Vibrant Rooftop Styled Shoot
“We chose this theme to break away from standard beach wedding palettes and introduce a high-energy, fun, and maximalist aesthetic that reflects a playful coastal escape.
Our foundation color was a rich sky blue complemented by bright coral pinks, orange, chartreuse green, and hot pink accents. We chose sky blue to anchor the design against the ocean and sky, while using high-contrast pinks and oranges to pop against the salmon-pink architecture of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach.”
—Carly Karl, Wilder Mind Events
FEATURING
Bursting with sky blue, coral, hot pink, and chartreuse, this vibrant Clearwater Beach wedding styled shoot traded the standard beach palette for a playful, maximalist take on coastal celebration. The iconic salmon-pink beachfront resort set the stage for a fabric-draped beach aisle, wave-like table linens, and an oversized vintage cake on an open-air terrace overlooking the Gulf.
“The theme can best be described as playful or vibrant coastal,” Carly Karl of Wilder Mind Events detailed. “Instead of a traditional aisle runner, we pooled vibrant blue fabric across the sand directly to a low-profile altar platform. We incorporated coordinating flowing, draped linens across the dining tables, adding movement and an elevated yet effortless feel to the tablescape. Unique details included menu cards featuring playful pink fringe extending from the bottom, laid over scalloped-edge napkins, plus a dramatic, extra-long rectangular sheet cake styled with multicolor piping, ruffled borders, and topped with classic cherries.”
The Content Creation
Behind the Vows
The Venue
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach
“The venue’s iconic pink architecture provided a stunning pastel backdrop that complemented our bright color palette. The open-air elevated terrace offered sweeping views of the Gulf, bridging the gap between upscale resort luxury and relaxed beachside fun.”
—Carly Karl, Wilder Mind Events
The Photography
Eddy Almaguer Photography
“I really enjoyed the creative partners behind this shoot. Everyone hewed so well to the color scheme, and it was a ton of fun to shoot because there aren’t many weddings that flex through a color palette like this. It’s the perfect whimsy for a beach wedding. I also enjoyed getting to add a little bit of an edge with direct flash during the portraits, which is something you may not see often during a beach wedding, where you might assume the sun does most of the heavy lifting.
The most important thing to consider for a beach ceremony is the lighting! There are two major facets at play: your ceremony start time and the direction your guests are facing. For timing, work with your venue to ensure you’re starting, ideally, no earlier than three hours before sunset.
Just as important, consider where your guests will be facing. If the sun is directly in their face, it’ll create an experience where they may be battling the sun, and it removes them from the emotion of the ceremony. Consider having fans on their chairs, a water station, and/or any other needs they can use to brave the direct sun for 30 minutes.
For an outdoor reception, consider the lighting you want to create for your guests, whether that’s candles, lanterns, or other warm ambient lighting. Be sure to confirm with your planner or lighting technician that it’ll be sufficient for your guests once the sun recedes. For portraits (especially if we’re still near the beach), be open to some golden hour shots! During the summer, this might mean escaping for 10 to 15 minutes while guests are eating. Trust me, these sunset portraits tend to be the star of the show!”
—Eddy Almaguer, Eddy Almaguer Photography
The Inspiration
“The ocean was our starting point, specifically the way the water moves and flows. We wanted to bring that feeling into the design through fluid draping, layered textures, and organic floral shapes. From there, we infused the look with the bold, colorful, and unexpected details signature to Wilder Mind Events, creating a design that felt energetic, playful, and distinctly our own.
We started with classic wedding elements like a structured tablescape, traditional place settings, and timeless floral arrangements, then reimagined them through a more playful, contemporary lens. Bold color, layered textures, draped linens, unexpected details, and expressive stationery brought a modern sense of personality while still keeping the overall design elevated and wedding-focused.”
—Carly Karl, Wilder Mind Events
The Rentals
Kate Ryan Event Rentals + Fancy That Specialty Linens
The Signage and Stationery
madWOLFE Designs
The Planning
Wilder Mind Events
“We wanted the design to feel elevated and intentional while embracing some of the more unexpected trends we’re seeing in weddings right now. Classic details like formal place settings and gold flatware created a polished foundation, while unconventional table shapes and layouts brought a more editorial feel to the design. Instead of a traditional reception setup, we played with varied table shapes, organic arrangements, and asymmetrical layouts to create movement and visual interest throughout the space.
Our favorite part was seeing all of the individual design elements come together to create something that felt cohesive, playful, and completely unexpected. The draped linens flowing across the tables like waves were a standout for us because they captured the movement of the ocean in such a subtle way. A close second was the cake, which added a playful, unexpected touch and brought so much personality to the overall design.
We were incredibly honored to be part of this creative collaboration and to have the opportunity to work alongside such a talented group of vendors. Bringing the vision to life together made the experience especially meaningful, and we’re so proud of the immersive, expressive celebration we created as a team.”
—Carly Karl, Wilder Mind Events
The Bridal Beauty
Adore Bridal
The Dress
Truly Forever Bridal
Recreating This Look
“The ideal couple for this type of wedding is bold, design-forward, and party-focused. They love color, don’t take themselves too seriously, and want their wedding to feel immersive, unexpected, and full of personality, creating an experience their guests will remember long after the weekend is over.
Wind and weather: Fabric aisle runners and draped table linens require secure anchoring and thoughtful installation, especially for outdoor celebrations near the ocean. Wind, weather, and the surrounding environment should all be considered when selecting fabrics and determining how each element will be secured.
Floral choices: Select tropical and garden blooms that hold up well in humidity without wilting.”
—Carly Karl, Wilder Mind Events
