Beach Wedding Ceremony Ideas

A Glitzy Beach Wedding with a Purple and Pink Color Palette

Born in New York and living in Los Angeles, Alison and Justin consider themselves a bi-coastal couple. “Especially myself,” the bride, a wardrobe stylist, explains. “Between visiting family and friends and styling clients on both coasts, it’s just my lifestyle.” Their east-meets-west lives also inspired their June nuptials, which were held in an entirely different location—The Sanderling Resort and Spa in Duck, North Carolina.

For their “elegant East Coast meets modern West Coast”-themed wedding, the bride chose a color palette of pale pink and smoky amethyst complemented by pops of yellow and ivory. “Fun, yet bubbly, like myself,” she says.

The couple’s beach ceremony was “magical and romantic,” Alison recalls. Bright floral poms hung from an arbor adorned by seashells, under which the pair exchanged their vows.

Alison chose a gown from Eve of Milady’s Amalia Carrara collection. Its beaded bodice and lace overlays perfectly complimented the bride’s grandmother’s diamond tennis bracelet, which she wore on her wrist.

The bride also accessorized with a crystal crown and veil from the Amalia Carrara collection, and diamond tear-drop earrings and cuff bracelet.

The bride’s shoes—peep-toed ivory pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti—were customized with crystal heels, she says.

Bridesmaids wore full-length gowns in varying shades of purple, purchased from Amsale and Priscilla of Boston. Their round bouquets— made of roses in purple hues from lavender to violet—matched their gowns.

Alison carried a white and pink bouquet of orchids, stephanotis, roses and calla lilies that were accented with crystals.

Groomsmen wore tuxedos paired with patent leather shoes and paisley ties. On their lapels were pinned purple calla lilies tied with miniature starfish.

The couple’s cocktail hour was all white “to prepare our guests for the big reveal of the reception,” the bride says. Custom cocktails named for the couple—the Ali-Tini and Jack-Daniels—were served alongside hors d’oeuvres.

High and low centerpieces of hydrangea, lilies and roses alternated on tables covered in softly-striped linens.

Sheer strips of organza ruffles covered Chivari chairs, while yellow napkins popped on the purple tabletops.

The couple served steak and lobster for dinner, Alison says. A candy buffet was also offered as a sweet extra treat for guests.

A four-tier white cake was decorated with sea shells and touches of coral.

The groom purchased Alison’s engagement ring from Ester Jewelry.

Alison changed into a custom-made feathered dress for the reception. The bride designed the dress herself, she says.

Alison and Justin danced their first dance as husband and wife to Lady Antebellum’s Just A Kiss. Recalls the bride: “We choreographed our first dance and did a lift for our guests.”

—Jillian Kramer

Wedding Planner: The Sanderling Resort and Spa || Ceremony Venue: The Sanderling Resort and Spa || Reception Venue: The Sanderling Resort and Spa || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Eve of Milady || Bride’s Veil: Eve of Milady || Bride’s Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti || Bride’s Wedding Ring: Ester Jewelry || Groom’s Tux: Biltmore Tuxedos || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale and Priscilla of Boston || Groomsmen Attire: Biltmore Tuxedos || Florist: Holiday House Weddings || Caterer: The Sanderling Resort and Spa || Stationery: Laura Hooper Calligraphy || Cake Baker: Just Desserts || Entertainment: A-Town A-List || Photography: Brooke Mayo Photographers