Platinum Sponsor | Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering

If you are a local or a frequent vacationer on the Outer Banks, then you’ve probably heard of Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering. I mean, how can you miss it? Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe is located right on the causeway in between Manteo and Nags Head and they have been operating and catering weddings and events here for the past 26 years! 

The restaurant itself is a prime location for a wedding, and there are couples that take advantage of the waterfront views and astounding cuisine. If you visit during the busy season and have a wait, take advantage of it and walk around the grounds. The rosemary bushes lining the water’s edge. The recycled wine bottle wall. The waterfront wooden altar that looks like something out of a dream. 

Everything about Basnight’s Lone Cedar is quintessentially Outer Banks. From the fresh herb garden that the chefs utilize for their in-house dining and off-site catering. The fish cleaning house (one of the only restaurants to have their own here) where fresh catched fish are descaled and filleted daily.

We had the pleasure to speak with the Owner, Caroline Basnight, and Catering Coordinator, Victoria Mawyer, to learn more about their catering services and the history of the restaurant. You can watch our We Do! Video below and read more about their services. 

Make sure to purchase your tickets for the 2022 OBXWA Wedding Weekend + Expo so that you can meet them yourselves and book them for your Outer Banks Wedding! Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering is a Platinum Sponsor and will be stationed at Keeper’s Galley at Haven on the Banks throughout the wedding weekend. 

How long have you been catering weddings on the Outer Banks?

We have been in business and catering weddings here for about 26 years. 

What makes the Outer Banks special to you?

For us, it’s being (literally) surrounded by natural beauty. Beautiful sound views and waterways, gorgeous beaches, marsh grass reflecting golden fall light and crisp summer blues and greens. There is truly no place like the Outer Banks. 

What is unique about your business? What are you known for?

Our chefs are known for using only fresh, local seafood which we clean on-site in our fish cleaning house. We are also known for our on-site herb and vegetable garden where we grow fresh herbs and vegetables used in both the restaurant and catering services!

Since we make everything in-house, we are able to create personalized menus to fit your needs. Everything is fresh – nothing boxed, bagged or frozen here!

Is there anything new about Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering that you would want to share?

We are now composting as much organic material as we can to recycle back into the garden soil. We hope to build a few more tumblers this coming season and streamline the process. The goal is that anything that is not eaten will be safely composted and used to build a healthy soil food web and contribute to the nutrition of the plants we grow, which in turn bolsters the nutrition of the food we serve to our community. 

1. We have built tumblers that are able to compost organic materials quickly and safely. 
2. We have created a storage bay for the final stages of composting, to quickly empty the tumblers when ready and make room for more material. 
3. We have created a compost tea brewer, to allocate a small portion of composted material to the safe culture of beneficial microbes to bolster our soil food web. 
4. We have upgraded our irrigation system to deliver our compost teas directly to the root zone, “rhizosphere” of our plants, where these microbes will do their magic in breaking down.

What are you most looking forward to about the 2022 OBXWA Wedding Weekend + Expo? Do you have any advice for couples looking to book you for their wedding?

The energy and excitement of the Expo is something we look forward to every year! Vendors gear up all Winter in preparation for the show, and that camaraderie translates to a warm, inviting atmosphere for couples. It’s an event you really don’t want to miss!

You will want to research beforehand, focus on vendors you want to meet over the weekend, stay tuned to @obxwa on Instagram and the Expo page for information, and map out your route ahead of time to visit all of the places you want to see! 

Our best piece of advice: Have Fun!!!

Is there anything else about Basnight’s Lone Cedar Catering that a couple MUST know?

We cater both on-site and off-site weddings. We offer personal chef services, and can accommodate events ranging from 2-2,000 guests! Think drop-offs for the morning of wedding brunch, the day after brunch and/or dinner, welcome parties, etc! We do it all!

Photographers

Basnight Photography

Coastal Shots Photography

Jonathan Pillow Photography

Katiedid Photography

Ryan & Rach Photography