Cottagecore Wedding: Venues, Dresses & Decor Ideas

A cottagecore wedding celebrates love with wildflowers, soft linen, candlelight, and the romantic simplicity of countryside charm. It’s intimate rather than extravagant, personal rather than performative, and beautiful in its connection to nature and tradition.

Whether you’re planning a backyard ceremony, a barn reception, or an elopement in a meadow, this guide covers every element of creating your perfect cottagecore wedding.

The Cottagecore Wedding Aesthetic

Core elements that define the style:

Natural settings: Gardens, farms, barns, meadows, forests
Seasonal flowers: Wildflowers, garden roses, foliage
Soft color palette: Cream, sage, dusty rose, lavender, soft gold
Natural materials: Linen, lace, wood, copper, dried flowers
Vintage touches: Antique furniture, heirloom details, family pieces
Handmade elements: DIY decor, artisan goods, personal touches
Intimate scale: Quality time with loved ones over large guest counts

Venues

Outdoor Venues

Private gardens: Your own backyard or a family property
Botanical gardens: Established beauty with built-in florals
Lavender farms: Purple fields, intoxicating fragrance
Orchards: Apple, olive, or citrus groves
Meadows: Open fields with wildflowers
Forest clearings: Dappled light through trees
Vineyards: Rolling hills and rustic charm

Indoor/Covered Venues

Historic barns: Wooden beams, rustic character
Greenhouses: Surrounded by plants and natural light
Country estates: Manor houses with grounds
Converted mills: Stone walls, water features
Chapels: Small, historic churches
Tented reception: Sailcloth or canvas tents in any outdoor space

Venue Considerations

Have a rain plan for outdoor ceremonies
Consider guest comfort: restrooms, shade, seating
Check noise restrictions and curfews
Understand what’s included vs. what you need to rent

The Dress

Cottagecore Bridal Style

The cottagecore wedding dress is romantic, soft, and often unconventional:

Puff sleeves: From subtle to dramatic
Lace details: Vintage lace, eyelet, embroidery
Flowing fabrics: Chiffon, tulle, silk, cotton
Modest necklines: High necks, square necks, boat necks
Tea-length or midi: Not every dress needs to be floor-length
Soft silhouettes: A-line, empire waist, relaxed fits
Off-white shades: Ivory, champagne, blush, even sage

Where to Find Cottagecore Wedding Dresses

BHLDN: Romantic, vintage-inspired options
Reformation: Sustainable, beautiful silhouettes
Christy Dawn: Sustainable, ethereal gowns
Maggie Sottero: Traditional with romantic details
Etsy: Handmade and vintage options
Vintage shops: Authentic vintage gowns
Needle & Thread: Embroidered, ethereal dresses

Bridal Accessories

Hair: Loose waves, braids, flower crowns, vintage combs
Veil: Simple tulle, cathedral length, or no veil at all
Jewelry: Pearls, vintage pieces, family heirlooms, pressed flower jewelry
Shoes: Block heels, ballet flats, or barefoot for outdoor ceremonies

Groom & Wedding Party Attire

Groom’s Style

Suits: Linen or lightweight wool in tan, sage, dusty blue, or brown
Separates: Mix and match—suspenders, vests, no jacket
Shirts: Linen button-downs in white or cream
Ties: Floral prints, knit textures, or skip altogether
Shoes: Leather boots, loafers, or brogues
Accessories: Pocket watch, boutonniere with herbs, leather suspenders

Bridesmaids

Dress style: Flowy midi or maxi dresses
Colors: Sage, dusty rose, lavender, cream, terracotta
Mix and match: Same color, different styles
Fabrics: Chiffon, linen, cotton
Brands: Show Me Your Mumu, BHLDN, Baltic Born, Birdy Grey

Groomsmen

Matching linen pants with varied shirt colors
Suspenders and no jackets for casual feel
Coordinating but not identical looks

Flowers & Greenery

Flower Choices

Embrace seasonal, garden-style arrangements:

Garden roses: Full, fragrant, romantic
Peonies: Lush, dramatic (spring only)
Ranunculus: Layers of delicate petals
Sweet peas: Delicate, fragrant
Wildflowers: Daisies, Queen Anne’s lace, chamomile
Dahlias: Dramatic, abundant (late summer/fall)
Lavender: Fragrant, dried or fresh
Herbs: Rosemary, sage, mint for texture and scent

Greenery

Eucalyptus (all varieties)
Ferns
Olive branches
Ivy
Ruscus

Arrangement Styles

Loose, garden-style bouquets: Like freshly gathered from a field
Asymmetrical arrangements: Natural, not overly designed
Single stems: Each bridesmaid carries one type of flower
Dried flower bouquets: Lasting keepsakes

DIY Flowers

Save money by doing flowers yourself:

Order bulk flowers from Flower Moxie, FiftyFlowers, or local farms
Grow your own cutting garden
Forage greenery (with permission)
Make bouquets 1-2 days before the wedding

Decor Ideas

Tables & Dining

Table linens: Natural linen, cotton, or lace runners
Plates: Mix and match vintage china, or simple white
Glassware: Colored glass goblets, vintage coupes, mason jars
Flatware: Vintage silverware or simple gold
Napkins: Linen, tied with ribbon or dried flower sprigs
Centerpieces: Low arrangements in vintage vases, bottles, or pitchers

Lighting

String lights (bistro or fairy lights)
Candlelight (tapers, votives, pillar candles)
Lanterns (vintage or hurricane style)
Paper lanterns
Natural sunlight through sheer draping

Ceremony Decor

Arch: Wooden arch draped with greenery and flowers
Aisle: Petals, potted plants, or shepherd’s hooks with flowers
Seating: Vintage mismatched chairs, hay bales with cushions, blankets on grass
Signage: Hand-lettered signs on wood or chalkboard

Reception Details

Vintage furniture lounge areas
Lace or macrame backdrops
Botanical illustrations as table numbers
Dried flower installations
Living plant favors

Food & Drink

Menu Style

Family style: Platters passed around tables
Grazing tables: Beautiful displays of cheese, fruit, bread
Farm-to-table: Local, seasonal ingredients
Picnic style: Casual, blankets on grass

Cake & Desserts

Naked cakes with fresh flowers
Buttercream with pressed flower decorations
Berry tarts and fruit galettes
Pie table instead of cake
Individual fruit crumbles or cobblers

Drinks

Signature cocktails with herbs (lavender lemonade, rosemary gin)
Wine or cider from local vineyards
Lemonade stand
Tea station
Hot chocolate for fall/winter

Stationery

Paper: Textured, handmade, recycled, or seed paper
Printing: Letterpress, calligraphy, botanical illustrations
Envelopes: Lined with floral patterns, sealed with wax
Menus & programs: Hand-lettered, botanical drawings
Place cards: Pressed flowers, leaves, or herb sprigs

Music & Entertainment

Acoustic guitar or folk band
String quartet for ceremony
Curated playlist of cottagecore music
Lawn games: croquet, bocce, badminton
Flower crown making station

Budget Cottagecore Wedding

Cottagecore weddings can be incredibly budget-friendly:

Venue: Backyard or family property (free or low-cost)
Dress: Vintage, secondhand, or non-bridal white dress
Flowers: DIY with grocery store flowers, grow your own, or use dried
Decor: Thrifted vintage items, borrowed family pieces
Food: Potluck, BBQ, or simple grazing tables
Photography: Talented friend or emerging photographer
Invitations: Digital invites or simple Canva designs

FAQs

What’s the average cost of a cottagecore wedding?

It varies widely. A backyard DIY wedding can cost under $5,000, while a full venue experience might range from $15,000-$40,000+. The aesthetic itself tends toward budget-friendly choices.

What season is best for a cottagecore wedding?

Late spring through early fall offers the best weather for outdoor celebrations. However, winter cottagecore weddings with candlelight and cozy textures are magical too.

Can I have a cottagecore wedding in a city?

Absolutely! Use rooftop gardens, greenhouse venues, or bring the outdoors in with abundant florals and natural materials.

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