1. Real Weddings

A Bright Coastal Wedding at Figure 8 Island Yacht Club in Wilmington, North Carolina

After saying “I do” at the stunning Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington, North Carolina, Amanda Gettier (a nurse in the surgical ICU) and Alex T

After saying “I do” at the stunning Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington, North Carolina, Amanda Gettier (a nurse in the surgical ICU) and Alex Thomas (a neurosurgery resident) celebrated with a waterfront reception at the Figure 8 Island Yacht Club. The couple brought their seaside soiree to life with orange blooms, rustic decor and nautical elements. Friends and family celebrated the newlyweds with a cocktail hour on Figure Eight Island’s intracoastal waterway. Possum Creek Band serenaded guests with bluegrass music while they sipped cocktails and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres. Instead of his and hers cocktails, the newlyweds served bourbon for the groom and champagne and vodka for the bride at his and hers bars. To honor their cultural heritage, Amanda and Alex served Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado and arroz con pollo and Malaysian dishes like dal with lentils and chicken satay. They also served an array of Southern dishes, like chicken and waffles. After dinner and dancing, guests snacked on a late-night treats of Nye’s Cream Sandwiches. “It was about bringing all the people we loved to a place we loved and sharing that with them,” Amanda says. —Marissa Hermanson

Amanda donned a striking fit-and-flair gown with a small train. She accessorized the dress with a lace bolero that she wore for the Catholic Mass ceremony and then removed at the reception.
Amanda’s two bridesmaids donned vibrant cobalt blue gowns and carried a bouquet of cheery orange blooms.
Amanda and Alex exchanged vows in a Catholic communion service at Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington, North Carolina. “St. Mary’s Basilica is absolutely beautiful with its high arches and dome ceiling,” Amanda says. “There wasn’t much decor needed.”
Wooden signs embellished with calligraphy add a rustic touch to Amanda and Alex’s nautical waterfront reception at Figure 8 Island Yacht Club in Wilmington, North Carolina.
During cocktail hour, Possum Creek Band serenaded guests with bluegrass music while they sipped cocktails and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres.
During cocktail hour, guests sipped cocktails and ate tasty appetizers while relaxing on beachy seagrass lounge furniture.
Amanda and Alex created “his” and “hers” bars where they served speciality cocktails—bourbon for the groom and champagne and vodka for the bride.
The newlyweds instead created a “his” and “hers” bar where they served speciality cocktails—bourbon for the groom and champagne and vodka for the bride.
After exchanging vows at the basilica, friends and family celebrated the newlyweds with a cocktail hour and reception on Figure 8 Island’s intracoastal waterway.
To honor their cultural heritage, Amanda and Alex served Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado and arroz con pollo and Malaysian dishes like dal with lentils and chicken satay. They also served an array of Southern dishes, like chicken and waffles.
In line with Amanda and Alex’s nautical theme, they created cobalt blue escort cards.
The couple brought their rustic coastal wedding to life with light neutral linens and sunny orange flower arrangements.
Tables were topped with arrangements of orange blooms and greenery that were displayed in rustic wooden boxes.
In line with their nautical theme, Amanda and Alex created custom table numbers that included destinations and map coordinates.
The couple’s four-tier square cake was embellished with sugar flowers cascading down the side.
After the dinner reception at the Figure 8 Island Yacht Club, they hopped on a trolley from Wilmington Trolley Company.
For a late-night treat, guests snacked on Nye’s Cream Sandwiches.