[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”The Inspiration”]
This wedding was built around the idea of modern opulence with a touch of shipwrecked glamour — like a mermaid washed ashore in the Gilded Age. We wanted it to feel tactile and layered, full of shimmer and movement, but grounded in natural beauty. Think cascading silks, mother-of-pearl textures, and soft metallic light bouncing off glassware and candlelight. The palette drew inspiration from the sea — ivory, shell, pale gold, and the faintest hints of oyster gray — with textures doing most of the talking. Every detail was chosen to feel discovered rather than designed: ruffled linens that pooled like waves, floral forms that mirrored coral and kelp, and pearls threaded subtly throughout the tablescape. It was coastal romance reimagined — elevated, a little moody, and completely transportive.
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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Soft, luminous pastels layered with pearlescent texture — blush, seashell pink, and hints of cream anchored by sandy neutrals and sunlit gold. The palette was inspired by the natural tones of the shoreline at golden hour, with each element intentionally chosen to feel both refined and effortless.[/field]
[field title=”The Venue”]
The celebration took place at a private beachside residence in Fairfield County, where guests gathered for an alfresco celebration set directly on the sand. The ceremony and dinner unfolded in the open air, surrounded by the sound of the waves and the soft, golden light of late summer. With the tide just steps away and a breeze drifting through the tables, it felt like the quintessential Connecticut coastal evening — refined, relaxed, and perfectly at home by the water. Every design choice was made to honor that setting, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape.
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]
The bride’s gown was custom-designed by Karla Gil Design, a true balance of structure and softness. The corseted bodice and subtle lace detailing gave it a couture feel, while the soft blush tone and fluid skirt kept it romantic and timeless. It was one of those dresses that felt instantly classic — feminine without being fussy, and perfectly suited to the elegant coastal setting.
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[field title=”Wedding Party”]
Her sister wore a Maria Lucia Hohan, in a pleated ombré gown that shifted from lavender to ocean blue. The color was mesmerizing in person, and even more so in photographs — airy, luminous, and full of movement. Together, the two made the dreamiest pair — a modern take on soft pastels and sisterly elegance.
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Fashion”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]
For this seaside celebration, First Blush Floral Design + Planning focused on creating something tactile and textural — a tablescape that felt discovered rather than styled. The long tables were draped in blush satin linens that rippled softly in the breeze, their sheen catching the afternoon light like water. Each place setting was surrounded by bud vases handmade from terracotta clay, bringing an earthy, grounding contrast to the soft pastel palette. The bud vases were filled with imported anthurium stems from Holland and hand-painted, iridescent anthuriums from Haus of Stems, paired with lush garden roses from Grace Rose Farm in California. Local hydrangea and wild grasses added fullness and movement, tying the design back to the coastal surroundings. Pearls and oyster shells — some gathered right from the nearby beach — were scattered down the table as a subtle nod to the “shipwrecked gilded age” inspiration, glinting under layers of candlelight. Rentals from Abbey Tent & Party Rentals provided the foundation — natural wood chairs, serpentine tables, and minimalist dinnerware that let the textures take center stage. It was the perfect blend of refinement and ease: soft, sculptural, and unmistakably coastal.
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[field title=”Favorite Design Element”]
The arrangements on the bar were easily my favorite part of the entire design. We used a pair of vintage urns draped with strands of pearls and filled them with a mix of local hydrangea, soft garden roses, and tropical anthurium — that perfect blend of East Coast romance and editorial edge. I love when we can combine the lushness of a classic garden wedding with the sculptural quality of tropical blooms. It’s such a distinct balance, and it feels very us — grounded in New England but not afraid of a little glamour. One of my favorite behind-the-scenes decisions was swapping our original textured gray linen for this soft blush satin. It was such a small pivot, but it completely shifted the tone of the design. The sheen of the fabric added this dreamy light play that made the tables feel fluid and alive, especially as the day moved toward golden hour. And that light — I’ll never forget it. The temperature was perfect, the sun hit every pearl and petal just right, and everything looked exactly like the digital sketch I’d drafted months before. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing an idea come to life exactly as you imagined it — maybe even better.
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[field title=”Tips To Pull Off The Look”]Prioritize texture and intention. There was a lot of conversation about the handmade terracotta bud vases because they were pricier than typical glass, but they completely elevated the design. The vessels on the table matter just as much as the flowers inside them — especially when you’re working at an editorial or luxury level. The texture, the way they catch the light, the subtle imperfections — that’s what makes the whole scene feel collected and human rather than mass-produced.
Start small, but invest in the right pieces. You don’t need a beachfront estate to pull off this look. You can absolutely recreate the same feeling at home — a few artful vases, some layered textures, and a soft tonal palette can transform even a dinner table into something special. Bud vases are one of those forever pieces you’ll use again and again, whether you’re hosting or styling.
And finally — pearls. Always more pearls. We kept adding them until it felt almost excessive, and that was exactly the point. They brought movement, reflection, and whimsy — ten pounds later, we finally found the right balance. Sometimes restraint is overrated.[/field]
[field title=”DIY Moments”]
While the bride took a “hire the experts” approach, her sister brought a sharp eye for sourcing — hunting down vintage treasures that became statement pieces throughout the day. She found a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk that we repurposed to hold lace parasols and a tumble of local hydrangea blooms, a sculptural bust that became the centerpiece of our beachside installation, and a pair of gleaming gold seashell vessels that framed the entrance to the tablescape. These finds added a layer of authenticity and old-world charm to the overall design — the kind of pieces you can’t just order new. It was the perfect collaboration: professional planning and floral artistry paired with a collector’s instinct for character and history.
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[board_carousel title=”Details”]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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Photography: Christopher Tyler Studio | Event Design: First Blush Weddings | Floral Design: First Blush Weddings | Cake: Andy Cakes NYC | Invitations: Every Little Something | Catering: Catering From The Hart | Content Creator: Diaries by Nic | Private Home: Private Home | Rentals: Abbey Tent And Party Rentals
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