Inspiration: styling a cottagecore wedding ceremony with handfasting cords
“I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream.”
Welcome to another wedding inspiration post! While my past blogs focused on colours and flowers as a way to imbue your handfasting cord with meaning, this time I want to provide some ideas for styling your wedding ceremony around an aesthetic. This post will give you tips on how to have the fairycore or cottagecore wedding of your dreams!
I’ve chosen to focus on these two aesthetics because they have quite a lot in common, but fairycore is a bit more influenced by fantasy and mythology. For both, I’ve classed the details by how big an influence you may want on the look and feel of your wedding ceremony. My usual disclaimer applies here too - at the end of the day, as always, it’s completely up to you what inspiration you take and what you choose to do with it. There is no right or wrong way. Whether you want to take a flight of fancy or keep your feet firmly planted on the earth - let’s go!
This delightful Handfasting Cord - Tie your own Infinity knot Sunflower - Ivory and Sage Green customisable handfast wedding cord
Cottagecore
Cottagecore is a style based on simple, country living and handmade details. Like handfasting, it takes elements of tradition but fits them into a modern lifestyle. It celebrates living in harmony with nature and while it can be minimal and understated, it can also be used to style your wedding ceremony in more dramatic and eyecatching ways.
Vintage glass and feathers for a subtle touch of cottagecore. Styled by Ceotha Muirhead at Abercairny House, photographed by Kate Haag Photography
Commitment level: flirting
If you’re thinking about adding just a touch of cottagecore, you might think about ways of adding rustic details to your decor or table settings - for example, subtly mismatched vintage glasses, natural materials, and warm, earthy tones (take a look at my post on neutral colours for inspiration).
A handfasting cord in a simple natural fibre with a simple, stunning, minimalist look would fit perfectly.
This Handfasting Cord - Natural Triple Celtic Love Knot handfasting cord/ribbon/rope in recycled cotton is simple cottagecore perfection
Vintage lace or, if you’re so inclined, a kilt in Scottish wool adds to the feeling of homespun romance. Styled by Ceotha Muirhead at Abercairny House, photographed by Kate Haag Photography
Commitment level: going steady
Ready to take your cottagecore wedding to another level? For you or your partner, a beautiful dress or suit in vintage lace or linen can add a romantic folksy touch. If you’re feeling brave, accessorize with bare feet!
Customise your handfasting cord with some natural fabric accents. My new Nine Knot cord (below) incorporates leather and wood. Or, if you have a special piece of vintage fabric that means something to you, I can incorporate it into the knot of a Magdalene cord.
My new Handfasting Cord - Celtic 'Nine Knots' Design - Leather - Custom Infinity Love Knot wedding handtying cord/ribbon/rope/sash is simple, stunning, and impactful
Commitment level: happily ever after
To go the whole way, stage your ceremony or reception in a breathtaking countryside setting. For summer, an outdoor wedding in a garden would provide that touch of nature and wildness, while when the weather is cooler a (renovated) barn can make a perfect space for celebrating (and dancing!).
For a cord, you can amp up the folksy details and materials - why not consider feathers, shells, and other beautiful natural objects?
This eyecatching triple knot design is adorned with feathers. For more feathery inspiration, check out Wild Seven handfasting cord
Fairycore
Like cottagecore, fairycore also draws on the beauty of nature, but it adds fanciful touches straight out of the pages of a book. If you love fantasy aesthetics, or magical symbolism, this might be the style for you - and you can interpret it however you wish.
Commitment level: flirting
Little details like wildflowers on guest tables, butterfly motifs on your invites and place cards, or even the enchanting aura of a well-worn grimoire as a reception guestbook can add the slightest sprinkling of fairy dust to the most conservative of wedding ceremonies. Take a look at my Bloom range of handfasting cords, which utilise vibrant colours and flowers fit for a Faerie Queene.
My Bouquet cord is a joyous riot of colour, velvet and lace
Queens of hearts: jewel tones add warmth, glamour and mystery. Styled by Ceotha Muirhead at Abercairny House, photographed by Kate Haag Photography
Commitment level: going steady
To turn things up a notch, think about your attire and that of your partner. Regal details like a coronet or deep shades of purple, soft gossamer fabrics, readings drawn from a favourite novel or well-worn spellbook, and the incorporation of special objects like a craich or goblet can help you and your guests to feel transported to another realm. Your handfasting cord could be customised with charms that are especially meaningful for you.
This cord has been customised to include several gorgeous charms - get in touch with me to discuss customisations
Styled by Ceotha Muirhead at Abercairny House, photographed by Kate Haag Photography
Commitment level: happily ever after
You might want to really commit to this aesthetic. Fairy wings of your own? A windswept Scottish castle as a venue? A torchlit parade down the aisle, while groomsmen salute you with swords? With fairycore, the only real limit is your imagination - browse through the gallery above for ideas from satisfied customers (and have a look at my Etsy reviews for more).
The Fae Garden cord can be styled to be cottagecore or fairycore, and you can opt to have it made with or without rose accents
I can help you realise this dramatic vision with a showstopping cord - take a look at my breathtaking Fae Garden design, as well this Celtic Nine Knot style in purple, orange and gold with dragon charms.
Or you might opt for the pure fantasy of this Celtic 'Nine Knots' Design with dragon charms
I hope you have found this post helpful. If you would like to work with me on designing your own custom handfasting cord, please don’t hesitate to get in touch :)
Love,
Ceo