Preppy Weddings Are In — And These 9 Ideas Prove It

Preppy weddings capture the laid back elegance of a New England summer. Imagine the finer things in life, without all the fuss. A preppy theme takes inspiration from both weekend clambakes and the most sophisticated soirées. Think clean lines, classic florals, and nautical décor elements that capture the beauty of the Atlantic.

PartySlate reached out to Kait Leahy, Owner of By Kait Elle Events, for insight into the preppy wedding aesthetic. She tells us, “Preppy weddings are in! Our idea of a preppy wedding is one filled with whites, blues, or a light color palette with pops of blue, a sailcloth tent, simple yet defined lighting, and impeccable (dare I say perfect?) layouts for both ceremony and reception. In our eyes, perfectly straight rows of chairs and tables scream preppy! Our favorite type of wedding to design currently…the preppy, garden-inspired wedding!”  

We’ve searched through thousands of real weddings on PartySlate to find our favorite preppy wedding theme ideas. From tranquil blue wedding hues to fresh seafood straight from the ocean, here’s 9 ways to elevate your wedding day with a classic preppy style. 

1. Go With a Preppy Blue Wedding Palette

Your wedding colors set the mood and tone of your celebration. Capture the understated elegance of a preppy wedding with a blue color palette that ranges from pastel to navy. For couples exchanging vows on the ocean, discover how to bring a preppy twist to your nautical wedding colors.

2. Incorporate Fresh White Wedding Florals

Keep the vibe cool and classic with fresh white floral décor. Some of our favorite white blooms include carnations, ranunculus, roses, gladiolus, and hydrangeas. You can also mix in fresh greenery for a softer look. Lastly, don’t forget to use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find an available wedding florist near you. 

3. Create a Classic Vibe With Striped Patterns

Clean-cut patterns are a preppy staple. Bring this refined look to your wedding celebration with pinstriped linen tablescapes, bow tie embellishments, and striped lounge areas. You can also incorporate stripes into everything from your wedding invitations to signage.

4. Pitch a Preppy Wedding Pole Tent

Take your celebration outdoors with a tented wedding. Pole tents, especially, lend a preppy vibe to your surroundings. These soaring pitched roofs create unique opportunities for décor such as suspended greenery or lanterns. Use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find tent rentals near you. Make sure to click into a company’s PartySlate profile to see real examples of their work.

5. Take Your Celebration Seaside

Take your celebration to the coast — be it lake or ocean — with an outdoor ceremony and reception. Seaside nuptials and al fresco dining turn every moment into a picturesque photo op, especially come sunset. Make sure to take a few moments with your beloved (and wedding photographer, of course) to enjoy the sand and surf.

6. Make Waves With Nautical Décor

Sailboats, steamboats, and yachts evoke the preppy feel of New England. Bring this nautical vibe to your wedding décor with everything from nautical-themed invitations to wedding cake toppers. We especially love how one of the ceremonies below recreated the main mast of a ship as the backdrop for their wedding ceremony. 

7. Engage Guests With Competitive Lawn Sports

Keep guests engaged with preppy competitive lawn games such as croquet, spikeball, and cornhole. Lawn games are also a great way to get photographs of your guests having fun off the dance floor. You can even incorporate games into your wedding party photos, like one of the couples below.

8. Satiate With a Seafood Spread

From clambakes to plated lobster dinners, nothing says preppy like a seafood spread. Add unique details to your catering display with a giant ice-filled canoe or custom signage instructing your guests how to properly eat lobster. You can find the best caterers for your preppy wedding through PartySlate’s curated vendor directory. Make sure to filter by location and services for the best fit.

9. Say Thanks With Preppy Wedding Party Favors

Show guests how much you appreciate their love and support with thoughtful party favors that reflect your preppy theme. Some of our favorite ideas include custom-made tote bags and classic shawls. Use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find a favors and gifts company near you. 

People Also Ask…

How can a couple find their perfect wedding style?

“We help a couple determine their wedding style simply by getting to know them,” Kait Leahy, Owner of By Kait Elle Events, tells us. “That sounds like a simple answer, but in order to design a client’s wedding we need to know their likes, dislikes, and absolute heck no’s. Sure, Pinterest design photographs help, but designing a wedding requires many calls and meetings where we talk not only about the wedding, but also life. Does my client love cooler weather, the ocean and whales, but also dislike sand, the color orange, and the rain? If this is the case, then we probably need to find an indoor venue on the water in the Northeast (or the southeast in late October and early November), and definitely not choose a wedding date that falls during the week of Halloween.” 

Where can I find a venue for my preppy wedding?

Head to PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find the perfect setting for your preppy wedding theme. Use the filters to narrow your search by location, guest count, amenities, and more. For an intimate preppy celebration, we especially recommend pursuing the “yachts and boats” category within “venue type.” “Historic estates and mansions” are also a great match for a classic New England-style wedding. 

Where can I find vendors for my preppy celebration?

Find everything from your wedding planner to live entertainment with PartySlate’s curated vendor directory. Use the filters to search by vendor type, location, services, and more. Make sure to click into a preferred vendor’s PartySlate profile page to see examples of their work from real wedding celebrations. You can also contact a vendor straight from the directory.

Where can I find more inspiration for my wedding?

PartySlate is here to connect you with the latest wedding trends, as well as classic ideas that never go out of style. Click on the following for even more curated wedding inspiration.

Meet the Expert

Kait Leahy
Owner
By Kait Elle Events

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