I truly cannot say enough amazing things about Jaimee, Brittany, the Hughes family, and the entire team at The Shell! From the beginning of wedding planning, working with them was ...an absolute dream, and I couldn't recommend them more!
Since we live in North Carolina, most of our planning was done virtually, but that never once impacted our experience. Jaimee and Brittany were organized, attentive, and genuinely invested in making our day perfect. They kept us on track with vendors, helped with décor, offered recommendations, and thought of details I never would have considered. Every meeting left my husband and I feeling reassured and excited. Their guidance was truly invaluable!
Our wedding fell during the September 2026 nor’easter that devastated Long Beach Island. With severe flooding, road and bridge closures, power outages, and weddings being canceled all along the island, what could have been a disaster became the most incredible weekend, largely because of The Shell. I truly believe our wedding wouldn't have happened without them!
When our getting ready location lost power the morning of our wedding, Jaimee and Brittany immediately jumped into action. They coordinated with vendors, arranged rooms at The Shell for us to get ready in, and even accommodated guests who suddenly had nowhere to stay. They handled every unexpected challenge with kindness, flexibility, and professionalism.
And can we talk about the FOOD?! Our cocktail hour was OUT OF THIS WORLD, and our guests are STILL raving about it! We especially loved how much seafood was locally sourced. When the storm disrupted their supply, rather than changing the menu, the team personally found a fishery on LBI with fresh tuna. The kitchen staff then filleted it themselves so we could still have the seafood we had planned! WHO DOES THAT?! In the middle of a nor’easter, they went out of their way to source fresh seafood for our wedding. That dedication to quality and guest experience is truly unmatched!
I also have to recognize the INCREDIBLE staff. Despite everything happening on the island, those who made it in, including staff who stepped up last minute, showed up ready to make our night perfect. Every guest was taken care of, and the entire evening ran seamlessly. You would never have known the chaos happening behind the scenes. We are beyond grateful to everyone who made the effort to be there under such difficult circumstances!
The Hughes family truly opened their doors to our family and friends and became a beacon of light in the middle of the storm. What they did went so far beyond anything we could have expected from a wedding venue. They made us feel like family, and I'll never forget how they cared for everyone during such a chaotic weekend.
Despite everything happening outside, our wedding was absolutely incredible. What could have been a canceled wedding became the most unforgettable day of our lives. We are forever grateful to Jaimee, Brittany, the Hughes family, and every staff member who made our wedding not only possible but more special than we ever imagined.
If you're considering getting married at The Shell, DO IT! It's easy for a venue to be amazing when everything goes according to plan, but the way The Shell handled everything when absolutely NOTHING went according to plan speaks volumes about the people who make this place so special. You truly could not be in better hands!