Hello. I am a long time lurker and very infrequent responder or poster. I live in KDH and our son is getting married in April down here. He and his bride want a low key, barbecue style rehearsal dinner, and we already have the caterers booked. Unfortunately, our location fell through and now I’m scrambling a little bit for alternate location ideas. None of the hotel meeting rooms will let you bring in outside food that I can find, and they really have their heart set on something that is chill, unstructured, and allows people to mingle and enjoy one another’s company before a very busy wedding day, so they don’t want to just go to a restaurant.

Back in Virginia where we are from, there are a ton of community centers, fire departments, and those types of places where you can host a gathering for a reasonable fee. However, I haven’t been able to find anything like that from Manteo to Duck. Any suggestions??

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Try Haven on The Banks in Nags Head, maybe. They have two venues, and The Barn might work for y'all. I know they allow external caterers. Click to follow link...

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I actually called them already - the Barn is booked but the other option is available. I am really hoping to not have to pay $1900 for a rehearsal dinner venue though . . . and that’s no setup or cleanup included.

I wish I could risk an outdoor pavilion or something similar but you just can’t make that risk in April around here.

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I actually called them already - the Barn is booked but the other option is available. I am really hoping to not have to pay $1900 for a rehearsal dinner venue though . . . and that’s no setup or cleanup included.

I wish I could risk an outdoor pavilion or something similar but you just can’t make that risk in April around here.

Maybe Pirate's Cove, I know they have some sort of meeting room. Another option might be the new Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. It is still under construction but might be taking reservations. I'm guessing they'll have a banquet room or similar.

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Just a thought....have you called any of the realty companies in your area to check on space? When we rented our Avon home, we attended one of the owner's thank you parties hosted by Outer Beaches Realty and their rooms were massive....upstairs and downstairs. They also had a nice outside deck where they were smoking oysters. Anyway...I'm sure you would be charged, but I wouldn't think that much compared to the $1900 bid you received on another venue.

Also, check local breweries. My baby brother owns a brewery in VA, and we had our niece's rehearsal dinner in their event room. They still only charge $250.00 rental and it was very nice. They had a bbq caterer to cater it. Maybe you could go that route?

Best of luck!!

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Try Haven on The Banks in Nags Head, maybe. They have two venues, and The Barn might work for y'all. I know they allow external caterers. Click to follow link...

The Barn would have worked but it is for sale and I am not sure they are renting it while trying to sell it. $995,000

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Back in Virginia where we are from, there are a ton of community centers, fire departments, and those types of places where you can host a gathering for a reasonable fee.

Check with the Nags Head Fire Department... the one immediately to the south of Food Lion by the hospital. I have no idea what they allow, but our HOA has its annual meeting there each year. They have a large meeting room/hall on the south side of the building. It can probably accommodate 50 or more people with ease.

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Back in Virginia where we are from, there are a ton of community centers, fire departments, and those types of places where you can host a gathering for a reasonable fee.

Check with the Nags Head Fire Department... the one immediately to the south of Food Lion by the hospital. I have no idea what they allow, but our HOA has its annual meeting there each year. They have a large meeting room/hall on the south side of the building. It can probably accommodate 50 or more people with ease.

Our radio club has met there in the past and had testing sessions there. I am not sure alcohol would be allowed and at a wedding ....

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Back in Virginia where we are from, there are a ton of community centers, fire departments, and those types of places where you can host a gathering for a reasonable fee.

Check with the Nags Head Fire Department... the one immediately to the south of Food Lion by the hospital. I have no idea what they allow, but our HOA has its annual meeting there each year. They have a large meeting room/hall on the south side of the building. It can probably accommodate 50 or more people with ease.

Our radio club has met there in the past and had testing sessions there. I am not sure alcohol would be allowed and at a wedding ....

I concur, but it's only a rehearsal dinner and I don't know this family. If it were mine we'd be good for quite a few drinks, each!

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Jeannette’s Pier has event space.

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When our oldest son was married, we rented a large tent and had the dinner in our back yard. A local BBQ caterer did all the food and had several coolers of beer and a wine bar. Two neighbors acted as Maitre d, pro bono. I don't remember if the tables and chairs were provided be the caterer or if we borrowed them from local church or fire station. Also had corn hole, horseshoes and a fire pit. Opened the house up to access the first-floor bathrooms. And each guest brought a lawn chair. it was a very informal event.

Son #2's dinner was at a craft beer brewery outside of Charlottesville who provided everything., We had an inside room and also access to an outside patio dining area. It was a beautiful farm-like venue. Price was very reasonable.

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You might want to consider contacting local event venues, beach houses, or vacation rentals in the Outer Banks area. They might be more flexible with allowing outside catering and providing a space for your son's low-key rehearsal dinner. Additionally, you could explore the possibility of renting a private home with a spacious backyard or deck for the event. Make sure to check with the owners or property management companies for availability and any restrictions. Good luck with the planning!

weddingcancoolers.net/

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Kitty Hawk Pier? I have seen weddings and other events held there,

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You might want to consider contacting local event venues, beach houses, or vacation rentals in the Outer Banks area. They might be more flexible with allowing outside catering and providing a space for your son's low-key rehearsal dinner. Additionally, you could explore the possibility of renting a private home with a spacious backyard or deck for the event. Make sure to check with the owners or property management companies for availability and any restrictions. Good luck with the planning!

The houses would need to be event homes, and the event bond/insurance the renter would have to purchase would be higher with an outside caterer.

I would ask the caterer for locations they've catered events. That's often the best starting point because you rule out all the places that will be a no go for insurance reasons.

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Vista Creek Events....Wanchese. Worth the google.

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I would go with the Dollar General in Waves. Sorry, it has been a long work day.

I will see myself out.

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I would ask the caterer for locations they've catered events. That's often the best starting point because you rule out all the places that will be a no go for insurance reasons.

He's right. So often the venue partners with caterers as I'm sure you've figured out by now. An outside...:unapproved " caterer on their end would end a deal for me. Not that it's not the best caterer, they just don't have them on their list.

Also...try winery's. I had a baby shower for my daughter two years ago at a winery 5 minutes from our VA home. Inside and outside accommodations depending on the weather. Was only $350 to rent and I brought all of the food. Just purchased sangria buckets for the non preggo girls that attended. They just started a tab per my request.

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108 Budleigh in Manteo let us bring in the caterer and all beverages. Very lovely space with inside venue areas as well as outdoor terrace. Congratulations to the happy couple.

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Have you contacted the Baum center?

www.darenc.gov/department...

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Try Old Nags Head Cove Association. They have a club house that we rented for Mom's 85th birthday party. They're located off of W. Danube St. on S. Hesperides Dr., just north of the hospital. oldnagsheadcovehoa.com 252-441-4562

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Try Old Nags Head Cove Association. They have a club house that we rented for Mom's 85th birthday party. They're located off of W. Danube St. on S. Hesperides Dr., just north of the hospital. oldnagsheadcovehoa.com 252-441-4562

Good idea, that place would be perfect - I Have forgotten all about it.

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