A Coastal Wedding at Merrill’s on the Waterfront | New Bedford, MA

Written By Meredith Rousseau

Lauren & Nate’s Wedding with a Ceremonial Cutting Cake and Cupcakes

 

A modern coastal wedding south of Boston, designed with understated elegance (no seashells required)!

Lauren and Nate’s summer wedding at Merrill’s on the Waterfront in New Bedford, Massachusetts was the definition of coastal-forward done right. Planning a celebration for 70–75 guests, they envisioned a small cutting cake and cupcake tower that felt elevated, timeless, and coastal—without tipping into kitschy or overly beachy.

Located just south of Boston and close to the Waypoint Event Center and nearby hotels, Merrill’s on the Waterfront offered the perfect backdrop for a relaxed yet refined summer wedding with water views, air conditioning, and downtown charm.

 

The Cake & Dessert Design: Coastal, Elevated, and Cohesive

Lauren and Nate were excited to test flavors and collaborate on a dessert design that would feel intentional and cohesive with the rest of their wedding décor. To bring their vision to life, we curated thoughtfully chosen cake stands and trays from our Artisan Bake Shop collection, anchoring the dessert table with:

  • Dusty slate blue cake stands

  • Vintage milk glass pieces

These elements were intentionally selected to coordinate with their centerpiece vases, seating chart frame, and overall décor, creating a seamless visual story across the reception space.

 
 

The Cutting Cake: Timeless Texture Meets Coastal Florals

Their ceremonial cutting cake featured a textured, pleated buttercream design, inspired by the look and movement of soft satin fabric—classic, elegant, and quietly coastal.

The cake was topped with a small grouping of fresh hydrangeas provided onsite by their florist, Touch of Grace. Our team carefully placed the florals using food-safe methods, wrapping stems in floral tape and inserting them into paper straws so the flowers never touched the cake itself.

The result: effortless elegance with a coastal nod.

 

The Cupcake Tower: Understated Coastal Details

The cupcake designs echoed the couple’s wedding style—oyster white, whisper blue, and modern textures—perfect for a coastal Massachusetts wedding.

Cupcake Flavor One

  • Cupcake: Vanilla

  • Frosting: Vanilla Buttercream

  • Décor: Rosette buttercream with optional pearls and soft gold accents

Cupcake Flavor Two

  • Cupcake: Chocolate

  • Frosting: Vanilla Buttercream

  • Décor: Clean white modern textures with optional pearls, accented with dusty blue pearls mixed among the white for a subtle coastal touch

This mix of flavors and finishes ensured every guest found something they loved—while keeping the overall look cohesive and elevated.

 

The Venue: Merrill’s on the Waterfront, New Bedford, MA

Merrill’s on the Waterfront is a standout wedding venue in historic downtown New Bedford. This waterfront restaurant offers:

  • Indoor water-view ceremony options upstairs

  • A warm, inviting downstairs reception space with a fireplace

  • High ceilings and beautiful wood beams

  • Walkable access to hotels, restaurants, and activities

It’s an ideal venue for:

  • Summer weddings (air conditioning + water views = a win)

  • Fall and winter weddings thanks to its cozy, welcoming atmosphere

For couples planning a wedding south of Boston, Merrill’s offers flexibility, character, and a truly unique setting.

 

Wedding Photography

Kyla Shattuck Photography captured Lauren and Nate’s day with a timeless, documentary-style approach, telling the story of their wedding naturally and beautifully—every detail, emotion, and in-between moment.

 

Vendor Team

Meredith Rousseau

Classically trained pastry chef, scratch baking in Southeastern Massachusetts.

https://artisanbakeshop.com
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