6 Romantic Ideas For A Cottagecore Wedding

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Fields of flowers, vintage couches, string lights, pastel hues — there’s a reason the cottagecore aesthetic has become so popular. Generally, the wedding advice is to stay away from being too trendy in your wedding plans. This way you don’t end up with a wedding you might not love 5-10 years from now. But, the great thing about cottagecore is it is so versatile. You can incorporate the trend while still creating a wedding aesthetic that is romantic and timeless. Cottagecore is meant to be an ethereal, whimsical aesthetic that embraces nature, creating a more intimate setting that is up to your interpretation. If you’re just looking for a cottagecore inspired bridal look you can read our blog post on the subject here. For those of you who want to go full cottagecore for your wedding, we have a few ideas for how you can incorporate the aesthetic into your wedding decor!

Outside Venue

This isn’t a requirement for a cottagecore wedding, but weather permitting, an outside venue for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception is an easy way to incorporate the trend. This could be anything from a vineyard venue to the backyard of an estate or your home! Hosting your wedding outside is perfect for a nature-focused theme. But, if you’re going for a more rustic, cottagecore theme or are getting married in a particularly rainy season, you can host your wedding in a candlelit barn that will still be just as beautiful and romantic!

Photography by All The Little Stories Photography

Picnic Style Reception

Get out your favorite picnic baskets for this whimsical reception idea! If you’re worried about guests sitting on the floor, you can set up half of your tables picnic style and the other half with lower-level tables and chairs. You can also include complimentary picnic baskets at every table that are filled with sunscreen, bug spray, wedding favors for each person, etc. This is a cute way to stick with the theme and still be able to serve food more traditionally.

Tents & Twinkle Lights

Nothing says cottagecore like some twinkle lights hanging from trees! Stringing lights either from the ceiling of your venue or across an open-air reception will immediately bring a sense of whimsy and romance to your wedding. Incorporating this low-level lighting will create a fairytale-inspired, intimate setting that is perfect for a cottagecore wedding. Using a tent that is open on all sides will also give you protection from any bad weather, but allow for a view of your location.

Vintage Decor

Time to browse your local thrift stores! Cottagecore decor is influenced by more vintage prints and items. Table runners, lanterns, tea lights, wood slabs, colored glassware, etc. are all great tablescape options that will create a mismatched, whimsical look. Creating lounge spaces in your reception venue can also tie in the cottagecore theme by including vintage couches and chairs, as well as rugs. This will give your guests a place to relax and personalize your reception in a way that makes your guests feel at home.

Photography by Courtney Chau Photography

Pastel Color Palette

The most common cottagecore wedding colors are lighter shades of pink, green, yellow, blue, and ivory. But, you can also choose one of these colors to offset with a darker, jewel-tone hue. This will give your color palette some more depth and balance out some of your lighter decor items. Use this color palette in your invitations and all decor items for a seamless cottagecore wedding theme.

Lots of Florals

As you’re looking for potential floral arrangements, consider trading in more traditional flowers like roses for wildflowers. Flowers like sunflowers or daisies are less commonly used and can add a bright, whimsical touch to your centerpieces or bouquets. You can also consider using greenery, potted plants, or even feather plumes to add dimension to your ceremony seating area or reception space. This can help bring nature to your space even if you are tying the knot in an inside venue.

Share this with a bride who is planning a whimsical, cottagecore wedding. If you’re looking for a wedding gown or accessory to match your cottagecore theme, browse our collection of made-to-measure wedding gowns that are $1,200 or less for a few romantic options!

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