Constructed between 1922 and 1925, The Whalehead in Historic Corolla has been a northern Outer Banks landmark for decades, and has been a breathtaking spot to tie the knot for years. The 21,000 square foot Art Nouveau home, consisting of 20 rooms among three stories, sits on 39 acres facing the Currituck Sound.Â
Over the years, the home served originally as a retreat, and later evolved into a Coast Guard recruitment base during World War II, a boys correctional academy, a testing site for rocket fuel, and it presently serves as a museum and venue for the public.Â
The grounds also consist of a boathouse, footbridge, and the Currituck Beach lighthouse, which all make for the perfect photo op. For events, there are five venues to choose from to accommodate a wide range of weddings: the North Lawn, South Lawn, Point, Side Porch, and the Gazebo.
The Whalehead in Historic Corolla is a Gold Sponsor of the 2022 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend + Expo and also happens to be one of the five Expo venues throughout the weekend!
Buy your tickets today to meet local vendors and tour venues throughout the weekend. Vendors that will be at the Whalehead in Historic Corolla are:
- Amaranth + Artifact
- Camp Cocktail
- DJ Bruce
- Easy Ice OBX
- Honeysuckle Events
- Matt Lusk Photography
- Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals
- Red Sky Cafe
- Ryan & Rach Photography
- Southern Hospitality Weddings & Events
- The Finer Points Coastal
- Twiddy & Company
- Whalehead in Historic Corolla
Read more about the Whalehead in Historic Corolla in our Q&A below. Contact Samantha Payne, Promo and Events Coordinator at the Whalehead at: Samantha.Payne@currituckcountync.gov
How long have you been involved in weddings on the Outer Banks?
Whalehead’s property has been a beautiful wedding destination venue location for 22 years. Â
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What makes the Outer Banks unique and special to you?
The tranquility that is felt when sitting on our beautiful beaches watching an amazing sunrise or capturing that perfect sunset picture with the infamous footbridge over the Currituck Sound in Historic Corolla Park.  Â
What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming 2022 Outer Banks Wedding Weekend + Expo?
Meeting the couples and sharing in their excitement of what the Outer Banks has to offer for their special day. It’s exciting for me to introduce the Whalehead property to couples that have never heard of it before. I’m super excited that Whalehead is a venue for the show, giving couples the opportunity to experience all its grand beauty for themselves.
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Do you have any advice for a couple booking your services?
BREATHE and ENJOY the ride! Building an event from the ground up can seem overwhelming, but I’m here to help every step of the way.
What makes Whalehead in Historic Corolla different from other Ceremony and Reception Venues on the Outer Banks?
Whalehead is a beautifully restored 1920s-era Art Nouveau-style mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also known for the breathtaking backdrops that include 80-year-old Live Oak trees, a unique boathouse, one of a kind footbridge, views of the historic Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and especially the gorgeous sunsets.
Photos provided by Currituck County Department of Travel & Tourism, Matt Lusk Photography, Coastal Shots Photography and Sarah D’Ambra Photography
Video provided by Alex Perry, Currituck County Department of Travel & Tourism
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