After getting engaged at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, Katie Trethewey and Charlie Arndall began planning their dream wedding. Though they had to postpone for a year due to the pandemic, their winter wedding at a yacht club in Fort Lauderdale, the city where they reside, was well worth the wait. 

Wanting to look back on their photos forever and never grow tired of the selected wedding style, Katie and Charlie chose a timeless, traditional theme for their nuptials at the sophisticated waterfront venue. In keeping with the design scheme, their 210 guests received a classic invitation suite featuring letterpress printing, an elegant floral motif, and a custom map of the destination on navy stationery, setting the tone for the pops of navy blue to come. 

On the day of the ceremony, loved ones gathered at a Catholic church decorated with collections of greenery tied with white ribbon at the end of pews, as well as garden-style florals in ivory accented with fresh verdure atop acrylic stands. The bride – who was gorgeous in a classic off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve gown and wore her hair in long, voluminous curls – walked down the aisle on the arm of her father to meet her groom, who donned a navy tuxedo. 

“We never left each other’s side [and] have so many special moments together.”

Following the vow exchange, the newlyweds and their loved ones reconvened at the stately yacht club for the festivities. As most of their guests were traveling to Florida for the wedding, “we wanted to make sure that everyone felt welcome,” shares Katie of their overarching goal when planning the celebration. Friends and family enjoyed a poolside cocktail hour before entering the reception ballroom. 

Long rectangular tables and round varieties were covered with sleek grey linens and surrounded by clear-back chairs with crisp ivory cushions, befitting the timeless grey-and-white color palette. Centerpieces showcased high and low arrangements of all-white blooms with accents of fresh greenery, and each guest’s place setting included a silver-rimmed charger plate topped with a white napkin, navy blue menu card detailing the multi-course menu, and calligraphed place cards in the same rich hue. 

The day was exactly what the couple envisioned for their timeless celebration, and the bride offers two pieces of advice to couples – the first from her grandmother, who was married 52 years, and the second from her and Charlie. “Enjoy being engaged – you will be married for the rest of your lives. This season of life goes by quickly, so enjoy!” she shares. Also, “On the day of your wedding, try to spend as much time together… We never left each other’s side [and] have so many special moments together.”