WWYD???? (Wedding question)

[luvmy3jewels]

They are getting married in Avon, NC. I didn't mention that in my earlier posts.I think were so pprehensive because we dealt with Ike in 2008.
That was a Cat 2 storm with little rain but lots of wind. There was no power, no gas, and some significant damage. Were inland too.

Avon is in the area (Hatteras Island) that they are predicting will be hardest hit by this storm. If the wedding were on the northern beaches (Duck, Corolla, or Carova) I would be a little less concerned. However if Earl does what they are expecting right now I would not count on being able to go there this weekend. Ocean overwash of Hwy 12 is a very real possibility with this storm and that isn't even considering wind damage which is very likely. Even though we will probably have nice weather on Saturday and Sunday, you probably will not be able to get on Hatteras Island (where Avon is located) this weekend.

 

[bgirldeb]

Thanks everyone for the replies!!! She has no planner she planned the wedding herself but didn't plan for rain. Her reception is going to be
at a beachfront beach house. Those of us in Houston have been trying to contact her, her mother, and father.
No one will answer. She did send a text last night saying they were driving down today and she was staying
positive. I'm aware of the mandatory evac so now we def need to know the plan. BTW its a destination wedding and no one is from there.
Sorry if my writing is funny. I'm typing on my phone.

I feel it's a bit rude that no one returned your calls aside from the text. I understand it is "her" day, but she really needs to consider her guests and have someone communicate the plans to those that rsvp'd, especially since you guys have been trying to call them.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I feel it's a bit rude that no one returned your calls aside from the text. I understand it is "her" day, but she really needs to consider her guests and have someone communicate the plans to those that rsvp'd, especially since you guys have been trying to call them.

I agree that the bride and her parents are being very rude by not responding to the guests' inquiries. It's ridiculous to reply you're 'staying positive' when you're guests are asking about traveling an entire day to a location that's under a mandatory evac right now!

OP, I wonder how fast she'll respond when everyone starts texting her that due to the weather they must decline the invite!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well what is the verdict OP? Did the family get ahold of you?

At this point in the game I would expect them to start organizing the heck out of their plans and contacting people.

 

[sbell111]

I guess I just don't understand the OP's issue.

By Sunday, this storm will be Newfoundland's problem. It will have long past by North Carolina.

 

[JLTraveling]

There's no way in heck I'd be heading anywhere near there! I know it's the "bride's day" and all, and it must be terribly upsetting for her, but I wouldn't even think about potentially putting my guests in harm's way. Sure, the storm will have moved on by Sunday, but what's it going to have left behind? I survived Katrina, though, so like the OP I'm a little apprehensive (or would be, if I was in that position). But I stand by my position. I would never voluntarily drive/fly into a mandatory evacuation hurricane zone unless it was literally a matter of life or death. A wedding, as meaningful as it may be, is not. And it's a selfish bride indeed who ends communication beyond a "staying positive" text message and just expects everyone to show up in the hurricane zone for "her day."

 

[RadioNate]

okay, they're evac'ing tourists. At this point, I'd still start heading that way. As pp'rs have suggested grab a mainland hotel if you need to until they open the OBX back up for tourists. Since the storm will be gone early Friday, it shouldn't be long. The Today Show is still showing it well off the coast.

I guess I just don't understand the OP's issue.

By Sunday, this storm will be Newfoundland's problem. It will have long past by North Carolina.

I'm sorry, do you have any experience with hurricanes? I would bet my bottom dollar that the area mainland hotels are pretty much booked with people evacuating.

Once this storm passes there is a good chance of a big mess to clean up. The beach isn't going to be back to usual by Sunday. The roads will likely still have debris. Power? Safe drinking water?

This is a huge Cat 4 hurricane. It is only 10mph away from being a Cat 5. Sure, it's off shore. But it is 500 miles wide and with a 50-60 mile westward turn the eye wall hits Hatteras.

It isn't the storm itself on Sunday, it is the aftermath.

ETA - I hope I'm wrong. I don't wish this on anyone and I feel horrible for this bride. But why would you drive into it? Especially not knowing if you could even get to your hotel. The OP is talking about a 1500 mile drive when she doesn't even know if the roads will be there anymore when they get there. There is no way I'd go.

OP what does the hotel you are booked at say?

 

[scrapquitler]

I guess I just don't understand the OP's issue.

By Sunday, this storm will be Newfoundland's problem. It will have long past by North Carolina.

The issue is getting there...people are supposed to be flying in and arriving on Friday (and possibly Saturday)....and while they are trying to arrive, the location they are going to is having mandatory evacuations. Just because the hurricane is going thru on Friday doesn't mean that everyone will be able to return to their homes/hotels on the barrier islands on Saturday. Some of the hotels they are staying at might not even be habitable by the time of the event on Sunday, and the venues might not be in conditions for holding a wedding then.

 

[ksjayhawks]

My guess is that the OP and her family are on their way since OP is not replying.

If so, have a safe journey and be flexible--who knows what situations you will run into or where you might have to stay!

 

[sbell111]

I'm sorry, do you have any experience with hurricanes? I would bet my bottom dollar that the area mainland hotels are pretty much booked with people evacuating.

Once this storm passes there is a good chance of a big mess to clean up. The beach isn't going to be back to usual by Sunday. The roads will likely still have debris. Power? Safe drinking water?

This is a huge Cat 4 hurricane. It is only 10mph away from being a Cat 5. Sure, it's off shore. But it is 500 miles wide and with a 50-60 mile westward turn the eye wall hits Hatteras.

It isn't the storm itself on Sunday, it is the aftermath.

ETA - I hope I'm wrong. I don't wish this on anyone and I feel horrible for this bride. But why would you drive into it? Especially not knowing if you could even get to your hotel. The OP is talking about a 1500 mile drive when she doesn't even know if the roads will be there anymore when they get there. There is no way I'd go.

OP what does the hotel you are booked at say?

Most of the damage that you discuss is unlikely based on the storm's current path. If there is that much damage, the guests merely don't go to the outer banks. By that time, the wedding couple will have formulated a plan B. No big.

Honestly, this thread reads like someone simply is looking for an excuse not to attend a cousin's wedding.

 

[novajeanjellybean]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

 

[sbell111]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

What's rude of her? Not cancelling her wedding or not providing you with the update that she won't have until tomorrow morning?

 

[novajeanjellybean]

Most of the damage that you discuss is unlikely based on the storm's current path. If there is that much damage, the guests merely don't go to the outer banks. By that time, the wedding couple will have formulated a plan B. No big.

Honestly, this thread reads like someone simply is looking for an excuse not to attend a cousin's wedding.

No the couple doesn't have a plan B. That is part of the problem. I wish I was looking for a reason. We are losing alot of money by not going. The beach house is non refundable as well as the plane tickets. However, our safety is our first priority.

 

[robinb]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

Are they INSANE? I would tell her to take the good will of the caterers who are begging her to cancel and run right off that island. I just pulled up a map of Avon. It's less than a mile wide. Being on the "sound side" is not going to help. I rode out Hurricane Charley at POP Century but there would be NO WAY I would try to ride out Earl on Avon at sea level with a possible storm surge. None.

Perhaps she can move the wedding to a hotel inland. It's not going to be the same as her dreamy destination beach wedding but at least she, her wedding party and her guests would be SAFE. I felt sorry for her when I began reading this thread and now I am angry that she is so selfish.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

So the bride is ignoring the mandatory evacuation orders and staying on the beach. It looks like from the latest info, Hatteras Island probably won't take a direct hit. However, ocean overwash is a serious concern with any storm that comes up our coast. It's not uncommon for new inlets to form (accross Hwy 12) which would strand anyone still on the island. There's a reason her caterers want her to cancel.

 

[ilovejack02]

WOW OP , the bride or family must have not watched the news when Ike destroyed Galveston area.. that storm surge took over the whole island. I can't imagine staying in a beach house on Avon .

We all know how storms can change direction quickly. So sad she can't is being so selfish right now.

 

[NotUrsula]

OK, I revise my earlier comments. Your BTB is delusional. (Has this person ever dealt with the aftermath of a hurricane?) She definitely needs to create a Plan B at this point, and if I were in her family I'd be moving heaven and earth to help her do so, but believing that everything is going to go off as in the original plan is insane.

If her caterer is begging her to cancel, odds are that she isn't going to see them on Sunday. They will probably refund as much as they can and then take the chance that she won't sue for the balance. Unless the catering business is actually based ON the island, they know that the state troopers are almost surely going to turn their truck back at the bridge, so they have might on their side.

Your family needs an inland rendezvous point, somewhere at least 100 miles from the cone of uncertainty. At this point, it's fairly likely that your BTB is going to end up being evacuated. (The property owner is almost surely going to force them out of the house for liability reasons -- I know that I would.) If the wedding is going to happen this weekend, it's probably going to have to happen somewhere else; the question I'd be asking is where.

 

[bgirldeb]

This is very selfish of her. I hope they come to their senses before it's too late!

 

[RadioNate]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

WOW, ignoring a mandatory evacuation order and expecting workers, family and friends to endanger themselves to do this wedding. WOW.

Good luck!

 

[JESW]

Check your airline - your previous "non-refundable" tickets may be refundable at this point...