From a mermaid wedding dress to the perfect location, this is everything you need in order to pull off a fairytale wedding

By Lauren Burvill

What’s a princess bride without her castle wedding venue? And for the ultimate fairytale wedding setting, it’s hard to beat the uber-romantic Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany. The 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace is said to have been the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle and Disney World’s Cinderella castle. And yes, they do offer wedding packages! Other stand out castle venues we love include Kensington Palace in London, Odescalchi Castle in Rome and The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

While not everyone may be able to secure a castle for their wedding venue, finding that perfect fairytale wedding dress is a lot easier. As your once-in-a-lifetime dress, this is your chance to walk down the aisle in a custom made couture wedding gown. But which style is right for you?

For brides who want to show off their figure but still want to appear ethereal and romantic, we love a mermaid wedding dress (pictured above). As a style that hugs your body before flaring out from your thighs or knees, mermaid wedding dresses are a more modern take on fairytale wedding dresses and are perfect for channeling your inner Little Mermaid.  

If you have dreams of walking down the aisle in a Cinderella wedding dress, then you’ll love Galia Lahav’s ball gowns. Featuring a cinched waist and a voluminous skirt, this style is a more traditional and romantic princess wedding dress look.

No princess wedding dress is complete without some princess accessories to match. And while Cinderella-worthy shoes and sparkly jewels are essential to pulling off a fairytale wedding, the most important finishing touch is a veil and tiara – just like real-life princess brides Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. While both brides’ wedding dresses were very different, Kate and Meghan walked down the aisle while wearing tiaras and long dramatic veils. For the ultimate princess look, take inspiration from Meghan Markle, who wore a cathedral-length veil when she married Prince Harry at Windsor Castle.

Whether you’re wedding is set to take place in an opulent castle or a simple marquee, the decor you have on the day is key to pulling off a fairytale theme. One of the simplest ways to create a magical atmosphere is with lighting, namely by candles and fairy lights. The more the merrier.

For that extra fairytale touch, candelabras (a la Beauty and the Beast) will enhance the overall look, while silverware and white tablecloths and napkins will keep your fairytale setting looking timeless