Whether it’s a coastal elopement, an island destination wedding, or anything, we love a reason to tie the knot near beautiful blue waters. Today’s inspiration features the rocky coastline of Bainbridge Island, flaunting three of the most ocean-worthy gowns from Maggie Sottero. Think: windswept meets the seas.
Our creative team at Bridal Musings found the perfect island Airbnb chalet and three beautifully romantic Maggie Sottero gowns and set out to catch a ferry to this dreamy island.
Maggie Sottero, along with its other labels Sottero and Midgley and Rebecca Ingram, designs gowns for a bride who loves a bit of classic style amplified by a modern and romantic edge. (Check out the technicolor inspiration we created with Maggie Sottero here!) Our three dresses, the whimsical and romantic Easton, the modern crepe gown Alice, and the elegant lacey Greenly, were all pieces we knew could look stunning inside the A-frame style cabin and just as charming outside along the Puget Sound.
Dreamily shot by our editor, Claire Eliza, and worn by two of the most lovely and brilliant models, Azka and Kelly, we wanted to show how effortlessly these pieces can be styled. We kept the space minimal to show off a bride’s unique style.
With fun, creative elements, a super easy oyster DIY project (posting on the blog tomorrow! ), and plenty of pearls, the gowns are amplified in an elegant, effortless, ocean-inspired afternoon.
Easton – Whimsical Romance
Three-dimensional lace, beading, and incredible shoulder bows (note-worthy because they’re detachable!) make the Easton dress by Sottero and Midgley an effortless statement. We knew we needed to take this dress to the island when we laid eyes on it!
It’s airy and fun, with classic elements of beading and a dramatic layered train. We knew it would complement the light-filled space. We chose the most romantic, almost fairy-tale-like bouquet to pair with her whimsical elements to make this gown feel doused in romance.
With an ocean-inspired theme, we knew we needed pearls, soft ivories, pastel tones, ribbons, and unconventional jewels (yes, that meant stunning moonstone and green amethyst rings!) Together, we worked to keep everything light and misty.
Sammy Ballew styled our brides effortlessly with loose hair waves, keeping to their styles. She swept Azka’s hair into a tousled power pony with a pearl and ribbon bow and let Kelly’s vintage-style shag haircut play off the “Helen” headpiece by Emma Katzka in perfect balance.
Alice – Modern Vintage
From the front, the Alice dress by Rebecca Ingram is a clean crepe look with a bateau neckline and a sleek silhouette. We used funky pearl hoop earrings and a statement-making Emma Katzka headpiece to transform this gown into a modern look. The pearl accessories also complimented the pearl buttons trailing down the back. We loved how long the train cascaded along the ocean rocks with a bit of lace accenting the edges. This dress is just too good from every angle!
The stationery by Three Little Words was clean and minimal, using shells and happy blue hues to set the tone for the rest of our shoot. We channeled more shell inspiration into our DIY oyster candles, the names for place settings, and cute ring holders to display the mystical & gorgeous engagement rings by Melissa Tyson Designs.
The finishing touches for accessories were two elegant pairs of heels from Bella Belle Shoes with soft ivory ribbons and a touch of pearl detail – which truly completed the looks to make our models look and feel wedding day-ready.
Greenley – Elegant Lace
A floral fit and flare dress, Greenley by Maggie Sottero features the perfect lace to complement any outdoor setting while still feeling elegant. Her nude-toned lining makes the lace stand out while keeping a modern, classic silhouette. Indoors, this dress is pretty and soft through filtered lighting, and along the waterfront, her sheer train creates a delicate statement all on her own.
Flowers (styled by me, Christina!) were sourced locally with softer hues in mind and, of course, needed a last-minute addition of wild beach grass. We wanted something minimal to show off the detail of the gowns and opted for longer stems, showing off length and beauty without hiding any party of these beautiful Maggie Sottero gowns.
Janet Tran designed our cake with a minimalistic approach, frosted in the softest “wave” pattern to mimic the calm tides. To complement the pastel theme, we chose a misty blue tone and adorned its layers delicately in divine “sea glass” rock candies.