An Elegant Beach-Chic Wedding at the Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina

After a trip to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Lisa Byrne (35 and works in digital marketing) and Lee Zawacki (36 and works for the US Marine Corps and the Department of Homeland Security) knew it would be the perfect spot to tie the knot. So when Lee popped the question a week later, it didn’t take long for the pair to settle on a location. The Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina, offered the perfect backdrop for their day, with a ceremony location in the sand and a light-filled waterfront pavilion with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Enlisting the help of Renee Landry Events, the couple planned an elegant, rustic affair with a beach-inspired twist. After exchanging vows seaside, the couple and their guests moved into the pavilion for a night of dinner and dancing. The venue was decorated with wooden farm tables, sea urchins, starfish, pastel mint linens and lush arrangements of seasonal ivory flowers. Gilded mercury glass vases, an abundance of candlelight and a chic lounge featuring vintage pieces and board games added a layer of sophistication and ambiance to the room. Smooth jazz played throughout cocktail hour as guests sipped on sparkling mojitos and indulged in yellowfin tuna tartare and pulled-pork sliders. To make guests feel welcome, Lisa and Lee made escort cards with Polaroid-style photos of everyone; a handcrafted signpost at the ceremony entrance displayed all the cities everyone had traveled from. A tip from Lisa: “As a former director of catering, I was lucky to walk over 200 brides down the aisle before me, so I knew a thing or two about the importance of details. But when all is said and done, you have to be prepared to let it go. Don't sweat the small stuff. Perhaps easier said than done, but the only thing I remember as clear as day is the moment we stood before each other and shared our vows, and that's what it's really all about. Cherish that moment.”