Oh Buoy!
After weeks of cold and rain and even some snow showers, word on the grapevine is that on Sunday, London is going to get some sunshine. Hooray! This news couldn’t have come at a better time as we are dreaming of blue skies, the sun beating down on us, ice creams and the beach. With this in mind, we’re kicking off our first design board of 2013 with a focus on the Nautical. So if you are planning a wedding with a nautical vibe, hopefully you’ll find some inspiration below.
So, how do you plan a nautical wedding? Well, here’s a very brief style guide to help pull it all together…
Colours
We’ve limited this board to a predominantly navy and white colour palette, however you can also include hints of gold, amber, green or red to add an extra dimension to your colour scheme. And of course, different shades of blue – such as a bright Royal Blue – can also work really well to give a slightly different spin on the traditional colour palette.
Patterns
When we think of anything nautical, we immediately conjure up an image of stripes. Using a bold repetitive pattern in this way gives any design an edge of modernity, but in abundance it could be quite overpowering. Ways in which you can incorporate stripes into your wedding day could include: striped linens on your cocktail reception tables, striped ribbon around your bouquets, posies and buttonholes, a striped design on your invitations, and even striped socks for the groom.
Decor
There are so many props associated with the nautical theme – from anchors and oars through to buoys and boats – and using a few of them in clever ways as decor throughout your wedding will help to personalise your day and create a strong overall nautical style. Let’s take a boat as an example… Filled with ice, it could serve as a way to chill drinks at an informal outdoor wedding. Alternatively, if you have a number of boats they could be tuned upside down and used as casual outdoor seating for guests to use during a drinks reception. Or perhaps you would prefer to use a boat in lieu of a card box and gift table. And finally, if you are getting married by the water, a boat could be your send-off vehicle as you and your new partner sail off into the sunset.
Music
When thinking about the styling of your wedding, try to touch on all of the senses. It doesn’t have to stop at what the visual. Music can create real impact and incorporating a song which references sailing, water or the sea could be a clever way of alluding to your nautical theme. David Gray’s ‘Sail Away’ is one such example, as is the Otis Redding classic ‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay’.
Food
Continuing to play to your guests’ senses, consider the food you serve. From the traditional mini cones of fish and chips, through to a more elaborate and unusual seafood station in the evening reception. There are lots of ways to bring fresh fish and seafood into your day – just be mindful of having an alternative for those guests with allergies and intolerances.
If you’re having a nautical-inspired wedding day, we’d love to hear about it so please leave your comments below. Or if you want some help and inspiration on how to pull your nautical inspired day together, please get in touch and we’d be happy to help!
Credits
Napkin with ribbon detail | Sugar Love Weddings via SMP
Cake | Maggie Austin Cake via The Ritzy Bee Blog
Orders of Service | Jessica Lorren
Buoys with Florals | You’re Not Your
Oar | Bridal Musings
Welcome Bag | Bridal Musings
Groom & Ushers | Marion Heurteboust Photography via Green Wedding Shoes
Anchor Escort Cards | The Blush Blog
Bouquet | Last Petal via SMP
Ring on Rope | Brea McDonald Photography via SMP
