“Happily ever after” still begins with a romantic wedding celebration. PartySlate is here to make your wedding dreams come true — from ceremony to reception.
PartySlate reached out to Alejandra Poupel, Founder of Alejandra Poupel Events, to learn more about how to curate a fairytale wedding experience. She tells us, “The elements that go into creating a romantic wedding aesthetic is incorporating the 5 senses.”
She goes on to say, “It’s essential to pamper the guests and curate an event design that is romantic — with opulent yet sophisticated floral design. The lighting is crucial in a romantic wedding. Candlelight and soft-toned lighting make all the difference. Horse carriages and fireworks, or video mapping that tells the couples’ story, is also helpful.”
We’ve searched through hundreds of real weddings on PartySlate to find the most romantic ideas for your fairytale wedding. From choosing an ornate wedding venue to creating a romantic reception filled with lush florals and enchanting photo ops, planning a real-life fairytale has never been easier.
Keep reading for the best romantic wedding inspiration, plus tips on how to find the right vendors to pull off your vision. As Poupel tells us, “Most of my couples say that what really made their dreams come true was when all the guests said it was the most memorable wedding of their lives.”
1. Choose a Venue With Ornate Elements
From Cinderella’s castle to The Sultan’s Palace in Aladdin, castles and palaces are the quintessential setting for any fairytale wedding. Poupel shares, “I am lucky enough to be a planner in Paris, so when my clients are looking for romantic venues, we usually guide them towards chateau weddings. They can come in horse carriages, and guests can enjoy the incredible gardens with thousands of candles.
“For example, we would recommend venues such as the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte or the Chateau de Chantilly that we work with often, since the history and gorgeous gardens and golden-gilded high ceiling ballrooms are the perfect backdrop for a fairy tale wedding.”
While castle venues do exist, and are nothing short of extraordinary, vintage ballrooms and manor houses often boast similar architectural elements. Look for venues that feature stone work backdrops, wood-paneled walls, stained glass windows, gold ceiling embellishments, and romantic gardens.
Head to PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find your fairytale wedding venue. Use the filters to narrow your search by location and amenities. We also recommend looking at “historic estates and mansions” in the venue type filter.
photographer: Anée Atelier | Pejy Kash Events
See Morephotographer: Rebecca Yale Photography | Wedding Story Writer
See Morephoto courtesy of: Colin Cowie Lifestyle
See Morephotographer: Lynne Reznick Photography | Baciare Events
See Morephotographer: Uplift Photography, NY | Bronx Zoo
See Morephotographer: Greg Finck | Alejandra Poupel Events | Ceci New York
See Morephotographer: Darling Juliet | Fête Nashville Luxury Weddings
See More2. Exchange Vows Surrounded by Blooms
Your wedding ceremony will be one of the most romantic moments of your life. Create a fairytale setting that matches the mood with abundant floral décor. Lean toward roses, orchids, and wisteria. We also love how adding rose petals to your wedding aisle or floral clusters to the entryway brings romance to each step down the altar.
photographer: Duke Images
See Morephotographer: Arlene Chambers Photography | Elite Events
See Morephotographer: Michael Svoboda Weddings | Thomas Bui Lifestyle
See Morephotographer: Agaba Studios | Doyin Fash Events
See Morephotographer: John Solano Photography | Alyson Fox, Levine Fox Events
See Morephotographer: Genevieve de Manio Photography | Sara Renee Events
See Morephotographer: Claire Morris Photography | Fête in France
See More3. Seat Guests at Lavish Tablescapes
Immerse guests into a real-life fairytale while they wine and dine. Overarching florals, canopied centerpieces, and crystal candelabras turn dinner into a magical experience. White florals are especially romantic when incorporated into your wedding centerpieces. Use PartySlate to find an available florist to create dreamy floral décor for your fairytale wedding theme.
photographer: Vincent Segalla Photography | Norma Cohen Productions
See Morephotographer: Alaura Photography | Bliss Events Chicago
See MorePhotographer: Duke Images
See Morephotographer: Salwa Photography | Elegant Affairs
See Morephotographer: Patrick Buckner Photography | Royal Luxury Events
See More4. Up the Enchantment With Romantic Lighting
We highly recommend prioritizing wedding lighting in your overall wedding budget. Lighting sets the mood and ambiance of a celebration, especially when it comes to fairytale weddings. Candlelight instantly adds romance to any wedding reception table. We also love how immersive lighting can transport your guests into an enchanted forest, while twinkling string lights bring the stars right down to earth. Head to PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find top lighting designers near you.
photographer: zandbox photo | Yanni Design Studio
See Morephotographer: 5th Avenue Digital Photography
See Morephotographer: Chris Bailey Photography | Ann Whittington Events
See Morephotographer: Jaimee Morse Photography | planner: SHE Luxe
See Morephotographer: Matthew David Studio | COJ Events
See Morephotographer: Genevieve de Manio Photography | Sara Renee Events
See Morephotographer: Libre Comme l’Art | Alejandra Poupel Events
See Morephotographer: Dmitry Shumanev | L’amour Events Production
See More5. Accent With Luxe Drapery
Luxe drapery lends a dreamy softness to any wedding venue. Think beyond traditional draping and consider adding luxury fabrics to everything from your wedding ceiling to your wedding chairs. Even dessert can benefit from flowing icing that gathers just like designer drapery.
You can find the best drapery designers in the country with the help of PartySlate’s vendor directories. Make sure to filter by location for optimal results.
photographer: Rene Zadori Photography | Eddie Zaratsian Lifestyle and Design
See Morephotographer: Carasco Photography
See Morephotographer: Interstellar Image | XO Bloom
See Morephoto courtesy of: Colin Cowie Lifestyle
See Morephotographer: Jontell Vanessa Photography | BODAMAESTRA
See More6. Elevate Décor — At Every Turn
When it comes to creating a romantic setting, look beyond your wedding arch and tablescape. We love how these wedding planners and design and floral teams feature wow-worthy décor at every turn. Create beautiful photo ops at every turn throughout the celebration with grand cake stands, stunning seating, and extraordinary dance floors. Trust us, your photographer will thank you.
photo courtesy of: Royal Luxury Events
See Morephotographer: Fred Marcus Studio | Pejy Kash Events
See Morephotographer: Andy Seo Studio | Charis Events & Design
See Morephotographer: Allan Zepeda Photography | David Tutera Planning and Design
See Morephotographer: Melissa Stimpson | AJ Events | Four Seasons Hotel Boston
See More7. Step Into Swirling Mist
Your wedding first dance will be one of the most romantic moments of the evening. Elevate the moment with romantic fog and glittering lighting. Make sure to also choose a song that encompasses your own love story. Of course, it’s also important to find an experienced wedding band to transition from first dance to non-stop dance party.
photo courtesy of: The Crystal Plaza
See Morephotographer: Darshan Vaishnav Photography | Events by C
See Morephotographer: Muñoz Photography | The Addison
See Morephoto courtesy of & entertainment: Eclipse Events
See Morephotographer: Erika Dufour | Aragon Artists | Revel Decor | Frost Chicago
See More8. Incorporate Your Monogram Into a Family Crest
We love how a custom monogram creates a personal brand for you and your spouse. Add a romantic flourish to your intertwined initials with the addition of a family crest — a symbol to forever represent your newly joined family. Crests can be successfully incorporated into everything from your dance floor to the wedding invitations and signage. Find a wedding invitations and print company to design your custom-made coat of arms.
photographer: Shaun Menary Photography | A Stylish Soiree
See Morephotographer: Nate Puhr Photo + Cinema | Whitney Carillon Events
See Morephotographer: Nate Puhr Photo + Cinema | Whitney Carillon Events
See More9. Sweeten the Night With a Fairytale Wedding Cake
Dessert is easily our favorite part of any wedding celebration. We especially love the tradition where couples take the top layer home with them to save for their one-year anniversary. Take your wedding cake (and wedding day memories) to new heights with towering tiers, lavish floral details, and even an occasional castle. Show these ideas to your wedding bakery team for inspiration.
photographer: Alakija Studios | Signature Manor
See Morephotographer: Larissa Cleveland Photography | Kate Siegel Fine Events
See Morephotographer: Rene Zadori Photography | Eddie Zaratsian Lifestyle and Design
See Morephotographer: Libre Comme L’Art | Alejandra Poupel Events
See Morephotographer: Nicole Ashley Photography | BLB Events | Smith Party Rentals
See More10. Live Happily Ever After With a Romantic Carriage Ride
Take a ride in Cinderella’s carriage down the path toward happily ever after. Whether you opt for a real-life carriage ride or stationed photo op, you’ll love having a romantic moment alone with your spouse. Ask your wedding rentals company for help bringing this vision to life.
photographer: Sona Photography | Eventrics Indian Weddings
See Morephotographer: Victoria Angela Photography | Whitney Carillon Events
See Morephoto courtesy of: Figure Eight Events
See Morephotographer: Jenn Wagner Studio | Simply Elegant Event and Wedding Design
See MorePeople Also Ask
How do you make a wedding magical?
Once you’ve found your inspiration for a fairytale wedding, it’s time to find a venue and assemble your team of talented vendors. We always recommend selecting your wedding planner first. Your planner can draw on their extensive network to recommend the perfect venue and vendors for your particular event.
You can also use PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find an available wedding venue. Use the filters to narrow your search by location, guest count, and amenities. We also recommend using the “venue type” filter to search for historic estates and mansions which are especially romantic settings.
Lastly, head to PartySlate’s vetted vendor directory to assemble your entire event vendor team. You’ll find everything from florists and photographers to caterers and entertainment. Make sure to filter your search by location and services.
Where can I find more inspiration for my fairytale wedding?
PartySlate looks through thousands of real wedding albums to find the latest wedding trends as well as timeless, classic ideas. Click on the following to discover the best in wedding colors, wedding centerpieces, and more.