Wedding DJ at First Colony Inn in nags head, NC

The Space

The First Colony Inn stands on the Outer Banks as a 1932 original, a Shingle Style inn built as a beach resort and given a second life. In 1988, the building was in grave danger of demolition from storm and erosion damage, but a relocation effort cut it into three sections and moved it 3.5 miles south to a new 4.4-acre site, where it was fully restored over three years and reopened in 1991. Today it sits oceanfront with private beach access via a dedicated boardwalk and easement. The building is H-shaped (three sections joined by breezeways) and features wraparound two-story verandas, broad overhangs, and a character that belongs to the Outer Banks. The architecture evokes the era when Nags Head was the summer capital of coastal North Carolina society.

The property includes a library, multiple terraces for dining and relaxing, an outdoor pool (seasonal, late May through mid-October), a poolside bar, side gardens for ceremonies, and direct private beach access. No elevator and exterior corridors mean guests move through the building via stairs and outdoor walkways, which gives the space an open, flowing feel unique to its time and place.

Capacity & Layout

The inn has 26 individually decorated guest rooms available for overnight guests. Couples can book the entire inn for exclusive use, so family and friends can stay on the property. The venue can accommodate outdoor lawn events under tents if needed. The side gardens serve as a ceremony space, and the lawn provides reception flexibility. Interior spaces include the wraparound verandas, the library, and the terraces. Quiet hours begin at 9pm nightly.

The outdoor pool opens seasonally (late May to mid-October, 10am to dusk daily) and provides a recreation and gathering space for multi-day events. On-site parking is free. Limited accessibility is a reality: the building is a 3-story structure with no elevator and narrow, uneven passages throughout (as is typical of 1930s oceanfront hotels), so mobility may be a factor for some guests.

Amenities

The inn includes a full bar with poolside service, complimentary full breakfast for overnight guests, complimentary wine, cheese, and desserts served in the afternoon, and free WiFi throughout. A library with books and games is available to guests. YMCA access passes and complimentary bicycles are provided. The property is smoke-free and vape-free ($200 cleaning charge for violation). Service dogs are welcome, but pets are not permitted. The terraces, verandas, and gardens are ideal for cocktails and receptions. The oceanfront setting means access to Nags Head’s restaurants, shops, and the beach itself.

Location & Getting There

The First Colony Inn sits at milepost 16 on Highway 158 in Nags Head, the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The ocean is immediate: private beach access via boardwalk, about 500 feet east, means guests can wade or walk the shoreline as part of the celebration. Norfolk International Airport is approximately 75 miles away. The drive from inland North Carolina cities runs two to four hours. The setting is oceanside, exposed to coastal weather and wind. The building’s layout (open breezeways and wraparound verandas, no interior walls between major spaces) and outdoor terraces mean that reception sound carries across the property and benefits from natural acoustics shaped by the open-air breezeways and ocean exposure.