by: 
“Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.”
There are many reasons to choose a nautical theme for your wedding. For some people, the idea of getting married near (or even on) the ocean is both romantic and exciting. For others, nautical wedding décor is a nod to a lifelong passion for sailing or even a career as a boat captain or a United States Marine. Or perhaps you’re simply drawn to the calming green-and-blue color palette, generous sprinkling of anchors, and classic stripes that make this wedding theme so iconic.
Wherever your passion for a waterfront wedding comes from, you’ll likely fall in love with these nautical wedding invitations that give guests a glimpse of all the maritime magic that’s yet to come.
1. Swept Away
If you’re having a waterside wedding but don’t want to go too heavy on oceanic embellishments, you might want to consider Swept Away. The background of the invitation at the center of this stately suite looks like indigo-dyed linen, the subtle texture adding complexity to an otherwise streamlined design. A few strategic flourishes and the use of contrasting classic typeface (for your wedding details) and romantic script (for your names) makes this subtle nautical design a real winner.
2. Voyage of Love
Set sail on your journey to wedded bliss starting with Voyage of Love, a wedding invitation all about life on the high seas. From jaunty stripes to a giant boat to a classic nautical color palette, including blue, green, and white, this design is perfect for seaside I dos. Keep the colors as-is or customize them using your own choice of accent colors to spin this suite in a more personal direction.
3. Nautical Dreams
Anchors? Check. A steering wheel just like the ones found at the helm of big boats? Check. Blue and white stripes? Check — and in two different sizes, no less. Nautical Dreams is everything its name promises, including a fun font that helps you and your beloved’s names get the attention they deserve.
4. Nautical Feelings
If you took a look at Nautical Dreams then clicked over to Nautical Feelings, you’d be forgiven for having a touch of déjà vu. These themes are quite similar, but Nautical Feelings adds red-and-white borders and backs off the liberal use of stripes for a cleaner, more formal design. Where Nautical Dreams skews more playful, Nautical Feelings would be perfectly on brand for an upscale wedding at a yacht club or fine-dining restaurant overlooking the wharf.
5. Military Themed – Marines (USMC)
While both men and women proudly serve in the United States Marine Corp, Military Themed – Marines (USMC) is definitely tilted toward couples where the groom is the one planning to say “I do” in full uniform. The star of this design is the perfectly paired outlines of a bride with a gown, veil, and bouquet and a groom in full USMC regalia. In between the two sits your wedding details, with a few scattered flowers rounding out the rest of the invite. While not stereotypically nautical, this design is perfect for a military couple who wants to incorporate their sense of duty into their ceremony.
6. Posh Chevron
The nested V shapes that make up a classic chevron pattern feel modern and directional, which helps give Posh Chevron its nautical undertones. Shades of navy, gray, and white only emphasize the nautical vibes, and white color blocking provides ample space to spell out your wedding details. (Expert Tip: The envelope liners for this suite are super fun, with a peek-a-boo chevron design ready to pop out and greet guests when they open your invite.)
7. Shore Impression
If an impressionist painter got ahold of a blank wedding invitation while holed up in a beautiful cottage by the sea, the resulting work might look a lot like Shore Impression. It’s hard to tell whether the meandering washes of blue and white are waves and foamy surf or the sky and clouds — or perhaps it’s both. Whatever your interpretation, this invite hits all the right notes for a nautical wedding with a hint of ethereal appeal.
8. USMC Sabers of Love
Full of symbolism, USMC Sabers of Love is a gorgeous testament to a life of service and a great way to introduce two people deeply in love. A pair of crisscrossed sabers draws attention to a banner emblazoned with your names, and the back of the invite continues the military theme with a matching banner reading “Semper Fidelis,” or “Always Faithful” — the motto of the US Marine Corps and a phrase certainly befitting of such a momentous occasion.
9. Gilded Opulence
If William and Kate had gotten married at the seaside, their invitations might have looked something like Gilded Opulence. This design combines the pomp and circumstance of a formal — dare we say regal — affair with hints of nautical charm thanks to a bold border and navy and white color blocking. An artsy pattern of circles connected by thin lines is reminiscent of portholes for another abstract nod to your theme. Optional raised foil amps up the glam even further.
10. Love’s Anchor
If you’re just beginning to plan your big day and need inspiration for your nautical wedding, look to a classic theme like Love’s Anchor, which includes all the key elements of a seaside ceremony. You’ve got an oversized anchor wrapped in rope, blue-and-white stripes, and a bold navy background. Customize the design with your details in a traditional white font and you’re ready to party like it’s your last night in port.
11. Marvelous Monogram
Another navy-and-white masterpiece, Marvelous Monogram embraces minimalism with a simple nautically minded aesthetic that eschews embellishments in favor of a modern monogram and chic lines separating key details. Choose the all-in-one option and guests can fill out the attached RSVP and save a spot at your wedding while reserving the top portion for both practical and sentimental purposes.
12. Nautical Stripes
Can’t wait to tie the knot? Nautical Stripes features your initials surrounded by a circle of ship rope for a look that’s both stylish and symbolic. Thick navy-and-white stripes drive home the nautical theme while the fonts alternate between all capitals for your details and a softer, more fanciful font for you and your soon-to-be spouse’s names. Opt for a touch of raised foil and rope detailing, and the header printed on your enclosure cards are transformed by splashes of metallic — the gold is particularly seaworthy in our opinion.
13. Military Themed – Coast Guard (USCG)
This military-themed suite is very similar to the USMC version showcased earlier, but here the designer pays homage to a groom enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. A gorgeous bride in a traditional white gown stands ready for her groom, who sports his uniform as he peeks inward from the edge of the page. The mock rice paper background emulates the look of textured stationery, and bold red accents infuse the design with color.
14. Photo Collection
Photo Collection may not be overtly nautical, but the use of navy and white sets the stage for what promises to be a gorgeous invitation once you unleash your creativity. This design includes a customizable photo collage just waiting for you to upload some of your favorite pics. Choose snapshots taken at the shore, on a boat, in front of a lighthouse, or sitting on the dock of the bay — you get the drift. Tell the story of your romance and you’ll help create a highly personal wedding invitation that’s every bit as nautical as you want it to be.
15. Ship Mates
Planning on saying your vows while cruising to one of your favorite destinations? Ship Mates invites all your adventure-ready guests to celebrate your love on the Lido deck — or wherever else you’ve decided to say your vows while on the high seas. The combination of tone-on-tone flourishes, graphic waves, and a neutral background create a classic look sure to stand the test of time.
When love is your anchor, having a nautically themed wedding just makes sense. To see how these invitations would look in person, order your free samples today.