphic – just adding for fun here but we will end it with some nice “have fun” but I can’t think of the words right now)

After

• Ensure tuxes and all rentals are returned
• Get wedding dress to the cleaners and packaged for proper storage
• Send out thank you cards
• Update your website for the final time with a big thank you and some photos of the day.
• Enjoy your honeymoon!

Explore Wedding Houses By Town

Whether you choose Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head, North Carolina, we’ve got the perfect place for you.

Corolla

Duck

Kitty Hawk

Kill Devil Hills

Nags Head

Southern Shores

Or Download Or Print Our Destination Wedding Checklist

Below you’ll find the house rentals we’ve found most popular among our guests who, like you, have decided that the beauty and splendor that is the Outer Banks is the perfect canvas for their wedding. You can also use the search filters to the next to help pinpoint the property that is as unique and perfect as the journey you’re about to embark on.

Explore Wedding Houses By Town

Whether you choose Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head, North Carolina, we’ve got the perfect place for you.

Corolla

Duck

Kitty Hawk

Kill Devil Hills

Nags Head

Southern Shores

Or Select Your Wedding Venue By Features

Our event homes are specially selected and start at 6 bedroom homes for smaller groups, up to 24 bedrooms for larger gatherings. Each house offers a variety of amenities, including wifi, keyless entries, freshly made beds, towel sets in each bedroom, and our signature Carolina Designs welcome package.

Perfect for corporate retreats and family reunions, many of our rentals offer extra luxury amenities such as elevators, hot tubs, saunas, heated private pools, ocean views, private beach access, expansive dining rooms, kitchens equipped for catering, and much more. All of the homes at Carolina Designs Realty come with our dedicated team of friendly, knowledgeable local staff whose goal is to help ensure that your vacation is as problem-free and enjoyable as possible.

Planning a corporate retreat? Many of our event homes offer amenities such as media rooms or home theaters, as well as roomy common areas perfect for relaxing after business is done for the day.

Arranging a multi-generational family reunion? Some of our homes offer a mix of bedrooms that include full ensuite bathrooms and rooms with bunk beds for our youngest guests, as well as games rooms and even putt-putt golf areas.

Looking for the perfect coastal backdrop for a yoga retreat or your dream beach wedding? Several of our event homes offer private beach access as well as large kitchens and dining areas suitable for formal catered events.

If you’re hoping to learn more about group activities for your party or need recommendations for caterers or restaurants near your accommodations, our reservations staff at Carolina Designs are happy to answer any questions you might have. We have cultivated excellent relationships with local businesses in our 30+ years in the Outer Banks, so whether you’re seeking a group adventure, kid-friendly activities, or just some good old-fashioned rest and relaxation in a beautiful natural setting, we are here to help make recommendations.

As a family-owned and operated business, we at Carolina Designs Realty take great pride in the solid reputation we’ve built in over three decades of helping our visitors enjoy their vacations on the Outer Banks. There’s a reason that many of our guests return to stay with us year after year. We want our guests to feel right at home when they stay in one of our properties. So if you’re planning your next event, let us help you find the perfect venue in the perfect location to meet your needs.

From our Outer Banks vacation guide to destination wedding checklists to personalized advice from a knowledgeable team of locals, let us help you make this an event you’ll never forget

Explore Event Homes By Town

Corolla

Duck

Kitty Hawk

Kill Devil Hills

Nags Head

Southern Shores