Getting married on the water is something many brides-to-be dream about. Whether you are getting married on the ocean or on Lake Minnetonka, you can create this dream-come-true wedding no matter where you live. If you are planning a waterfront wedding and reception, the decor and fashions you choose can make your day simply magical. Here is a guide to everything you need to know about planning your waterfront wedding.
1.Metallics Are a Must!
As you consider your decor, both for your reception and for your event, make sure you weave in some sparkling metallic items. Whether gold-rimmed plates and glasses or delicate gold ribbon on your floral arrangements, the sparkle of your metallic touches will pick up the brightness of the water and the sun. The more glittery, the better when it comes to your waterfront decor. It will serve to accent your natural setting beautifully!
2. Choose a Light, Airy Color Palette
A waterfront wedding is not the place to bring out your bold, dark colors. Instead, aim for light and airy. Whether you choose blues, turquoises, or even yellows, keep the color palette as light and fresh as possible. This will merge beautifully with the setting behind you!
This doesn’t mean you can’t have your favorite colors front and center on your special day. If you love green, opt for a sea foam green rather than an emerald. If blue is your favorite, choose a baby blue hue instead of a royal blue. Remember, your ultimate goal is to have the beauty of your location stand out, so choose colors that mesh with it well.
If you have a bold color that you simply must have in your ceremony, use it as an accent. A few well-placed flowers or a sash on your attendant’s dresses can help that color be incorporated into your wedding, without drawing undue attention away from your setting.
3. Give Your Attendants Room to Breathe
Choosing dresses and suits for your attendants when having a waterfront wedding means a little bit of additional thought. Many waterfront weddings are held outdoors, so the temperature may be hotter than an indoor ceremony. Also, your attendants may be walking along a path that’s not quite as smooth as a carpeted center aisle.
For the ladies, choose fabrics that can breathe and opt for shorter length dresses For shoes, don’t neglect to consider comfort. You can find stylish options that your attendants will be able to walk in, so give them that benefit.
For the gentlemen, consider allowing them to leave the suit jacket behind. If you want the look of suits, choose a light color. Dark suits will detract from your setting and also make your attendants hot and uncomfortable.
4. Plan for Some Shade
As you plan your ceremony, consider using awnings and trellises that will not only add interest to the setting, but also provide some shade. You will be more comfortable with some shade, and your photographs will be more pleasing. Nothing is quite as difficult for a photographer as harsh noon sun at a waterfront location with no shade in sight. You could even give each of your bridesmaids a colorful parasol that matches their gown to add shade and interest to your ceremony.
5. Incorporate Some Nautical Items
As you plan your decor, make sure you incorporate some ocean-inspired or nautical items into the mix. One easy way to do this is with the addition of sea shells. Even if you’re getting married on a lake, not the ocean, sea shells will add some whimsy to your water front locale. Other options include adding lighthouses, compasses, ships and even ship captain’s wheels to the reception hall or ceremony area.
One fun trend for waterfront weddings is the addition of sea shells into the bride’s bouquet. In fact, some brides are ditching the flowers in favor of a bouquet made from colorful shells. Of course, you would want something softer to toss to your waiting ladies during your reception, but you could carry the shell-inspired bouquet through your ceremony.
6. Add Glass and Mirrors
For both your ceremony and your reception, glass and mirrors are a great accent to a waterfront wedding ceremony. The mirrors will reflect the sunlight and the ocean beautifully, and glass, such as glass lanterns, will add to the light and airy feel of your event. Consider placing mirrors on the middle of the table with flowers on top for your centerpieces, or stuff flowers into glass lanterns for additional interest. A message-in-a-bottle style table number display, complete with a picture of the bride and groom stuffed inside the glass, would add this element as well.
7. Keep the Cake in Line with Your Theme
Whether you add nautical elements to your cake or decorate it top-to-bottom in sea shells, keep your event’s overall theme in mind when ordering your cake. Delicate chocolate and sugar sea shells can create an elegant wedding cake that works perfectly with your theme.
8. Choose the Right Favors
Choosing wedding favors is not always easy for a bride and groom. You want something that your guests will treasure, but also something that will help them remember your day. Some great ideas for waterfront weddings include:
- Fans to cool themselves with while watching the ceremony ( the cute ones above are from here)
- Lighthouses with your name on them
- Miniature sand pails with candy or a candle inside
- A colorful beach towel
9. Use Flowing Fabric Generously
Tulle and other flowing fabrics that can blow in the breeze should be used generously in your decor. From the bows at the end of the chairs to the fabric draped over your canopy at your ceremony, choose light, whimsical fabrics that will move when the breezes blow.
Planning your waterfront wedding should be a time of fun and excitement. With this style guide in hand, you will be ready to create your dream wedding, with the water serving as a brilliant backdrop to your special day.
Contact us today to learn more about having your wedding on the water!