Paige + Jeff
New Year’s Eve Black Tie Wedding
The Whalehead Club | Corolla, NC
Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Curated, High-End Celebrations
There’s something undeniably magical about a New Year’s Eve wedding — especially when it takes place at the iconic Whalehead Club in historic Corolla, North Carolina. For couples who want a celebration that’s as elegant as it is unforgettable, this date brings an unmatched energy, and this wedding delivered that in every way.
With a black-tie dress code, a winter coastal setting, and thoughtful nods to New Year’s Eve traditions, the day was full of intentional design and one-of-a-kind moments that reflected the couple’s unique vision. From the start, they wanted their wedding to feel timeless, elevated, and celebratory — and it did exactly that.
The day began with portraits around the historic Whalehead Club estate, where golden winter light spilled across the waterfront. Our bride wore a modern, fashion-forward gown that felt editorial yet elegant. The groom and wedding party embraced the formality of the black-tie aesthetic, giving the entire celebration a sense of polish and occasion.
As part of our signature photography experience, we guided this couple through each part of the planning and styling process — from intentional portrait timing to editorial wardrobe styling and natural posing direction. Our approach is never just about the photos. It’s about providing a level of support that helps couples feel confident, prepared, and assured they’ve made the right decision.
The ceremony took place just before sunset, allowing for the perfect transition into an evening full of celebration. Inside the tented reception, subtle New Year’s Eve details brought the party to life: warm candlelight, classic florals, sophisticated metallics, and thoughtful textures made the space feel festive without ever being overdone.
As midnight approached, the energy only grew — laughter, music, and champagne toasts filling the air as guests rang in the new year under twinkling lights.
This wedding was the perfect mix of historic Southern charm and contemporary celebration — proving that even in the colder months, a coastal destination like Corolla can deliver a wedding experience that’s both polished and deeply personal.
For couples seeking a guided, full-service experience that blends refined editorial imagery with hands-on support, we’re here to help you design and document a day that feels like your own. From styling your looks to creating space for authentic, relaxed portraits — our process is seamless, intentional, and trusted by the kind of couples who want more than just beautiful photos.
Taylor + Paul
Garden-Inspired Spring Wedding
Nags Head Golf Links
Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Elegant Yet Effortless Coastal Events
There’s something magical about spring on the Outer Banks — soft salt air, golden hour over the water, and just enough breeze to carry a scent of garden blooms. This wedding at Nags Head Golf Links perfectly captured that magic with a celebration that was equal parts elegant and relaxed, romantic and joyful.
Set on the water’s edge with sweeping views of the sound, the ceremony and reception embraced a garden party feel with thoughtful details and fresh spring colors. From the beginning, this couple wanted a wedding that was beautifully designed, intentionally styled, but still laid-back enough to reflect the coastal ease of the Outer Banks — and their vision came to life in every way.
The day began with a signature flat lay, artfully styled by Honeysuckle Events, who also provided the floral design. As always, their work was intentional and refined — a soft mix of spring-inspired color and detail that introduced the day’s aesthetic beautifully.
The bridesmaids wore a curated collection of blue and white dresses, each slightly unique but cohesive — echoing the day’s garden theme while maintaining a classic tone. The bride carried a bouquet in soft spring hues — blush, cream, dusty blue — accented by textured greens that mirrored the natural surroundings of the golf course.
The ceremony arch was a romantic display of accent blooms and lush greenery, positioned just so that the sunset over the sound framed the couple as they exchanged vows. With around 200 guests in attendance, the event still felt intimate — thanks to the layout, design, and clever placement of lounge spaces and cocktail hour seating.
Guests enjoyed signature cocktails during a lively cocktail hour, followed by a reception under a clear-top tent where the stars twinkled overhead. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with the soft flicker of candlelight, organic florals, and an effortless rhythm that only happens when every element is thoughtfully planned.
As an Outer Banks wedding photographer who specializes in refined, editorial-style celebrations, it’s events like this that truly showcase the balance between coastal charm and intentional design. From flat lays to floral styling to seamless portrait timing, we guide our couples through a photography experience that feels easy, elevated, and entirely you.
Planning a garden-inspired wedding on the Outer Banks or along the East Coast? We’d love to help you bring it to life — and capture it with timeless imagery you’ll return to for decades.
Lauren + Brady
A Marina Wedding with Southern Soul
Lauren & Brady’s Coastal Celebration at Pirates Cove Pavilion
Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Refined Coastal Events with Style & Story
Some weddings just feel like summer — bold, sun-soaked, and bursting with personality. Lauren and Brady’s celebration at Pirates Cove Pavilion in Manteo, North Carolina, was all of that and more: a joyful, carefully curated day that combined the laid-back elegance of a boating lifestyle with the polished energy of a high-end Southern celebration.
Set in one of the Outer Banks’ most charming waterfront communities, this wedding embraced its surroundings in the best way possible. Marina views, a sport’s fishing-dotted backdrop, and the open, breezy feel of Pirates Cove Pavilion laid the foundation for a design that was nothing short of show-stopping.
The palette? Unapologetically vibrant. Bold, citrus-toned florals by Renee Landry Events spilled across the venue, blending vivid yellows and oranges with lush greenery and bright summer blooms. Paired against clear blue skies and water, the contrast was striking — exactly the kind of visual energy that makes guests feel fully immersed in the moment.
Every detail was intentionally chosen to reflect the couple’s style and the spirit of the coast — a marina aesthetic elevated by exceptional planning from Southern Hospitality Weddings and Events. The result was a celebration that felt high-energy and luxurious, yet still approachable, Southern, and incredibly fun.
Guests moved effortlessly from the outdoor ceremony to a lively reception that blended natural textures with joyful color — a nod to the region’s boating culture, with just the right amount of formality. The design walked that beautiful line between effortless and extraordinary — a day full of life, layered meaning, and the kind of hospitality the South is known for.
As an Outer Banks wedding photographer, we’re always drawn to weddings where the setting and the couple’s personality meet in perfect harmony — and this one was exactly that. Lauren and Brady’s wedding was more than just beautiful. It was confident, curated, and deeply connected to the people and place that mattered most to them.
If you’re planning a coastal wedding in Manteo or along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and you want a celebration that’s as meaningful as it is design-forward, we’d love to tell your story with intention, style, and Southern warmth.
Ashley + Jose
Coastal Grandeur Meets Mediterranean Elegance
Ashley & Jose’s Wedding at The Grand Ritz Palm in Duck, NC
Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Elevated East Coast Celebrations
There are weddings that feel like a celebration — and then there are weddings that feel like an experience. Ashley and Jose’s day at The Grand Ritz Palm in Duck, North Carolina, was undoubtedly the latter: breathtaking from start to finish, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Currituck Sound and surrounded by everything that makes the Outer Banks such a distinctive destination for East Coast weddings.
The Grand Ritz Palm is one of those venues that makes a statement the moment you arrive. With Mediterranean-inspired architecture, elegant fountains, and unmatched sunset views, the space invites a level of grandeur rarely found in beach towns. Ashley and Jose leaned fully into the setting — and the result was nothing short of extraordinary.
Towering and suspended floral installations framed every corner of the celebration — from cascading arrangements at the ceremony to statement blooms hanging over reception tables. Each detail was thoughtfully designed to complement the villa’s aesthetic while also reflecting the couple’s bold, refined taste.
The five-tier cake stood like a sculpture in the center of the reception — beautifully intricate and completely in line with the scale of the day. After dinner, the party truly came to life with a DJ who kept the energy going all night — the perfect ending to a celebration that never once held back.
While every moment of this day was styled to impress, what made it especially impactful was the way it flowed. The entire event felt intentional, seamless, and true to the couple. That’s the mark of a team — and a couple — who understands how to design not just a wedding, but an immersive experience for every guest in attendance.
As a team that specializes in Outer Banks destination weddings for couples who want elegance without compromise, Ashley and Jose’s wedding is the kind we love to capture most: bold in vision, rich in detail, and grounded in emotion. Our approach to photography is built around this very thing — clean direction, timeless portraits, and an experience that helps couples feel assured, supported, and fully seen.
If you’re planning a destination wedding on the Outer Banks, especially in Duck, NC, and are drawn to a celebration that blends coastal grandeur with East Coast refinement, we’d be honored to help tell your story with intention and timeless style.
Brittany + Ryan
A Color-Soaked Celebration at The Black Stallion
Corolla, North Carolina
From the moment you walked into the ceremony space at The Black Stallion in Corolla, you were met with color. Bright, unapologetic color. Hot pinks, fiery oranges, vivid violets — all blooming wildly across arbors, tabletops, and tucked behind cocktail garnishes. It felt fresh. Joyful. Alive. And entirely theirs.
This wasn’t just another Outer Banks event home wedding. It was layered. Lush. Designed to feel relaxed, but far from ordinary.
Ashley and Drew (the kind of couple who smiles with their whole face) wanted a day that reflected both their energy and their love for good design. Portraits took place down the road on the fairways of The Currituck Club, where we chased soft, pre-sunset light and found just the right breeze. Their portraits were clean, editorial, and full of warmth — exactly what we strive for.
The cocktail hour was a standout moment: Camp Cocktail “Libations on Location” pulled up their vintage 1960s camper, transformed into a fully functioning mobile bar, and served craft cocktails that felt more like experiences. It was the kind of touch guests didn’t just enjoy — they remembered.
Dinner was held outdoors around wooden farm tables, surrounded by lounge vignettes scattered across the lawn. There was a sense of ease to it all — nothing too polished, just the right amount of imperfect, like a coastal dinner party done really, really well.
As the sun dipped low behind the Currituck Sound, guests gathered at the sunset bridge — one of the best vantage points in Corolla — and watched the sky light up in every shade of peach and lavender. And when it was time to party? The string lights came on, the florals glowed even brighter, and the energy shifted from breezy to electric.
We document a lot of weddings at The Black Stallion. But every so often, one comes along that flips the script — takes the venue you know and makes it feel entirely new. That’s what Ashley and Drew did.
And for couples looking to bring this kind of refined, joyful, East Coast celebration to life — we’re here for every single frame of it.
SDP Weddings