Beautiful Beaches
Boating Locations
Luxurious Waterfront Homes
Romantic Inns and B&Bs
Oceanfront Hotels
Picturesque Docks and Decks
Blooming Gardens and Parks
Community Clubhouses
These are some of the recent venue choices by happy couples. As an OBX native, I can suggest ceremony location recommendations for any area of the Outer Banks you have chosen, including: Currituck, Corolla, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Hatteras, Ocracoke, and all in between! Contact me and let’s talk.
To be married on the Outer Banks, you will need to obtain a Marriage License ($60 fee) at any register of deeds office in the state of North Carolina. There is no blood test or waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue from any county in North Carolina. You will need a photo ID and proof of social security. If either person is divorced, a divorce decree is required.
You must have two witnesses at least 18 years old to sign your marriage license after your ceremony is complete, as well as your Officiant. It is the job of your Officiant to file with the Register of Deeds in the proper county.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or assistance in obtaining your license. I look forward to signing “Banks” on your Outer Banks marriage certificate!
Here are some wedding vow possibilities. You are welcome to design your own and please ask for any assistance if needed. Our popular Land of Beginnings specialty vow will stamp your ceremony as uniquely your own with seaside specific passages and a touch of Outer Banks history. In addition, other wedding ceremony traditions, such as the Outer Banks Sand Ceremony, are available. I’m happy to discuss the many options.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and in the love of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. ___________________, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep you only into her, as long as you both shall live? ___________________, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinanace in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep you only into him, as long as you both shall live? I, ___________________, take thee, ___________________, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part,(or forever) according to God’s holy ordinance. I, ___________________, take thee, ___________________, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part,(or forever) according to God’s holy ordinance. ( rings ) The Minister shall now receive the ring and give it to the man, to be placed on the woman’s hand. ( repeat ) This ring I give you, as a sign of your constant faith, and abiding love. ( Minister may say ) Bless, O Lord this ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in they peace, and continue in thy favour, unto their life’s end, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen. ( rings ) The Minister shall now receive the ring and give it to the woman, to be placed on the man’s hand. ( repeat ) This ring I give you, as a sign of your constant faith, and abiding love. ( The Minister may say ) Bless, O Lord these rings, that they who wear them may abide in thy peace, and continue in they favour, unto life’s end, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. ( Let us pray ) Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life, send thy blessing upon this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name, that they living fathfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and convenant made between them, ( whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge, ) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to the laws through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. ( then the Minister will join their right hands together and say ) Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. ( Then the Minister speaks to the company ) Forasmuch as _____________________ and ___________________ have consented together in Holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands I pronounce that they are husband and wife. ( You may now kiss your bride ) ( Then the Minister will say ) It is now my happy privilege to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. _______________________
We are assembled here (in the presence of God and these witnesses) to celebrate the joining of (Groom) and (Bride) in the unity of marriage. This is a ceremony in which we all have a part. We are here both as witness to these vows and to celebrate their partnership. There are no obligations on earth more sweet or tender than those you are about to assume. In the final accounting, love is what life is all about. Love is many things. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, nor self-seeking. Love is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. The fulfillment of love in marriage symbolizes one of life’s highest experiences. There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make. There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form. It should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully, and with full understanding of its sacred nature. (Groom), will you take (Bride), choosing her alone to be your wedded wife? Will you live with her in the state of true matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her at all times and be faithful to her? (Bride), will you take (Groom), choosing him alone to be your wedded husband? Will you live with him in the state of true matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him at all times and be faithful to him? The exchange of rings symbolized the sacred bond that exists between you. As the circle of these rings knows no end, so may the love declared here today never end and forever be renewed. (Groom), place the ring on (Bride’s) finger and repeat after me. I, (Groom), take you (Bride) to be my wife, to love and to cherish from this day forward. (Bride), place the ring on (Groom’s) finger and repeat after me. I (Bride), take you (Groom) to be my husband, to love and to cherish from this day forward. At this point you can choose to add an Act of Celebration like the: Rose Exchange, Unity Candle, Wine Ceremony or on the Outer Banks our popular Sand Ceremony These acts symbolize the blending of your two lives into one. Rev. Rande will insert an appropriate reading Today we witnessed the vows that (Groom) and (Bride) made, but the true union between these two is a private union in their hearts. In as much as (Groom) and (Bride) have this day consented together in the state of matrimony and have pledged their faith to each other, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of nature, and before these friends and family, to join together this man and this woman in Matrimony, which is an honorable and beautiful estate, and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but instead with love, respect, friendship, and honor. Into this estate these two persons presently come now to be joined. ___________________, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together as man and wife? To be your friend and companion? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to your love for her, so long as you both shall live? ___________________, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together as man and wife? To be your friend and companion? Will you love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, remain faithful in your love for him, so long as you both shall live? Who gives this woman to be married to this man? I, _________________, take you, _____________________ to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, and to cherish, until death do us part. I, _________________, take you, _____________________ to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, and to cherish, until death do us part. ( repeat ) This ring I give you, as a sign of our constant faith and abiding love. ( Minister ) Bless this, ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace and love. ( repeat ) This ring I give you, as a sign of our constant faith and abiding love. ( Minister ) Bless this ring, that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace and love. Those that we have now joined together let no man put asunder. For as much as ____________________ and ______________ have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before nature and these friends and family, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands I pronounce that they are husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.