Reader Request: A Maritime Marriage

Rachel and her groom-to-be will be married next June at the Maritime Academy on Michigan's coast. For the color scheme, she'd like to go with navy blue and hints of green and yellow. The bridesmaids will be wearing navy blue dresses, and groomsmen will look sharp in khaki pants and blue blazers. Some of Rachel's details include nautical lantern centerpieces, oars for guests to sign in place of a standard guest book, and beach stones from the Great Lakes as "place cards". Rachel mentioned that she has about 1,000+ ideas, and needs to put them all together to style the perfect event. Well, Rachel - you have some amazing ideas so far, and with a color scheme that is perfectly fitting for your venue, your wedding day is sure to be full of style and fun! Here are a few ideas to help you plan your big day:

A navy blue blazer and yellow tie for the gentlemen -- The Knot

Navy and white striped grosgrain ribbon adds extra style to boutonnieres and the bride's bouquet -- Brides

This square invitation features a tiny anchor motif and thin gold rope -- Invitation by Checkerboard, available at FineStationery.com

Since you're "tying the knot", use white rope accents in unexpected places, like table number signs, tied around chairs, or draped across the bar -- Rope bow via Wedding Chicks, Table number card via Style Me Pretty

Greet guests on the docks with a navy blue, yellow and white strand of pennants. For added nautical flair, create pennants that spell out your married last name in nautical alphabet flags -- The Knot

Signature cocktails can carry out your color scheme perfectly -- The Knot

The idea for writing guests names and table assignments on Great Lakes stones is a great idea, and the stones will make perfect keepsakes for guests -- Style Me Pretty

A framed "Eat. Drink. We're Married." print is a fun accent for the bar tables or place card table. Add an anchor motif for seaside style -- Wedding Chicks

Sailboat shaped cookies in simple sailcloth bags make great favors -- Martha Stewart

Dance the night away in pretty yellow heels -- The Knot

A sparkler send-off on the docks would make for a memorable ending to your reception. Accent matchboxes with nautical flag designs -- Martha Stewart

Oars are much more fun to sign than the pages of a guest book. Great idea! -- Style Me Pretty

Add a touch of seaworthy style to your wedding cake by having your baker add fondant wave designs -- Brides

Best wishes to you and your groom, Rachel!