How to plan a whimsical wedding

Forget traditional white weddings and perfectly polished ceremonies – couples are increasingly looking to bring a little more magic, imagination and personality to their big day.

Whether it’s colourful floral displays, fairytale-inspired settings or dreamy decorations, the whimsical wedding trend is encouraging couples to think outside the box and create a celebration that feels almost otherworldly.

And it appears the appetite for all things whimsical is growing.

According to TikTok, searches for #Whimsy on the platform has increased by more than 150% in the past six months alone.

Lauren La Faci, consumer communications lead at TikTok UK and Ireland explains: “The TikTok community is embracing all things whimsical.  Driven by an intentional optimism, a joyful use of colour and an overtly playful aesthetic, the community is actively searching for ways to bring a touch of whimsy into their lives.”

But what exactly does a whimsical wedding look like, and how can couples embrace the trend without spending a fortune?

We spoke with Heloise Agelou, founder of wedding planning, design and production company Hello Moments and Co, to find out.

What is the whimsical wedding trend?

White weddings have long followed a familiar format, from exchanging vows to wearing a classic white dress. Agelou says couples are increasingly looking to create something a little more imaginative.

“Now, we’re seeing people really want to live their fairytale and an experience that’s almost out of reality – but at the same time, very elegant and refined,” she says.

Rather than simply planning a ceremony and reception, couples want to transport themselves and their guests into an entirely different world, even if only for a few hours.

“Even though it’s a wedding – I feel like people want to go whimsical because the want to have a moment in time, where time doesn’t exist and normality doesn’t exist,” she says. “The environment is completely different and it feels unreal.”

In fact, Agelou says she currently doesn’t have a single traditional wedding on her booking list, highlighting just how much couples’ preferences are changing.

So, if you’re hoping to bring a touch of whimsy to your own wedding, where should you begin?

Get your concept clear

Before getting carried away with flowers, decorations and elaborate designs, Agelou recommends taking some time to work out what a whimsical wedding actually means to you.

“Whimsical means so many different things for different people,” she says.

“Ask yourself, what does whimsical mean to you? What kind of design do you want? What colours do you want? What concept do you actually want to live?

“Is it a full fairytale? Is it mermaids? Do you want to go to Mars? Get your concept and your idea clear.”

Whether you’re drawn to an enchanted garden, an underwater fantasy or something entirely unexpected, having a clear vision from the beginning can help bring everything together.

Build your wedding around a few key details

Once you’ve settled on your dream concept, you don’t necessarily need hundreds of decorations to bring it to life. Instead, Agelou suggests choosing one or two standout elements and allowing the rest of your wedding design to develop around them.

“Take one or two of what I call your centre point,” she explains. “From that, you can get into the whole concept. It varies from flowers to a plant pot, or a shape or a colour.

“For example – if you choose green, what shades of green do you want? So whether it’s one element you’re sticking with – paint, colour, textile, wood or whatever it may be – work on that and go from there.”

Find the right designer

While having a creative vision is one thing, bringing it to life is another.

For couples hoping to create a fully immersive experience, Agelou says finding the right creative professionals can make all the difference.

“It’s not only about finding the right event planner,” Agelou says. “You really need designers to make it look really good.”

But creating a whimsical wedding doesn’t necessarily mean having an extravagant budget.

Agelou also shares some simple ways couples can achieve the look without breaking the bank.

Choose seasonal flowers

Flowers can play a big part in creating a whimsical atmosphere, whether that’s through colourful bouquets, unusual centrepieces or elaborate floral arrangements.

However, Agelou says couples shouldn’t feel pressured to spend a fortune on imported blooms.

Instead, she recommends looking at what is naturally available during the season of your wedding.

“The same way you would with fruits and vegetables, work out what flowers are in season,” she says.

“Don’t try and get imported flowers and that kind of stuff because that just makes the cost so much higher.”

Experiment with flowing fabrics

If elaborate floral installations are outside your budget, Agelou suggests using fabrics and textiles to create a similarly dreamy effect.

“There’s loads of very cheap textiles that can just make everything look super elegant and flowy,” she says.

“You can have them shape around whatever place you’re doing it and you can create shapes and volumes with them alone, which can be less expensive than flowers.”

Don’t forget the atmosphere

While decorations and styling can help set the scene, Agelou believes the real magic of a wedding comes down to the atmosphere and the people sharing the experience.

“It can be in a caravan, in the front of a beach or even in the middle of nowhere – but the people there are what makes the real difference,” she says.

“If the guestlist doesn’t fit, there’s nothing mystical about it.”

Ultimately, creating a whimsical wedding isn’t necessarily about how much money you spend, but how you make the day feel.