1. Real Weddings

A Summer Nautical Wedding at Carolina Girl Yacht in James Island, South Carolina

Leah Skorzewski (26 and a microbiologist) and Bobby Papariella's (28 and a physical therapist) summer nautical-themed wedding went above and beyond th

Leah Skorzewski (26 and a microbiologist) and Bobby Papariella's (28 and a physical therapist) summer nautical-themed wedding went above and beyond their expectations. Being Roman Catholic, the couple tied the knot at the Church of Nativity on James Island in Charleston, South Carolina. The church's neutral-toned walls and wooden pews made for a perfect canvas to let the colors of the day to stand out. The palette of navy and coral and the fashions of the entire wedding party blew us away. Wearing navy suit jackets from Nautica and navy-and-white bridesmaid dresses with whimsical detailing from Bella Bridesmaid, the groomsmen and bridesmaids tied each element of the wedding together perfectly. The coral accents of the color scheme were seen in the groomsmen's ties and bridesmaids' coral carnation bouquets, balancing out each ensemble. The unique and fun reception was held on Carolina Girl Yacht, on Fisherman's Pier in James Island County Park. The yacht, decorated with navy lighting and linens with coral table runners, set sail along the coast of South Carolina--a great way to celebrate Leah and Bobby's nuptials. One of our favorite details was their buttercream-iced wedding cake: The circular designs perfectly integrated the ruffled accents of the bridesmaid dresses. How cool is that? Wedding Flowers by Lisa Ferguson adorned the purely white cake with carnations and blue delphiniums, reflecting the decor of the reception in each bouquet. A piece of advice from the bride: "I found it especially helpful to make an itinerary and journal of my wedding plans. Do your research on vendors and try to include your future spouse in the planning; they can really offer good ideas and support throughout the whole process."

Classic Curled Updo With Swoop Bang
White Strapless Beaded Wedding Dress
White hydrangeas, gerber daisies and blue delphiniums flooded Leah's bridal bouquet by Wedding Flowers by Lisa Ferguson, while coral carnations filled the bridesmaid bouquets. The deep blue of the delphiniums were a perfect contrast against her white wedding dress and provided another pop of color to the coral, navy and gray palette.
Bobby's groomsmen sported navy suit jackets and tan pants from Nautica for the nautical-themed wedding. They contrasted beautifully against Bobby's light gray suit. They accessorized their ensembles with bright coral ties to reflec the color scheme of navy and coral. Bobby and his groomsmen were the definition of classy and suave.
Leah found her trumpet-style beaded lace wedding dress at Boutique of Dreams in Simpsonville, South Carolina. With a sweetheart neckline and a sheer brooch belt accenting her waist, Leah glowed as she walked down the aisle for the traditional Catholic wedding ceremony at the Church of Nativity.
Light Gray Suit With Coral Tie
Having fallen in love with the South Carolina coast during their relationship, Leah and Bobby decided it was a no-brainer choosing Charleston as the location for their destination wedding. The breathtaking greenery, the warm rays from the sun... Who wouldn't want to tie the knot in Charleston? We definitely would!
Leah's bridesmaids supported the bride in navy-and-white-striped cocktail bridesmaid dresses from Bella Bridesmaid. We absolutely loved the detailing on the top of the dress, which added a whimsical element to the outfit. With the navy of the dress perfectly matching the navy suit jackets worn by the groomsmen, the wedding party shined next to the bride and groom.
The bride wore silver shimmery heals for the wedding ceremony, then changed into seersucker navy blue and coral Sperry-Bahama boat shoes to complement the groom's Sperry shoes during pictures and the reception. Not only did her shoes match his, but the stripes also matched his socks.
Personalized Nautical Decoration
Although the teal Key West Room on the Carolina Girl Yacht didn't correspond with the navy and coral color scheme, it still presented a stunning nautical atmosphere for Leah, Bobby and their guests. Wanting their guests to be as comfortable as possible during their boat cruise reception, the couple gave them the option to change their clothes before boarding the yacht.
Lantern Centerpiece With Candle
From Publix Bakery, Leah and Bobby's wedding cake fit right in with the summery nautical-themed wedding. The whimsical pattern of the buttercream on each tier hinted at the fun design on the bridesmaid dresses. We loved the additions of the coral carnations and blue delphiniums from in the bridal-party bouquets as cake decorations.
While dancing to "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran, Bobby wore a captain's hat on the Carolina Girl Yacht. As a playful gesture for the reception, Bobby provided captain's hats for any male attendee who wanted to wear one. Even the lighting on the yacht matches the color palette. Coincidence? We think not!