The Space
Bluewater Waterfront Grill has been open on the Intracoastal Waterway since 2000, just over the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge, and it has been voted Best Outdoor Dining by Encore Magazine continuously since. That kind of long, local recognition points to a restaurant that has built its reputation on the water view and the patio rather than on being new or trendy, which matters for a couple choosing a venue people already know and like.
Inside, the restaurant offers spacious dining rooms along with private event spaces, and a day dock sits right out front where guests could arrive by boat and tie up before the ceremony. The large outdoor patio is the centerpiece, though, with fans and shades built in specifically for summer comfort, so a couple booking a warm-weather date is not gambling on whether the space will hold up to Carolina heat.
Capacity & Layout
No fixed guest count is published for Bluewater, so planning here starts with a conversation about which combination of dining rooms, private event space, and patio actually fits a given guest list, rather than working backward from one posted number. What is clear is that the layout separates indoor rooms from the outdoor patio, giving a couple room to split a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception across more than one setting if they want to.
The patio faces the Intracoastal Waterway directly, so any part of the day held out there comes with a water view built in rather than added through decor. Combined with the private event spaces inside, a couple can plan for guests to move between an open-air cocktail hour on the water and a more contained indoor dinner, which is a layout many waterfront restaurants do not offer.
Amenities
The full service bar on the patio means drinks do not have to be carried out from an indoor bar, which keeps service moving during an outdoor reception. Seasonal live music runs on the patio every Sunday from 4 to 8pm outside of wedding bookings, which is one more sign that the space is built and tested for hosting music and a crowd, not just quiet dinners.
An elevator is installed beside the staircase leading to the restaurant entrance, so guests who cannot manage stairs are not left out of the main event spaces. Hours run Monday through Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 11pm, and Sunday 10am to 10pm, with a separate Sunday brunch service from 10am to 3pm, which affects how early or late a wedding day event can be scheduled around normal restaurant hours.
Location & Getting There
Bluewater sits directly on the Intracoastal Waterway at Wrightsville Beach, just past the drawbridge into town, putting it close to the beach itself without being a beachfront building. Parking is available, including street parking nearby, which is typical for this stretch of Wrightsville Beach and worth planning for with a shuttle or rideshare if the guest list is large.
Because the ceremony and reception options split between enclosed dining rooms and an open-air, waterfront patio, a DJ setup has to account for two very different acoustics: the patio’s open water view carries sound outward and needs a system built for outdoor coverage, while the indoor dining rooms hold sound in and call for a more contained setup suited to a smaller, walled-in space.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Your price depends on your date, your area, and add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound. Pick your date on our pricing page and you will see your exact price, and just $400 reserves your date.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 retainer reserves your date.
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