Planning Your Garden Party Wedding? Start Here!

If you’re a bride who loves to be on trend, listen up. In today’s blog, we’re here to shed some light on two super trendy wedding themes we’ve seen going around social media. Cottagecore and garden party weddings. Here’s how you can incorporate both into your upcoming warm-weather wedding to pull off the most in-style celebration of the summer. Keep reading to see the latest and greatest inspo for florals, color palettes, decor, and details from our it-girl brides! And if you’re loving this type of content, we have so much more to share on our TikTok! Go check it out!

What is Cottagecore?

Cottagecore is all about embracing a simpler, sustainable existence that is more harmonious with nature. This aesthetic is inspired by a quaint vision of country life that celebrates simple living, feminity, and nostalgia. 

(By the way, did you know that Maggie Sottero plants a tree for every gown one of our brides purchases through our partnership with One Tree Planted? What’s more cottagecore and garden party-esque than that?)

Cottagecore fashion often balances minimalism with Victorian-inspired details such as corsets, puff sleeves, and floral prints. This trend has taken the internet by storm, inspiring a plethora of garden party weddings with barefoot brides in stunning gowns surrounded by flowers and family. 

Needless to say, we’re obsessed. Read on to see how real brides created their cottagecore-inspired garden party weddings!

Garden Party Wedding Invitations

Invitations seem like an easy detail to overlook, but they’re the first thing your guests are going to see regarding your wedding. This is your chance to set the tone for your ceremony and give people a better understanding of the vibe you’re going for. 

To match the garden party theme, we love the idea of the invitations and stationary being simple with floral detailing and delicate cursive. Lighter colors also complement the cottagecore theme beautifully. 

Here are two great examples of what we’re talking about:

PC: Hayley Moore Photo | Jennifer Thoburn Photography

But honestly, do whatever feels right for you and your fiance! This is your day after all! Just remember, most people send their invitations out six to eight weeks before their wedding date!

Cottagecore Florals

PC: Jennifer Thoburn Photography | Love and Covenant

When we think cottagecore florals, a few things come to mind. We love the way these brides chose more natural colors and included demure and delicate baby’s breath, loose ribbons, and rustic backdrops. 

In our opinion, especially if you’re going for a more garden party feel, the more flowers the better! Wildflowers and greenery native to your area are all the rage when it comes to garden-inspired weddings. 

PC: Jennifer Thoburn Photography

Don’t feel like you’re stuck with a certain color palette either, the fun of a garden party wedding is that you get to be as creative with your florals as you want!

Here are some of our favorite garden party floral examples from our adorable real brides!

PC: Cassidy Lynne | Madeline Hopkins Photography

Flower Girl Inspo

The flower girl can be such an adorable detail in your wedding. We love how these brides put their flower girls in their wedding colors and gave them flower crowns. The garden party aesthetic is all about youth, life, and being carefree. These brides did a fantastic job channeling that energy into the dress, accessories, and flowers you choose for your flower girl.

PC: Dream Street Photography | Nate Hopper

How cute is that, right?!

Cottagecore Venues

Barn Venues

A barn can be a perfect place to hold your cottagecore wedding. The rustic backdrop and relaxed feel this type of venue creates are perfect for the cottagecore vibe you’re going for. It can be especially helpful if you live in an area where weather might be a concern.

(P.S. We have some amazing boho wedding dress options to choose from if you love the rustic barn vibe. Be sure to check them out!)

Want to see how other brides transformed barns into lush cottage spaces for their ceremonies and receptions? Check out some of these examples for inspo!

PC: Jennifer Thoburn Photography | Hayley Moore Photo

Secret Garden Venues

We are obsessed with the idea of a secret garden-esque wedding venue. The intimacy? The scenery? We can’t get enough.

Here are some fab pics you can send to your photographer to make sure they really capture this moment in a way that feels candid and private:

PC: Chris Wills Photo

Backyard Venues

Backyard weddings are a staple for a reason. They appear so effortless, give off the most natural and laidback vibes, and are a fantastic excuse to take on that landscaping project you’ve been putting off. Plus, if you’re a couple with a quick engagement, you don’t have to worry about reserving a venue months ahead of time.

This couple’s clean, lush backyard wedding is such great inspo for creating a youthful, bright atmosphere using a small space. Cute!

PC: Ashley Rae Photography

Garden Party Venues

Then, of course, there’s garden party weddings. As in weddings that take place in an actual garden. This can be a fantastic option for couples on a budget or who just don’t want the hassle of bringing flowers to the venue. A public or private garden, greenhouse, or other flower-themed venue is perfect for brides who want the garden party look without dealing with the setup or take down.

PC: Madeline Hopkins Photo | Courtney Lynn Photo

Mansion Grounds Venues

We can’t think of anything more sophisticated or regal than holding your reception on a mansion or country club’s grounds. These bridal’ photos on mansion grounds are beyond stunning. We think venues like these are perfect for a garden party wedding.

PC: Jennifer Thoburn Photography | Brenner Photography

Garden Party-Inspired Wedding Decor and Details

This table setting idea is super cottagecore with the wooden accents and warm lighting. It also does a fabulous job incorporating beautiful flowers, glass, and greenery that give us all the garden party feels. 

The adorable sparkler send-off next to it is such a cute idea with the same elements of greenery and wood, as well as that watering can-esque metal bucket they utilized to hold the sparklers.

PC: Hayley Moore Photography

Some other details we love seeing in garden party weddings are unfinished wood accents, venues with exposed beams, and cool-toned garlands, as seen here:

PC: Hayley Moore Photography

Unique Garden Party Wedding Details

Vintage cars are so much fun and can bring a super vintage feel to your celebration. We’d love to see truck beds full of flowers, pastel vintage cars, and fun props like this bride’s heart-shaped sunglasses to create incredible photo ops for you and your guests! Send-offs have never been more fun!

PC: Ally and Bobby Fine Art Photography | Courtney Lynn Photo

Another unique detail if you’re loving the vintage vibe is having your guests take Polaroids for a photo guestbook to look back on! Or give your guests digital cameras to get pictures that have that old-school candid feel.

PC: Hayley Moore Photography | Shi Lessner Photography

Nothing is more cottagecore than having an unplugged ceremony. Encourage guests to live in the moment and experience this moment with you without a screen. Plus, your photographer will thank you when they can capture even more authentic reactions to your ceremony from the people you love. 

Not to mention that seeing people’s phones will seriously date your wedding photos in a few years. An unplugged ceremony guarantees timeless, emotional pictures.

PC: Jennifer Thoburn Photography | Hayley Moore Photography

Next up? Nailing your garden party wedding cake. We think cakes with floral details, “naked” cakes, mini floral-themed treats, and utilizing wooden accents are perfect ways to achieve this aesthetic. 

Here are a few examples that we love:

PC: Jennifer Thoburn Photography | Shi Lessner Photography

Finally, this romantic book wall is giving us all the feels. The flowers, the sentiment of incorporating your love story, the romance? We’re living for how “storybook fairytale princess gets her happily-ever-after” it is.

PC: Hayley Moore Photography

Garden Party Wedding Dresses

Nerida by Sottero and Midgley

Looking for unique and artful details? Chic drapery and soft layers give this colorful cottagecore-inspired wedding dress a “Strawberry Fields” kind of magic. Dreamy, floral, and soft meet to create the perfect dress.

Marlena by Maggie Sottero

Dimensional? Check. A little thespian? Check. The embodiment of nature-inspired elegance you’ve always wanted in bridalwear? Check! This garden party-inspired sexy wedding gown is effortless perfection. Marlena stuns with a plunging V-neckline and V-back, sequin 3-D lace motifs over sparkle tulle, and an extended illusion lace train. P.S. You can also add detachable bishop sleeves for an even more romantic look!

Amber by Maggie Sottero

Engagement planning making you second-guess your style? Don’t let the noise get to you. It’s best to listen to your inner Renaissance-princess-garden party instincts. Start by trying on this luxury ballgown bridal dress with floral Jacquard lace and a plunging neckline at one of our authorized retailers now!

Knox Lane by Sottero and Midgley

If you’ve got your heart set on a demure, flower-inspired gown, we can’t help but steer you in the direction of delicate florals, flowing skirts, and a whimsical silhouette. For your consideration, this shimmering organza wedding dress with beaded lace and 3D flowers.

Pia by Maggie Sottero

Fit and embellished to perfection, this 3-D floral lace wedding dress looks exceptionally romantic on just about everyone. Plus, how cute are those flutter sleeves?!

There you have it! Now that you have our input, get planning girl! The happiest day of your life awaits! But first, if you’re a bride who just can’t get enough garden in your garden parties, check out our page full of floral dresses to add even more flowery accents to your bridal look! We can’t wait to see which you choose!

More blogs like this:

Maggie’s Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding

Boho-Chic Wedding Dresses for the Carefree Bride: Lorraine Collection

10 Vintage Wedding Dresses Inspired by Bridgerton