A stylish Osea Island wedding, Essex

Emily Chantal Makeup
16 hours ago
3 min read

Some weddings stay with you long after the final dance, and Dayna and Meri’s late-summer celebration on Osea Island was one of those occasions.

A couple in formal attire smiles warmly at each other in an outdoor setting. She's in a white dress; he's in a light suit, creating a joyful mood.

A long-weekend wedding on Osea Island

Set in the Blackwater Estuary off the Essex coast, Osea Island is an exclusive private-hire hideaway with a tidal causeway that opens only twice per day. It has long been known as a retreat for artists (Stormzy, Rihanna, Charli XCX and The Weeknd have all recorded there) and it made the perfect setting for a long weekend of celebrations with Dayna and Meri’s nearest and dearest.

Dayna, originally from South Africa and now based in London, gathered her family from overseas for a four-day bank holiday celebration. Meri’s family and friends travelled in too, meaning the whole island became the couple’s own private space from Thursday to Monday.

Bride in white gown with bright bouquet and groom in beige suit walk down outdoor aisle, smiling, as guests clap under a tree canopy.

Their ceremony took place outdoors and included Jewish traditions, framed by the island’s relaxed, coastal surroundings. The atmosphere was full of life and effortlessly cool - a theme that continued throughout the wedding.

Dayna’s style: modern, chic and full of personality

Dayna was an absolute joy to work with. Her bridal look took inspiration from Sofia Richie Grainge's iconic aesthetic at the 2025 Met Gala: sleek, modern and stylish. Many people commented that Sofia's red carpet look felt very bridal, and this year's brides have taken note!

Smiling woman in a white strapless dress stands indoors, with a blurred beige background. She appears joyful and elegant.

Strands by Jordan created hair that felt fresh and fashion-forward, perfectly suited to the Miami Vice theme running through the day. As she described it: “She didn’t want anything traditional. We kept it chic and stylish to match her Miami Vice theme that went along with her guests’ colourful outfits and flowers.”

For makeup, Dayna wanted a fresh, modern clean-girl look with long-lasting coverage and glossy lips. The result was polished, luminous and in-tune with her overall style.

Woman in a white dress holding gold shoes, seated by a window with light curtains. Flowers and seashells in the foreground. Bright and elegant.

And the dress... so spectacular! The designer is Jessica Bennett (supplied by The Fall Bride) and her dresses are dreamy - I hope I can work with more brides wearing them. Seeing Dayna wear such a unique, architectural silhouette was a genuine highlight.

After the ceremony, she added a long, white, flowing neck scarf that moved elegantly in the island breeze. It was the perfect final complement to her look (plus the drop-dead chic sunglasses!).

Design details that created a striking setting

The wedding breakfast was held at one long table arrangement: curved tables placed in a wave-like line on a tree-bordered path. The tables were dressed with bold, colourful florals (which also featured in Dayna’s bouquet) and artful displays of fruit.

It was the sort of styling that felt both considered and playful, perfectly suiting a wedding that brought together influences from the couple's background.

Outdoor wedding reception; bride in white dress smiling at a long table with guests, surrounded by colorful flowers, string lights above.

A weekend of festivities

After the wedding day came more celebrations, including a relaxed pool party under the warm August sunshine. With the island at their disposal, guests could move freely between gatherings, enjoying the natural beauty of the coastline and the cosy accommodation dotted across the island.

Featured in The Times

It was no surprise to see this wedding featured in The Times, highlighting the couple’s Miami Vice-inspired theme, the dreamy island setting, and the fun, relaxed energy of the long-weekend celebration.

Bride in a flowing gown twirls joyfully on a grassy field by a lake. She holds a glass, smiling, with boats in the distant water. Black and white.

Dayna and Meri’s Osea Island wedding was full of colour and creativity. It was the sort of event that shows how personal a celebration can be when a couple is given the freedom to make a location entirely their own. It was a privilege to create a bridal look that fitted so naturally into such a distinctive, unforgettable occasion.

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Suppliers

Venue @osea_island @oseaislandweddings

Photographer @craigwilliams

Makeup @emilychantal_mua

Hair @strandsbyjordan

Dress @thefallbride

Florals and Styling @starryeyedeventsuk

Coordinator @carliebuckleyevents

Catering @gatherandfeastevents