Charming Seaside Wedding Ideas for your Day | Glitzy Secrets
Su and Paul’s Real Wedding by Matthew Rycraft Photography

Oh I Do Like to Wed Beside the Seaside: Wedding Ideas for your Day

April 14, 2015

Yippee! Spring is here, the longer days beckon and I can’t wait for warmer weather. Because for me, an integral part of summer is the seaside and the British coast has a special place in my heart. It’s cute and carefree, it’s light, bright and lots of fun and it’s got a style all of its own. It’s easy to see why weddings with a seaside theme are as popular as ever so let’s take a look at some great ideas for a quintessential seaside wedding…

Seaside wedding theme ideas

Images: Top Row Left via Love My Dress | Top Row Right via Oh Lovely Day | Second Row Left via Lovely Jubbly Designs | Second Row Right via Style Me Pretty | Third Row Left Waterfall of Love Pendant via Glitzy Secrets | Third Row Right via Wedding Chicks | Fourth Row Left via Style Me Pretty | Bottom Row Left via Oh Lovely Day | Bottom Row Left via The English Wedding Blog

Firstly, I’m a big fan of pastel shades for this look. Think sun-bleached beach huts and ice cream inspired tones and you won’t go far wrong. If you can work in some deckchair style stripes too, so much the better. You also don’t need to be too strict with yourself about the number of colours you include so blues, greens, pinks and yellows are all absolutely great. Why not start hinting to your guests with seaside inspired invitations and get them in the holiday mood?

Now, let’s talk about outfits and I think that short dresses are just perfect for the seaside wedding. They match the beach vibe and they’re so easy to wear. Bridesmaids look ace in pastel toned short dresses too and let them mix and match their styles to keep the laid-back look. If you prefer the idea of a long length gown, keep it unstructured.

In terms of flowers, the world is your oyster but blowsy British blooms in sweet shades would be my choice. Again, ditch formal arrangements and opt instead for hand-tied bouquets (complete with ribbons to catch the sea air) and charming table decorations. If you’d like a bit of DIY, why not save jars and tins and paint them in pastel shades? These can be filled with flowers and they’ll bring an extra splash of colour to your tables. Another little craft project would be to use empty shells as candleholders and there are plenty of online tutorials to help you here.

There’s always a breeze at the seaside so make the most of this with decorative touches that come to life when they’re rustled by the wind. Ribbons are perfect for this and also echo the seaside stripes I’ve already mentioned. Tie them to chair backs to trail to the floor, suspend them from ceilings or hang them from walls to create brilliant backdrops. Pinwheels are another fun prop for seaside weddings and balloons are positively mandatory. You’re never too old for balloons!

Traditional seaside wedding inspiration

Images: Top Row Left via Pinterest | Top Row Right via Ruffled | Second Row Left via Something Turquoise | Second Row Right via Southern Weddings | Third Row Left via Tumblr | Third Row Right via Handbag.com | Bottom Row Left via Ruffled | Bottom Row Right via Burnett's Boards

Food is also something we all associate with the seaside but ditch the sand-filled sandwiches and instead, serve up delicious versions of all our holiday favourites. Fish and chips are a bit of a must-have and presented in little cones, they’re just perfect. Seafood is another ideal savoury option so how about fresh, juicy prawns with a gorgeous dipping source and a craft beer on the side? If you’d like something prettier than a pint, then colourful cocktails are a great idea.

Sweet treats are another essential and ice cream is the perfect choice. You could hire an old style ice-cream bike to serve your guests or set up an ice-cream buffet, allowing everyone to choose flavours and toppings to their heart’s content. Doughnuts are also a favourite of seaside stalls and again, served warm, drenched in sugar, they’re the perfect indulgence. Your cake can also continue the coastal theme and striped layers; pastel shades and even a few beach-inspired decorations would be just wonderful.

Any trip to the seaside was always tinged with sadness when the time came to finally go home. When your day is over, send your guests home with little gifts and favours to remind them of the day. Candyfloss in jars, sticks or rock or handmade bags, filled with goodies and printed with a suitable motif would work perfectly.

Oh yes, a seaside inspired wedding would be all kinds of fun.

Written by Tamryn - Blogger at Glitzy Secrets


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