Luxury Lodging by Laura Reviews
Reviews
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Awards
Weddingwire
61 reviews
Google
117 reviews
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![Katherine]()
Katherine Sent on 12/16/2025We had the best time so did all our guests!
We had the most unforgettable stay at this beach house, which served as the backdrop for our wedding earlier this year. Accommodating our group of 25 house guests for a total of 45 wedding guests, the spacious and beautifully designed home provided all the comforts we could wish for. The wedding area was nothing short of magical, with stunning ocean views that left everyone in awe. The beach was just steps away, allowing us to create cherished memories by the shore. Our hosts were incredibly communicative, making the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. They recommended fantastic local vendors who brought our vision to life. From the stunning setting to the attentive service, every aspect exceeded our expectations. This beach house is truly a gem, perfect for gatherings and special celebrations. We are already planning a 10 year anniversary there with all our guests! -
![Ashley]()
Ashley Sent on 10/08/2025A Dream Come True! A 5-Star Review for Once Upon a Tide
Our wedding celebration at Once Upon a Tide in Ocean Isle Beach was an absolute fairy tale. We chose this stunning home to host 40 of our closest friends and family for five days, and it exceeded every single one of our expectations.
From the moment we arrived, we were speechless. This home is truly something out of a magazine—a picture-perfect setting for a wedding weekend. There was more than enough room for everyone to stay comfortably, with beautiful bedrooms and gathering spaces that never felt crowded. The breathtaking ocean views from the deck were a constant source of joy, and we loved the short, easy walk to the beach.
The amenities were perfect for a large group. The game room was a huge hit, providing endless fun for all ages, and the enormous kitchen and main gathering space became the heart of our celebration. We cooked, laughed, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you so much to Luxury Lodging by Laura for providing us with the most beautiful home and venue to begin our "happily ever after." We couldn't have asked for a more amazing location, a more perfect space, or a more unforgettable experience. This home is a dream come true, and we are so grateful for the memories we made here. We can't wait to come back!
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![M.J.]()
M.j. Sent on 10/06/2025Best Venue and Experience We Could Have Hoped For
We couldn’t have asked for a better experience! My now-wife and I hosted our wedding at the Southern Comfort Beach House in Ocean Isle, and it was absolutely perfect. The home itself was stunning—beautifully maintained, spacious, and designed for both comfort and celebration.
A huge thank you to Liz, the property manager, who went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly. She was incredibly responsive, helpful, and a pleasure to work with throughout the entire process.
Luxury Lodging by Laura made our wedding weekend truly unforgettable, and we can’t recommend them highly enough for anyone looking for a beautiful property and exceptional service. -
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![Jack]()
Jack Sent on 12/18/2024Fantastic Wedding Vacation Spot
We had the most amazing time at Once Upon A Tide for a wedding vacation on the oceanfront. With lots of friends and family in attendance, we were so impressed by how accommodating the house felt. There were plenty of seating areas for everyone to relax and connect, making it perfect for large gatherings. The patio was an absolute highlight, we even had a yoga session there, enjoying the beautiful ocean view. The kitchen and dining spaces were ideal for hosting large dinners. The two massive refrigerators were a game-changer, making it incredibly easy to organize all of our food and drinks for the week. This property truly offered everything we needed for a memorable and comfortable stay. Highly recommend it for any group getaway or special event! -
![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 12/16/2024What a dream…
Liz At Luxury by Laura was absolutely incredible. She was available to answer any questions we had, no matter how many emails or phone calls. 🤦🏻♀️ We stayed and got married at “Once Upon a Tide” in October of 2024. The house is set up perfectly for the ceremony and reception; I absolutely loved the bridal suite. Since the house has so many rooms, we were able to invite our family and friends to stay with us, and to be honest it didn’t feel like 30 people were staying there due to the set up; everyone had their own space. Regarding set up for the wedding, we got married on the beach…for the reception, we did our first dance on the raised deck. Food and Drinks were set up under the house: We used the single lane for the caterer and the side with double lanes was where we set up tables to eat. Definitely hire Kenny (Event Excellence) for the lights, he made it so magical. TJ Drechsel Photography did our engagement and wedding photos, A Cunning Bloom did our flowers, Mission BBQ for food, Imaginary Cakes did our cake, and finally Atlantic Premier for DJ services (Nate was amazing) -
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![Clark]()
Clark Sent on 12/16/2024Father in law of the bride review
Clean, well equipped and well maintained! Great beach and great beach house! -
Dalton Sent on 12/16/2024
Perfect wedding getaway!
We were down for a week in may. This place was top of the line. Our entire wedding party was able to relax, kick their feet up, and have fun. The house is very beautiful, and has all of the amenities one could need to host a wedding. -
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![Caleb]()
Caleb Sent on 12/16/2024Once Upon a Tide
Once Upon a Tide Beach House was the perfect venue for our wedding with 35 guests. The property is beautiful, with amazing ocean views and plenty of space for everyone. The house layout worked perfectly for our ceremony on the beach and the reception on the patio. The kitchen was well-equipped for large meals and for our caterer to prep food, and the bedrooms were comfortable and spacious. The hosts were responsive and were very accommodating for everything we needed for the wedding. The game room upstairs was the perfect place for me and my groomsman to get ready, and the large patio by the pool was the perfect space for the reception. Our guests loved the location, and so did we. Highly recommend for anyone planning a beach wedding. Would recommend booking to anyone!
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Emily Sent on 12/11/2024
Get married here!
Wow! Where do I even begin? I stayed at Once Upon a Tide in May for my sister’s wedding. As the maid of honor, of course I wanted everything to be perfect, and this place absolutely exceeded our expectations!!! It was a dream come true, and they had the absolute wedding of their dreams thanks to this wonderful venue by Luxury Lodging by Laura. There was plenty of space for our whole group, with incredible views of Ocean Isle Beach. The house was beyond clean and tidy, decorated beautifully, and just absolutely picture perfect. The wedding was on the beach, and the reception followed in the garage area underneath the house, which worked out well because there is a full bar area down there. The pool was stunning, and our crew had so much fun hanging out in it throughout the week. Not to mention, it was a beautiful backdrop for photos. The sundeck was absolutely perfect for lounging! We even did a sunrise yoga and mimosa session on it one morning, which was a highlight of our week. The balconies on each floor offered breathtaking views of the beach, which also made for an awesome photo op! Each room was incredibly spacious and well kept. The kitchen was beautiful and stocked full of cooking utensils/plates/glassware etc. and high quality appliances. All in all, I seriously cannot say enough good things about Once Upon a Tide!! It was the perfect venue for a beach wedding. Do yourself a favor and rent it out now!! You will NOT regret it! -
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![Terri]()
Terri Sent on 12/11/2024Dream Wedding
This venue provided a fairytale experience. Perfect on every aspect. Highly recommend -
![Makensey]()
Makensey Sent on 12/06/2024If you're on the fence about a destination wedding, this is your sign!
We rented Once Upon a Tide for our beach wedding in May of 2024 and our entire experience was nothing short of magical! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the breathtaking views and the incredible attention to detail in the property. The house is spacious, beautifully decorated, clean, and well-equipped. Not to mention, it is perfectly located right on the beach and in close proximity to restaurants and shops in town. This magnificent property provided the ideal backdrop for our wedding, with plenty of room for our guests to gather, relax, and enjoy the stunning oceanfront setting.
The property management team was fantastic from the moment we inquired. Liz and her team were incredibly kind, accommodating, and responsive to any questions or needs we had during our planning process and our stay. I was nervous to plan our wedding from miles away in PA, but the team’s attention to detail, timely communication, and professionalism made us comfortable every step of the way.
Our guests especially enjoyed the private heated pool, the outdoor bar area, and the convenient beach access. So many precious memories were made throughout our stay, and we were able to have our ceremony on the sand with the ocean waves in the background. It was truly unforgettable for us and all our guests!
We also loved the amenities—high-end kitchen appliances, comfortable bedrooms, and plenty of indoor and outdoor space to entertain. It truly felt like a home away from home, with a touch of luxury. Our wedding week was a perfect dream, and the house made it all the more special. We can’t recommend Once Upon a Tide (or any of the LLBL properties) highly enough for anyone looking for a beautiful and unique place to celebrate a milestone event. Thank you for making our wedding week one we will cherish forever! -
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![Pete]()
Pete Sent on 06/17/2024Perfection!!
Amazing place! Amazing service! Amazing organization! We cannot say enough about Luxury By Laura and more specifically once Upon a Tide. It really blows you away and you never really get used to how awesome it is from that main floor view. The decks, the views, the pool, the KITCHEN…. Holy smokes. Pulling out on the last day all we kept saying is we need to do that again! Thank you to Luxury By Laura, you made it possible for us to have the most amazing weekend wedding we could have possibly imagined, can’t thank you enough. If you are looking for a wedding at the beach and have 50 people or less, this is your place, stop looking. All of their recommended vendors were 5 star, the place was perfect, rain or shine. Awesome awesome awesome! Just a perfect weekend wedding. -
![Sonja]()
Sonja Sent on 11/07/2023Excellent from dreaming to achieving!
The Dream Maker was perfect for a destination beach wedding! Liz was great to work with, provided us with a list of vendors, and answered all of our questions promptly. Her customer service was top notch. The property was beautiful and provided an amazing backdrop for our special week. We had plenty of room for all of our guests and the beds were super comfy. In addition, the property that was handicap accessible, which made it easy to accommodate our kiddos wheelchair. OIB is not commercialized which helped give our event the secluded, private feel we were looking for. We will definitely use Luxury Lodging by Laura again for future family gatherings. -
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Teresa Sent on 11/08/2022
Better Than We Imagined!
We set our expectations high, but your home exceeded the bars and all our dreams! Being from Arizona, we relied on the the photos which are accurate, but don't compare to the amazing space and views this house provides. From the moment you enter the house, your breathe is taken away by the amazing view and beautiful decor. Your staff, Liz, Joanna and Kyle went above and beyond to make our stay perfect. Liz was responsive through the whole process and provided home information and answered all our questions before arriving. Joanna and Kyle were on the spot to take care of the property during our stay.
This home is an event planners dream location for beach weddings and was designed with events in mind. Many of our event vendors said it was the best vacation event house on Ocean Isle Beach. The 12 private bedrooms with their own bathrooms and large kitchen and social areas accommodated our large group nicely. We stayed towards the end of October and it was like having our own private beach. Weather was perfect. Being off season many shops and restaurants in the area had limited hours, which was to be expected. Highly recommend this property for family reunions, holidays, weddings and events.
So glad we chose Once Upon A Tide.
One Happy Family -
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![Alli]()
Alli Sent on 09/13/2022Absolutely STUNNING house!
We stayed at The Dream Maker and it truly made my dreams come true! From start to finish, Liz was SO easy to work with and answered our questions in such a timely manner, gave us amazing recommendations, and an incredible vendor referral list. We had our wedding on Saturday 9/10/22 - and the weather was calling for horrible rain all day long. My mom talked to Liz two days before the wedding and calmed everyone's nerves! She also explained that weather on Ocean Isle can be so unpredictable and to not give up on sunshine! Well...she was so right! We ended up SEEING a tornado on the beach on the morning of our wedding and then sunny skies the rest of the day. The house is GORGEOUS, spacious, and can accommodate any kind of weather! There is an incredible space for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready and beautiful bedrooms/ bathrooms. Stop looking at wedding venues and have a beach wedding! -
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Lindsey Sent on 05/20/2022
The Dream Maker
We stayed at the dream maker house and held our wedding at the house/on the beach. Everything was amazing and this was the perfect venue for our beach wedding! Everyone at Luxury Lodging by Laura was great to work with and super helpful! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a beach house wedding! -
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![Michael]()
Michael Sent on 05/05/2021OIB WOW!!l can I stay longer??
Beautiful home worked out perfect for our blended families. If I ever design a home I want a kitchen like this house has - and it has 2 of them!! The dual ice makers were awesome as was lots of fridge space. Laura Ann is a fantastic host and made sure we had everything we needed. Even her nextdoor neighbor pitched in! I could hang out all day under the house with the bar and the pool. -
![Felicia]()
Felicia Sent on 12/29/2020Dream wedding & vacation
We have searched and were looking for a wedding house for the week that allowed for the number of people and beach access that we were looking for when we came across Laura. IT WAS THE BEST GEM OF A FIND. Due to COVID, the number of people changed but she was able to accommodate 80 people for the day of the wedding. It was an absolute DREAM. Laura helped us with having tables, chairs, extra towels,corn-hole boards, beach chairs/umbrellas, backlighting, etc. This team was a pleasure to work with and not to mention how gorgeous the homes are. We can't recommend it enough! -
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![Kyle]()
Kyle Sent on 12/29/2020Weeklong Family Vacation and Wedding
My wife and I rented an ocean front home from Laura and her team for a weeklong family vacation as well as a our wedding reception. The entire experience from booking to check-out was phenomenal. The home was gorgeous. Our wedding reception was perfect. Our family felt like royalty the entire time we were there. We are already talking about going back, and would recommend Laura and her rentals to anyone in a heartbeat. -
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Tracey Sent on 12/27/2020
Ocean Isle, NC "Memory Maker" Wedding
The Memory Maker Bech home was great. The ease of the stair and passage way to the pool and beach made everything great. The area from pool to basement/garage is great for shade or rain. we rented from "Lets Party Rentals" they are clean and timely (recommend the "driftwood arch" (decorated with greenery swags from Costco) and the "tiki bar". Wedding flowers were delivered from costco and added dried floral to them. -
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![Wendy]()
Wendy Sent on 10/13/2020Perfection!
Laura and her team left no stone unturned, and truly thought outside the box with me for an intimate and elegant wedding. From brainstorming, recommendations on other top-notch providers, thoughtfulness and an unrivaled attention to detail, Luxury by Laura is in a class of it's own. You won’t be disappointed- they make sure of it! -
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![Jennifer]()
Jennifer Sent on 05/10/2019Absolutely AMAZING, from the house to the beach to our wedding day.
Being in the military we move a lot, our families are spread out all over the country and many friends throughout the years we had to find a way that we could gather all our family and closet friends in one area that was affordable and feasible to travel to. My father came up with the idea to rent a house in the Carolina's and from there we started our search. Immediately into our search on Weddingwire.com we found Luxury Lodging by Laura and the Memory Maker, finding out that they had a few more homes to choose from and that was when we found love at first look online. We stopped looking after we found the homes we were envisioning for our wedding week. Laura & Laura Ann were phenomenal to work with from day one. We choose the Southern Comfort home and booked site unseen so this was a big step for us in wedding process. However we were in great hands, Both Laura's were quick with their email responses to my million and one questions, they provided me with extra pictures so I could see the layout of the miscellaneous items I had inquired about. Upon arrival on 4/29 the house was gorgeous, very luxurious and the location right on the beach was incredible. These homes are not your ordinary homes, they are top of the line from the high end kitchen appliances to the decor was top notch. We loved the 2 kitchens which came in hands for cooking and eating. The first porch was at perfect height to watch the sunrise and sunsets on the balcony. The second balcony was perfect for getting away to read a book or have some alone time. The layout of the house was perfect, bedrooms were very roomy and convenient to have every room with their own shower and bathroom. We paid for the pool to be heated which was a great choice during April/May time frame, allowed everyone to swim throughout the evening when the sun went down and cooled down. The outdoor showers were great to hose off from beach and pool and the outside bathroom was a smart idea. The wedding day was perfect area for our 51 guest (including vendors) plenty of room to host. The location of the house was near 2 hotels in walking distances (2 houses away). We were able to set up our tables and chairs under the porch to avoid rain without it being overly crowded. The local vendors were also accommodating. Our photographer was able to capture such beautiful photos, can't wait to share the rest of our photos with the Laura's. If you are contemplating a family reunion, wedding or gathering and need a destination this would be your spot! Southern Comfort has everything you need, and I can't wait to return to OIB again! OIB has everything within 10 min drive or 2 min walk from the Southern Comfort home, great shops, arcades, ice cream, restaurants and mini golf. Great place to keep the kids busy and hang out and catch up on relaxation and family/friends. -
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Michelle Sent on 04/09/2018The Memory Maker met and exceeded all of our expectations. We set out to have a beautiful beach wedding with our family and this venue gave us that and then some. Laura was incredibly helpful throughout the planning process, from her list of vendors even to calming kind phone calls helping through the planning. She is one of the most compassionate people I have ever gotten the chance to meet. My family, friends and I were all able to stay at The Memory Maker, and what a dream come true. My family and my husband's family were not only able to meet, but form an amazing lifelong bond while enjoying the beautiful beachfront home. The event was almost a year ago and the relationships that were formed during that week are still going strong today. We will be visiting The Memory Maker again, and look forward to working with Laura.
If you are looking for an event to remember, and a laid back vacation along with your wedding at a gorgeous venue, this is the place for you. -
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Kelly Sent on 04/05/2018My daughter had the Wedding of her dreams at the Memory Maker. From the first phone call to view the house, to the actual day, the experience was above all of our expectations. The house it’s self, is simply breathtaking. The staff went above and beyond to help ensure everything was perfect for her day. Everyone was extremely accommodating and answered any and all questions I (we) had. I highly recommend this elegant venue for any occasion. I’m looking forward to booking again in the future for my Son’s wedding.
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Kathleen Sent on 04/05/2018My experience At Memory Maker was amazing. My son married the woman of his dreams in August. We had only immediate family on both sides w future bride and groom, in house. We have had events and outings before wedding that were great. The experience of living in one house for a week and having joining of families was so great. Truly brought us all closer together. The house is amazing!! So clean , rooms are beautiful, all the conveniences of home. Hearing the ocean off the balcony at nite w family was so calming. We loved the pool. Beach wasso close and convenient. Truly fits its name “The Memory Maker”. I have to give appreciation also to and mostly LauraAnn. She is so great at her job. Both professional and personal. Everything was done in such a relaxing, organized way. Definitely would highly recommend this House for anyone looking to really get the best out of thier wedding venue.
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![Heather]()
Heather Sent on 11/29/2021The Perfect Wedding Venue
I had my dream wedding at Once Upon a Tide in September and it was so incredible! We booked the house before seeing it in person, and Laura was right, if you love the pictures then seeing it in person will blow you away. The house was HUGE! And the perfect venue for a wedding. We had a small wedding of only 44 so it was nice that all of the guests had the option to stay there. I never really thought of having my wedding at a beach house but after seeing this venue I knew it was the one. We wanted the beach but didn't even think this was an option. Not only was the wedding perfect but our entire stay was just as beautiful. We stayed for 8 days so it was like our honeymoon included. The best part was having family and friends there for more then one day. I will absolutely be going back to the house just for the views! Thanks again to Laura and her team!! -
Christine Sent on 05/07/2026
Absolutely Beautiful Home for a Wedding Weekend
We hosted our wedding weekend at Once Upon a Tide on May 2, and the home itself is absolutely spectacular. The views are even better than pictured, the beds were extremely comfortable, and every guest commented on how beautiful and well-appointed the property felt. Liz was also incredibly kind, helpful, and accommodating throughout our stay, and the check-in process was seamless.
Unfortunately, we had rain on our wedding day and were unable to hold the ceremony on the beach as originally planned, but the house accommodated our full backup plan beautifully. We transformed the living room into an indoor ceremony space, and the undercarriage easily handled our reception setup, including a DJ, dance floor, photo booth, catering prep, and guest tables. It truly created a gorgeous setting for our wedding weekend.
The only reason for less than a perfect review is the lack of what I would consider standard amenities at this price point. Bath towels were not included, and there were very limited starter supplies provided — things like hand soap, bar soap, trash bags, and laundry detergent. After spending a significant amount on a luxury rental, I do think those basic accommodations should be included or more clearly stocked.
I also found communication somewhat slow early in the booking process (though we booked more than a year in advance). That said, responsiveness improved significantly as the wedding approached.
Overall, the property itself is stunning and created an unforgettable backdrop for our wedding weekend. -
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![Karen]()
Karen Sent on 12/29/2019Worth every penny
This property is amazing. Our family enjoyed their stay and we had the wedding of our dreams. Laura Ann is amazingly helpful and gracious. Would highly recommend this property to anyone looking for a beach wedding on Ocean Isle. Hope we can take an anniversary trip here one day.
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