Designing a wedding that feels cohesive, intentional, and deeply personal is about much more than choosing pretty details. It’s a layered process that blends vision, logistics, and creativity – all while staying grounded in the setting and priorities of the couple. For Marlana and Andrew’s weekend-long celebration at the iconic Ocean House, the design journey was thoughtful from start to finish, resulting in a refined yet welcoming experience for their guests.

Starting with Strategy: Budget and Inspiration Working Together

Every design process begins with an honest conversation about budget. Rather than limiting creativity, this step provides clarity and direction, allowing us to focus on elements that will make the biggest visual impact. From there, inspiration naturally unfolds, but never in isolation.

For Marlana and Andrew, inspiration was gathered with the Ocean House setting firmly in mind. The coastal surroundings, elegant architecture, and natural light all played a role in shaping the design direction. By considering the venue alongside visual references, we ensured the overall look felt seamless and intentional rather than forced or overly styled.

Once a general design direction is established, we begin refining the details. This includes exploring floral concepts, rental enhancements, lighting, and paper elements that support the overall aesthetic. In many cases, this part of the process involves visiting rental showrooms and creating floral mockups to help visualize how specific combinations will work together.

Seeing elements styled in real life allows for confident decision-making and thoughtful edits. It’s where inspiration turns into a tangible plan. One that balances beauty, texture, and scale while staying aligned with the couple’s priorities.

A Coastal Welcome: Beachfront Celebration at Dune Cottage

The wedding weekend began with a beachfront welcome party at Dune Cottage, setting a relaxed yet elevated tone for the days ahead. Guests were welcomed along the boardwalk lined with beach grasses and hydrangea accents, creating a natural and inviting entrance into the event space.

The color palette featured soft blues, crisp whites, and warm neutrals – a timeless coastal combination that felt fresh and effortless. Complementary linens and floral arrangements echoed the seaside surroundings without leaning too literal, while overhead bistro lighting added warmth and a celebratory glow as the evening unfolded.

Wedding Day Design: Elegant, Refined, and Textural

For the wedding day, the design shifted toward a more refined and elegant aesthetic. A neutral palette of greens and whites served as the foundation, layered with subtle pops of yellow to add warmth and depth. Rather than using yellow boldly, those accents were translated into gold details throughout the space, creating cohesion and a soft sense of glow.

Texture and light pattern were thoughtfully introduced to keep the design visually interesting without overwhelming the setting. Heavy candlelight played a key role, adding romance and intimacy while enhancing the overall atmosphere. Every element was intentionally balanced to feel elevated, timeless, and true to the couple’s vision.

Bringing It All Together on the Wedding Day

Once the design direction is finalized, our role shifts into execution. On the wedding day, we’re on-site to oversee installations, style final details, and ensure everything comes together exactly as planned. This hands-on approach allows the design to unfold seamlessly, creating a polished and cohesive experience for both the couple and their guests.

Marlana and Andrew’s Ocean House wedding was a perfect example of what’s possible when thoughtful planning, creative design, and careful execution come together.

Curious what your wedding design could look like? View our portfolio to see how we bring inspired concepts to life.

*Welcome Party Entertainment: Mark Flynn Music

Photographer: Lisa Rigby Photography
Video: Black Diamond Entertainment
Florist: Botanica Wedding Floral
Rentals: PEAK Event Services
Entertainment: Groove Alliance by Wilson Stevens Productions
Ceremony Music: Faith Leitner Harpist
Transportation: Rockstar Limo
Beauty: Beauty by Bianca & Anya Connelly Hair