2020 had us spending a lot of time at home, longing for familiar comforts. Enter Cottagecore, a small trend on Pinterest and the like for years, now growing in mainstream popularity thanks to stay-at-home orders and a desire for simplicity and nostalgia. Let’s take a look at how this trend is sure to show up in 2021 weddings, as well as a few other trends brides and grooms should know as we bid farewell to 2020.
What Is Cottagecore?
Also known as Farmcore or Countrycore, Cottagecore is an aesthetic or style inspired by the romantic ideal of living in a cottage in the countryside. As the subreddit, r/cottagecore, explains it, Cottagecore is “your grandma, but like, hip.” Cottagecore is full of whimsical, nature-inspired touches like wildflowers, handwritten notes, lace and the like. Think muted colors, flower crowns, floral patterns, tiny woodland creatures and a love of the traditional. It’s like a pastoral painting come to life, and it can make for a truly beautiful wedding.
Cottagecore Fashion For Weddings
First, Cottagecore lends itself to beautiful wedding fashion. Think gauzy, flowy, romantic and understated beauty. Cottagecore wedding attire lets you stand out while feeling comfortable and not overdone. Here are some Cottagecore fashion guidelines:
Brides & Bridesmaids
- Whimsical, ethereal, flowy dresses (Check out this Cottagecore guide from David’s Bridal or this line of modern bohemian styles from BHLDN.)
- Loose, sheer sleeves
- Floral lace patterns (embroidery, applique)
- Layers of tulle
Grooms & Groomsmen
- Non-black suits (light greys, blues and greens are great options, but natural colors like maroon or olive green could be impactful, too)
- Floral, paisley, or gingham ties
- Matching pocket squares
- Suspenders
Additional Aesthetic Details
Let these recommendations inspire you, but make sure you only choose details you love and that bring you joy. Cottagecore is all about beauty, comfort, and simplicity.
- Natural & muted colors: Brown, baby pink, olive green, ivory, maroon, beige, ochre, dusty rose pink, light yellow, baby blue
- Fairies
- Gardens of any kind (herb, veggie, fruit, flower)
- Farm, forest, and domesticated animals
- Hand-written letters
- Vintage crockery, most notably tea sets (bonus points if you can find some with mushrooms on them!)
- Cottages and farmhouses
- Simple/rustic baked goods such as bread, muffins, pies, etc.
- Open fields, flower farms, sunlight through the forest
- Poetry
- Painting
Venue
To host an essential Cottagecore wedding, ideally your venue would be outside in a rural, countryside space. Most of us don’t live near such an area, however, but we may still love this aesthetic. Even in urban settings, you can incorporate a bit of the Cottagecore vibe. Here’s how:
- Consider your lighting. You’re going for a fairytale-like aura. That means you could incorporate tea lights, string lights, twinkle lights and candles galore. In this case, the more the merrier!
- Focus on florals. Consider wildflowers, garlands of greenery, flower crowns, floral arches, potted plants, and any combination you want. Bring the outdoors in to truly create the pastoral vibe. Dried flowers could be a great addition to each place setting.
- Bring on the prints. Vintage fabrics like toile or faded florals, could make for stunning table runners, seat covers, fabric napkins and more. Ginghams, thin stripes and paisleys are other beautiful contenders.
- Surprising touches. Creativity is encouraged here. What about fairy gardens for the centerpieces or mini fairy gardens as memorable favors? Instead of bouquets and boutonnieres, use colorful paper pinwheels. Maybe a bedecked wagon can bring the flower girl and ringbearer down the aisle. The sky’s the limit!
The Allure, Northwest Indiana’s Most Unique Wedding Venue
Whatever style you’re loving for 2021, keep The Allure in mind as a beautiful venue. We’ve got two stunning Northwest Indiana locations, one in downtown La Porte and the other (which will be completely rebuilt this year!) in Chesterton. To learn more, visit allureone.com or call us at (219) 369-6456.
