Keep it cosy

Back in the day, many people made do with simple at-home weddings that nevertheless oozed natural charm and intimacy. You can recreate the sincerity of this aesthetic by choosing unpretentious yet beautiful décor items, like dried flowers, well-loved Bohemian carpets, mismatched plates from a great aunt’s collection, embroidered floral motifs, straw hats, and homemade touches, whether on the menu or worn by the bridal party.

 Why not scour a charity shop for vintage items or get your grandma’s old wedding dress tailored to be worn again? As to be expected, Pinterest is a font of cottagecore ideas. Wonky sourdough loaves, rustic woven baskets, decorative grasses and patchwork blankets and cushions are all cosy yet romantic.

Go outdoors

A cottagecore wedding is all about natural beauty – and when you think about it, few grand houses, castles or convention centres match the loveliness of a babbling stream, a mature woodland or even a sunny field beside a barn. Even if you don’t have the perfect outdoor spot, you can have fun with temporary modular buildings, or host a reception outdoors with an eco-friendly upcycled shipping container for a bar or street food stall. You could even use multiple containers for your reception itself, customizing the interior with lighting, panelling, flooring or window finishes.

According to S Jones, “One of the best things about creating a bar from a shipping container is that you have literally a blank box to work with. This gives you almost complete flexibility over what you make it look like.” We think, though, that there’s something delightful about a weathered container reimagined into something new. Consider it your “something old.”

Natural touches

In 2021, many brides are craving a wedding that’s environmentally responsible, sustainable and genuinely kind to the planet. Bring outdoor elements indoors to echo this sentiment, or rely on a muted, matte and warm colour palette that speaks to comfort and simplicity. Earnest wildflower bouquets and heirloom dresses worn with flower wreaths complete the look.

As for the dress, there’s an emphasis on floral designs and traditional motifs, like old lace, flowy skirts, long ballooned sleeves and woven detailing. Bridesmaids can wear long maxi dresses ala Little House on the Prairie or something you’d imagine a shepherdess wearing.

Plan an environmentally conscious day

Though it’s not strictly part of the cottagecore style, environmentally conscious couples are attracted to simpler, more natural weddings for obvious reasons. The great thing about keeping your wedding green is that it invariably saves you money, whether you’re upcycling or handmaking decorations, using what you already have, or getting a local caterer to put together a seasonal, plant-based menu.

Covid has hit the wedding industry hard, but a plus side is that many brides are now deliberately seeking out smaller, more eco-friendly celebrations that are all about love and family, and less about wasteful consumption. Great ideas including buying a second-hand wedding dress, choosing cruelty-free makeup and using biodegradable confetti.

Incorporate vintage and homemade elements

Cottagecore has a lot in common with some of the vintage elements seen in weddings in previous years. Things like jam jar flower arrangements and mismatched cut glass jars as centrepieces are still popular. Placed over a crocheted or woven table runner and paired with brass-toned candelabras, you could create a dining space that’s beautiful without feeling too formal.

As for wedding cakes, perfection is not necessary, and the cottagecore look favors semi-nude cakes topped with flowers and foliage, cake stands laden with handmade dainties, and glassware that looks like it’s from a bygone era. Paper garlands or festoon lights can dress up outdoor spaces, or consider handmaking wedding favours – natural soaps or jars of honey are ideal. Finally, think about your menu and consider having a family style buffet, an artisanal food van or even, if you’re happy going really low key, ask trusted friends and family to contribute their special dishes to the day.

Photo Credits: Lily Lane Photography | Dresses: Lisa Lyons Bridal | Leather Jacket: Ophelia Rose | Hair and Makeup: The Cambridge Makeup Artist | Flowers: Willow and Blossom Floral Design | Styling: Nikkita Palmer | Cake: Sugar Belles  | Models: Georgia, Nick and Mable the Puppy | Location: Halsey Field, Hertfordshire