It's All in the Details
by Michelle Madden Smith
The "anything goes" attitude of the Outer Banks is likely one of the things that you love most about this place. The freedom to be exactly who you are by bringing your unique style and personal touch to your wedding day will never be more
apparent than in the details.
Plus, what could be more fun than incorporating the flavor of the Outer Banks and its beautiful beach life into your ceremony and reception?
She Sells Seashells
Seashells are the most natural way to get the beach feel into your wedding ceremony. If you opted for a beach wedding, the "aisle" can merely be two rows of shells leading the bride to her groom. Florists or handy relatives can easily add sand dollars, small whelk shells, or deep blue mussels into the bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids. Small starfish or even sand dollars can become the basis for boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen. Also, a large whelk shell could be decorated with ribbon and used by your ring bearer to (carefully!) carry your wedding rings. (You may want to stuff it with cotton to be sure they don't slide back into the channels.)
Believed to be the musical instrument of mermaids, the conch shell has a long traditional history of being blown during worship or ceremony. The rich tones of the conch instantly invoke images of the sea and islands. Use this natural instrument to gather everyone around and mark the beginning of your celebration.
Barefoot Bride
One of the joys of a beach wedding is the carefree feeling of having your toes in the sand. But there are also more symbolic reasons to wed barefoot. For one, it allows for a stronger connection to the earth and elements, and Outer Bankers are very aware of nature's ebb and flow on our shifting sands. Plus, many traditions consider removal of the shoes to be a gesture of respect, and bare feet are often a symbol of peaceful intentions. But choosing to go barefoot doesn't mean your feet must go undecorated! In India, the bride's feet and hands are decorated in beautifully intricate temporary henna tattoos by her sisters. There are also interesting bottomless sandals created with rhinestones and other jewels that look like sandals but without the soles.
Message in a Bottle
The tumbled texture and slightly faded hues of beach glass add a rustic and colorful touch to wedding details. Several local artisans create beautiful pieces of jewelry from these found treasures. Earrings, bracelets, barrettes, tiaras, and sandals can be embellished to add a little color to wedding white. Bits of sea glass would also be beautiful, strewn artfully on the tables at the reception. You could also use these shades of blue and green as inspiration for the entire color scheme of your wedding, including your linens and flowers. For a more casual affair, the groom and groomsmen could wear beach glass colored Guayaberas, the traditional embroidered short sleeved Mexican wedding shirt.
Use your invitations to not only announce your wedding but also announce the theme of the wedding. My brother and sister-in-law collected over 100 small bottles, found just the right size corks, found old looking paper and burned the edges to make it look treasure map-like, and then mailed actual "message in a bottle" wedding invitations for their Outer Banks wedding a few years ago. It was a huge hit, and a treasured keepsake.
Be Natural
Other traditional elements of the Outer Banks can be brought into wedding details. In late summer and fall, sea oat and pampas grass plumes can be harvested and added to floral arrangements for the ceremony or reception. The dark green and fragrant Russian olive branches would work nicely in bouquets and table arrangements as well. Both would bring an elegant and organic touch to wedding decor.
Here Comes
the Groom
The groom's cake! Wow, here is where you can really cut loose and have some fun with your beach theme. A southern tradition, the groom's cake is usually a reflection of the groom's interests. Some suggestions that reflect Outer Banks beach life would be a striped bass, a surfboard, a monster truck, dune buggy, an old bi-plane, or golf green.
Celebrate Our Living History
Embrace the history of the Outer Banks by finding original antique postcards featuring the beach and its fishing piers, Jockey's Ridge, or anything having to do with the Wright Brothers. Carefully handwrite your wedding invitation on the back and mail. Antique Outer Banks postcards can also be used as placeholders and table markers at the reception.
Just Be Your Beachy Self
These are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing for your own planning. No matter what your personal style, allow all of these details to speak about you and who you are as a couple. And most importantly, have fun with it. Even if your style is refined and elegant, slipping in something a little unusual will be a wonderful and memorable detail.
Return to Articles »
|
