It’s tradition to include something blue on your wedding day, along with something old, something borrowed, and something new. But, what if you want to feature blue as the main color in your palette, paired with white for a simply classic combo? A chinoiserie-themed wedding may be the perfect fit.
Chinoiserie is an art and design style with heavy European roots. Everything from textiles and ceramics were inspired by Chinese design, with a recognizable blue and white color scheme. And, while Chinoiserie has become a timeless home décor trend, it’s also a stunning theme for a wedding, offering a romantic garden meets European vibe.
Chinoiserie can serve as the main theme for your wedding, or you can plan to incorporate simple nods to the design with small details. It can be used to inspire the design of your invitations and even your wedding cake. Of course, chinoiserie pottery can be incorporated into place settings and centerpieces, along with bar décor. Not to mention, the options for playing with patterned linens as well.
If you’re planning to feature chinoiserie throughout your wedding décor, the options are endless. Below, find 20 chinoiserie wedding ideas to get the design planning started.
Theme Your Invitations
Set the tone for your wedding right off the bat. Incorporate blue and white into your invitations, and feature a chinoiserie motif. We love the addition of the bold blue wax seal to complete the look of this pretty set.
Coordinate Outfits
The colors of chinoiserie can certainly extend to other parts of your wedding. Why not plan coordinated colors to fit the theme as this couple did with light blue and dark blue outfits for their wedding party.
Feature Decorative Vases
Make a statement down the middle of your reception table. Tall chinoiserie vases filled with textured blooms are sure to be a stunning touch to your centerpieces. We love the way the pop of blue stands out against otherwise white place settings in this design.
Wow With a Welcome Box
Planning a destination wedding, or inviting guests for an entire weekend? Kick things off with a wedding welcome bag or box. Include snacks, drinks, and a pamphlet with helpful details for the weekend. Bonus points: choose items in blue and white to match the theme.
Match the Bouquets
Why not go all out with blue and white? If you're planning a chinoiserie-inspired wedding, look to blue and white floral options as well. This bouquet is stunning with blue thistle and tweedia, paired with lush white blooms.
Use Patterned Tablecloths
A simple way to make a statement? Incorporate patterned tablecloths. Use textiles featuring chinoiserie motifs in your wedding décor, whether you're lining all of your reception tables or making a statement by putting pretty patterned textiles on just a few.
Line the Aisle With Potted Plants
While candles will always be a gorgeous touch to a ceremony space, why not add a few other decorative touches to the aisle? Opt to place potted plants in chinoiserie pottery at the end of chair rows for a lovely European vibe.
Create a Lounge
Keep your guests comfortable in style! Whether you're hosting a cocktail hour or going straight into the reception, a lounge is a great addition. This pretty outdoor space was set up with white couches, paired with plenty of blue, white, and chinoiserie-patterned pillows.
Put Together Place Settings
A chinoiserie wedding certainly calls for place settings to fit the theme. Incorporate patterned chargers paired with deep blue linens for a lovely look. We love the matching menu and sprig of fresh rosemary added to pull this beautiful setting together.
Dress Up Your Cake
Think you can't match your cake to the theme as well? Think again! Work with your baker to design a white cake with a splash of blue. The addition of a handpainted chinoiserie motif is sure to take the cake to the next level.
Use Decorative Vessels
You can use chinoiserie pottery in a variety of ways. Vessels can be placed to hold everything from cards to flowers and even favors. Small touches spread throughout your reception space can go such a long way.
Match Your Cocktails
While it's tricky to make a blue and white cocktail, you can certainly still add elements to a drink to match the theme. Here, a simple blue and white paper straw was added to tie everything back to the blue and white chinoiserie color scheme and theme.
Dress Up Small Details
Choosing to incorporate custom cocktail napkins is one of the sweetest ways to personalize your wedding. These simple touches can go such a long way! Consider a white cocktail napkin and a simple nod to the chinoiserie motif with a design in blue.
Create a Tablescape
Deck out the dinner table for a lovely look. This tablescape featured a blue gauzy linen runner, blue taper candles, chinoiserie vases, white blooms, and plenty of greenery. The addition of the themed napkin and menu was the perfect way to complete the elegant design.
Match the Boutonnieres
Plan to feature blue in the boutonnieres, especially if those who will be wearing them are dressing in white. The addition of blue tweedia is sure to stand out against a white tux, while offering the sweetest nod to the décor theme.
Decorate the Bar
An all-white wedding bar will certainly make a statement, but a few décor pieces will complete the look. Incorporate several chinoiserie vases with long-stemmed blooms. We also love the pops of blue and white on the shelves behind this bar set-up.
Look to Small Touches
Small decorative touches can go such a long way. We love the idea of incorporating themed drink stirrers to dress up signature cocktails to match the theme.
Celebrate in Style
It's not all about the décor! Consider textiles when deciding what everyone will wear as well. These matching bridal party robes featuring a chinoiserie pattern are absolutely stunning and they certainly help to set the tone for the rest of the day.
Get Creative With Koozies
Planning to serve beer or hard cider? Dress up the bottles for your celebration. Order custom beer koozies with a chinoiserie pattern to fit the theme. Plus, this option may give you the opportunity to add your monogram to the mix, and they'll even double as wedding favors.
Make a Statement Bar
Planning a simple bar set-up? Even if you're setting up self-serve drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, they'll need a pretty background! Set up a shelf with plenty of chinoiserie pottery and textured greenery to make a décor statement.