The cool breeze of the ocean, sand under your feet, seagulls chirping overhead, and the scent of coconut and fresh caught crabs through the air. A crisp, white tent, sits next to the crashing waves, is over the reception tables full of all of your favorite people. Your favorite outfit consists of linen shorts, flip-flops, and sandy hair. You and your fiancé’ spend summers at B&B beach cottages shopping the local boutiques.
A modern nautical wedding is perfect for the couple that wants to live in the above paragraph. You have memories of growing up near the beach or you both simply love the water. Incorporate your favorite things: ocean waves, the blues and teals of the water, the aesthetics of a modern sailing boat, weathered beach homes, and organic flowers in to your wedding day to create a beautiful ceremony and reception that will feel personal to you.
Start with a nautical inspired color palette of soft seafoam green, a lovely ocean blue, a dusty mauve, sea glass green, and a classic sailor navy. Use props that evoke the feeling of a day sailing on the water. Bold navy and white stripes, heavy cotton rope, fishing nets, pretty sea glass, lanterns, and anchor motifs. I have created a list of the perfect items to use to decorate your wedding in a modern, nautical style.
Display Nautical Cocktail Napkins on your bar and to be passed out with mini lobster roll appetizers. These navy and white striped cocktail napkins are the perfect way to introduce your guests to the theme of your wedding decor.
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Use this Banner Garland to decorate your welcome sign, hang above your dessert table, or even purchase in bulk and decorate the entire ceiling of your tented reception.
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Welcome your guests in style with a Nautical Anchor Tote Bag filled with local goodies in their hotel rooms. Start with bottles of water, some nuts, and a few packets of Advil for the morning. Then add special treats that are special to the beach town you are getting married in.
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I love these Message in a Bottle Necklaces for bridesmaid gifts. You can fill them with a very tiny message of thanks and a bit of the sand from your local beach.
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Seafoam Green Candles are a great way to add some color to your tables and bar. I allocate 3 votives per round table and 6 per 8′ long table. These almost look exactly like sea glass!
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I would use this roll of Sheer Blue Fabric as an ocean-inspired table runner. Sweep it down the center of your table so it’s draping over each side to the floor. Scrunch it up on the table so it looks like waves and place your candles and floral arrangements right on top.
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For that special end of the night snack surprise, use these Striped Snack Containers to give your guests snacks of freshly popped popcorn as they dance the night away.
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Yes, Fishing Nets can be used as decor! Drape some over the corner of your bar, use one underneath your cake, or even string many of them together to create a photo booth backdrop. Using materials in an unexpected way is my favorite way to incorporate a theme, such as modern nautical, into wedding decor.
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My preferred way of hanging paper lanterns is in a very tight group. They look more impactful and contemporary when hung in a bunch, then peppered over the ceiling. Use these Nautical Paper Lanterns to create an art installation over your dance floor.
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To light the path to your reception, these Beach Lanterns are a go-to prop. As night falls at the beach, it gets rather dark. Create beautiful ambient light by lining the pathways to and from your reception with pretty lanterns filled with candles. These are also really great as centerpieces mixed with bud vases of flowers and natural seashells.
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