Fairytale Flair: Your Little Mermaid Wedding
Nobody hid behind the rubber ficus. The waiter was on hiatus. On the other side of the booth, Lenna looked at me pleadingly.
In a voice normally reserved for confessions like, "I have a pathological crush on Richard Simmons and he's filed a restraining order against me," she said, "I'm toying with the idea of an Ariel-themed wedding. You know, like The Little Mermaid."
Then her lips clamped shut while her eyes begged me not to judge.
Which I could never do because Lenna makes the most amazing sushi, in her very own kitchen, and always uses the good kind of nori you don't need those vampire fangs to bite through.
Anyway.
No Sweat, Yvette ...
What Lenna didn't realize is that she's actually in good company. "The Little Mermaid" belongs to that class of fairytale-themed weddings that won't be washing out to sea anytime soon.Let's face it, few subjects can lay claim to higher-wattage romance than mermaids. Mash up their goddessy history, the Grimm story, the Disney re-telling and the endless options for "under the sea" weddings, and you have plenty of ways to make a splash without inspiring cringes or coming off childish.
Okay, But Can We Hold the Mermaid Puns?
This is kind of unusual, but I think the best place to start planning a mermaid wedding is by looking at the little gifty things you might end up buying for your bridesmaids ... or out-of-town gift bags.It might seem backward. But I practically guarantee it'll get you in the mood. The mermaid jewelry out there is the cutest ever. The seaweed-based botanicals to plump up your skin are insanely luxurious. Take a look at this stuff, but try not to buy $2000 worth of floating-pearl chokers right before your wedding, or you might have a pouty fiancé.
Along the way, you'll come across finds like this incredibly adorable clamshell trinket box that couldn't be more perfect for your ring bearer. Oh, and diehard Ariel fans might get a kick out of buying nautilus shell necklaces for their best girls.
Prepping Your Royal Proclamation
Mermaid-ready invitiations range from the "I don't care what the Moymerheimers think!" Ariel invites in blue, to the popular white and embossed z-fold featuring Ariel, Eric and your monogram, to more generally beach-themed invitations featuring starfish, hibiscus blossoms, seashells, sea horses or sand dollars. And then, of course, there's the ever-popular message in a bottle invitations.
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Bathing Beauties (and Above-Water Debuts)
We could jump right into wedding décor here, but talking about your future finery is way more fun. The gown, for example. Not only is the mermaid (or trumpet) gown tailor-made for this event, it was also the champion on the bridal catwalks last fall, with heavyweights like Herrera and Wang trotting out major collections in 40's-style curves.Of course, you're not just looking for a mermaid silhouette — you want the whole flippin' mermaid fairytale. So amp up the glamour with a pair of elbow length gloves, a super-sparkly choker, and dangly earrings. You'll probably want your hair in sexy, long-and-loose ringlets (if nature wasn't generous, now might actually be the time to think about a little help in the form of extensions). Perhaps get some orchids woven in, or silk ribbons, or a tiara that winks at the sea.
And think sequins. A purse, say, beaded with rows of large white sequins looks suitably fishy and bridal at once. Consider a sequined bodice in oceanic hues for your bridesmaids, too. And floating chiffon scarves in azure, and perhaps a few blooms for their hair.
Make sure everyone's footwear sparkles: barely-there sandals with thin, feminine straps.
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The Greatest Ball of All
The big fairytale themes aren't easy to do on a budget, or in the local VFW. They beg for over-the-top treatment, big gestures, dramatic visuals that won't shrink to nothing in a grand interior. The mermaid bride can save herself a lot of trouble by picking a venue that does most of the heavy lifting. Really, you can't overstate this.Try to find an aquarium, a water park, a zoo with a lot of fish tanks. If this just isn't happening, go for a ballroom with tall ceilings, elegant banquet chairs and light and airy decor. For the latter, be prepared to go nuts with swags (tulle, organza), and tap a lighting designer to create a sense of liquidity and depth. Make sure it doesn't go so far that Aunt Sadie gets violently sick.
Tricks of the trade: a great rental or prop shop. Even if your venue isn't perfect, a prop shop can save the day. A well-stocked one might offer Greek pillars wrapped in ivy (for that Lost Atlantis look), wine barrels, treasure chests, wooden pilings, Captains wheels, fishnets and other indispensable trinkets that probably aren't lying around your basement.
Then, for those DIY touches: consider stocking the place with giant pearls (pearlescent quality latex balloons, or styrofoam balls you've painted with pearl paint and suspended from the ceiling). Drape swags of fishnet down your pews.
Doll up your centerpieces with sea glass, faux pearls, beta fish*, and/or seaweed-colored raffia wraps. Tuck flowers into conch shells. Or create a dreamy look with clear glass cylinders filled with loose orchids, lit from below with an otherworldly blue or fuchsia glow.
Hang aquatic silk canopies over the cake table, guestbook table, the "I am so fabulous" table, whatever you're doing. You get the picture.
Flank your entrance with two industrial-strength bubble machines and a couple of older kid nephews. (Hint: the former's as cheap to buy as it is to rent. The latter might help out for free.) Have the nephews play "herald" and mark your entrance with giant wedding horns made from conch shells. Make sure they know they have to eventually stop.
No royal mermaid goes anywhere without her trusty dolphins, so have them chipped out of ice. And guide guests to their seats with a sandy tray filled with seashell card holders ... or tagged pencil starfish.
Sound is one of the main secrets to ambience, and mermaids love harps. So see if you can get some dreamy strings to play, at least at the start. Later, have your DJ and lighting expert stage a dramatic waltz for two to the strains of "Kiss the Girl."
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A Siren Song Before We Part
Remember: while beach weddings are all about things we see on land ... with a few items from mysterious deep washing up on shore, maybe ... an undersea wedding takes us straight to the heart of those hidden mysteries that few ever get to see. So play up those not-quite-tame things, like coral, seahorses, seaweed, tropical fish and other briney delights.A mermaid-worthy menu can be just about anything suitably grand, but consider a raw bar, stocked with fresh oysters, and sushi (mmm, sushi.) and an asian seaweed salad.
For favors, hand out lighter-than-air "seafoam" confections in aqua blue favor boxes, or personalized engraved sand dollars, or chocolate fish.
Even Mermaids Sing the Blues (and Pinks, and Whites)
What does your mermaid, Ariel-theme or "Under the Sea" wedding look like? Share your planning up, downs and inspirations with the rest of us.Oh, and That Asterisk
*Live fish are controversial. And for good reason. If you're buying 12 or 20 betas for your wedding, please make sure you have some fish-friendly people to take them home afterward. Don't put two male Betas in the same bowl. And for the sake of all things fishy, don't put food coloring or candles in the water. Fish are very sensitive. Even the chlorine in normal tap water can kill.That said: if you want fish, have them. In all honesty, those little guys in the tiny plastic tubs at the pet store aren't always long for this world. If you take care with them at your wedding, you might actually save some lives.
Also see: The Starfish Wedding
Hi I am having a Dophin themed wedding in August. Please someone help with any ideas or any websites I can check out. I am looking for something really unique and I could really use some help, I am getting so lost in my decorating and colors and ideas for center pieces I think I willhave a break down before i have the wedding.:(
I saw a link on this website to Ariel and Eric wedding invitations, but the site won’t load! But now I know they exist, and I can’t seem to get them. I’m also looking into a cake topper featuring those two, however I’m not having any luck. Is there somewhere else I should be looking besides Disney.com?
Hi Ashley, found one photo. If I find more I’ll post ‘em! I’m sure this involves a TREMENDOUS amount of weight and proper support so I definitely wouldn’t try this at home.
I was wondering if anyone who has done the fish bowl ( with fish)as their cake dividers has any pictures. I am planning on doing this but I would really love to see some pictures. Also any advice when doing this would be appreciated. You can email me at ashdawn6@aol.com.
Thank you,
Ashley
Eva,
I used to do ringlets for my daughter for plays and such. Use a strong hair gel (in the old days, I used Dippity do!). Take a small section of hair, Use an old sock or a strip of cloth, place the sock horizontal along the end of the section of hair. Begin to roll from the bottom up to the scalp. When you get it up to the scalp, just make a knot across the top of the hair roll with the two ends of the sock or rag. Start rolling from the top of your head and work your way down. You’ll look like Medusa when you are done rolling your hair but the ringlets turn out great. Let the rags stay in your hair overnight or for several hours until you are sure it is all dry. It works great. I did it for a Shirley Temple costume and it held all day and night! Good Luck
Hi,
I am desperately trying to find out how to achieve ringlets in my hair, but the old fashioned way. I believe women used to sleep with their hair wrapped in old nylon stockings but have no idea as to how it should be done. Please help!!!
my wedding is next august , and want the them to be sea horses, do u have anything or will u have anything? i am very interested. thanks let me know.
Lana, I just saw a gorgeous one at the thrift store.
Personally I love the necklaces where the nautilus shell is a stylized version made out of silver. But there are some lovely natural ones too.
These are two sweet “natural” ones:
http://www.batiksarong.com/bali-silver-jewelry/silver-mop-pendant-srp-6-14.jpg
http://www.caribbeanartworks.com/images/img_2978_000.jpg
Wow Love the idea of a fishbowl in your wedding cake!
I wanted to do Betas as centerpieces but I got burned on the knot board for even thinking of it - Believe i would make sure It would be save for the fish, plus my mom used to run a pet store so she knows fish.
I am having a simple beach-themed wedding in Port Townsend, WA, in July. If you are a DIYer who is not committed to the idea of a formal wedding I would highly recommend trying this. So far, the planning has been incredibly fun and CHEAP! We have ordered bags of shells and starfish from Oriental Trading which will double as decorations and favors. (Tie up some shells in a piece of tulle, tie with a pretty ribbon and a shell decorated as an ornament.) I found a beautiful site overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Fort Worden State Park. Including using one of the park’s caterers and deciding to bake my own cake, my wedding costs thus far are only about $3500, including a 2-night stay at a castle on the grounds!
I’m most excited about my cake. While fondant looks beautiful, it’s taste leaves much to be desired. So why pay an arm and a leg for something that will be peeled off before the cake is eaten? Some seashore themed candy molds, melting chocolate, and candy dyes make beautiful decorations for both the cake and the tables. I’ve found that swirling the dye instead of blending completely makes realistic, delicious seashells.
The middle tier of my cake will be a fishbowl with live kissing gouramis. A few tips: the bottom tier of the cake needs to be heavily doweled to accommodate the weight of the bowl and the top layer of cake, and I’m using clear plastic columns that are about 1/2 inch taller than the bowl to ensure that the bowl has a supply of air (and so there is no worry about the cake touching the bowl). The selection of fish proved to be a bit more difficult: betas are beautiful and survive well ALONE in a bowl. However, in order to have 2 (for the symbolism) I was going to have my father install a plexiglass divider. My fiance wisely had 2nd thoughts about the symbolism of fighting fish at our wedding, so we did a little more research. Kissing gouramis are social fish, come in a variety of colors (although not quite as pretty as betas), and will survive in a bowl without filtration for the length of the reception.
Where can I find nautilus shell necklaces, as mentionned in the article?
Hi there! Can you please tell me when these weddings are taking place? Or have they been yet? They sound amazing!
I am working on a new tv series called Wacky Welsh Weddings at the moment and are looking for couples who are going to tie the knot in a non-traditional style wedding. Please contact me if anybody has any interest in having their wedding video on Tv.
I would be greatful for your help.
Gwennan.