All hands on deck. A Sailing Wedding

 

Maybe it’s just this time of year – December is synonymous with sea, sun and sailing; with Christmas thoughts lingering in the background like a happy jingle. This month’s wedding blog draws its inspiration from the blue of the ocean, the unfurling of Spinnaker sails and the nostalgia of Christmas decorations.

A summer wedding with a sailing theme is a timeless choice, combining the romance of the sea with the charm of nautical traditions. Let’s look at a few novel ways of including your passion for sailing and the sea in your wedding with some fun tutorials added to the mix. Whether you are an actual ‘yachtie’ or just someone who is cheering from the harbour wall in a stripy T-shirt, these nautical wedding ideas will inspire you.

Capture the essence of the ocean with décor

Décor for a sailing-inspired wedding can capture the essence of the ocean in creative ways. Think crisp white linens paired with navy accents, centerpieces featuring driftwood and candles, or tables named after famous ships and lighthouses. Add anchors, rope and vintage life rings to give your wedding the feeling of being on a real ship.

Learn how to make your own driftwood sailboats here.

 

 

She sells seashells by the seashore

December is family time and many houses are filled with family from near and far. Why not keep them busy with sea-themed DIY wedding table décor? We love how seashells take on a new life with decoupage (click here to see how it’s done). The chinoiserie cones have a definite Christmas feel to them, and the blues blend beautifully with an ocean-inspired wedding theme. And just how much fun is the natural brown paper sailboat which doubles as a place card? And it is so easy to make this origami boat – click here for the tutorial.

 

 

Let’s tie the knot

 

 

The decoupage shells, light towers and cones may have a girly feel to it, but the grooms will love how nautical traditions with ropes, knots and sails can be incorporated into the wedding. If you have friends who sail, borrow a billowy, lightweight Spinnaker sail to soften the venue and add lovely ambiance as draping or to lower a ceiling.

We love the contrast between the rough rope and black velvet tablecloths in this wedding produced by Kirstin Banta in Los Angeles. Rope detail and votive candles were cleverly interspersed to create a masculine but very elegant atmosphere. Be inspired:

 

 

Navigating life together

The stunning poolside Milkwood Chapel at Umthunzi Hotel, featuring wooden floors and glass walls, surrounded by palm trees, is a perfect blank canvas ready to be transformed with nautical touches for the official part of the wedding celebration.

For an extra personal touch, nautical charts, flags or compasses provide interesting themes and gifts that tie back to the day’s theme of navigating life together. Compasses or mock compasses make wonderful gifts and can be placed on seats or hung on the chapel chairs for effect.

Another delightful option would be to feel the sand beneath your feet as you tie the knot in a romantic dreamy beach ceremony on our local Tweni beach or any of the many wonderful south coast beaches. Our 2025 wedding packages suit the taste and budget of all brides and can be found on our website.

 

 

Having  fun with the nautical alphabet

 

 

Sailing is filled with wonderful traditions and one of them is the nautical alphabet/ Maritime Signal Flags.  Most nautical flags are squares but there are some triangles with flat tips, also known as pendants. One can have so much fun with this, numbering tables from A to Z, or spelling your names out with the help of flags. If you want to learn more about nautical flags and their meaning, have a look at this guide to nautical flags and their meanings.

 

 

A Spinnaker Splash for you?

 

 

Having signature cocktails named after famous sailing terms or elements adds a fun element to the wedding. Our favourite three signature cocktail names are the Spinnaker Splash, The Bowline Breeze and The Keel Cooler:

 

The Spinnaker Splash – White rum, fresh pineapple juice, coconut water, and a splash of grenadine for a sunset hue. Garnished with a cherry and a sail-like orange slice.

The Bowline Breeze – A refreshing mix of gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and a hint of cucumber. Topped with soda water for a light, crisp finish.

The Keel Cooler – A chilled blend of vodka, passion fruit puree, lime juice, and ginger beer. Served tall and garnished with a slice of fresh lime.

 

Whether you’re a sailing enthusiast or are simply drawn to the timeless romance of the sea, a nautical-themed wedding is the perfect way to celebrate love under the sun and sails. We are raising a ‘Spinnaker Splash” to you and the New Year as we sail into 2025!

She knows her Merlot from her Mojito, her hotel from her motel. From craft food to caviar, her innate curiosity about life and wanderlust provide inspiration for her blogs, articles and press releases about the travel, wedding and Spa industry. Over twenty years in the hotel marketing & PR arena with impressive hotel groups, from Dubai to Durbanville, has evolved into the pure enjoyment of freelance projects under the banner of About Branding.