I love styling summer weddings! My eye is drawn to the cool colors of the ocean, the coral and greens in the garden. Set against a white backdrop, these colors bring an almost nautical feel to mind. For this wedding, I am visualizing sheer white, almost gauzy draping from the ceiling and maybe on the sides of the tent as well so that when the wind blows, the material flows effortlessly like sails on a sailboat.

In the cocktail tent, I would have all white furniture… groupings of white Le Corbusier chairs with mirrored cocktail tables, colorful pendants in coral, sisal area rugs and a grand white bar. I would serve Italian Mimosa’s with Proseco, Cointreau, orange juice and a dash of pomegranate juice. No ocean themed wedding would be complete without Dark n’Stormy’s, Tanquerey and Tonic’s and of course Rum Punch. The best recipe for Rum Punch that I have ever found is right here:

Island Rum Punch

For about 8 drinks:

1 (12 oz) can guava nectar made by Goya- available at most stores

1.5 c. orange juice

1.5 c. unsweetened pineapple juice

1.5 c. amber rum

.5 c. fresh lime juice

8 drops Angostura bitters

Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

Garnish: Lime Slice

Stir together all ingredients except nutmeg in a pitcher. Serve over ice, sprinkled with a bit of nutmeg.
Hors D’oeuvres would absolutely have a seafood theme… New England Codfish Cakes with smoked pineapple salsa, topless Lobster clubs with avocado, lemon aioli and applewood smoked bacon, Tuna tartar on an Asian spoon with Patron tequila and lime granita.

A raw bar would be assembled on tiered blocks offering up Jumbo Shrimp, Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce and Nantucket oysters on the half shell with a Mignonette Sauce.

In the dinner tent, I visualize all square and rectangular tables of different heights and sizes, dressed in white linen cloths with a navy trim. Similar pendants in white or coral float overhead. Cala Lillies in coral hues sitting in long rectangular glass vases would top the tables, along with square rattan chargers, square white plates and navy or coral linen napkins. Add cobalt blue Saratoga water bottles in still and sparkling for additional accent color.

The nautical theme can be overdone and could become too kitschy so beware of going overboard with the anchors, shells, and driftwood! The most elegant way to imagine a nautical theme is to envision how Ralph Lauren would decorate his yacht! Navy, white, lots of stainless, rattan and stripes.

Dinner is served:

First Course

Arugula, Endive, Asian Pear, Berkshire Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette

Main Course

Grilled Sirloin with Portabello, Arugula, Parmagianno Reggiano and truffle oil

or

Pan Roasted Blue Cod over a Clam Chowder Nage with Pancetta and whole baby clams

Dessert Buffet Table along with Wedding Cake

Chocolate and Vanilla Cake Pops

Blueberry Buckle…Maine Wild Blueberries, Nutmeg Scented “Buckle”, and Lemon- Honey Cream

Key Lime Tart