This neon 80’s wedding shoot with a laid back coastal theme is essentially what happens when a mermaid gets married! I grew up blocks away from the iconic The Dream Inn in Santa Cruz, California, and it is such a delight to see how Little Sister Creative Studio turned the whimsical beach style of the hotel into creative and utterly gorgeous wedding inspiration! From a tropical neon ceremony backdrop that mimics the geometric pattern of the glass seawall overlooking Cowell’s Beach to the retro beach cruisers, this sweet collaboration between some of the Bay Area’s most creative event pros is a celebration of the unique and fabulous Santa Cruz style! Tiffany Michele Photography had a blast capturing every bespoke detail of this California wedding day!
Neon 80’s Beach Vibes for a Creative Wedding![Modern Calligraphy Wedding Stationery with an 80's Neon Theme](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Adorable Rompers for the Bride and Bridesmaids to Get Ready](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Rose Gold Champagne Flutes](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Bride and Bridesmaids Getting Ready](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Glam Wedding Shoes and Accessories](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Colorful Hayley Paige Wedding Dress for a Mermaid Bride](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Geometric Bridal Style with a Half Up Hairdo](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Gorgeous Whimsical Wedding Day Look with a Hayley Paige Dress](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Mermaid Bride for a Colorful 80's Neon Wedding Shoot](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Botanical Bouquet in Pink and Purple](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Luxe Groom Style with a Purple Paisley Suit](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Groom's Fashion Taken to the Next Level](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Whimsical 80's Wedding Inspiration](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Coastal Wedding Photos](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Handmade Geometric Ceremony Backdrop with a Neon Tropical Theme](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Geometric Ceremony Backdrop with a Neon Sign](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Custom Polaroid Guest Book](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Calligraphy Escort Cards](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Geometric Escort Card Display](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Colorful Floral and Acrylic Place Setting](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Coastal Tablescape in Purple and Aqua](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Geometric Cocktail Bar](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Black and White Acrylic Signage for a Sushi Bar](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Whimsical Pastel Purple Wedding Cake](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Hand Painted Wedding Cake with Purple Orchids](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Neon 80's Beach Vibes for a Creative Wedding](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Neon Santa Cruz Beach Wedding](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Beach Wedding Photos](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Modern Chic Wedding Invitations](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Colorful Purple Wedding Style with a Hayley Paige Gown](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Adorable Retro Beach Cruiser Photos](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Retro Bike Basket for the Bride's Bouquet](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Playful and Colorful Wedding Dress by Hayley Paige](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
![Retro 80's Beach Wedding in Santa Cruz](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)
Every detail of this neon-inspired shoot was designed to scream ‘fun!’, from the perfectly retro 80’s style of Little Sister Creative Studio’s invitation suite to the colorful geometric wedding dress by Hayley Paige! The layered colors and subtle pattern of the Laney gown from Haute Bride perfectly suited the whimsical setting slight edge to the decor. The groom stepped up his fashion game with a purple paisley suit jacket to prove that brides aren’t the only ones who can have a little fun!
Tropical beach vibes met 80’s neon in Little Sister Creative Studio’s vision for the ceremony backdrop. The geometric grid backdrop echoed the venue’s iconic glass seawall to add a dramatic black and white element, with a palm frond and balloon garland to add just the right touch of whimsy. A custom neon sign declared that ‘the best is yet to be,’ a sentiment carried into the cocktail hour with modern black and white drink stirrers! The colorful vibe continued into the table decor, with a retro-inspired palette of purple and aqua, complemented by matte black flatware and modern acrylic details. Kat’s Flower Affair melded tropical flowers with boho elements like succulents to create the organic centerpiece and floral accents!
Etta Avenue Cakes capped off the reception with a pastel pink and purple cake with hand painted elements and sugar orchids that would have made Lisa Frank proud! The bride and groom took a spin on the hotel’s beach cruiser bikes after a walk on the beach – the perfect ending to a California chic beach wedding!
PHOTO CREDITS –
Photography by Tiffany Michele Photography | Wedding Venue: The Dream Inn | Creative Direction, Stationery Design, and Signage by Little Sister Creative Studio | Floral Design by Kat’s Flower Affair | Wedding Cake by Etta Avenue Cakes | Wedding Dress by Hayley Paige from Haute Bride | Bride’s Shoes by Badgley Mischka | Veil, Bride’s Jewelry and Bridesmaid Accessories by Haute Bride | Hair Styling and Makeup by Beauty by Madison McDowell | Groom’s Attire from Tuxedo Fashions | Catering by Tammy Webb Events & Catering | Event Rentals and Linens from Standard Party Rentals | Favors from Maggie Louise Confections | Submitted via Matchology