THIS PRETTY PASTEL SEASIDE WEDDING PROVES MERMAIDS ARE REAL!
As wedding bloggers, many people make the assumption that we get to attend a lot of weddings, so it might come as a surprise to find out that we don’t get invited to as many as you might think. And we’ve certainly never attended any of the weddings that we’ve featured on Bespoke Bride… that was until today.
Some of you might recognize today’s beaut of a bride as YouTuber, Emily Fisher of Mermaid Gossip. Jess met Emily back in 2013 at Blogcademy, London and not long after Jess introduced us both at a local bloggers event in Bristol. We instantly hit it off, realizing we had tons in common and we’ve remained close friends ever since, celebrating friendsgivings, Birthdays and now even marriages.
We felt so honoured to have been part of Emily and Brads special day and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you…
Prepare yourself for some serious mermaid vibes!!!
“We chose Key West on Bournemouth pier because we wanted a seaside venue but didn’t want your traditional marquee beach style wedding.” Emily began
“We also wanted to keep the whole day in one place which meant finding a licensed venue too. Brad and I have a lot of memories at the beach on the south coast, it’s one of our favourite places to visit so it really was perfect to spend our big day there.”
The whole wedding was themed around Emily’s favourite mystical creature. Mermaids!!!
“Mermaid Gossip by name, Mermaid Gossip by nature!! When we first got engaged Brad originally vito’d any pink and we settled on mint green and gold as a colour theme with hints of Mermaid. As the planning process evolved I couldn’t help but throw in some pink along the way and the mermaid theme took over. I wanted it to be super colourful and pastel and the best under the sea mermaid wedding ever! ” She told us.
“Having worked in the wedding industry for 7 years, I knew a lot of suppliers that I wanted to work with. There were also a lot that I would have loved to have had involved, but udget just meant we couldn’t. We tried to keep costs down as much as possible by doing a lot of the decor ourselves. Ever since I met Laura Power five years ago I told her she would Photograph our wedding one day and there was no question when it came to choosing her. Photography was the first thing we booked after the venue. Best money ever spent.”
“I found Purple Monster cakes on a local Facebook group and liked her work. When I pitched her my idea of a mermaid cake which I found inspo for on Pinterest she was super excited to create it. It was the best value for money from the whole day, everyone LOVED the cake and I was so pleased!!”
“Originally I was going to try and fashion my own kind of DIY wedding dress by finding separates skirt and top and keeping it quite casual and super affordable. I tried a few options with sparkle skirts but in the end it just didn’t feel special enough. I had the dilemma of budget, and wanting something that made me feel special, yet in my style. I got in touch with Lisa Keating who I’d worked with a few years back on the weird and wonderful photo shoot. I knew she was local and could help me create something unique. Lisa made the Bespoke sequin corset for me and I chose a skirt from her collection. I wanted a pop of colour too so I DIY’d the ombré underskirt and my mum helped me sew the bows on!”
“The decor was such a big thing for me, I’m all about the photos! I loved styling and making everything. Mostly, Brad left me to it and I had a bit of help here and there. The 66 (because I ran out of time to get to the 77 needed!) Mermaid chair covers I made were a low point! I worked out how many streamers I’d need to make all the backdrops, how much sand we would need to fill all the table place name bottles and cover the table Center pieces, how many bags of shells we would need, and how much food coloring I’d need to dye them all. How many bottles, candles and pieces of coral.”
“With a year to plan the wedding we decided at the beginning of the planning process that all deposits for the main things were to be paidpaid, venue, Photographer, registrar. After that we didn’t do much for else, every now and then we’d have wedmin days sorting and planning and getting things ticked off. We had a spreadsheet of roughly what we needed to get and when. Then about 8 weeks before paying final balances it was time to DIY my arse off!” Emily laughed.
“I definitely took on a lot of DIY which took its toll on me pre-wedding. I wanted it to look perfect and I couldn’t relax until the Friday night set up. Come 11pm when it was all done and all my hard work was in place and it looked amazing, I cried a sigh of relief. From that moment I was the most relaxed bride. I had no doubts about marrying brad, ever! So once the decor was in place I had nothing left to worry about!”
And whats Emily’s advice for planning the perfect wedding!
“Do it your way! Have fun with planning! Work out a budget (and throw it out the window!)
Dress: Lisa Keating | Venue: Key West Bournemouth Pier | Styling: Mermaid Gossip | Make up: Naomi Lake | Photo booth props: Bespoke Bride | Balloons: Giant Balloon Company | Photography: Laura Power Photography | Videography: Electric Blue weddings |
Tips for planning a PASTEL SEASIDE WEDDING
Planning your own pastel seaside wedding? There’s something utterly dreamy about the idea of soft hues dancing with the ocean breeze, isn’t there? But let’s be real: beach weddings come with their own set of joys and, well, quirks. Here’s how you can make the most of your pastel seaside dream, along with a few tricks to keep things from going, quite literally, adrift.
Choosing Your Pastel Palette
Pastels and beaches go together like seashells and sand. But here’s the trick: stick to a few select shades rather than splashing the whole candy store across your décor. Imagine soft blush paired with mint green or a lavender haze against a sandy backdrop. It’s delicate, not overwhelming—like watercolor against a salty canvas. You’ll want hues that complement the ocean, not fight it for attention.
I once attended a seaside wedding where the couple had chosen pastel peach, soft lilac, and a hint of buttercream. It felt like a gentle sunrise, casting warmth without overshadowing the natural beauty around us. But a word of warning: steer clear of anything too bright. Neon and beach weddings are like trying to mix oil and water; they simply won’t gel. Let the soft colors whisper, not shout.
Dress (and Dress Code!) Wisely
The allure of flowing, ethereal fabrics fits so perfectly with the beach. But think twice before committing to a long train or heavy embellishments. Sure, that train will look stunning in photos, but it might also drag half the beach with it by the time you make it to the altar. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon or silk georgette are ideal; they’ll billow with the wind without becoming a beachcomber’s nightmare.
And for guests, keep it breezy. A friend of mine invited guests to wear pastel tones, and I swear it looked like we’d stepped into a watercolor painting. But don’t forget practical footwear. Sand and stilettos have a love-hate relationship; wedge sandals or even chic barefoot options work best, plus they give everyone the freedom to feel grounded.
Dealing with the Elements
Here’s the thing about the beach—it’s unpredictable. You might get sunny skies and gentle waves, or you might get a gust strong enough to make your veil take flight. Consider a backup for everything: a small tent or shade, pastel-toned blankets for guests (a cute addition for an unexpected chilly breeze), and a clear plan for rainy weather. A seaside wedding I once attended had thoughtfully provided lavender-scented fans and dainty parasols, which added charm while keeping guests cool.
And speaking of the elements, don’t forget about sound. Waves are lovely and all, but they’re louder than you’d expect. Consider amplifying the ceremony sound, or you may end up with a lot of nodding and smiling guests who actually missed half the vows!
Pastel Symbolism: Why It’s Worth the Hype
Pastel colors often symbolize calm, hope, and a touch of nostalgia. They don’t demand attention but gently ask it, like the quiet beauty of a seashell in your hand. By choosing pastels, you’re creating an ambiance that’s soft, romantic, and timeless—like the start of a new chapter whispered gently against the vast horizon. Plus, pastels are surprisingly forgiving in photos, even under direct sunlight, where darker colors might look harsh.
Planning a pastel seaside wedding can be a bit like trying to balance sand in an hourglass. It’s an art of blending colors, elements, and a lot of wind-friendly details. But when it all comes together, you’ll have a wedding that feels as magical as an ocean at dawn—subtle, soft, and unforgettable.
This looked like such an amazing day. Capturing so much happiness! Love the smoke bombs! 🙂
The most original theme I’ve ever seen! Full of great great ideas, love the pastel colours! Beautiful!
Love the colours and the evening shots! Well done.
Good old smoke bombs! Don’t get them to near the dress iv stained one orange whoops. Great work
Great use of color!
THIS IS LIKE… MY DREAM WEDDING. OMG ♥