Singaporebrides | Essentials
September 2025
Country Fields, Floral Dreams: A Cottagecore Wedding Styled Shoot
Through this installation’s styled shoot, Founder and lead stylist of Fellow Folks, Brendan, draws us into the whimsical, wide-eyed world of cottagecore weddings—where pleasant tales of real-life romance and modern, mix-and-match magic exist.
Vintage is the new vogue. Aesthetic trends, niches and subcultures are vast and varied, but the element that gives most of them their unified sense of appeal? A touch of nostalgia. From the boom in thrifted, secondhand style to the resurgence of retro tunes going viral on social media, it’s clear to see that vintage flair has seeped into considerable realms, the wedding decor industry included. It’s no surprise then, that Fellow Folks chose ‘cottagecore’ as the overarching theme for their grand installation at The SingaporeBrides Wedding Fair 2025 in August.
“Think Bridgerton meets Wes Anderson,” Brendan, Founder and lead stylist of Fellow Folks describes this prevalent aesthetic in the context of wedding styling. “Romantic, whimsical and a little offbeat. It’s about creating a world that feels both timeless and cinematic, where vintage charm meets curated eccentricity.”
Named The Painted Garden, Larger than Life Bouquet, Tableau of Tales, and The Wheatfield Manor respectively, the installation that mesmerised many attendees of the fair certainly lived up to the dulcet, dream-like inspirations behind them. Those who missed the event have little to worry about—we speak to Brendan, who brings us into a whimsical world as he reveals more on the vision and artistry of the setup, including how the enticing theme can be impressively recreated for modern weddings.
What inspired or influenced you to explore the cottagecore aesthetic for The SingaporeBrides Wedding Fair?
Brendan: We’ve observed a growing trend in weddings, where drapery, ribbons and rich floral hues take centre stage. Alongside this, many couples are gravitating toward charming details such as hand-drawn illustrations in their stationery, vintage-inspired accessories and fashion, as well as the nostalgic romance of film or film-like photo edits.
Inspired by this collective shift, we wanted to explore a theme that would bring these elements together. The cottagecore aesthetic felt like a natural choice—encapsulating whimsy, romance and nostalgia in a way that beautifully reflects the evolving tastes of modern couples.
What emotions or moods were you trying to evoke through the installations?
With the Larger than Life Bouquet, we wanted to create something playful and a little unexpected—something that makes people smile and think, “Wow, I didn’t know you could do that at a wedding!”
The idea wasn’t to just show what’s possible within the cottagecore theme, but to add a theatrical, imaginative touch. Big, bold and a bit cheeky—it’s the kind of installation you might spot overseas, and we thought it was time to bring that spirit to Singapore.
Tell us about the florals used in the concept area, how did you select them and what role do they play in the overall theme?
For these installations, we actually chose to play the florals down and let the bigger props take the spotlight instead. If you look closely, the flowers themselves—hydrangeas, roses, daucus carota and a few other—aren’t too different from the usual favourites.
What really sets the concept apart are the props and illustrations, which brought the element of cottagecore storytelling to life. For example, instead of a traditional wooden table or bench, we used hay bales with a wooden plank top as the table’s base. Add to that a mix of intentionally mismatched utensils, rose-pink linens and quirky little details, and the whole scene felt playful, romantic and slightly unexpected. For those who leaned in for a closer peek at the wedding cake by Cupplets—you would have spotted a storybook painting across its tiers: a mountainscape complete with ladies reading by a gondola, bridges, animals and couples from the Victorian period. It was as though the cake was quietly narrating a fairytale of its own.
Were there any challenges you faced in the design or setup of the concept area?
The biggest challenge—hands down, the exhibition hall itself. With its soaring ceilings and rows of booths, it’s not exactly what you’d call “romantic”—it pushed us to dream bigger and go bolder with our installations. The goal was to make sure our theme didn’t just fade into the background, but instead was capable of popping right out while pulling everything together amidst the bustle.
Are there any specific elements that played a crucial role in bringing the cottagecore vision to life?
Beyond all the props and styling, the biggest push in bringing the vision to life was the concept shoot my incredible team of talented individuals pulled together. That’s where the magic really happened. The photos didn’t just capture the setup—they brought out its theatrical side, showing how cottagecore could come alive in a way that was both whimsical and a little dramatic. It was the shoot that really tied everything together, making the concept feel real.
Who did you choose to work with to bring the installations to life and how did they align with the theme, which often embraces nature and sustainability?
Beneath all the glitz and glam, we actually worked with a brand-new team of cardboard carpenters. The entire structure for the Larger than Life Bouquet was crafted from cardboard, and our illustrative arch was even printed on it too—all part of our effort to make the setup a little more sustainable through recyclable materials.
We also had fun exploring the idea of a “dissect-able” backdrop, where after events, couples can let guests bring home bigger portions of the flowers. It’s a playful way of rethinking wedding setups to help with waste management, since the beauty of the day doesn’t just end once the lights are out.
How would you re-create a concept like this for an actual couple’s wedding?
Re-creating these setups for an actual wedding is definitely possible—it really just depends on finding the right space to let these statement pieces shine. For example, the Larger than Life Bouquet would look incredible in the reception foyer of The Grand Ballroom at Capella Singapore. With its tall ceilings and spacious foyer, it gives the installation room to breathe and really make an entrance.
The haybale setup, on the other hand, is perfect for weddings with lots of greenery or outdoor charm—think Wheeler’s Tropikana. It could be styled as a dessert table, an activity booth, or even a reception table. It’s all about matching the right idea to the right space.
Are there specific couples or types of weddings that would be suitable for the cottagecore aesthetic?
Cottagecore is perfect for couples who love a bit of personalisation, vintage flair, and aren’t afraid to embrace some quirks along the way. It’s less about ticking every box of a theme, and more about sneaking in little details that make people go, “Oh, that’s so them!”
Sure, we don’t have tons of venues in Singapore that scream cottagecore from floor to ceiling, but that’s where the fun starts. Think of it as a whole package: your gown and suit, veil and make-up, accessories and a bouquet that ties it all together, paired with a photo and video team whose style naturally leans towards the whimsical. They’ll pull the whole vibe together without you even trying.
And honestly, if you’re not sure where to start, the group of talented vendors we roped in for our concept shoot are an amazing bunch. Talk to them, throw your ideas around, and before you know it, you’ll be halfway down the road to your own cottagecore fairytale.
How does the cottagecore concept appeal to modern couples or weddings?
Cottagecore brings a special kind of charm to weddings—it’s perfect for couples who love a vintage touch yet still want to unapologetically be themselves. It’s especially right for today, when so many couples are leaning to personalisations and making their weddings a true reflection of who they are.
The beauty of cottagecore is that it doesn’t really follow strict rules—it’s all about the mix-and-match magic. Think charming, a little quirky, a little whimsical, and completely them. Or as I like to say—Bridgerton meets Wes Anderson. At the end of the day, it’s not about perfection—it’s about creating a celebration that feels authentic, heartfelt and full of character.
The Styled Shoot Vendors:
Set & Floral Design: FellowFolks, @fellowfolks
Photographer: Justrealle Photography, @justrealle_
Lighting Support: @clarencecjd
Fashion Stylist: @birdbirdlee
Assistant: @gen_florist
Cake: Cupplets, @cupplets
Makeup: 2am Makeup Studio, @2am.makeupstudio
Model: Lucas Jong, @now_model_management
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