Weddings & Catering

The Cape Fear region’s fabulous locations, boundless beauty and very affordable prices are sure to make any occasion special. No wonder so many couples choose to tie the knot here.

Experience genteel Southern afternoons at an antebellum mansion or a 67-acre garden ablaze with azaleas. Imagine exchanging vows on the deck of a ship slowly cruising down the historic Cape Fear River.

Thinking something else far from ordinary? No problem. Get married on a golf tee or in the aqua glow of a massive saltwater aquarium full of enchanting underwater life.

The Battleship North Carolina normally is seen guarding Wilmington’s downtown, but it is also an awesome, solemn place for a wedding ceremony. Traditionalists find plenty of majestic old churches and little chapels.

And what’s more romantic than exchanging vows at sunset by the shore? Just say “I do” to private islands, oceanfront resorts and beach houses large enough to accommodate the entire family.

A perfect wedding ceremony deserves a great toast. In the Cape Fear region, revelers may raise glasses everywhere from a down-home, backyard Carolina barbecue to an elegant, formal dinner at a luxurious beach house.

Intimate affairs happen at charming, historic venues. No matter the spot, onsite services and caterers fill the bill.

Plan a sensational party here for any reason: graduations, family reunions, holiday fun, or a birthday ice cream social. It’s also fine to have a party for no reason at all.

Restaurants, hotels and event spaces, especially those with water views, suit anniversaries and birthdays as well as they do conferences, business meetings and charity events. Outdoor venues are also on the list.

Beautiful wooded parks work for

PHOTO BY MATT MCGRAW PHOTOGRAPHY

weddings, picnics, children’s parties and church activities. Don’t forget the deck of the mighty Battleship North Carolina.

Gatherings large and small are treated to spectacular waterfront views at two Wrightsville Beach locations.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill restaurant stands on the Intracoastal Waterway and has private rooms large and small. The second-story banquet room’s picture windows broadcast breathtaking sunset views.

Oceanic restaurant is an unforgettable beachfront setting on South Lumina Avenue. Dining rooms face Atlantic waves. Outdoor tables line a long wooden pier extending out over the ocean.

Various spaces overlooking the Cape Fear River accommodate groups of 25 to 200. Indoor rooms and outdoor spaces afford beautiful views, and the expansive deck at sunset is especially striking.

Elijah’s and The Pilot House restaurants provide custom menus. They are happy to work with the planners to deliver exactly what the clients would like. The restaurants have a more than 30-year record of reliable service.

Beloved blues define seaside weddings, but dreamy undersea worlds add special magic at Fort Fisher’s North Carolina Aquarium. Both ceremonies and receptions are possible — for up to 2,000 people — alongside the aquarium’s spectacular sea life, much of it in a 235,000-gallon aquarium.

The complex offers spacious galleries, stunning views and an unforgettable atmosphere, all just steps from the Atlantic Ocean at Fort Fisher. Special-

events staff tends to every detail, ensuring that romantic moments meet or surpass expectations. The Aquarium’s multiple venues allow weddings that are intimate as well as grand. Guests from 60 to 2,000 are handled with ease.

From sea to land, the Cape Fear area is awash in vivid color, especially in spring when azaleas, japonica camellias, daffodils, tulips and dogwoods bloom at Wilmington’s rambling Airlie Gardens, another gorgeous site for weddings. Spring is lovely but the garden, established in 1886, is always delightful. Settings are diverse. Consider formal grounds, water views, whimsical sculptures or a gigantic 469-year-old live oak draped in silvery Spanish moss.

The Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, a work of art made from hundreds of colorful bottles, is also among the event site options. The Pergola Garden, the most popular site for weddings, is another grand choice for a memorable event.

Airlie Gardens is available for afternoon or evening weddings, rehearsal dinners and other special events from March through October.

Reliable caterers provide just-right food and ambiance to order. Chefs prepare fine meals, fancy or casual, in any setting, whether for home entertaining, beach condo meals or parties of all sizes.

Besides food, caterers decorate, set up, provide bartenders and beverages if requested, then serve and clean after the event is over. Many will arrange outdoor events, including rentals of tents, chairs, tables and other accessories. Boat lovers may use caterers for onboard parties or club socials (by the way, Cape Feararea sailing and boating groups accept members).

Once the budget, event space and number of guests are set, consult with caterers. Even the smallest get-together can entail a great amount of work; don’t hesitate to call on a pro for assistance.

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort has a beautiful ballroom that can accommodate 220-seated guests and 350 standing. Within the facility are several sites for the ceremony itself.

For ceremonies both large and small, the bride and groom may choose to be married under a beautiful live oak adorned with azalea bushes. There is also a park-like setting on the 16th hole with a view of ponds and a brook for up to 250 guests. Guests reach the colonialstyle clubhouse after traveling along a long, winding road lined with beautiful poplars, where the reception will be held.

When Coastal Massage & Spa opened near Wrightsville Beach, they envisioned a professional, friendly spa experience in a warm, private, and peaceful setting. Creating a spa that would cater to a clientele who expected and appreciated the best of the best in quality, care and expertise.

In 2018 they opened a brand-new, 3,000-square-foot facility at Grand View Apartments equipped with a private bridal suite for wedding parties, bachelorette weekends or pampering sessions for 6 to 10 people. Large mirrors and locally crafted plushy seating make a great place for fun and group photos.

Guests at Coastal Massage & Spa enjoy nine treatment rooms, locker rooms with showers, a steam room, a sauna, HydraFacial and relaxation space enriched with beautifully appointed treatment tables, soft linens, gentle music and a wide variety of signature treatment offerings. The spa is decorated to entice relaxation in a highend, luxurious setting. The interior of Coastal Massage & Spa was designed to blend coastal elegance with a calming color palette, soft textures and luxury finishes such as quartz countertops, glass tile and frosted windows and doors.

Brides and grooms really benefit from these services before their wedding day, since the final preparation can be hectic. The spa caters to clients seeking all massage techniques and is one few spas in the area that offers couples massage.

Coastal Massage & Spa offers a variety of facials as well. For those who prefer leaving decisions to the experts, skin care specialists will conduct a customized facial based on an individual’s skin type and skin care goals that will leave you refreshed and glowing. 

VOLUME 38, 2022-23 EDITION

Q noahj_or

Born in Mexico, I am now based in Wilmington and work as a photographer and a cook at Indochine restaurant. I bought my first Nikon d90 in 2006, but never used it until my son, Noah, was born in 2013 and we moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Wilmington. As Noah started to grow and change, I used my camera to save the memories of him forever. I began to study the camera and editing software and eventually upgraded to a more professional camera, giving the old one to Noah. I started taking landscapes and experimenting with the different perspectives and colors that are part of my signature style. I am grateful to God, Noah and all of the family and friends who have supported me in my career as a photographer — because of them I am doing what I love to do.

Airlie Gardens................................................... 910-798-7700.................... 43 Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill............................. 910-399-7212.................... 23 Beau Rivage Golf & Resort.............................. 910-392-9021............. 64, 96 Bellamy Mansion.............................................. 910-251-3780.................... 19 Bento Box Sushi Bar & Asian Kitchen............ 910-509-0774.................... 63 Bill Clark Homes............................................... 910-550-1167.................... 79 Blue Moon Gift Shops...................................... 910-799-5793.................... 73 Bluewater Waterfront Grill ............................. 910-256-8500............. 59, 93 Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens ................ 910-762-0570.................... 19 Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity ...... 800-211-2001.................... 14 Burrito Shak...................................................... 910-319-0243............. 28, 60 Cape Fear River Boats, Inc. ............................. 910-343-1611.................... 21 Carolina Ale House .......................................... 910-791-9393.................... 59 Chicken Salad Chick......................................... 910-613-6605.................... 57 Coastal Massage & Spa ................................... 910-208-4161....... IFC, 37, 91 D. Baxter's......................................................... 910-791-8431............. 75, 80 Eclipse Artisan Boutique ................................. 910-799-9883.................... 75 Elijah's Restaurant ........................................... 910-343-1448.................... 53 Flip N Fly - Wilmington Trampoline Park....... 910-679-5050.................... 39 Fork N' Cork ...................................................... 910-228-5247............. 25, 54 Hops Supply Co................................................ 910-833-8867.................... 59 Innovative Financial Group............................. 888-241-1470................... BC Legacy Homes by Bill Clark............................. 910-550-1167.................... 79 Little Dipper Fondue on Front........................ 910-251-0433................... 53 LM Restaurants ................................................ 919-851-0858 ............. 59, 93 Lumina Station ................................................. 910-256-0900.................... 97 Museum of the Bizarre.................................... 910-399-2641.................... 41 Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center ................................. 910-667-3532.................. IBC New River Pottery ............................................ 910-791-7522.................... 72 NC Department of Agriculture ....................... 252-331-4773.....................49 Oceanic at the Crystal Pier.............................. 910-256-5551.............. 59, 93 Pierpan Dentistry ............................................. 910-270-1222.............. 32, 89 Pinpoint Restaurant......................................... 910-769-2972.....................51 Pipeline Poke ..................................................................................................57 Platypus & Gnome ........................................... 910-769-9300.....................53 Port City Young Professionals ........................ 910-469-1400.....................15 Pour Taproom .................................................. 910-769-1980.....................55 River Bluffs........................................................ 910-623-5015.......................3 River Enterprises.............................................. 910-251-8600........ 51, 53, 95 Riverlights ......................................................... 910-405-1234.....................77 Riverwalk Landing............................................ 910-343-0480.....................95 Smoke on the Water........................................ 910-833-5069.............. 25, 55 Thalian Association Community Theatre...... 910-251-1788.....................44 theArtWorks...................................................... 910-352-7077........ 16, 74, 94 The Bluffs on the Cape Fear ........................... 910-383-2820.....................11 The Bryand Gallery .......................................... 910-547-8657.....................23 The Forum......................................................... 910-256-2211.....................71 The Husk ........................................................... 910-763-4950.....................23 The Pilot House Restaurant............................ 910-343-0200.....................51 Tregembo Animal Park.................................... 910-392-3604.....................68 Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.............. 910-762-2611.....................15 Wilmington Sharks........................................... 910-343-5621.....................47 Yosake' Downtown Sushi Lounge.................. 910-763-3172.....................56