Wedding Flowers at Anthony's Ocean View

Designing for Anthony’s Ocean View requires balancing the venue’s dual identities: the breezy, tropical-inflected shoreline and the formal, classic elegance of a high-capacity ballroom. The floral opportunity here lies in bridging these two worlds, using lush, textural greenery to ground the coastal elements while adding sophisticated color palettes to the indoor spaces.

The Spaces

Main Ballroom

The Main Ballroom is defined by its scale, featuring high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and a neutral color palette that acts as a blank canvas. The herringbone floors and mirrored accents provide a sophisticated backdrop for classic round-table setups.

• What works: Tall, airy centerpieces that utilize the vertical space without obstructing sightlines across the large tables. The grand staircase is the room’s strongest asset; we recommend a lush, asymmetrical floor-to-staircase installation that appears to grow up the banister.
• Skip: Short, dense arrangements that get lost in the room’s significant square footage.
• Watch out: The chandeliers are prominent focal points; ensure your floral color palette complements the warm glow of the existing lighting.
• Budget hero move: Focus your floral spend on a “moment” installation on the staircase. It anchors the room and serves as the primary backdrop for photos.

Beachfront Ceremony Area & Gazebo

This is the venue’s signature space, offering a direct view of the water and a wooden walkway that leads guests to the sand. The gazebo provides a structural anchor in an otherwise open environment.

• What works: Asymmetrical floral clusters on the gazebo pillars that frame the couple. Using the gazebo’s roofline for a partial floral wrap creates a high-impact focal point that feels integrated with the architecture.
• Skip: Top-heavy arrangements on thin pedestals. The wind coming off the Sound is unpredictable and can easily topple unsecured decor.
• Watch out: The sand and wooden walkway require careful logistics for setup; all installations must be self-supporting and weighted.
• Budget hero move: Ground-level “meadow” arrangements at the start of the aisle and the base of the gazebo. They provide a lush feel without the high labor costs of full gazebo coverage.

Outdoor Patio

The patio feels like a departure from New England, thanks to the mature palm trees and string lighting. It is a high-ambiance space that functions best with supplemental, rather than transformative, florals.

• What works: Petite, textural cocktail arrangements and ground-level floral nests at the base of the palm trees to tie the “tropical” vibe into your specific color story.
• Skip: Large-scale hanging installations. The existing string lights and palm fronds already occupy the overhead visual space.
• Watch out: Wind exposure is lighter here than on the beach, but stability is still a priority for any tall elements.

Gardens & Courtyard

The gardens are heavily landscaped with stone pathways and water features. This area provides a more intimate, structured outdoor alternative to the beach.

• What works: Flanking arrangements at the entrance of pathways or near water features. Using lanterns tucked into floral clusters works beautifully with the venue’s existing garden lighting.
• Skip: Massive floral arches that compete with the mature trees and bushes.
• Watch out: Uneven stone pathways require stable, flat-bottomed vessels for any ground-level decor.

What Works at Anthony’s Ocean View

• Monochromatic Textures: Against the neutral ballroom walls and the blue of the Sound, a monochromatic palette (all whites and creams with varying greens) looks exceptionally high-end and intentional.
• Structural Greenery: Use large-leaf tropicals or trailing smilax to lean into the venue’s coastal character, especially in the ballroom to soften the formal architecture.
• Weighted Mechanics: Every outdoor arrangement must be designed with heavy bases or sandbags hidden within the vessels to combat coastal breezes.
• Staircase Continuity: Carrying the floral language from the outdoor ceremony gazebo to the indoor staircase creates a cohesive experience for guests as they move through the venue.
• Reflective Accents: Utilize the ballroom’s mirrored panels by placing arrangements nearby to double their visual impact and enhance the room’s natural light.

Budget Guide

Anthony’s Ocean View offers a rare opportunity to play with both coastal and classic ballroom aesthetics within a single, expansive property.

Tips

• Repurpose with intention: The gazebo florals from the ceremony can often be moved to the sweetheart table or the base of the staircase if planned with the right mechanics.
• Respect the wind: Avoid light-weight pampas grass or delicate petals for the beachfront ceremony; they will likely blow away before the processional begins.
• Coordinate with the palms: If you are using a tropical color palette, ensure your floral greens match the deep, waxy green of the venue’s palm trees for a seamless look.
• Plan for the walk: The distance between the staging area and the beachfront is significant; ensure your floral team has adequate carts for transporting heavy arrangements across the sand.
• Leverage the lighting: The ballroom’s chandeliers are warm; avoid cool-toned LED accents in your florals, as they will clash with the venue’s ambient glow.