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 guide you on your way?
Timelessness, for one. You'll never look back on your pics and wonder, "what was I thinking?"
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.
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
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.
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.
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).
The Cake
Once again, the cake won't be screaming "2012 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
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.
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?
I am like over thinking my centerpiece ideas here or something. I have a small reception that will consist of about 30-50 people and I have tables that are both square and round to work with, white table cloths. I have candy pink and robin egg blue colors in my wedding and I was trying to go with a whimsical feel and I cant think of anything. I also dont want to overcrowd a table and stay away from huge floral centerpieces any suggestions??? Also I will post the pic of the room I will have my reception at if it helps, but the tables are raw.
Deanna,
You are havig a nautical sea theme or a beach theme?
* this might help
* this is great!
I am getting married on a dinner cruise ship in March 2011. I want to send save the dates, but need a catchy saying or phrase to put on the save the dates, any ideas?
brittany,
* love this
* more ideas
How about “Come sail away…”
We’re doing a beachy/nautical wedding ourselves. Hope you find your “perfect phrase”.
i am getting married may 28! i can’t decide on colours..
i like silver,light green,cornflower blue, and a preppy pink. which two do you think are best together.?! please.!
Lizzy,
What type mood would you like to set and what are the colors of your venue? The one that stands out to me is the green/blue. Very beautiful. But if you are going more garden theme then either that or the pink and green would work. What does your setting look like?
Marissa,
Are you having a nautical wedidng or beach theme?
Instead of traditional ribbon bedecking the railings why not use nautical rope? hang in garland style around the rail and where the rope goes up at top, then have strands of starfish and seashells hanging down. for any tables have simple glass vases filled with sand and shells and fill with water, add candles if you like. just make sure they are far enough down they wont blow out. think beautiful chiffon overlays on white linens, for a billowy effect. you could even have hourglass or lantern centerpieces. for flowers think about hanging baskets of blooms, can you get bougainvillea? that would be beautiful.
* beach deck weddings
* more ideas
* more pics
* wedding decor
Marissa,
* real wedding
* nautical themes
* this is completely fabulous!
( this could esily tie in the rope garlands)
Marissa,
* more ideas
* this one looks fun
* like this
* some real weddings to take a look at
my personal fave is still the rope decor and link i provided up top. love the food dye colored water!
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?
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
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
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!
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!!
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?
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)
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.
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!!!
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.
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!
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)