A Classic Navy-and-White Military Wedding at Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island

It was important to Nikki Anderson and Karthik Venkatraman, "to have the wedding be a representation of who we are as a couple." As such, they planned a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, that melded watercolor details, traditional Indian elements and tributes to the Navy. While those components were central from the onset, much of the wedding continued to evolve as the planning took place. "Seaside vintage was the aesthetic I was going for but it ended up being eclectic and uniquely us," Nikki recalls. Even the couple's chosen venue spoke to who they are—dog lovers. "It was important for us to find a venue that could hold 250 people, be close to an airport, and allow dogs on the property," Nikki says. "Originally we had planned to have our dogs Scout and Goose be flower pup and ringer bearer but with bad weather weeks leading up to the wedding day that idea was scrapped since dogs were allowed on the venue lawn but not inside. Instead, we found a dog friendly hotel and did portraits with the dogs before they went off to be pampered at a dog’s only hotel and spa." As for their watercolor inspiration, not only did the art form influence their stationery direction, it also informed their floral décor choices. "I told my florist, Polly with Robin Hollow Farm, that I didn’t have specific blooms in mind. I wanted a pastel watercolor vibe with whatever was in season. She incorporated flowers in dog flower collars (later repurposed for the bridesmaids to wear in their hair), the bridal bouquet, the flower arch and the flower garlands."