Island wedding vibes in st. thomas in shades of blue and orange

bright wedding bouquet ideas

With the palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze, Emily and Jake tied the knot in a laid-back island celebration that doubled as a vacation for them and their guests. From the bridesmaids' printed maxi dresses to the beachy-chic welcome party, we're sure you'll want to swipe a few of these ideas for your own island wedding, so keep scrolling to see even more of these vibrant photos by Shannon Skloss.

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their love story

wedding welcome party attire ideas

We met in high school outside of Philadelphia. We grew up together, and our love continues to grow as we have transformed from teenagers to adults.

the vibe: laid-back island romance

wedding venue in st thomas

We wanted something fun and relaxing so our guests would feel like it was their vacation. The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas was perfect as it offers great beaches and is within the US, so no passport is necessary! We wanted everyone to know how much we appreciated everyone flying to our wedding and how much we loved everyone who was there. We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends. Julian and Sarah of Julian Leaver Events were amazing to deal with and made the process so seamless. We both have high-stress jobs, and they helped narrow down the choices for us so it never felt overwhelming. The design blended the island vibes of St. Thomas with our own personal style.

simple oceanfront wedding ceremony market basket wedding flowers

oyster wedding escort cards

Market basket flower arrangements by East End Flower Shop lined the aisle in shades of red and blush, featuring pops of tropical greenery. During cocktail hour, guests found their names on an escort display created from oyster shells, to continue with the beachy theme. Then, they made their way to the bright open-air event space where raffia chandeliers and tinkle lights created the perfect island atmosphere.

bride reaction to wedding reception

tropical wedding reception centerpieces

the invitations

tropical wedding invitation suite

We love an invitation suite that plays with color and form! From the shell-shaped Welcome Dinner invite to the bright watercolor floral motifs, this was the perfect way to set the tone for the wedding weekend that lay ahead.

the welcome party

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If you're having a destination wedding, a welcome party is always a good idea. Whether you go all out like this couple with a dinner on the beach or simply host a cocktail hour at the hotel bar, it shows your guests how excited you are to have them and gives you some much-needed extra time with your favorite people.

beach wedding welcome party st thomas

the first look

first look with bride

In the sun-drenched courtyard, Emily waited to hear Jake's footsteps behind her. The two shared a private, heartfelt moment for just them before the festivities really got started.

first look wedding photo ideas

the fashion

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Emily wore a modern Suzanne Neville mermaid gown with a dramatic plunging neckline and lace detailing at the waist. Her bridesmaids brought the tropical vibes with her two Maids of Honor in matching Ikat-printed maxi dresses and the bridesmaids in mix-and-match sky blue dresses. Jake wore a bright ocean blue suit for the big day. His groomsmen rocked navy suits with ties that matched the groom's ensemble. Later that night, when it was time to really break it down, Emily switched into a chic ombre sequin mini dress that we're obsessed with!

nap dresses for bridesmaids getting ready