Bookmark and Share

Style Guide to the Nautical (Preppy!) Wedding

Let's be clear, just so there's no confusion — the nautical wedding is the preppy wedding. Every bit as much as Linda Carter is Wonder Woman, say.

So what makes this wedding distinctive, other than having that thick preppy stylebook to help sherpa you on your way?

Timelessness, for one. You'll never look back on your pics and wonder, "what was I thinking?"

"Set Sail" Frosted Glass Sailboat Tealight Holders, Set of 4
Sailboat Bookmark Favors
Nautical Themed Candles
Sailboat Keepsake
"Come Sail Away" Set of 4 Sailboat Place Card/Photo Holders
Seashell Soap Set
Sand Dollar Wedding Invitation Suite
Sailboat Placecard Holder
See All Nautical Wedding Favors ...

For another, freshness and space: the perfect setting for the nautical bride and groom is that big white tent within splashing distance of the beach, complete with clambake.

And it may not be in the official playbook, but let's not forget the Scottish or Irish touches that inevitably sneak in, whether they call for a bagpiper, a cake layer soaked in Bailey's Irish cream, or even a kilt.

nautical-1

Motifs

Let's start the symbols and patterns that make up the building blocks of nautical wedding: sand dollars and starfish. Lighthouses and Adirondack chairs. More monograms than you can shake a ribbon wand at. Fresh, beachy stripes.

And about those colors? Green and blue, of course ... and a whole lotta crisp diamond-white.

Flowers

seashell toothpicks The blooms are essential for setting that certain tone. Again, blue and green are the cornerstones, but this wedding doesn't really call for hyper-designed floral arrangements that clamor for attention. Instead, the flowers are low-key, almost casual — like a friend might have plucked them from a garden that morning.

The usual suspects: tea roses and hydrangeas. You'll also see come-as-you-are flowers like peonies in season, and fresh white gerbers. When a preppy bride wants to walk on the wild side, she might even throw in a few green orchids. After all, they're sturdy, and make great boutonniéres.


Silver Seashell Card Holder
Stylish Sailboat Design Candle
Chocolate Sailboat Favor
"Mint For Each Other" Shell Mint Packs
Tin Favor Pails (Variety of Colors Available) Set of 12
"Mint for Each Other" Beach Theme Mint Packs
Sea Breezes Beach Glass Photo Coasters
Petite Beach Pails
See All Nautical Wedding Favors ...

The Clothes

The hallmark of the preppy, nautical bride: she wears the dress, not vice versa. Instead of billowing fantasy ballgowns, you'll see absolutely classic A-lines. A bit of sparkly embellishment in the bodice? Quite possible. Layers on layers of champagne Alencon lace or frothy tulle skirts? Doubtful.

Instead, the gown's typically a crisp, white strapless or halter top that follows the figure (but doesn't bare or go 'down to there'). The overall effect: elegance defined, typically accessorized with ladylike silver jewelry. This bride's coif's? More likely to be an ultra-sleek chignon than a tangle of ringlets.

Nautical Luggage Tags
Tin Favor Pails (Silver or White) (Set of 12)
Scallop Shell Bottle Stopper in Personality Boxes ( 25 styles/colors available)(Set of 4)
Silver Dolphin Placecard Holder
Mini Beach Natural Shells
Glass Sailboats
Mini Wooden Sailboats
Set of 3 Beach Bucket Placecard Frames
See All Nautical Wedding Favors ...

As for bridesmaids, they're wearing flirty, sashed cocktail-length gowns that sport the perfect preppy colors (seafoam green, anyone?). They might carry tin lanterns instead of those lovely hydrangea bouquets. The traditional nautical-theme gift from bride to bridesmaids: sterling silver starfish pendants.

Finally, let's not forget the men. They'll be dressed up — no open, Johnny Depp collars or loose linen shirts for these guys. No bow ties either: they'll be wearing those striped satin ties we've all come to know and love as the epitome of male prep. But that's not to say they'll definitely don a tux. You'll also see nautical best men in the classic combo of navy sportcoats and khaki pants (argyle socks optional).

naut2

The Cake

Once again, the cake won't be screaming "2007/8 avant garde." In fact, more likely than not, it'll be white ... or to charge it up, possibly pale blue. For embellishment, you might see classic Swiss dots with hydrangeas between layers. Or if the bride really wants to highlight the theme, shells, or a cute Adirondack two-chair topper.

One thing's for sure: this sucker will sit on a silver cake plateau that has presence.

The Details

seashell toothpicks You'll see seashells pop up here and there, but never loudly: bouquet picks, placecard holders, accents for boutonniéres. A lobster trap might serve as a card box.

The centerpieces won't look overdone. You'll see something as simple (and elegant!) as a pillar candle in a hurricane lamp, set in sand or sea glass and dressed up with a starfish and a floating organza ribbon. Simple blooms in galvanized buckets with more white organza ribbon also add up to nautical-wedding perfection. The same understated look will extend to chairs (not covered) and linens (not layered-upon-layers).

Homey, familiar touches make the day personal. The bride and groom toast with Grandma's Waterford. The bride carries a locket or pins a memorial frame to her bouquet wrap, remembering loved ones. Homemade sugar cookies make a sweetly personal gift for guests, made even sweeter when you tuck them in cello bags tied off with stripey ribbon. A memory quilt sewed from squares that your guests designed and signed makes a powerfully (and preppy) pleasing heirloom.

"Sun, Sips and Sand Dollars" Bottle Topper
Seaside Votive Candles
Nautical Theme Bottle Invitation
Palm Tree Cookie Cutter in Beach-themed Gift Box
Sailboat Cookie Favor
White Mini Pail Favors
Silver Mini Pail Favors Qty 30)
Shoreline Treasures Wedding Invitation Suite
See All Nautical Wedding Favors ...

More Nautical Favors

The classics: seashell wine stoppers, sweet sugar cookies, saltwater taffy or artisanal chocolate seashells in miniature galvanized pails.

Your Own Ideas

This covers the basics ... but that's only the start. What ideas have you tucked away for your nautical, East Coast wedding? How about a grand exit by boat before the reception winds down?

 

Bookmark and Share

11 Comments in 7 Threads.  Add a New Comment »

Customize your Icon | Make a Mood Board

Melissa
wrote
on August 27th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Subscribed to comments via email

I’m having my wedding at a yacht club on the lake, i would like to include the sailboats, how would i find out to get a sailboat card holder ? My bridesmaid dresses are chocolate brown with a baby blue sash, what kind of flowers/decorations can you do with that?

Seafarer2bwed
wrote
on August 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Subscribed to comments via email

hi there..

ours was a nautical themed wedding.. I DIY’ed paperboats as our placecards– i called them “floating placecards”

you may check out our site http://reylyn.weddingannouncer.com
for ideas…

we also have nautical clothes for our kiddie entourage

 
 
Arleen
wrote
on June 12th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Subscribed to comments via email

hi there! greetings! our wedding will have a nautical theme and hope you can check our “wedsite” for ideas.. I got lots of DIY’s there… http://reylyn.weddingannouncer.com

 
jemster
wrote
on November 11th, 2008 at 4:38 pm

I;m having a nautical themed wedding July 2009. How should I decorate the reception hall? I’d like to keep it crisp and clean but not sure how to. Should an overlay work fine for a cake table instead of fabric swags? HELP!

stacey
wrote
on November 12th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Subscribed to comments via email

jemster, hi, yes do the overlay instead of swags. keep it simple white linen with blue or green or striped table runner.

* Board #43: Waterfront Wedding

* Navy Part III

* Board #146: Hamptons by the Sea

* Talk Nautical to Me

* Nautical wedding decorations and nautical terms

google image nautical theme wedding cake and also nautical wedding board and nautical wedding reception for more ideas!!

 
 
Cindy Lowery
wrote
on June 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
Subscribed to comments via email

I’m thinking of a nautical themed wedding in Oct. but my dress is a strapless Maggie Sottero gown with crystals! Could I blend the two?

Dawn P.
wrote
on September 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pm


Some ideas for staying nautical but glamming it up: like let’s say you want to carry through some of that glamour from your gown into the rest of your ceremony.

One idea is to stay with really conservative, preppy colors. Example I played with was a monochromatic base: lots of cream, ivory and white. On top of that, some accents of a soft, pale blue and chocolate brown — not aqua, which is so bright and tropical.

With these color schemes, add in glam with crystal pins in the center of cream rose bouquet, and crystal vases for primarily white centerpieces. Use pearl dust. For example you can spray large starfish with ivory pearlized paint, and place them on a linen napkin on a plate: gorgeous. Use shimmery troca shells as place card holders, favors, etc. Pearl beads are good as cake or cupcake details.

You can also pull back on the glam by having a very simple, preppy cake (shown here) :D The subdued colors here are one way of sneaking in some sparkle and luxury without losing that east coast feel. You could also skip the blue and have a palette of chocolate, mocha, latte and whites. It would be gorgeous with that touch of shimmer.

 
 
Erin
wrote
on May 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm

This is so funny! I am having a nautical wedding in Maryland. My girls’ dresses are tea length, sea foam green and have chocolate brown sashes.

My dress is “diamond white” a-line with no fancy, over the top embellishments (just a few sparkles at the bust).

Favors are going to be chocolate “MD Blue Crabs”. I described my flowers to the florist as “consummate preppy”.

I feel like this article read my mind!! LOL!!!

 
Lili
wrote
on January 17th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

for my nautical themed wedding I wanted my groom to wear a captain navy blue suit, but i’m having a hard time finding it. Do you know where I can find one.

susan
wrote
on April 20th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Subscribed to comments via email

http://www.wearmeoutkids.com/boys_sailor_short_suit.html

My groom is just going to wear a Navy 3 piece vested suit, but my ringbearer is going to wear this darling sailor suit. I attached the link for you!

 
 
Rachael
wrote
on October 13th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

I had a beach wedding this July and one little cute touch I did was the Flowergirls had Tin Pales instead of baskets. (we got married in the beach)

 
Name (required)
E-mail (required, kept private!)
Web URL (optional!)


:D ;) :P :cry: :lol: :? :love2: :thinking: :idea: :mrgreen: more »

Photo Help

Add Photos (maximum of 3, GIF or JPG):

Shop for Favors by Color

What You Said

Related Posts

Popular Articles

New Blog Posts

Popular Today

New...

Shop Now For

Themes & Favor Ideas

Learn About

Bridal Freebies

FavorIdeas @Twitter


twitter / FavorIdeas

Shop for Black & White Favors Shop for Brown Favors Shop for Purple Favors Shop for Red Favors Shop for Pink Favors Shop for Orange Favors Shop for Green Favors Shop for Aqua Favors Shop for Silver Favors Shop for Gold Favors Shop for Ivory Favors