A Wedding Weekend to Remember: Exploring Local Breweries & Distilleries Near Butterfly Kisses Pavilion
- Butterfly Kisses Pavilion
- Mar 13
- 4 min read
Planning a wedding weekend in Coastal North Carolina? Nestled in along the coast of Eastern NC, Butterfly Kisses Pavilion offers the perfect backdrop for your special day. But why stop at just the wedding? Turn your celebration into an unforgettable experience by exploring the vibrant craft beverage scene across Craven, Carteret, and Onslow counties.
Whether you're looking for a laid-back brewery tour or an evening of craft cocktails, the Crystal Coast and surrounding areas offer fantastic options for you and your guests to enjoy. I want to share with you how you can incorporate local breweries and distilleries into your wedding weekend itinerary. As a wedding venue director for Butterfly Kisses Pavilion for almost 13 years, we have seen many couples bring a bit of their local libations into their wedding celebrations.
Kick Off the Celebration: Breweries & Taprooms
A wedding weekend is the perfect excuse to gather with friends and family for a casual night out. Whether you are traveling from a distance to stay in our beautiful coastal communities within the Crystal coast area or you are a hometown local, a wedding can be a cause for a mini vacay with your friends and family. Here are some must-visit breweries within a short drive of Butterfly Kisses Pavilion and our local hotel accommodations within the area:
Shortway Brewing Co. (Newport, NC) – A local favorite on the Crystal Coast, this veteran-owned brewery offers a cozy taproom and outdoor beer garden.
Brewery 99 (New Bern, NC) – Located in historic downtown New Bern, this small-batch brewery is a great place to start your weekend with locally brewed IPAs and stouts.
Mill Whistle Brewing (Beaufort, NC) – North Carolina’s smallest brewery, located in the charming waterfront town of Beaufort, NC, offers small-batch beers with a historic touch.
Tight Lines Pub & Brewing Co. (Morehead City, NC) – Enjoy fresh local seafood paired with craft beer just minutes from the beaches of Carteret County.
Having some beers with the guys!
Raise a Glass: Distilleries & Craft Cocktails Rooms
For those who prefer spirits over hops, these Eastern NC distilleries offer a taste of the region’s best locally crafted whiskeys, rums, and vodkas:
Arendell Room (Morehead City, NC) – A culinary approach to Craft Cocktails using the best & freshest ingredients. Located in Downtown Morehead City by the waterfront enjoy a stroll along the docks before you pop in for a cocktail and then head back to your hotel at the Bask Hotel.
The James Drinkery (New Bern, NC) – Their' Old Fashioned Cocktails are to die for! This speakeasy drinkery just brings the vibes.
Bogue Sound Distillery (Bogue, NC) – Located near Emerald Isle, this distillery crafts smooth bourbon, vodka, and gin—perfect for signature wedding cocktails.
Making It Part of Your Wedding Weekend
Beyond just visiting these local gems, consider incorporating them into your wedding plans! Here are some fun ideas:
Welcome Gathering for the travelers – Instead of a traditional rehearsal dinner, gather your traveling guest for some local craft libations and ales. It is a low-key way to welcome your guest and enjoy their company just a bit more. Consider spots you that have food options or the ability for you to bring food.
Rehearsal Dinner Cheers – Host your rehearsal dinner at a local brewery or distillery for a relaxed and memorable evening. Some of these spots are perfect for that dinner to celebrate those that are in your wedding party and participating in your ceremony.
Guest Welcome Bags – Include a bottle of local spirits or a selection of craft beers as a unique gift for your guests. Giving your guest the gift of hometown!
Signature Cocktails – Work with your bartender to create signature drinks using spirits from a local distillery. We love seeing the local beverage scene on our bar menus
Post-Wedding Brunch Meet-Up – Plan a farewell gathering at a brewery or distillery before guests head home. Some spots have their own brunch menu or allow you to utilize the space as a venue.
Extend the Celebration in Coastal NC
From Jacksonville to Morehead City, the Crystal Coast offers countless ways to turn your wedding into an unforgettable weekend. Whether your guests are exploring the waterfronts of Beaufort and New Bern, enjoying fresh seafood in Morehead City, or sipping craft drinks along the coast, they’ll leave with amazing memories.
As you plan your beautiful wedding at Butterfly Kisses Pavilion, take advantage of all that Eastern NC has to offer. Not only will your guests enjoy your wedding day experience, but these fun small town local craft breweries & distilleries will make your wedding weekend truly one-of-a-kind! Ready to start planning? Contact us today to book your wedding at Butterfly Kisses Pavilion and let’s create a celebration as unforgettable as your love story.
All of our Beautiful Photos were provided by one of our favorites Karen Doody Photography
Butterfly Kisses Pavilion supports Local Wedding Venues throughout the USA! Many of them share support back through our network of Local Wedding Venues. Thank you to our Local Wedding Venues and their Wedding Venue Owners for all that you do for our wedding industry with a shoutout! Heartland Farms Articles ~Hanover Reserve Blog~Carolina Country Weddings Blog~Willow Creek Farm Venue~The Ma Maison Blog
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