Nautical Nostalgia: Creating the Perfect Coastal Grandma Wedding Vibe
Imagine a wedding that combines the charm of a coastal setting with the elegance of grandma chic. This is the essence of the coastal grandma wedding trend.
This style is all about comfort, simplicity, and a deep love for the coast. It's a trend that's gaining popularity among couples seeking a unique, laid-back vibe for their big day.
How To Achieve
This Aesthetic
For Your Wedding
1. Venue Selection
Choosing the right venue is crucial. Opt for locations that offer natural coastal beauty such as beachside resorts, coastal vineyards, or charming seaside cottages. Look for venues with plenty of natural light, white-washed wood, and scenic ocean views. Outdoor spaces with a garden or patio overlooking the water can add an extra touch of the coastal charm.
2. Color Palette
The color palette is central to the coastal grandma aesthetic. Stick to soft, neutral hues that mimic the colors of the coast. Think whites, creams, beiges, and shades of blue. Add accents of sage green, sandy taupe, and gentle grays. These colors create a serene and timeless ambiance that aligns with the aesthetic.
3. Invitations and Stationery
Set the tone with your wedding invitations. Use high-quality, textured paper in neutral tones. Incorporate coastal elements such as seashell illustrations, nautical motifs, or watercolor washes in pale blues and greens. A handwritten or calligraphy style font adds an elegant, personal touch.
4. Bridal Attire
For the bride, choose a gown that exudes simplicity and elegance. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon, silk, or lace are ideal. A flowing, A-line or sheath dress with delicate details such as lace overlays, vintage buttons, or pearl embellishments fits perfectly. Consider a relaxed updo or loose waves for your hair, adorned with a simple hairpiece or fresh flowers. For shoes, opt for something comfortable yet elegant, like embellished sandals or classic ballet flats.
5. Groom’s Attire
The groom should aim for a look that is polished yet relaxed. A linen or light cotton suit in shades of beige, gray, or light blue works well. Pair with a crisp white shirt and consider skipping the tie for a more laid-back vibe. For footwear, loafers or boat shoes in neutral tones complete the look.
6. Decor
The key to coastal grandma décor is simplicity and natural beauty. Use white or light-colored tablecloths, adorned with centerpieces made from fresh flowers, greenery, and candles. Incorporate natural elements like driftwood, seashells, and glass vases filled with sand or pebbles. Wicker furniture, vintage china, and soft, flowing fabrics for drapes and linens enhance the aesthetic.
7. Flowers
Select flowers that are elegant and timeless. Hydrangeas, roses, peonies, and baby’s breath in soft, neutral colors are perfect. Incorporate plenty of greenery like eucalyptus or ivy to add a fresh, natural feel. Bouquets and arrangements should look effortlessly put together, as if freshly picked from a garden.
8. Food and Drink
Choose coastal and seasonal menu with fresh seafood, salads, vegetables, and local cuisine. Feature live oyster shucking from SEAShucked for entertainment and authenticity. Serve white wine, rosé, coastal cocktails, hand-scooped ice cream cones for dessert.
Suggested Vendors for your Coastal Grandma Aesthetic Wedding
PLANNING & DESIGN: Emerald Engagements | PHOTOGRAPHY: B. Jones Photography | VENUE & CATERING: Seattle Tennis Club | VIDEOGRAPHY: Captivate Films | FLORIST: Honey Water Flowers | TABLE TOP RENTALS: Timeless Event Rentals | Hair and Makeup: Michelle Wight Makeup Artistry | SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION: Wight Down The Aisle | Mobile Ice Cream Cart: Aha. Sugar Co. | CAKE: Flour Lane Bake Shop | Live Oyster Experience: SEAShucked | PROVENCE WOVEN BACK CHAIRS: CORT Party Rental | SOFT SEATING FOR THE CEREMONY: Picnic Party Seattle | STATIONARY & SIGNAGE: Wide Eyes Paper Co. | MODELS: Zhenya Kiselev + Brett Ezarsky | SEATTLE BRIDAL SHOP: I Do Bridal | MENSWEAR: Banana Republic
Inspired by the timeless elegance of Nancy Meyers films…
Coastal Wedding film by Captivate Films
…this Coastal Grandma Aesthetic Wedding Editorial at the Seattle Tennis Club is a dream brought to life. Embracing a palette of creams, whites, and oceanic shades of blue, this wedding style leans heavily into textures of knits, rattan, timeless linens, and floaty chiffon. Partnering with Emerald Engagements and B. Jones Photography, our vision was to recreate the serene charm of Lake Como right on the shores of Lake Washington, incorporating unique touches trending for 2024 and 2025 weddings.
🎾 The Coastal Grandma Aesthetic Wedding at the Seattle Tennis Club
Inspired by the timeless elegance of Nancy Meyers films, the Coastal Grandma Aesthetic Wedding at the Seattle Tennis Club is a dreamy fusion of creams, whites, and oceanic shades of blue. This enchanting event leaned into rich textures of knits, rattan, timeless linens, and floaty chiffon, perfectly capturing the essence of serene coastal living. Styled in partnership with Emerald Engagements and B. Jones Photography, the vision was to evoke the feeling of the shores of Lake Como, enhanced with unique touches trending for 2024 and 2025 weddings.
💍💍 Ceremony
The non-traditional ceremony seating included woven grass poofs, embellished fabric poofs, and hyacinth rugs, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Champagne-tone satin umbrellas edged with fringe provided a touch of elegance. An arced floral installation, inspired by a living meadow, beautifully complemented the sweeping views of Lake Washington, the mountains, and the city without obstructing them.
🌿 Flowers
Locally sourced and grown flowers were a cornerstone of this wedding's decor. The florist, known for inviting couples to choose their flowers from their farm weeks before the wedding, provided a personal and unique touch to the arrangements.
🖌️ Stationery
The stationery featured shades of blue watercolor plaid envelope liners that matched the invitations, with tennis rackets adorning the return addresses. The wedding weekend schedule included hand-painted coastal artwork and a selection of quintessential Seattle activities. The welcome sign mirrored the blue plaid theme, adding a cohesive and elegant touch.
👰 Wedding Dress
The bride's dress, designed by Leah Anne Belter and sourced from I Do Bridal in Seattle, was an ethereal A-line cut with delicate silk chiffon painted with periwinkle watercolor flowers. The fabric swished and blew gracefully in the breeze, epitomizing coastal elegance.
⛵ Venue: The North Lawn at Seattle Tennis Club
Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington, the Seattle Tennis Club offers panoramic views of downtown Bellevue, the Cascade Mountain Range, and Mount Rainier. This exclusive members-only club has been the home of the prestigious Washington State Open since 1890, adding a touch of historical charm to the event.
🍦 Dining and Desserts
Guests enjoyed a dessert trio featuring a timeless sun-bleached white cake adorned with periwinkle blue gum paste hydrangeas, a vintage-inspired ice cream cart from AHA Sugar Co. with whimsical florals, and panna cotta shaped like a tennis ball. The cocktail hour featured the Honey Deuce, the official drink of the US Open, garnished with honeydew melon balls to replicate tennis balls. Dinner included Malay Halibut with sticky rice bon bons and green curry broth, and Seared Halloumi Cheese with green olives, Marcona almonds, and arugula.
🍦 Rentals and Design
Effortless coastal elegance was achieved with raw-edge linen napkins, white and blue floral chinoiserie plates, and King Louis rattan back chairs. Vintage coupes were perfect for sipping champagne, and cocktail tables were draped in white linens sketched with royal blue blooms.
⚓ Additional Elements
Emerald Engagements brought an elegant yet chill and unpretentiously friendly vibe to the planning and design. Content creation by Wight Down the Aisle added a cool and modern touch, while high-production videography by By Captivate Films ensured every moment was captured beautifully. Hair and makeup featured a mid-high bun with soft facial framing and radiant, glowing makeup, epitomizing timeless sophistication.
This Coastal Wedding at Seattle Tennis Club encapsulated the perfect blend of classic elegance and modern trends, creating an unforgettable celebration by the water.