Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid’s Chair in Botany Bay

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

The stunning natural landscape of a private beach, aptly named "Mermaid's Chair," provided the perfect backdrop for a dramatic seaside bridal editorial in the Caribbean. We can't get enough of this flowy neutral gown by Carol Hannah and we love the beachy femme soft color palette with stunning florals (keep reading for a breakdown of specific flowers used). You'll want to see all of the beautiful photos by Kelli Peevey and Meredith Zimmerman in the gallery. The planning and florals were created by the very talented Jessica Bennett of J Bennett Design.

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Mermaid's Chair

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

Tucked away in a secluded corner on the island of St. Thomas is a stretch of pristine, shell-strewn beach, with rock formations in myriad hues. Inspired by the natural coloration of the untouched landscape, Jessica Bennett of J Bennett Design brought the earth and water to life in this stunning bridal editorial.

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

Carol Hannah's sand-tone Coralia gown flowed around the bride like the soft, undulating waves washing over the rocks, while a soft breeze blew through her hair. Stationer Pretty Script designed invitations to create the look of sun-dappled light in water on natural paper with hand-torn edges. Calligraphed shells completed the suite.

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

Custom sea life-inspired vessels by local USVI potterer Casey Giakas Pottery held a delicate offering of fruit and bread laid atop a natural open-weave runner, while blackberries floated in smoky gray glassware, pulling together the hues of the rocks and shells under the bride’s bare feet. Natural selenite candles and beachside finds of coral and shells dotted the spread, accompanied by iridescent oyster glass dishes reminiscent of sunlight playing across waves.

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

J Bennett Design created florals evocative of sea life, full of texture including dark blue Privet Berries, Lady Slipper Orchids, anemone-like Astrantia, white Nerine Lilies, shell-white Playa Blanca Roses, serrated-edged Flowering Grevillea, and show-stopping white Phalaenopsis Orchids. An Australian sapphire in a natural, matte gold setting echoed the ocean’s dark, blue-green waters and complemented the bride’s blue eyes.

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay

USVI-based photographers Kelli Peevey and Meredith Zimmerman captured the stunning natural landscape and dramatic bridal portraits against the backdrop of Mermaid's Chair at Botany Bay, making the bride, herself, look like a mermaid rising up out of the sea.

Dramatic Seaside Bridal Editorial at Secluded Mermaid's Chair in Botany Bay