| Weddings by the water are more popular than ever. | | | | It would be really fun for both you and your guests to |
| The casual beach wedding is one great idea, but it is | | | | play up the notion of gracious seaside living. A very |
| not the only choice for couples who want to have their | | | | pretty detail would be to hand out paper parasols to |
| wedding by the water. If you prefer a bit more | | | | the female guests to shade themselves from the sun. |
| elegance, a gracious seaside wedding may be perfect | | | | If there will be a large number of children on hand, you |
| for you. | | | | could even introduce them to the lawn amusements |
| Every great wedding starts with an inspiration. For an | | | | that would have been all the rage with the children of |
| elegant wedding by the sea or ocean, imagine the | | | | the Gilded Age, such as croquet and rolling a hoop. |
| Gilded Age when the glamorous set flocked to places | | | | For your reception, you might wish to move the party |
| like Newport, Rhode Island. The idea was to enjoy all | | | | inside so that everyone can enjoy the splendid |
| of the beauty of the ocean, sand, and blue skies, while | | | | architecture of a seaside mansion. Alternatively, a small |
| still maintaining a gracious lifestyle. This can be a terrific | | | | wedding could eat dinner on a wide veranda |
| starting point for your wedding design. | | | | overlooking the water. The dinner service should be |
| If you want to be really authentic, you can have a | | | | formally served by well-trained waitstaff, rather than |
| destination wedding in one of the elegant mansions | | | | having an informal buffet. Being oceanside, naturally |
| that grace the waterfront in a place like Newport. The | | | | lobster, shrimp, and oysters would be terrific menu |
| homes are grand and richly appointed, making them a | | | | options. |
| stunning background for a wedding celebration. Many | | | | The theme of seaside elegance can be further |
| of these breathtaking mansions are available for | | | | explored in your décor and favors. A very |
| weddings of any size. | | | | pretty idea would be to incorporate seashells, sand |
| You could begin by having the ceremony and cocktails | | | | dollars, and starfish into the bride's bouquet and the |
| outdoors on a magnificent rolling green lawn with the | | | | centerpieces. Tasty little chocolates in the shape of |
| ocean waves lapping at the nearby beach. The bride | | | | shells would be a perfect wedding favor for your |
| should aim for a look that is both elegant, yet | | | | guests to take home. |
| appropriate for an outdoor ceremony (in other words, | | | | A gracious wedding by the sea is a wonderful idea for |
| no cathedral length trains). Give a nod to the historic | | | | couples who love the water, but also want a more |
| nature of the setting by adding a hint of a vintage style | | | | elegant affair than the typical beach wedding. There |
| to your wedding ensemble. A beautiful idea would be a | | | | are many beautifully appointed old mansions by the |
| heavily beaded chiffon gown with a sweep train | | | | ocean that could make the perfect place to start your |
| accented by pearl bridal jewelry. Consider spicing up | | | | new life together. Best of all, you will already be in a |
| your bridal jewelry by doing a combination of pearl with | | | | fantastic place to enjoy your honeymoon after the |
| a deep purple crystal, in honor of the amethysts that | | | | wedding. |
| are so popular in vintage jewelry. | | | | |