A Colorful, Personalized Beach Wedding at Avalon Yacht Club in New Jersey

Melanie Jackson (27 and a marine science graduate student) and Adam Osborn’s (32 and a brewer) punchy beach bash was inspired by Adam’s proposal in their beloved shore town while looking for sea glass. The couple added coral and oyster details as a nod to Melanie’s occupation, and bicycles made an appearance throughout the day, a reference to a tandem bike they rode often in their first year of dating. Melanie's mom painted watercolor waves for the stationery, including signage and beer can labels, to keep with the seaside theme. “We chose the Avalon Yacht Club because of the breathtaking, endless views of the bay inside and out,” Melanie says. “The venue has an incredible back deck overlooking the bay, so we didn’t need much décor." Even better, "It’s in a beach community, so most of our guests rented houses for three or four days," Melanie says. "This allowed us to enjoy several days with family and friends, not just the day of the wedding.” Melanie carried cabbage roses, thistle berries and dripping greens, while the guys wore boutonnieres with hops grown in the couple’s garden. Melanie’s airy ballgown went perfectly with the carefree style of the day, while the men rocked sea-glass-colored Vans. As for her bridesmaids, Melanie chose a mint halter gown and gifted each one with a piece of sea glass jewelry in different hues to coordinate with her earrings. Oyster shells, coastal lanterns and dip-dyed table runners topped tables at the reception, where guests enjoyed Maryland-style crab cakes in honor of the coupe’s current home, as well as stuffed acorn squash, Thai-chili-glazed Brussels sprouts and a two-tier coconut cake with mango filling.