10 Beach Wedding Color Palettes

It’s been such fun highlighting beach weddings these last weeks, and looking back through the archives, I was reminded how many fun beach inspiration boards I’ve created over the years. And while, yes, many are a play on various shades of blue (because come on, SO lovely!), there are also less traditional combinations, with brights and neutrals and sparkle and texture all playing their part. So I’ve rounded up (and in some cases, spruced up!) ten of my all-time faves. Click on to discover your new favourite palette for a beach wedding!
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Credits: Top row (l-r): Beach bride & groom | Starfish on vintage tray (JoPhoto/Honeybee Events) | Beach ceremony arch (Lace and Likes/Swoon by Katie) | Mussel escorts (Greyberry Design) | Row 2: Invitation suite (NotablePaperCo) | Boho beach sandals | Row 3: Beach table decor (Shefter Polina/Studio Victorias) | Beach bride earrings (Marolsha) | Bouquet (Tamara Gruner Photography/Life In Bloom/Veronica Sheaffer)

This board sums up the beauty and power of the ocean to me – lovely, but always a little wild! Harness the range of blues and greys for your beach wedding and you can’t go wrong, then add in natural or nautical textures and objects like mussel shells, starfish rope and wire, and you have a gorgeous, unfussy basis for a beautiful waterside celebration. The best part? A little wind will only add to the atmosphere! ;)

Credits: Top row (l-r): Jellyfish invitation (Love Me Do Design) | Seaglass escorts (Keith Morrison) | Cake (Brett Heidebrecht/kneadtomake) | Row 2: Place setting (Erich McVey/Ginny Au) | Bridesmaids in purple (Kelly Kollar Photography) | Popsicles (Eric Kelley Photography) | Row 3: Ceremony (Anastasiya Belik) | Bride on beach (Hairpiece: Romantic Art Life/Dress: Jillian Fellers) | Glass float ‘bouquet’ (Maria Lamb Photography/Emily Riggs Bridal)

This one only made its debut a couple of weeks ago, but I happen to think it’s rather lovely. The colours are reminiscent of a beach sunset, which is a different take on a natural ocean palette. And while it’s made up of peach, mint and lavender, there’s nothing to girly about these pastels when balanced out with some natural texturing, especially glass.

Credits: Top row (l-r): Caravan {Jose Villa}; bride in blue tutu {Jen Huang}; table on beach | Row 2: Paper boat escort cards {Caroline Tran}; bouquet {Analisa Joy Photography}; watercolour menu {Moira West} | Row 3: Bride & groom; driftwood sign {Brilliant Studios/Stacie Steensland}; groom in seersucker suit {Sarah Pudlo & Co}; coral nautical cake {Cyrience Photography/Alexis June Weddings}

There’s something so beachy about coral, beyond the obvious – this colour really comes into its own for me when put into a coastal context and allowed to shine next to soft neutrals. Here warm coral is mixed with classic grey and then given an update with a shot of pale dusty blue. Gorgeous.

Credits: Top row (l-r): Seaglass escort cards {Keith Morrison}; vintage tray with calligraphy {Kyle John Photography/Linn P. Wheeler/Jenna Blazevich}; sparkly wedding dress | Row 2: Oyster ring box {Samantha Melanson Photography/BHLDN}; blue table decor {Melanie Gabrielle/Ever After Floral Design}; hydrangea shell bouquet {mdsfloraldesigns.com} | Row 3: Charlize Theron in mermaid dress {Annie Leibovitz}; watercolour invitation suite {Elisa Bricker/Mallory Joyce/Julie Song Ink}; silver wedding dress {Elie Saab}

If I remember correctly, this is one of our all-time most popular boards. I think of it as, if a mermaid got married, this is what it might look like. A classic beach palette, reflective of a stormy sea, with a touch of sparkle and a hint of magic. I think calligraphy works particularly well here, to reflect the sweeping, romantic look.

Credits: Top row (l-r): Watercolor Stripe Wedding Invitation (Minted) | Bride & groom on beach (Alfred Lor) | Nautical stripe bunting (David Long Photography) | Row 2: Choc 99 Cupcakes (Jason Mark Harris) | Beachy table decor (Renee Nicole Photography) | Groomsmen’s shoes (brilliant studios) | Row 3: Ombre dipped wedding dress (Meredith Lord Photography/Phoebe Blockley Bridal) | Starfish decorations (Kimberly Frost Photography) | Beach house decor (A Beach Cottage) | Ring (Jenny Ostenson Photography/BC Calligraphy)

I kind of want to step inside this board and live in it – this preppy take on beach style is right up my street! Yes, it’s another variation on the mixed blue palette, but this time, white and beige play a much bigger role, and the end result is clean, classic and just the right amount of laid back.

Credits: Top row (l-r): Bride with shell | table setting (Katie Grant) | cake (Katie Grant) | Row 2: Shell ring shot (Rebecca Yale Photography) | bride and groom on beach (Millie Holloman Photography/Salt Harbor Designs) | ceremony arch (Stephanie A Smith Photography) | Row 3: Beach bride (Katie Grant Photography/Here Comes the Bride San Diego) | table with bottles (Millie Holloman Photography/Salt Harbor Designs) | Vero Moda dress

Last year’s Pantone colours of the year make for the prettiest of beach palettes – soft pink and blue, like a coastal dawn or that hour just before sunset. Mix soft, romantic fabrics and whimsical details – white coral cake toppers, glass ‘message in a bottle’s, a draped ceremony arch, and of course, a cathedral length veil!

Credits: Top row (l-r): Bougainvillea bouquet (Jeremy Chou/Yellow Bird Events/Peony & Plum) | tropical ceremony area (Jana Morgan) | beaded wedding gown (Anna Campbell/35mm Wedding Photography) | Row 2: Hanging bougainvillea (Merari & Ena/Julia Rohde Designs) | wooden sign board (Brandon Kidd Photography/Heather Hoesch With LVL Weddings And Events/KAKalligraphy) | bougainvillea cake (Anna Delores Photography/Love, Inc. Weddings/MJB Cakes) | Row 3: Bougainvillea wedding invitation (Paper & Type) | ice lollies | ankle posey (Hazel Buckley Photography/Pop of Color Events/Flower Talk)

Let’s move away from those pastels for a second, because beach weddings are also about brights! Pops of bougainvillea pink make for the absolute perfect highlight – this summer flower is the perfect tropical bloom to have as an accent (love it used as a cake topper here!). Serve popsicles (alcoholic or not), plan a ceremony with a view, and change up barefoot boho for a little bit of floral adornment for your toes. So lovely!

Credits:Top row (l-r): Rum punch (Asia de Cuba) | bouquet (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose) | tropical table (KT Merry/David Fittin) | Row 2: Hibiscus invitation (Mospens Studio) | watercolour cocktails sign (Lindsay Madden Photography/Momentus Special Events & More/Julie Song Ink) | centrepiece (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose) | Row 3: Watercolour table number (KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY/THE WEEKEND TYPE) | bride in coral dress (Isa Photography) | Mango Rouched Lace Maxi Dress | ring with blooms (Cyn Kain Photography/Amber Housley/Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, LTD.)

When a colour scheme is inspired by a cocktail, you know it’s going to be awesome, right? This little board was named for rum punch, and its bright, beautiful citrus colours speak of fun and laid back, beachy celebration. Add in hibiscus accents (that bouquet though!) and bright coral bridesmaid dresses, and I’m in colour heaven.

Credits: Top row (l-r): Rustic outdoor table {S: Paul Lowe; P: Susanna Blavarg}; sailing boat {S: Green Wedding Shoes; P: Caroline Tran}; starfish; coral peonies {S: Summer Watkins} | Row 2: Navy striped sandals {S: Summer Watkins; P: Jen Huang}; invitation suite; sailor’s knot hairpiece {March & Lilly} | Row 3: Bride & groom; nautical wedding cake {Sweet & Saucy Shop}; navy striped bridesmaid dress

This is an older board which I’ve given a little revamp because I love the mix of the standard nautical navy and white with coral and peach mixed in. This is a perfect palette to me if you’re looking for something rustic but also elegant. You can go for chunky natural textures and nautical elements, but then add in Breton stripes for that classic seafarer look. And a nautical knot hairpiece? Perfection.

Credits: Top row (l-r): Oyster Box foyer; gold sparkle dress {P: Shira Weinberger}; Eat, Drink & Be Married sign {S: La Fete Event Design; P:Jennifer O‘Donnell Photography}; bride with statement necklace look {S: Canvas and Canopy Events; P: Elizabeth Messina} | Row 2: Silver pinata by Confetti System; message in a bottle escort cards {S: Wed Perfect; P: Denise Bovee Photography}; silver sparkle dress {S: Ginny Branch Stelling Styling & Design; P: Harwell Photography} | Row 3: Shells {S: Wed Perfect; P: Denise Bovee Photography}; shell place card {Fairyfolk Weddings on Etsy}; powdered donuts {S: Alchemy Fine Events; P: Justin Lee}: silver accent bouquet {S: Imagine… Weddings and Special Events; F: Couture Flowers; P:The Youngrens}

Finally, there’s another revamp from the archives, because nobody said that beach weddings couldn’t be GLAM! I love the idea of soft mixed metallics for a beach wedding, it’s like a glamorous take on the mixed neutrals of shells and sand. Bling it up, and add awesome touches like a sparkly pinata, a donut cake, and a bold grouping of pearl necklaces. Everything about this screams fun!