1. Real Weddings

A Nautical Military Wedding at The Crossings in Carlsbad, California

Brittany Hamilton (27, in functional medicine) and Duncan Hamilton (26, in naval special warfare) met through a mutual friend one summer while in Manh

Brittany Hamilton (27, in functional medicine) and Duncan Hamilton (26, in naval special warfare) met through a mutual friend one summer while in Manhattan Beach, California. They instantly connected, and so their two-year long distance relationship began that involved Duncan going overseas for six months. After Thanksgiving, Duncan proposed with a princess cut diamond to Brittany at sunset in Key West, Florida. The Crossings venue in Carlsbad, California, had all the features that the couple wanted when looking for a wedding location; it the space for an outdoor ceremony, a tented reception, and had a gorgeous view of the ocean. Also as a plus, it could fit their fairly large guest list of 250. Duncan wore his formal Naval uniform for the wedding and Brittany wore a strapless ivory wedding dress with a sheer top layer of lace from The White Dress. They decided to have a nautical themed wedding, decorating the venue in accents of gold, white and navy to match Duncan’s uniform. Centerpieces for reception tables were glass jars filled with sand, shells and candles along with flower arrangements of ivory anemones. The celebratory night of dancing and drinking continued well into the night with an after party and late night pizza, wishing that the celebration would never come to an end.

Rings on Top of Anchor Design
Simple white stationary was printed with blue text and a gold design, tying in the nautical theme with an anchor symbol.
Gold Sparkly Open-Toed Bridal Shoes
"I found my dress at The White Dress Couture and Vintage Bridal Boutique in Corona Del Mar," says Brittany. "It was a strapless and form fitting mermaid style with a sheer layer of lace on therntop."
The bride held an ivory bouquet of anemones, roses and lily of the valley, arranged by Isari Flower Studio.
Bride Standing With Bridesmaids in Black
"We wanted to accent the white and gold uniformsrnthat Duncan and his groomsmen wore," says Brittany. "We had a nautical wedding with navy, gold and white colors"
"We wanted to find a venue that would allow us to have an outdoor ceremony, a tent reception, a view of thernocean, and that could also accommodate 250 guests," says Brittany. "The Crossings in Carlsbad, CA was the perfect location!"
White Ceremony Programs With Nautical Design
Blue Sign With Nautical Quote
Bride and Groom During Ceremony
Romantic First Kiss as Married Couple
Black and White Wedding Party
Married Couple Walking Through Red Fields
Bride and Groom Shot at Sunset
White Tented Reception at The Crossing
White escort cards were display on a table with a striped running, and was decorated with a gold anchor prop,
Ivory Anemone Centerpiece on Dining Table
White Dining Table With Striped Runner
Reception tables were decorated with candles in glass jars with a rope attached as the centerpieces, with blue table names that guests were assigned to.
Cookies with navy icing and a rope design were shaped like anchors to fit the nautical theme.
Gold and White Cake With Blue Accents
Couple Cake Cutting With Sword
The two-tiered ivory wedding cake had the couple's initials and an anchor on the front in navy blue, a rope design tied around the second tier and a bride and groom cake topper.