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Under the Sea ✨


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
8th of March 2023

Are you looking for a completely unique wedding theme, which oozes elegance and glamour? We love the creative idea of an under the sea theme, which captures seaside beauty in glamorous style. Mermaids are a huge trend for 2016, making this theme extremely current in the wedding industry. If you're like us and love the idea of being a mermaid bride - then it's time to say "I do" to an under the sea wedding!

1) Watercolour Stationery

When choosing your stationery, go for a design that illustrates your wedding theme and foreshadows your big day. At Guides for Brides we can't get enough of the recent watercolour trend, and there's no better excuse to incorporate watercolours into your big day than a sea themed wedding! Go for shades of blue, green and turquoise to make your invitations look like dreamy swirls in the ocean. 

blue watercolour invitations

2) Seashell Bouquets

As much as we love traditional floral bouquets, these shell bouquets are the perfect addition to an under the sea themed wedding. Either place some mini shells between your flowers, or create an entire arrangement out of different kinds of seashells and mini starfish. 

shell bouquet

3) Beach Wedding!

What better location for a sea themed wedding than on a beach? You won't need to worry about decorating your venue with themed items because you'll already have the perfect backdrop and colour palette for an authentic sea wedding day. Plus, this is a great excuse to splash out on that overseas wedding you've always wanted. 

beach wedding

4) Beautiful Hair

No mermaid is complete without her flowing hair! Ask your wedding hair stylist to create a mermaid-inspired look with loose waves and curls. Make sure to bring in photos from Pinterest to reference exactly what you're looking for. If you want to incorporate some glamour to your look, add a little bit of bling.

wedding hair

5) Chair Covers

Don't settle for plain seating at your wedding - cover your chairs in turquoise decorations to bring the waves to your reception! Whether you love subtle sequins or strips of blue fabric, adding decorations to your chairs can really help you to create the perfect sea vibes.

mermaid wedding chairs

6) A dress fit for a princess (or mermaid)

When it comes to this theme, you have unlimited dress options. Either opt for a traditional fishtail wedding dress or a modern two-piece with a misty tulle skirt. Or, if you want to really embrace your inner mermaid, go over the top with a glittery, sequin dress. For an ultra-feminine, mermaid dress, we are absolutely loving this sparkly gown by Mori Lee. 

mermaid wedding dresses

7) Starfish Hair Details

Replace your traditional hairpieces with sea themed accessories. We think these starfish hair clips are the perfect addition to your sea-inspired bridal look; the perfect accessory for a relaxed beach wedding.

beach wedding hair starfish

8) Underwater Decor

Take advantage of this opportunity and go all out with your venue decor! Hang bubble chandeliers and blue streamers from the ceiling of your venue and transform it into the bottom of the ocean. Blue toned lighting can also really help to enhance an underwater theme.

wedding mermaid decorations

9) Sea-themed Cakes

Take your cake inspiration from the sea to complete your theme. Cover your wedding cake in beautiful shells and instead of a traditional cake topper, how about a glittery starfish? 

mermaid wedding cakes

10) Bridesmaid Dresses

When choosing your bridesmaid dresses go for mermaid inspired cuts and colours. We love pastel shades of blue and stunning turquoise green -they instantly add a touch of mermaid glitz and glamour. 

mermaid wedding bridesmaid

11) Table Decor

Table decor is a great way to tie your sea theme into your wedding breakfast. Go for a blue, shimmery table cloth and scatter some sea-themed items around the table. For centrepieces, we love flowers, shells and coral!

mermaid wedding table

12) Sea Signs

Your wedding wouldn't be complete without some appropriate signs to place around your ceremony and reception. Anything sea or mermaid related would be perfect - there are lots of websites that allow you to create your own personalised signs so that you can even incorporate your names or wedding date.

Screen Shot 2016-03-29 at 10.27.23

13) Ship Wedding Arch

Bring the sea magic into your ceremony with a ship-inspired wedding arch. Imagine saying "I do" with this beautiful backdrop. How romantic!

ship wedding arch

All Photo Credits: Pinterest.

Looking for more under the sea inspiration? Check out our Pinterest board for more gorgeous ideas.

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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