Life's a Beach at Nags Head

The week before Labor Day, we went on an amazing vacation that had been two years in the making. Our friends Brad and Laurie got married in beautiful Nags Head, NC. The wedding party shared a 20-bed beachside house for the week before, which was also the site of the ceremony and reception.

I love destination weddings. They bring people together like no other event can. So I knew Nags Head would be fun. It was just a relaxing, easy going time with friends. We hung at the beach during the day then cooked dinner together most nights, played games and chilled in the hot tub. Laurie's family was fun. They stayed in a large house across from ours dubbed the "Jersey house."

On wedding day, everyone chipped in with final preparations. There were a lot of DIY touches like taking flowers from the grocery store and making bouquets and centerpieces in mason jars (looked so pretty). I enjoyed serving as the wedding coordinator. It really validated that I know how to lead weddings. I'd done a few before, but after working in event marketing recently, I feel even more equipped to make all the little decisions that pay off when the event comes and overall juggle the moving pieces throughout the day.

The ceremony was sweet and intimate. I think being 30 feet from the waves with our feet in the sand and encircled by loved ones made it all the more emotional. Plus, Brad and Laurie wrote their own vows.

The reception was back at the house around the pool. The theme was a crabfest, which is a tradition in Laurie's family, so dinner was bushels of fresh, perfectly seasoned crabs. We just laid them on our tables and went to town breaking them open with our mallets (the favors). It was the first time I'd eaten whole crabs. Wow, those were good. Been craving the taste ever since.

After dinner, we all danced by the pool harder than I've danced in years. The deck was shaking! Excellent music choices, Brad and Laurie (who needs a DJ these days when you have an iPod playlist and huge speakers?). Towards the end of the night, "Piano Man" came on. A bit odd for a wedding, but 30 of us circled up and sang our asses off. One of Laurie's relatives busted out a harmonica! FUN times!

The vacation was a much-needed escape, especially because Brent and I hadn't seen each other in a month and a half (he's been filming in Michigan). I can't wait for him to come home -- hopefully in 2 weeks around Oct. 1. Weddings are such great reminders of how special marriage is. Being apart feels so unnatural after a few weeks go by. Breaks can be beneficial, but ultimately you're not complete unless you're together.