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Ocean favorites with a touch of whimsy is how Ashley Seitter & Justin Gearheart saw their wedding day.  Working tirelessly with the aid of friends & family, the couple created a day filled of DIY projects that put beach life front and center.  Ashley wore a gorgeous gown from Saison Blanche Couture which had fun decorative flowers that really brought a light hearted and whimsical feel.  Not to be out done in the area of whimsy, Justin wore a fishing lure for his boutonniere!   At 4:15pm ceremony kicked things off along the shore line in Corolla Village, Outer Banks, where guests could switch their heels up for flip flops and shades.  For the celebration, a tented reception was held, where things like hurricane lanterns, starfish, even sea shell table numbers filled the room.  Fun elements like sea shell sugar holders {brilliant by the way!} & colorful paper lanterns made the room come alive in a world of whimsical joy!  Capping the evening, Ashley & Justin went on their way under the burning ambers of a sparkler sendoff!

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Novella of the Bride…

Justin & I live in a small town outside of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. We met at a live music show when we were 19 and have been together ever since!

My family has been vacationing on the Outer Banks since I was 3 years old and it is a place which holds many great memories. In August 2011, while vacationing at Family Ties on the Outer Banks, Justin proposed on the beach in the early morning as the sun rose over the ocean. It was decided we would return the following year for our wedding on that same beach. It was a natural decision for myself, Justin and our families.  Being a beach wedding, we knew we wanted a nautical touch. We incorporated that with a stylish romantic feel with a little bit of whimsy thrown in. Corolla Village is a timeless romantic spot and we wanted to use that as a backdrop to make our wedding fit the village atmosphere. We both share a love for animals and have a dog named Tucker. As a special touch to incorporate him in the wedding, instead of guest favors we made a donation to the ASPCA in everyone’s name.

It all wouldn’t have been possible without the endless help from our families and friends! The primary event coordinators from the largest to the smallest detail, were my mom, Sue Seitter and my aunt, DeeDee Lohmann. It began in August 2011 securing our wedding destination while on the Outer Banks for vacation and visiting again in October 2011 to meet and secure all our wedding vendors. Over the course of the next 12 months, we shopped, planned, did mock set-ups, looked at countless real weddings online for inspiration and took lots of notes. We packed endlessly for the destination wedding taking inventory and making lists. We packed all the decoration for under the tents including, paper lanterns, signage, silverware, water goblets, wine glasses, napkins, glass vases, shells, dessert plates, candles, candle holders, etc, etc…(pretty much what you see in the pictures we brought!) It took my dad who has the ability to be able to pack a vehicle with such precision that he loaded an entire express van without an ounce of space to spare! Family Ties Event Home was the destination of the reception. The brides family and brides attendants stayed at this location. Directly across the street, at Angel’s Retreat, housed the grooms family, attendants and wedding guests. Several other homes around us housed the wedding guests. With everyone in the immediate area, family and friends, we were never without another pair of hands. From stringing the lanterns to the tent frame, to making the welcome bags, stringing lanterns in the trees, setting up the lighting under the tent and under the direction of DeeDee designing the table flower arrangements and shell designs it was a work in progress.

Bride’s Favorite Moment: “Looking back it was all very exciting. We were on a 2 week vacation just like past years except now we were having a wedding! After a year of planning, planning and more planning, the excitement of our destination wedding was about to become reality. I think I can speak for both of us when I say one of our favorite moments was when we first met each other on the beach at the ceremony. There we were on this very special beach with beautiful weather and our feet in the sand about to be married with all of our closest friends and family there with us; it was pretty incredible!”

Vendor Love

Ceremony: Corolla Village Beach, North Carolina | Reception: Family Ties Event Home | Wedding Dress: Saison Blanche Couture | Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal | Hair Piece: Tessa Kim | Shoes: Lulu Townsend | Hair: Thomas Adkins Hair Salon | Makeup: All Eyes on the Bride | Invitations: William Arthur | Ceremony Music: Club Violin | Music: DJ Matt Cooper/Outer Banks Music Masters | Lighting: Glenn Helman | Rentals: Ocean Atlantic Rentals | Florist: Harris Teeter Flower Gallery | Caterer: Argyles Restaurant Events and Catering  | BakerArgyles Restaurant Events and Catering  | Officiant: Jay Bowman | Day of Coordination: A Premiere Event | Videographer: Reel Love Weddings | Photographer: Mary Basnight Photography