Lydia and Brian’s Colorful Beach Wedding

by Amy Serrago

Lydia and Brian met in Lydia’s kitchen when she was just 15 years old. Brian was Lydia’s brother’s closest friend and accompanied the family on their annual summer trip to the Outer Banks that year. It was on that trip that he and Lydia became friends. One afternoon Lydia convinced Brian to go on an eight-mile bike ride with her to the Rodanthe Pier and they spent hours together talking and exploring the beach. Over the next several years, Brian became a regular on the family trip and his friendship with Lydia grew and grew. It took a while for the pair to realize they had feelings for each other. Lydia says, “my mom and grandma kept telling me that Brian was into me and I kept telling them ‘no, you guys are crazy’.” But it turned out they were right. Years later, Brian took Lydia back to the Rodanthe Pier to ask her to be his wife and of course, she said yes! It’s totally fitting that these two love birds headed back to the beach for their wedding, where the ceremony took place right in the sand!

Lydia was gorgeous in her traditional ball gown with its sweetheart neckline and multi-tiered skirting. She finished her look with a beaded headpiece and a fingertip veil with sparkling embellishments at the edging. Her bridesmaids wore joyfully pink patterned Lily Pulitzer cocktail dresses and carried all white bouquets while Lydia carried a vibrant bouquet of bright hues designed to match her gals’ dresses. Brian and his groomsmen were handsome in three-piece gray suits paired with turquoise ties and pocket squares.

At the reception, tables were set with crisp white linens and blue chair sashes and lighthouse-themed centerpieces were adorned with nautical details like seashells and starfish. Seating assignments were placed on mini-starfish and Lydia and Brian served up “mermaid margaritas” and a dark and stormys as signature cocktails. After dinner, the newlyweds hit the dance floor to celebrate with friends and family and at the end of the night, they exited through a fun sparkler send off. Congratulations Lydia and Brian!