Virginia and Michael
Engagement Story
Michael and I had met at work and began dating after a month of knowing each other. We had been together for about 3 years and had planned a trip to the Bahamas. He proposed on the first night of the trip and we spent the rest of the week celebrating!
Why Did You Choose the Outer Banks and The Black Stallion?
After checking out local venues in Charlotte, we walked away feeling like we really did not want to have just one day to celebrate. We thought a multi-day celebration would give us more time with our friends & family and allow us to really make the celebration unique. The OBX is a place like no other - especially in the fall. We also wanted the wedding to feel like an intimate, fancy house party! We found The Black Stallion almost immediately after we started researching homes and booked it without ever even seeing it in person. We just knew it was perfect. About a month later, we came to the OBX for the wedding expo in January (which I highly recommend doing!) and took our first tour of the house. It was more perfect than we could have imagined, and we were SO happy!
Description of Wedding
Our wedding was inspired by a Dolce and Gabbana dress that was overcrowded with red, pink, and white roses with black accents. My vision was pretty far from anything “coastal,” so I figured I’d be taking a risk - but I had an incredible team of creative vendors who totally interpreted my vision as I did and brought it to life. I was breathless when I walked down the stairs and saw the fireplace!
Some unique touches from the day:
We utilized every space in the entire house—the fireplace, event room, pool, and yard! We even held the rehearsal dinner and a Halloween party there! An amazing photographer will find ways to get pictures EVERYWHERE on the property—ours did!
My brother-in-law got on stage with the band and sang “Come Together” by the Beatles
My great uncle was the first world champion tobacco auctioneer, and in family tradition, he auctioned off the bride at the reception - Michael was the highest bidder :)
My uncle officiated the wedding
My mother passed away 3 weeks before the wedding week - every vendor stepped in to help me execute the wedding and add special touches to honor my mom. Shelley gifted me a bouquet to represent my mother, Jessie designed a memorial lounge that was reflective of my mom’s traditional style, and The Plaids played “Desperado” by The Eagles after we did our first dances - which was my mom’s favorite song!
Any advice to couples currently planning a wedding?
Make the day reflect your personality - it will mean so much more to you! Get photographers you feel super comfortable with and enjoy being around. Ours brought so much more joy to our week (and lives) than we could have ever imagined. Book vendors who are very experienced with the venue and each other. Having a team who knew The Black Stallion inside and out made all the difference. Trust the creative vendors to do their thing - you’ll be glad you did!
Steamers Catering is top-notch in every single way - we had them cater three nights in a row - BOOK THEM. Patty Bakes will exceed all cake expectations. Lastly, Doing a wedding at the Black Stallion will give you a week to celebrate with all of your closest loved ones. The wedding does not “fly by” the way you hear it does, because you get a week full of memories and experiences that ends with a bang!
A Glimpse Into Our Week at The Black Stallion
Tuesday - Private chef dinner in the main dining area with Virginia Miller from Modern Coastal Cookery.
Thursday - Halloween Party on the entire ground floor. Steamers catered food and set up stations right beside the stairs, and we had a bartender at the bar on the ground level. People used all of the games, and it was so much fun!
Friday - Rehearsal dinner in the event space and the Welcome Party on the whole ground floor.
Saturday - Girls got ready in the cabana, boys in the main house. We took our first look at the backyard and side yard. Bridal party pictures were taken near the bridge and golf course. Family pics and more bridal parties were in the backyard. Our couple portraits after the ceremony were near the golf course - best lighting ever around 6 pm! The ceremony was by the fireplace; cocktail hour was in the sideyard and pool, dinner was in the event space, and reception was in the backyard, and downstairs bar. So many options!
List of Vendors
Photographer: The Mango Market
Floral: Honeysuckle Events
Decor Rentals: Amaranth + Artifact
Lighting: I Do OBX Chairs
Coordinator: Heart of Harlow
Catering: Steamers Catering
Dessert: PattyBakes
Band: The Plaids
Ceremony + Cocktail Music: Jessie Taylor
Officiant: John Wade Tindall
Rentals: Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals
Hair: Renea Smith
Make up: Claire Austin Hooks
Transportation: OBX Bride Ride
Bridal Brunch & Private Chef Catering: Modern Coastal Cookery
