Mermaidcore: The beachy aesthetic for summer 2023 celebrations

Mermaid-inspired fashion is making a splash this summer, and there are plenty of ways to embrace the trend in your wedding or hen do. From pearl accessories to turquoise décor, get inspired…

Mermaid themed table setting for wedding and wedding rings in a silver oyster
Set the tone with a mermaid-inspired table setting (left) or a unique way to store your wedding rings (right)

With the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid film hitting cinemas on Friday 26th May, people have been inspired by the mermaid aesthetic.

Mermaidcore is the summer trend of 2023, and while the thought of mermaids might take you back to being six-years-old pretending to have a sparkly tail in the swimming pool, there are lots of ways to incorporate the under-the-sea aesthetic to fit your current style.

What is Mermaidcore?

Largely inspired by Ariel herself (an icon after all), shades of blue, green and purple make up the mermaid colour palette.

Mermaidcore is all about shimmery, iridescent materials as well as all things beachy including shells, coral, starfish, pearls and waves.

From subtle hints like earrings and hair accessories, to fish scale patterned outfits, there are lots of ways to work a bit of mermaid magic into your summer ‘fit or wedding celebrations.

Mermaids are trending in 2023

Clothing brand Nasty Gal has revealed that searches on Pinterest for ‘mermaidcore’ has recently gone up by 614 per cent. Google searches for ‘mermaid style’ are also on the rise, so it’s certainly a hot topic this summer.

Of course we had to have a look for ourselves, and rounded up some of the best mermaid-inspired Pins that we think would work well for a themed wedding or hen do!

Check out our Mermaidcore Pinterest board here

Pinterest board with mermaidcore ideas

Mermaid-themed Wedding

We’re not saying you need to have a fully mermaid-themed wedding – although we would love to see it! – as there are lots of subtle nods to the theme that would fit perfectly into a summer wedding.

Think pearl accessories and pastel shades, as well as romantic hairstyles like fishtail braids and beachy waves. And of course, a fishtail style wedding dress gives a chic silhouette and lets you live out your mermaid fantasies.

Ivory Satin Pearl Bridal Sandals from Rainbow Club
Ivory Satin Pearl Bridal Sandals from Rainbow Club

When it comes to your décor, you can really embrace the theme. We love the look of sea glass place settings, and you can easily add in hints of turquoise or shells to your venue décor.

Sea glass place settings and shells around a candle at a wedding
Left: sea glass place settings. Right: candle and shell centrepiece

Mermaid-themed Hen Do

When it comes to your hen do, you can have more even fun with the theme. It’s the perfect excuse to bring the beach to you this summer as you celebrate with your bride squad.

Get on your beachwear and shimmery eyeshadow, whip up some blue cocktails and get the party started!

Mermaid themed hen do ideas from Pinterest
It’s all about the details at a hen do, add this Mermaid Rum Punch and some seashell sunglasses to yours

For some outfit inspo, ASOS has dropped a line of The Little Mermaid-inspired clothes, from ocean-print pieces to graphic tees with quotes from the film.

ASOS Design The Little Mermiad clothing range
Right: The Little Mermaid co-ord mesh skirt and hotfix top ocean print. Left: The Little Mermaid slim tee with ‘find your voice’ embroidery licence graphic in white

Hire a Mermaid

If that still doesn’t sort your mermaid fix, there’s even a new show about real-life mermaids on Netflix! It’s called MerPeople and follows the lives on professional mermaids.

The show might be based in Florida, but there are companies across the UK, like Hire A Mermaid UK, that let you hire mermaids for your event – in or out of the water. In case you really want the ultimate mermaid-themed wedding…

Now you’ve got the details, find the perfect venue! Check out these Scottish waterside wedding venues

As well as Mermaidcore trending this summer, 2023 weddings will be full of orange details, from table settings to bridesmaids dresses – get inspired here