Beach Weddings
Destination Weddings with a View
Your dream beach wedding is waiting at the shores of Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches. When choosing centerpieces, seating charts, cakes and color schemes, the most important detail of your wedding is location. Plan a romantic oceanfront event full of seaside charm and enjoy the perks of a destination wedding where the location is a honeymoon in and of itself.
Something Blue: Perfect Beach Wedding Venues
Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a lavish blowout, our island beaches have numerous wedding venues from which to choose. Discover elegant ballrooms, a seaside aquarium and — of course — the oceanfront. For a large bash, look for full-service oceanfront hotels with dedicated staff to help with location planning, catering and wedding vendors as well as lodging options for your guests. For brides who like to do-it-yourself, a variety of unique outdoor venues can be customized for the perfect coastal experience.
Carolina Beach Wedding Venues
Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront is located right on the Atlantic Ocean in Carolina Beach and has capacity for up to 300 guests. Say “I do” in the stylish oceanfront Cape Ballroom or out on the beach shoreline. Choose catering options from hors d’oeuvres to seated fine dining. Plus, your guests will love access to ocean view balconies, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and nightlife, just steps from the hotel.
For the more casual bride, consider the beautiful natural wedding backdrop of Carolina Beach State Park. Several facilities on the grounds can be reserved, including the visitor center’s 65-person auditorium. Other areas in the park include the marina, several hiking trails and a campsite.
Kure Beach Wedding Venues
Kure Beach is best known for its natural outdoor wonders. The remote beachside hideaways and hidden gems make the destination perfect for outdoor beach weddings. Navy, marine and other military members, as well as history lovers, find Fort Fisher State Historic Site to be a unique and meaningful wedding venue. The grounds feature gnarled live oaks providing plenty of shade for your guests. Surrounded by scenic views of the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, reserve a waterfront gazebo. Other locations include the Atlantic Ocean beachfront and maritime forest groves on the riverside of the island.
The picturesque scenery makes for beautiful photos at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion. This venue is in the heart of Kure Beach, right next to the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. Your guest will enjoy an ocean view without the sand. Because the park hosts a variety of public events, the Ocean Front Park Pavilion is not available in July, August and on major holidays.
Host your wedding and reception under the sea at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The variety of customizable spaces available at the aquarium are perfect for an intimate gathering or grand event and can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. Mingle in the garden conservatory, dine among mesmerizing marine animals and treasure your first dance under the sea.
The Kure Beach Community Center is available to rent for weddings and receptions with space for up to 100 guests. The property has an outdoor parking lot for added event space.
Wrightsville Beach Wedding Venues
Host your wedding at Blockade Runner Beach Resort and combine your love of gardens with your love of the beach. With the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, discover a coastal treasure within the colorful gardens and large event lawn of the seaside resort. The gardens are a uniquely special place with intimate areas perfect for cocktail receptions and unlimited beauty for wedding day photos. A selection of private rooms within the hotel include a ballroom and reception space and offer capacity for up to 300 guests. Inquire about The Cottage, located oceanfront featuring 13 sleeping rooms, a kitchen, living room and 20-person dining room. It’s a perfect location for the bridal party.
Host your wedding on the shore at the Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort. After the “I do’s” retreat indoors with several event spaces available to create the perfect reception. The ballroom holds up to 400 people in a reception setup. Or reserve the oceanfront event rooms for receptions and cocktail hours. This oceanfront event space can accommodate more intimate weddings with around 50 guests, has floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the oceanfront terrace. Plus, your guests will enjoy hotel rooms with oceanfront and island view balconies.
A dream wedding with sand between your toes is within reach at Shell Island Resort. With a professional catering and wedding coordinator on staff to help, wedding planning is made easy. The location includes Wrightsville Beach's only ocean-view ballroom. The expansive ballroom, with a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, is 3,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 200 guests. The ballroom opens to a 1,000 square foot outdoor ocean-view porch. With on-site catering and other wedding services available, hosting your beachfront wedding is a piece of cake. Plus, the bride and groom can go straight from beachfront ceremony to ocean-view reception to honeymoon suite, all in one location.
Wedding FAQ
Weddings on the shore at Wrightsville Beach require a permit, and if you’re working with a hotel, their event staff can help you with the planning and reservation details. Carolina Beach and Kure Beach don’t require permits. For each location, the rules for tents or chairs on the beach differ. Find information and more wedding frequently asked questions.
Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach are popular destinations for celebrating any romantic occasion, like vow renewals, honeymoons and anniversaries. Honeymoon suites, romantic packages, unique ceremony ideas, and more are available at many of our coastal lodging properties for couples looking to commemorate their commitment to one another.
Weddings & Reunions Planning Assistance
Receive a list of recommended venues, vendor resources, accommodations and transportation options, free visitor guides and area maps for guests from our Visitor Information Specialist.
