Shell Island Resort Weddings - Beautiful Beachfront Wedding Venue in North Carolina

who we are

Shell Island is the premier beachfront wedding venue on the Carolina coast.

Nestled on the northern tip of Wrightsville Beach, Shell Island is surrounded by a sprawling expanse of sand and unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, Masons Inlet, and Figure Eight Island. This family-friendly resort boasts a front row seat to the beckoning sea and a beach that seems to stretch endlessly.

Shell Island offers beautiful oceanfront suites with private oceanfront balconies, a king or two double beds in a private bedroom, one and a half bathrooms, living room, and kitchenette area. Shell Island Resort also offers discounted room rates for group room blocks for any event. Amenities include an indoor heated pool, outdoor pool and hot tub, beach chair and umbrella rentals, exercise room, on-site restaurant and bar, complimentary WIFI, and a business center.

Are you planning a wedding, corporate, or social event? If you've always dreamed of saying your "I do's" right on the beach, look no further than Shell Island Resort for all of your wedding and reception needs. We have the only Oceanview Ballroom with a private oceanfront patio. Nowhere else can you have a beach ceremony and walk right inside for your reception without losing the spectacular oceanfront views.We look forward to welcoming you to your most relaxing getaway yet.

Most Beautiful Oceanfront Ceremony Setting

Between our unique, remote beachfront setting at the northern tip of Wrightsville Beach to the only oceanview ballroom with a private oceanfront patio, you will have a difficult time finding a more beautiful setting for your special day.

Our Award-Winning Team

Your event will be managed by our incredible team, with a more than 100 years combined experience and a strong history of "Couple's Choice" Awards to make your event an extremely incredible day that neither you nor your guests will ever forget.

The Total Package

Shell Island is your one-stop destination venue for a beautiful beachfront ceremony, oceanview reception with flexible catering options plus spectacular oceanfront accommodations for the entire bridal party and your guests.

our team

Meredith Swicegood

Director of Sales

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Meredith Swicegood
Director of Sales

Meredith was originally with Shell Island Resort from 2008 to 2015 where she seved as the Catering Sales Manager. She returned to our beautiful oceanfront property in October 2017 as the Director of Sales. Meredith graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1998 and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for 7 years. Then she returned to Wilmington to get back to warm weather. Beginning back in high school and college, Meredith has always worked in the customer service industry, from restaurants to country clubs to event venues. When she started at Shell Island in 2008, Meredith served as the Banquet Manager and was later promoted to the Catering Sales Manager in 2009. Meredith has seen and done all that it takes to run the front and back of the house operations with attention to detail and a focus on client relationships rounding out her expertise!

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Valarie van Graan
Assistant Event Manager

Valerie started her career as a front desk agent when she was in high school. She then attended Ramapo College of New Jersey for one year prior to relocating to the Asheville, NC area in 2013. When she came to Asheville, she knew she wanted to continue her career in the hospitality industry and did just that. She started working again on a front desk and quickly worked her way up into sales management. Once in sales, her heart for the industry grew larger. This is where she belongs! Valerie's dream came true when she and her husband relocated to Wilmington in 2018. She joined the Shell Island Resort team part time as a wedding coordinator. A few months later, she joined our sales team full time as the Assistant Event Manager. Valerie is proficient when it comes to detailing your wedding day and keeping things on track as the day of coordinator. She most enjoys the process of planning your wedding so you can just enjoy getting married. When she is not working at the resort, Valerie enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and two dogs.

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Kalie McErlean
Sales Coordinator

Kalie is a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she is working on a degree in Recreation, Sports Leadership and Tourism Management, with a focus in Tourism and Commercial Recreation. She developed her passion for planning events while doing an internship at Disney World in Orlando, Florida in 2015. There she had the opportunity to work at the Food and Wine Festival and watch proposals and weddings take place around her. When she came home from that internship, she searched for a job in the wedding industry and was offered a position as a Sales Coordinator in April of 2016 with Shell Island Resort. While Kalie has been at Shell Island, she has learned a lot through her managers and has gotten a great deal of experience through the training she has been given. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with wonderful brides and grooms from all over and strives to put a little magic in each wedding that she assists with.

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George McCutcheon
Assistance General Manager / Banquet Manager

Mr. McCutcheon is originally from Long Island, NY where he spent his starting in the Food and Beverage Industry as a teenager. He began as a bus boy at the age of 15, and worked his way up in the industry over the years. He attended Marist College in New York where he earned his degree in Management and Finance. Because of his love for hospitality, George decided to pursue that career full time. While in New York, he was served 11 years as Chairman for a Banquet Committee and worked numerous weddings and other events. In 2005, George moved to Wilmington, NC and continued his passion for working with Bride and Grooms on their special day. He also loves meeting new groups for conferences, anniversary and birthday parties, etc. Mr. McCutcheon lives his life bringing over-the-top customer service to help ensure that all guests have the absolute best and most memorable experiences at Shell Island.

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James De Stefan
Assistance Banquet Manager

James is originally from New York, where he got his start in the food and beverage industry. After relocating to Wilmington, NC in 1992 he remained in the hospitality/food and beverage industry, where he has now acquired 20 years of experience. James' experience includes back-of-house and front-of-house, restaurant management experience, six years of Banquet experience, and he has been the Shell Island Resort Assistant Banquet Manager for the past two years. James strives to bring the best customer service to all guests and clients. He has a passion for serving others and exceeding all client and guest expectations. James takes great pride in his work and job, and cannot wait to serve for you during your event with Shell Island Resort.

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Anthony Green
Executive Chef

Leading a wonderful culinary team at Shell Island Resort is Executive Chef Anthony O'Neil Green, Sr. Originally from Georgetown, SC. He moved to Wilmington, NC to wed his long-time friend and elementary school sweetheart. He developed appreciation for Southern Style Cuisine in his early years and began his culinary career at the age of 14 working at Rosa Linda's Mexican Restaurant. Chef Green studied Culinary at Coastal University in South Carolina. He combined his learning from other Master Chef's and his mother who loved to cook Southern food. He loves using the freshest ingredients, including fresh herbs and other garnishes. The smell and taste of his delicious signature dish, crunchy golden fried chicken, is something customers rave about. Chef Green is a very diverse chef whose background ranges from fine cuisine to Southern food. He has plenty of experience working in different sceneries from Country Clubs, Resorts, Hotels and even Military Bases. He also loves to help give back to the community in which he has found creative satisfaction. A seasoned talent with extensive experience in the culinary arena, Chef Green is committed to delivering great food and service to all Shell Island Resort guests.

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Dara Newberry
General Manager

Mrs. Newberry is originally from Richmond, VA. She relocated to the Wilmington area with her family for the love of the ocean. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, with a major in Communication Studies. Mrs. Newberry obtained her Real Estate Broker's License in 2006 and helped manage an 11-story oceanfront high-rise in Carolina Beach for 16 years. Her passion is customer service and assisting guests with their vacations and special events. She relocated to Wrightsville Beach at the beginning of 2016. Her love for people carries over to her amazing staff, and she encourages them in making every customer service experience feel at Shell Island feel like a family experience. Let Dara and her team take care of your special event needs today and know that you are in great hands with our experienced group from Shell Island Resort who truly care.

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Thomas Wynn
Sous Chef

A native of New Bern, North Carolina, Tom Wynn found his calling to cuisine while attending school as a Music Theory student. He then enrolled in the Carteret County Culinary Institute in Morehead City and embraced his new career with passion. He has practiced his trade at Country Clubs in Atlantic Beach and New Bern, however the siren song of Latin Cuisnine called to him which prompted a move to Wilmington, where he secured a position as Sous Chef at Mixto in downtown Wilmington. From there he decided to make a change to the more contemporary Americana style of cuisine and expand his repertoire for creating pastries and desserts. At that point in Tom's career, he joined us here at Shell Island Resort where he would be free to do so with encouragement.