Bold Style on the Beach

“True style comes when you follow your own rules.”  Those are the words of fashion designer Kate Spade.  Massachusetts bride Lindsay Oleson and her groom Mark Dettenrieder chose Aruba as the locale for their destination wedding, but put their own personal stamp on their seaside nuptials, and followed their own rules. 

While many couples planning a beach wedding lean towards soft color palettes and beach- and sea-inspired details, Lindsay wanted to put a bit of cosmopolitan city style into her wedding, borrowing essences of the sleek Kate Spade look with clean lines and upper east side panache. 

Opting for a color palette of black and white with floral details in vivid corals and reds poised by softer hues of blush, pink, and cream, the décor harmoniously balanced tasteful sophistication with beachside whimsy. 

Choosing the beautiful beachfront of Pure Ocean restaurant, located at the Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Lindsay and Mark worked closely with Aruba Weddings for You, the personal wedding planning service offered by Divi Resorts.

The couple stayed in touch long-distance with wedding coordinator Mariëlle Hilkman, who handled the nitty-gritty details and made sure that the tailored uniqueness they wanted came to fruition.

Lindsay’s dress, a creamy, elegant sheath with a halter neckline and racerback, was complimented with Mark’s simple white linen shirt and khaki pants.

Marrit Fleur, food and beverage manager for Divi Phoenix, coordinated the reception for 26 guests, that included passed hors d’ oeuvres like prosciutto and brie with tomato relish and our local pastechi with a spicy dipping sauce. Action buffet stations and small plate teasers of dishes like mustard crusted grouper and veal tenderloin with herbed polenta, as well as amuse-style tastes of spicy crab salad, tuna in ponzu with seaweed salad and mango relish, and mini antipasto were enjoyed by all. 

Click to read: GET NAKED AT YOUR RECEPTION...A NAKED CAKE, THAT IS!

The wedding cake was the on-trend “naked cake” style, with the couple’s requested “funfetti” cake version.