A Chic Nautical Shoot At Winona Lake

Photos ByMegan Renee Photography

Written By

Carri Fras

Date

February 2, 2017

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There’s nothing quite like a nautical summer wedding near the water’s edge. The day is hot, lakeside breezes blow and gentle waves lick the shoreline. People lounge and mingle in cozy settees, gazing across a well-manicured yard as the sun dips below the horizon. The mood is festive as guests share gorgeous views, soak in the classy setting and enjoy the oh-so-fresh ambiance!

Megan Renee Photography, My Simple Soiree and Maeve Vintage Rentals & Styling dreamed up this very vision. While being first approached by Megan Renee with the idea, Jeri Purdy, one of the founders of My Simple Soiree, wasted no time in grabbing at the opportunity to coordinate this beloved wedding theme. Like an East Coast soiree or glamorous wedding at Martha’s Vineyard, the team wanted to design a classic nautical style shoot that was sophisticated “with a bit of fun.”

Shot at a private estate with beautiful Winona Lake as the backdrop, the allure of the venue was more than picture perfect. A sandy lake edge, gorgeous green lawns, willow trees and gardens were all picturesque elements befitting the nautical theme they envisioned. Jeri says, “The hardest part was narrowing down the fabulous locations and focusing on what really captured our vision.”

To give the outdoor space the “upscale, old glamour” look they dreamed of, they turned to Maeve Vintage Rentals who provided everything from ceremony chairs to reception seating. When describing the setup, Jeri says “Sofas lined the yard to view the lake at dusk. The tables were sat in a hedge-lined lawn with sea glass, driftwood and florals and the ceremony was tucked away in the willow trees and sand for lakeside nuptials.” Other details included the unique signage and bridal suite, created by Haley from Kairoscope. Using the neutral palette as inspiration, she incorporated anchors and rope details into the design as a nod to the nautical theme.

The model wore a fitted Galina lace dress with a mermaid silhouette from David's Bridal. It’s simple yet elegant design aligned with the overall theme and surely kept the bride cool while in the hot, outdoor location. “The day of the shoot was the hottest of the summer. It was 95 degrees with a heat index well over 100 degrees,” Jeri says. “Andi of Something Blue Stylists pulled off hair and makeup magic. You would never know we were sweating buckets.” (We agree that’s a feat!)

Andi swept the hair up and finished it with a hair piece from Hair Comes the Bride to expose the colorful Chapman Jewelers earrings. Neutral makeup tones were paired with long lashes to complement the bride’s flawless skin and cheekbones.

Avoiding the cliché take on nautical, the team carefully chose their color palette and floral design. Be Married Events used dark florals, inspired by the shadows of lake water. Moss, shells and sea glass were also weaved into the bouquets, highlighting their unique vision. Jeri says, ”We wanted to show people that nautical can take on many colors and styles. It doesn’t have to be navy, red and white.”

One Ten Craft Meatery of Warsaw, Indiana designed a classic vanilla naked couples cake, complete with a rich sour cream filling and buttercream dusting. What better way to pass time on a lovely summer evening than eating and water gazing? The team had that covered, too! One Ten Craft Meatery designed mouth-watering appetizers and desserts to feature as well.

WHAT WE LOVE

The vendors kept several trends in mind. While staying true to their locale and what is typically a very sought-after trend with all of the lake venues in the area, “nautical” was definitely the way to go. They also highlighted the popular naked cake and dessert bar trends. Jeri says, “Lastly, we used upscale design elements like the The Mrs. Box and an Oatmeal Lace bridal bouquet wrap to show how you can take small details and transform the feel of your wedding."