Island Wedding

Thinking of an island wedding when the two of you finally tie the knot? Our favorite destination island may not be the first thing that comes to mind.

But LBI wants you to think otherwise. In a couple of weeks, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce (www.discoversouthernocean.com) is hosting a Wedding Road Show on Long Beach Island, designed to showcase the island’s romance-friendly venues.  

The event, on April 19th, is a self-guided tour of the many businesses that would like you to book them for your special day. Organizers are hoping that the concept of a close-by “destination wedding” that does not cost hefty amounts in airfare, hotels, etc. will catch on in these budget-stressed times.

LBI’s Bonnet Island Estate (www.bonnetislandestate.com) and Mallard Island Yacht Club (www.mallardislandyachtclub.com) are best known for hosting traditional nuptials.

But now more hotels and B&Bs have opened and are for your walk down the aisle. Daddy O, a two-year old boutique hotel (www.daddyohotel.com) is a rising star that wants to get in the game. There are plenty of island boutiques, florists, and photographers to help decorate the day.  

Our friends at www.njwedding.com are co-sponsoring the  “tour d’amore” and promoting it extensively on their website. You can enter their VIP contest (www.njwedding.com/maillist/contestsponsors.cfm) which includes an overnight stay at Daddy O, and a white limo to take you around the island all day. Entries are accepted until this Wednesday.

Here’s our idea: rent an oceanfront home in Loveladies (great name/place for a wedding) and stage a simple sundown ceremony on your own semi-private pristine beach.

Your wedding may be just the other side of the causeway, but on LBI you’ll feel like you’ve arrived—at a destination island.

Tags: Long Beach Island | weddings | Bonnet Estate