The Most Epic Captiva Island Wedding With a ”Retro Florida Postcard” Theme

Lauren Megerdichian
September 15, 2021
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Whimsical

Now this is a couple who knows how to have fun with their wedding décor! As guests walked from one side of the island to the other for the ceremony to the reception (yup, the island is THAT small), they were greeted by a one-of-a-kind night. The adorable couple inspired their wedding design based off those old-school, retro Florida postcards you used to see, you know… the ones with illustrations inside of each letter? It may have been quite a challenge, but Carrie Darling Events and Kaleidoscope Floral pulled it off with every last detail… all while keeping it chic the entire way through. Check out all the can’t-miss moments from their day at the full gallery, all captured by Hunter Ryan Photo.

From Hunter Ryan Photo… Courtney & Stephen’s Wedding took place in the heart of enchanting Captiva Island, FL at a Private Home.

One significant element of the Wedding is that the guests progressed from one side of Captiva to another throughout the night – REALLY. The island is THAT narrow. The ceremony was held on the beach (across the street from the home) and then guests were guided across the road (via traffic cop) to cocktail hour on the front lawn, the dinner tent was behind the home, the dancing tent was on the other side of the back yard, and the send off was on the narrow path on the back side of the property – and the couple left on a boat with a Captain friend! From one side of the ocean to another .

As guests made the progression from one space to another, the couple wanted each new space they encountered to have an entirely new vibe and style. We also wanted to embrace all the unique characteristics of Florida. So, we based the decor in each space on a retro Florida postcard that served as a Save the Date for the Wedding weekend. You know, the kind of postcard with illustrations inside each of the letters? The “L” in Florida was an Orange Grove that inspired the escort card display, the “O” had a retro nod to cocktail hour with the fun beach umbrellas, The “R” had more of a natural greenery/Everglades style for the dinner tent, and the “D” had more vivid colors or orange and red (sunset colors) that we used in the dancing tent.

Invitations:

They had a very intimate invitation design that highlighted hand-drawn illustrations by Lucy Engelman that were inspired by the couple’s own engagement photos. So instead of using actual photos, it was an artistic version of the couple’s own pictures- which offers a very unique way of sprinkling the couple’s likeness into the suite. Lucy created additional illustrations, like a tropical leaf pattern for the liner of the envelope, a map of Captiva for the itinerary (and also used on the Welcome Bag) and welcome booklets. Everything was very monochromatic in a rich Florida green with traditional Wedding white background.

Some of the illustrated images were made into pillows at cocktail hour, as well as trays that the signature drink was served on, etc. It was such a cool way to use the engagement photos, in a non-traditional way, and of course, a lot of keepsakes for the Bride and Groom.

Ceremony:

Inspired by the surrounding Reeds, Seagrass, Pampas Grass. It was a minimalistic look, with 2 large palm fronds coming together to make the ceremony arch.

The Welcome Sign was custom made with rattan fan blades, a bamboo pole base and accents of pampas that said “Welcome to Captiva” with a ceremony directional sign.

Programs were printed, frayed-edge fabric scrolls that were wrapped around the handles of white paper fans and tied with green velvet ribbon.

Guests were greeted with an infused water station on the beach to quench their thirst. The flavored water ( Pineapple Mint, Florida Citrus, Cucumber Mint) were all served in monogram tossware.

Cocktail Hour:

We embraced the Retro Florida Vibe for cocktail hour on the front lawn, and the fun prints of beach umbrellas you might see scattered on the Florida beaches. Several cocktail rounds dressed in bold striped linens were paired with umbrellas, colorful lemon prints, white fringed and even straw materials.

A playful Beach Ball Selfie Wall greeted guests, and they were invited to interact with additional balls laying on the ground as they captured some photos.

Servers held custom drink trays (with illustrations of the couple’s engagement photos) and their signature “My Tie” Drink, which was a nod to how they met (hint: it had to do with the Groom’s tie). Even the stir stick was in the shape of a neck tie ;)

As an added touch for additional drinks from the bar, guests were invited to use one of the green “C&S” shaped Straws, or pick up a koozie.

Escort Card Display:

Carrie Darling Events built an “Orange Grove Trellis” that fit the dimensions of the tent opening, so it also served as entrance decor to the tent. Guests were presented with an uplit trellis, with custom, diagonal shelving that held small oranges with paper leaf escort cards pinned into them. With a guest count looming around 150, we helped move everyone along by organizing the left side of the trellis into last names starting with A-M and the right side of the trellis held oranges with guests with last names that started with M-Z.

Main Dinner Tent:

The Bride wanted to embrace the beautiful, surrounding landscape, so we used a clear tent and did dramatic greenery palm centerpieces on the table, with rattan lanterns hanging from the top of the tent. The bamboo chairs tied into the rattan lanterns, and the mis-matched green water glasses added some fun hues against the white linens.

Wedding Cake / Cake Slice Display:

Placed between a trio of Palm Trees, on a fun tropical print linen! The tall cake featured additional sugar flowers with butterfly details.

Later on in the evening, the cut slices of cake were brought out to 3 long tables (closer to the dance tent that everyone moved to). The 3 display tables had custom neon “flavor ” signs for the Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon Blueberry and Funfetti flavors. It made it easier to see in the dark, and made it even more exciting for guests to choose the flavor of cake they wanted!

Dancing Tent:

Hanging from the center of the tent was an eclectic mix of dried palms in fun spray-painted colors and fun florals in a central floral chandelier.

We anchored a fun rental bar from Unearthed Rentals, on the far end of the tent (opposite from the Stage) for easy access to some evening livations!

Surprises!:

#1 Specialty Dancers/ Entertainment

Right after the Bride & Groom’s Thank you speech (our signal was “Let’s Get This Party Started) a dance troupe of 4 ladies and 4 drummers came in from both corners of the tent with a major presence, and had al the guests stand and follow them down the path to the “Party Tent”

#2 Ice Cream Truck

Instead of a Late night food, an Ice Cream Truck pulled up to the dancing tent- about an hour before the end of the party… song on and everything to draw a crowd, running for their favorite cone or push-pop!

Send Off:

The last 10 minutes of the party, we passed out monogrammed LED ribbon wands for the guests to dance with and then we directed them to the far back of the property, where a line of palm trees was all uplit in fun colors on the way to the dock. The guests lined both sides of the path, and the Bride & Groom walked down a line of white streamers, to a sign that greeted them with “Bon Voyage”. From there, they boarded a boat with their Captain friend, and took off in an epic newlywed kiss goodbye.

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