If you happened to walk the beach anytime since this March here on the island, you may have stumbled upon a wedding or two…or three…or more! Weddings have become a popular sighting out on the sand from sunrise to sunset until the chilly wintry weather falls upon us. As an avid beach walker, I’ve seen many productions in the works to make the perfect vision complete for brides galore. From chairs, to benches, arbors, urns, huppahs, flags, plants, seashells and the list goes on, brides have definitely kicked it up a notch when planning their perfect Emerald Isle wedding.
Strolling seaside on day in September, I witnessed one wedding that really caught my eye. From a distance, I could see the bride making her way down the boardwalk of a beach cottage somewhere near the 7300 block of the island. I didn’t hear any music sailing my way through the ocean breeze, however, I did notice an unusual number of people standing at the altar alongside the priest and the groom-to-be. I wondered to myself what kind of wedding this was and what the purpose of the two “extras” could be.
Trying to be as nonchalant as possible, I stood off to the side just so I could get a bird’s eye view of the happenings as the service began. Soon enough, my questions were answered as the groom’s translator began signing the words of the priest. He would then respond accordingly and the translator would then speak the responses. What a beautiful and unique wedding ceremony I thought to myself! I’ve seen hundreds of weddings out on the sands of Emerald Isle, but this was the first I’d seen of it’s like. I continued to observe through the vows, exchange of rings, and sand ceremony. Everyone in the congregation watched on with teary eyes and bright smiles. The flicker of cameras catching their expressions as they were pronounced man and wife could be heard in the distance. I resumed my walk towards the Bogue Inlet Pier thinking…I can’t wait til next March!
Heidi Barlow