Casual Chic Beach Wedding on the Central Coast

When two surfers in California's Central Coast decided to tie the knot, the words "casual", "ocean", "fun", "good food", "good music" and "simple" automatically popped up.
Creating a chic beach wedding need not be an expensive venture. With a few DIYs, you can achieve elegance by incorporating seashells and the bold beauty of red coral without making your décor look kitchy.
Keeping a small dress budget, the bride purchased a lovely silk gown with sewn pearl strands online. However, the couple did splurge on a live acoustic/steel guitar musician for the pre-ceremony and the bride's processional song called "What You Get for Your Trouble". An amazing 3-piece jazz/swing band from Los Angeles was also hired to entertain during the reception.

For a bit of nostalgia and fun a vintage cigar box was painted red and filled with starfish and seashells, creating a sweet mode of transportation for the couple's jewelry.

To add some spice, branches of manzanita were purchased wholesale and spray painted candy-apple red. They look fantastic in a simple arrangement between green dianthus ("trick carnation"), making an impression of red coral and sea plants.

When the floral arrangement is placed on white linen, surrounded by sparkling crystal/glass, white place settings and candles, a fresh and elegant tablescape is created.

For some extra beach-love, the couple also created starfish favors wrapped in custom ribbon and opted for a layered white, coral decorated cake to carry the theme and colors of the wedding.

Wedding Design: Le Festin Events Photography: Lindsey Gomes Photography Florist: April Flowers Venue: Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana