A Beach-Themed Wedding at Marco Beach Ocean Resort in Marco Island, Florida

Nicole Tarantino and Bren Taylor gathered their family and friends in their home of Marco Island, Florida, for a relaxed beach-themed bash overlooking the sparkling blue Gulf of Mexico. The couple borrowed heavily from the striking natural setting to infuse the day with plenty of seaside appeal. With a palette of pink, teal and neutral hues and a driftwood wedding arch that framed Nicole and Bren as they said their “I dos,” guests were immersed in the beauty of Marco Island. Further elevating the beach theme were coral, seashells, sea fans and driftwood piled high along rustic wooden farm tables, with flickering ivory pillar candles laid in between. “Everything made the setting feel warm and intimate—exactly what we wanted,” Nicole says. The pair took advantage of the venue’s beachfront location with a ceremony in the sand and cocktails on the terrace. Fresh, local seafood was, of course, the star of the menu. “We added an extra course between salad and the entree for lobster ravioli. It's one of Bren’s favorites, and since the chef was from Naples, Italy, it was one his specialties,” Nicole says. A live band, Girl Meets Boy, provided the tunes for the fun-filled soiree, rolling out plenty of classic party jams to get guests on their feet. A close family friend, a drummer for a 1980s rock band, even made a surprise cameo with the band during the last song. A tip from Nicole: “Make sure someone else does the worrying about the details so you can have fun.” —Libby MacCarthy