Pastel Coastal Summer Wedding

Local flowers and grasses, handmade pieces, and soft peachy hues… These were the main elements at play at Jacqueline and Mike’s gorgeous pastel summer wedding at Newport’s Spouting Rock Beach. Need to know more? Let’s work backwards: Peach made its statement as the color of the day in not only the florals but in the skirt of Jacqueline’s gown, the ribbon around her bouquet, and the tiles of the reception’s checkerboard dance floor. Next, when we say handmade pieces, we’re talking about the custom easel place settings crafted by none other than the bride herself! And stay tuned for deets on those giant paper flowers. As for the flora, much of it was what you’d find growing around Newport.

THE BOUQUET

Our intention for Jacqueline’s bridal bouquet was that it would appear as though it was gathered with just-picked blooms from a lush summer meadow. It was home to a bunch of our prairie faves: dusky peach roses, long stems of foxgloves, scabiosa blooms, and orlaya (the flower that looks like white lace). We may be biased, but we think it resulted in the perfect handheld accompaniment to Jacqueline’s peachy, flower-appliquéed gown.

Photography by Charlotte Jenks Lewis

THE CEREMONY

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: We’re not hydrangea ball people. But that doesn’t mean we don’t love using this lush and versatile flower. When designed in a way that honors its diversity rather than one that forces it into a mold, we think it’s really one of the coolest blooms—particularly for creating a sense of abundance. For Jacqueline and Mike’s ceremonial install, we worked with the peach- and green-gradiented varieties you’ll often see growing abundantly around New England. Then we wove in plenty of reeds, maiden grasses, and foxtail grasses to really drive that feeling of home, well…home.

THE TABLESCAPES

We kept up that fresh-from-the-meadow aesthetic for the reception, from the bud-vase and ikebana centerpieces to that lush bar arrangement. At the tables, note how the minimalism brings focus to the elegant individuality of each stem and bloom. And see that fluttery white hydrangea front and center at the bar? It’s the perfect example of how choosing outside the box for this flower variety bodes very well for floral design. P.S. How charming are those easel place settings? They’re practical, one, and two—they make for a truly special keepsake to remember a truly special day.

THE DANCE FLOOR INSTALL

We don’t always work with handmade flowers, but when we do it’s with giant ornate paper blooms woven into real living flora. Our bride and groom actually got these off Etsy (we can relate) and we worked them into a big overhead install that hovered over that adorable checked dance floor. To flush everything out, we incorporated some subtly-placed baby’s breath and plenty of tendrily smilax foliage. And honestly? We just love how this came together.

DREAM TEAM

Floral design: Sweet Talk Floral
Planning: Gathered East
Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis
Venue + Catering: Spouting Rock Beach (Bailey’s Beach Club)
Rentals: Peak Event Services, borrowed BLU, BBJ La Tavola
Decor: Exquisite Event