Have you recently said yes? Are you looking for that perfect wedding destination? If you are, we have the perfect place: beautiful Topsail Island, NC. We know that, for many of us, Covid-19 has interrupted travel, vacations and life in general. But, as cheesy as it sounds, love has no bounds. While you may not be able to have that three hundred person event this spring, there are other ways to plan a spring wedding on Topsail Island. We also know that weddings take time, and if you just got engaged, you might be planning a wedding for 2022. This week we have some helpful tips on how to plan that perfect wedding, and even share some tips on how to plan a virtual wedding for everyone to enjoy. 

Pick your Topsail Island rental

Of course, the first thing you have to do is book one of our beautiful vacation rentals. We have a huge selection of homes to choose from and many are perfect for your wedding event, just like the one shown here: "Castle In the Sand". Need help finding a great wedding friendly home? Check out our Wedding/Special Events selection which features some of our best vacation homes. 

Don't Leave Home Without It: North Carolina Marriage License

North Carolina, like all states, requires that a marriage license be obtained before the big day. Here is what you need to know to obtain a marriage license before your Topsail Island wedding: You can get a marriage license in any county, but you will need to return to that county to have it filed after the wedding. Both applicants must apply in person and be 18 years of age or older.  Applicants must provide social security numbers, pay a fee of $60.00 in cash, certified check, or money order.

Create a wedding checklist

There are few things as terrible as forgetting something important on your big day. The reality of planning any wedding is there are a lot of moving parts. Whether it's the catering, parking, or even just forgetting to get a marriage license, any number of things can fall through the cracks. Toss in the stress of planning, family, finances and weather, and, well, you see where we are going. Having a good checklist is one easy way to make sure nothing is forgotten. 

Here are a few things you should probably have on your Topsail Island wedding list:

The Official- Whether you are having a justice of the peace or a religious wedding, it is always a good idea to send out a friendly reminder a few weeks prior to the big day.

The Dress- Always have someone who is in charge of the dress on your wedding day. Nothing is worse than a wrinkled, stained or forgotten dress hours before you say, "I do."

Reserve Your Location Early- Weddings are often planned a year or more in advance. So, if you just got engaged, don't delay, and start planning today. 

Invitations- A wedding planner mentioned a wedding nightmare. The new couple forgot to send out the invitations. It just slipped through the cracks. Hey, it happens.

Rings- We've all seen it happen in the movies, but it does happen in reality as well. Make sure to have one person in charge of keeping the rings.

Photographer- Make sure to have a plan. Photographers all have their own take on how a wedding should be captured. Be sure to discuss photos you might like, family dynamics, and other expectations. 

Marriage license- Let's face it, without this, nothing happens. Sadly, some couples forget this critical step. 

Restrooms- Beach vacations can present a few challenges, but not having restrooms for guests isn't one you want. Make sure to take this into account when planning a beach wedding.

Parking- Make sure you've addressed parking issues. Is there enough? Will you need valets? Is handicap parking available? All these things are important to think about before the big day. 

Five tips for planning a virtual wedding experience

Invest in Good Technology- This is probably the most important part of the planning. A good experience will depend on good sound quality, video quality and great lighting. You will also need to make sure there is a stable internet connection. In short, good technology equals a more enjoyable experience for everyone. 

Specific Time Zone and Schedule- It would be a shame for your cousins in California to miss the wedding because they thought you meant 12:00 their time. Be sure to have a schedule of the day's events so everyone knows what will be coming up next. 

Choose a platform- There are all sorts of platforms that you can use to stream a wedding. Make sure to choose one that is easy to use, widely available to your virtual guests, and predictable. 

Have a streaming administrator- This person will have the ability to help people with questions, talk with guests and otherwise manage the inevitable questions that will come up during a virtual wedding. 

Guest rules- We all have that annoying aunt or cousin that talks too loud or at the wrong time. Well, the same thing can happen while live streaming. Tell guests in your invitation what the expectations are regarding the use of technology, microphones, appropriate dress, etc. Trust us, you'll be glad you did. 

If planning your wedding is getting stressful, let us help you relieve at least one small part of the wedding planning. Our friendly staff can help you take the stress out of finding the perfect Topsail Island vacation home for your honeymoon or members of your wedding party. Give our reservationists a call at (800) 497-5463 or go online by clicking the button below.