Aimee & David ~ Reverend Jay Bowman Officiates

How did you meet?

We met on an airplane flying from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles. United Flight 6443 in the emergency exit row. I was asked to switch seats by a man so he could sit by his wife and I switched into the seat by David…3.5 hours later we knew something very special just happened.

Why the Outer Banks for your wedding celebration?

We’d heard great things about the Outer Banks from friends and colleagues who vacation there. It was within driving distance and a beautiful drive at that. We wanted to do something small, intimate and of course memorable for not only us but also for our guests. We met Reverend Jay and immediately felt a connection.

How did you decide on Duck for your Location?

Reverend Jay listened to the vision and feeling we wanted for our wedding day and weekend and introduced us to the Saltaire, again we immediately knew this was where we wanted to celebrate this very important event. We also felt Duck was the prettiest part of the Outer Banks.

How many guests did you have?

We  had 65 guests.

How long did you allow for the wedding planning process?

We  had just over a year to plan. We got engaged on March 29, 2008. Started our planning in Duck by contracting with The Saltaire and Reverend Jay in June 2008. We worked hard that summer to contract vendors and make the big decisions then we were able to relax throughout the fall and picked up the detail planning in January.

Please share some of your planning details that were important to you.

1 – Our photographer knowing we’d spend the day with them and the pictures would last a lifetime we were able to fully trust that our day was being captured and we had fun spending it with them.

2 – The location that would allow us to create the loving, intimate and joyful atmosphere we envisioned.

3 – Being able to relax and have fun throughout the weekend – we hired a day-of wedding planner who was able to quickly pick up the details and our vision and make it happen so we were able to stay in the moment and relax.

4 -The Reverend to marry us – we wanted someone who would make the ceremony unique and special to us, someone who would recognize and cultivate the love we have while adding an appropriate amount of fun and lightheartedness to the event.

5 – Having friends and family close- we rented the houses across the street so folks could relax and be a part of the whole weekend.

Looking back, what was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

Seeing each other for the first time. Aimee seeing her father for the first time and sharing unforgettable and priceless moments with him. The toasts our friends game. Dancing and living the moment with our friends and loved ones.

If you could do one thing different, either in the planning or actual day, what would it be?

I would have hired the day-of wedding planner earlier in the planning process.

What advice would you to another bride planning their wedding in the Outer Banks?

Do it! Start interviewing vendors early. Do your due diligence to find the right vendors for you and then trust them to do a great job; this will allow you to relax and stay in the moment throughout the planning process and on the special day.