12 Seaside Wedding Ideas with Roche Harbor Resort
I’ll let you in on a little secret. We’re suckers for harbor views. For peaceful weekend getaways, marina excursions and, especially, weddings. So when we heard about the seaside village on San Juan Island called Roche Harbor Resort, we were hooked on a feeling real fast. Which of course had us spiraling out of control with 12 seaside wedding ideas to go along with it.
Above photos by O’Malley Photographers
Let’s break Roche Harbor down for ya real smooth:
- Crazy cool lodging between waterfront condos, historic cottages, boutique hotels, village homes
- Marina with a nightly colors ceremony (including a cannon shot!)
- Full-service spa, which also offers bridal services
- 3 waterfront restaurants (one famous for in-house doughnuts), plus a summer barista
- Activities ranging from kayaking and whale watching to gardens, bocce, tennis courts and trails. Um, can you imagine an easier (or more unique) guest experience for a wedding weekend?
Photo by Synthesis Photo
Above photos by O’Malley Photographers
Right off the bat, it’s pretty easy to see why Roche Harbor has been voted Best NW Destination in Seattle Bride Magazine from 2012-2017. You can’t beat the venues – sunken garden ceremony amidst waves of colorful petals, an open-air Pavilion reception with idyllic sunset views or even a shipwreck beach rehearsal dinner that’s fire pit ready. Best part? Complimentary luxury suite for you and your partner on the wedding night and a courtesy room block for your guests!
Photo by Kristen Marie Parker
Photo by Catie Coyle Photography
Above photo by Photo by Synthesis Photo
So if you’re wondering what flooded our minds earlier when we envisioned all the harbor ideas you could incorporate at a Roche Harbor fete, look no further than below!
1. Unique draping: We think mimicking the romance of the sea with loose, draped sailcloth is a pretty darn unforgettable idea!
Photo by Kate Ignatowski Photography
2. Get nauti: So many ways to incorporate nautical flags and anchor details, but we’d start with a creative invitation suite like this one!
Photo by KT Merry
3. Anchors away: How cute is this mini sailboat? We saying let the colors fly on the table numbers and beyond!
Photo by Photo by Mirelle Carmichael
4. Go au naturel: There’s something so romantic about sweetheart chairs bedecked with natural greenery and texture to boot!
Photo by Ryan Ray Photography
5. Themed backdrops: Take your favorite quote, lyric or pun and turn it into a harbor themed display that will have your guests talking all night!
Photo by Jacqueline Campbell
6. Bring out the pearly whites: Oysters are pretty commonplace in these waters, so why not tie them into the theme?
Photo by Katie Stoops
7. Put the ordinary on a pedestal: One of our favorite things is seeing commonplace objects that might be overlooked given a prominent place in wedding decor. Fishing reels, gilded bells, sailor knots… let your imagination run wild!
Photo by Paper & Stitch
8. Watercolor + dip-dyed details: Have your vows calligraphed into a work of art mimicking the tide that can be framed forever
Photo by Adrian Michael Photography
9. Treat yo guests: We’re all about the art of curating welcome bags for wedding guests, and even something as simple as a postcard with a handwritten note + themed cookies adds a unique touch
Photo by O’Malley Photographers
10. Throw some shade: Provide your guests with courtyard umbrellas to keep them cool + comfortable
Photo by Ryan Ray Photography
11. Sign of the times: How creative are these calligraphed oars for wedding direction signage?
Photo by KT Merry
12. Full speed ahead: Because when else in your life will you have a better excuse for an on-the-water getaway? Go on. We’ll wait.
Photo by Rachel Havel
Pretty dreamy, huh? By now you can see why this one-stop shop is a perfect solution for couples that even remotely love the outdoors. Nature lends itself to making Pacific Northwest weddings a visual delight, but pairing the natural beauty with an overhaul of comfort, entertainment and a few clever ideas and you have yourself an unforgettable, holistic retreat.
The Roche Harbor Resort is a great place to get married. All the arrangements and boating service are wonderful.
Both couples are looking nice.