Member Feature | White Doe Inn

Make your intimate elopement dreams come true at the White Doe Inn on Roanoke Island. Nestled in the heart of downtown Manteo, the White Doe Inn boasts views of Shallowbag Bag, on-site catering and officiant services, and an in-house coordinator to help you make sure your wedding day is everything you wanted and more. 

Specializing in weddings and elopements of 30 or less, the historic Queen Anne style home is a splendid locale to celebrate with those closest to you in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Learn more about the White Doe Inn on their website. 

OBXWA spoke with Liz Myers, Innkeeper at the White Doe Inn, to learn more about the enriched history of the property and the type of weddings that they can host and accommodate on the Outer Banks. 

How long has White Doe Inn been operating? 

Here is a little about the history of the White Doe Inn! 

It all began with the Meekins family. Theodore S. Meekins came from one of the oldest families in the Outer Banks – his ancestors had inhabited the area since before the American Revolution. Mr. Meekins came to Manteo from Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, where he had previously been a magistrate of Kinnakeet township. In 1896, he married Rosa P. Midgett and they subsequently had seven children. 

In 1904, Theodore and Rosa Meekins purchased a lot in Manteo on Roanoke Island. The property was located on County Street, now 319 Sir Walter Raleigh Street.

The Meekins House is a grand three-story late-Queen Anne style house, constructed in 1910 by local builders John Wilson and Joe Dailey for Theodore S. Meekins and his family. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, noted for its architectural and historic significance.

The house is said to be modeled after a photograph which caught the fancy of Meekins’ wife, Rosa. The highly picturesque masterpiece is essentially rectangular in plan and form, with a richness achieved by the lavish combination and composition of its elevations. The rectangularity of the mass is enlivened by a variety of rooflines, the use of weatherboard and shingles, and an unusual variety in the placement, grouping, and size of window openings, as well as sash type and stained glass. 

The grand three-story tower, two-story bays, and a variety of architectural moldings and devices – plus the encircling one-story porch – further enrich the appearance of the magnificent house, which remains the largest house in Manteo, the Dare County Seat on Roanoke Island.

Current owners Bebe and Bob Woody bought Manteo’s historic Meekins House in 1994. The house underwent renovations in the Queen Anne – style sympathetic to its uniqueness and became the White Doe Inn. Every effort was made to retain the charm and character of nearly 100 years of history. Newly decorated rooms have private baths, ceiling fans, fireplaces, and luxurious linens and towels. The Inn is filled with old-fashioned warmth and friendliness and offers seven guest bedchambers and two guest suites, each with its own distinctive personality. 

A delicious Southern style breakfast is served in the dining room every day, and afternoon snacks and refreshments welcome guests back from a busy day of experiencing the many pleasures of the Outer Banks. 

What size weddings can you accommodate?

We specialize in intimate gatherings such as elopements, vow renewals and small weddings of up to 30 guests. 

How long have you been involved in weddings on the Outer Banks?

With over 25 years of experience at the White Doe Inn, we will completely remove the stress out of your wedding planning and coordinate all aspects of the day’s special event. The splendid views, the superb food, and the goodness of people as they strive to make this a special time for the newlyweds and their guests, will exceed all expectations.

What makes the Outer Banks special to you?

The friendliness of the people and the unique coastal architecture; It is a setting that captures the hearts of our visitors! 

Do you have any advice for a couple booking your services? 

Easy answer right here: Sit back and relax! You are in great hands with our experienced staff and vendor team. 

What trends are you most excited to see in upcoming weddings?

Oh, this is a tough one! We love when a couple gets creative and really makes it their own. Some trends we love are incorporating their fur babies, non-traditional colored wedding dresses, more intimate guest lists and fun décor and props; rugs, disco balls, lounges, yard games, and more! 

What makes White Doe Inn different from other venues and accommodations on the Outer Banks?

Many things set the White Doe Inn apart from other venues and accommodation options; our architecture, our amenities, our guest counts and last but not least, our furry guests. 

The grand late Queen Anne style stops traffic here in the village of Manteo and is like no other property in the OBX. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, noted for its architectural and historic significance. Each area of the inn is distinctly different and all decorated with family heirlooms and turn-of-the-century antiques. 

White Doe Inn offers an unparalleled list of amenities and services to compliment our charming Inn. Our staff is trained in the art of hospitality, and we delight in making sure that our guests receive the highest level of attention from the day of arrival to the day of departure. The personal attention we give is an important part of the experience and services provided. 

Our amenities include: private gardens, veranda, and porches, four-course breakfast, afternoon snacks and refreshments, homemade ice cream sandwiches, s’mores kits, bicycles & beach equipment, the veranda bistro, gift shop, cappuccino & espresso service, gas fireplaces, luxurious bed linens, wireless internet access, daily housekeeping service, flatscreen tv with cable access, sitronu rose lavender natural plant-based bath products, luxurious bath linens, elegant robes and more. 

We specialize in the more intimate gatherings, unlike the many large venues scattered across the OBX. Our focus is to provide an exceptional experience to you and all of your guests from the moment of arrival to departure. We cater to guest counts of 30 or less! 

We know your pets are a special part of your family, and we offer the finest lodging for you and your dogs along with some complimentary pet-menities to include a dog bed, water and food bowls, doggie bags, toys and treats. Only the best for the best dog and dog of honor! 

What is your favorite part of your job and business?

By far my favorite part of my job is making each and every guest feel special and welcome here at the White Doe Inn. I absolutely love hosting guests from all over the world and getting to be a part of their wedding day, honeymoon, anniversary, etc. 

How do you feel being a part of an association has helped the White Doe Inn?

Destination wedding planning can be stressful and the association is a resource to alleviate this stress. The association provides a list of the best OBX wedding vendors to choose from allowing couples to essentially take their pick and rest assured they are in great hands. We are so very thankful to be a part of this OBXWA family! 

Video provided by Engaging Events and Baldwin Video Productions

Photos provided by Courtney Hathaway Photography and Kristi Midgette Photography