For those couples that share a passion for the sea, a nautical theme for your wedding day gives you an opportunity to make your love for the ocean an important part of the celebration of your love for one another. Couples choosing a nautical theme have an array of options available to them in terms [...]

For those couples that share a passion for the sea, a nautical theme for your wedding day gives you an opportunity to make your love for the ocean an important part of the celebration of your love for one another. Couples choosing a nautical theme have an array of options available to them in terms of colours, décor elements and props for wedding photographs. Themes should give you and your guests something to look forward to and should reflect your (as a couple) personalities and tastes to a certain degree.

Colours and Design Elements
Nautical themes are, iconically, navy blue and white with yellow-gold touches. This is ultimately elegant, lending your affair a classy look and feel right from the outset. Include things like anchors, fishnets, yachts, sails, driftwood, sand and water as design elements in your stationery and décor.

Invitations
Give your guests a hint regarding your theme as soon as they receive your save-the-dates or invitations. You may decide to keep them simple, just making use of the nautical colour scheme and design elements in your stationery design. However, if you would prefer for your invitations to make more of an impact, fashion it after a scroll in a glass bottle that has been aged, as if washed up on the sand of a desert island.

Attire and Accessories
Wedding gowns for a nautical theme are fairly versatile. However, a slim-fit strapless number made from soft, feminine fabric is particularly apt. This has a sort of fairytale beauty that fits well with the theme while not detracting from the sheer gorgeousness of your wedding gown. A mermaid style is similarly appropriate. For a bride that wants something more fun and daring, consider a sexy “navy girl” outfit. This can work well for the bridesmaids too, if implemented correctly.

Consider adding navy to your wedding gown in the form of a sash or a sweet blue brooch. Adding nautical-themed bling (such as a diamante anchor or sailboat) is an elegant way to incorporate your theme.

Grooms and groomsmen would look best in genuine navy uniforms or sailor gear.

Venue and Décor
To set the nautical theme effectively, it would be best to host your wedding reception on a yacht or ship. Not many couples have access to such grand facilities, though. For these ones, it will be necessary that you create a nautical ambience with the right kind of décor to set the scene. Include the following items in your ceremony and reception venues:

• A ship’s steering wheel
• Compasses (perhaps as place name settings)
• Sail boats
• Sea shells
• Anchors
• Rope
• Fishing nets
• Brass bells
• Atlases and maps
• Lighthouses

Guest Favours
Give your family and friends something by which to remember your very special day. Nautical ideas include:

• Miniature anchors as key rings
• Ornamental yachts and lighthouses
• Little globes or atlases
• A special compass, perhaps engraved
• A collection of seashells