nle5
06-30-2005, 04:00 PM
Medieval Wedding Dress, Menu, Invitation, and More - A Magical Theme
From Nina Callaway
Finding the perfect medieval wedding dress, invitation, and menu
The medieval wedding is romantic and classic. Here are the key elements that anyone using this theme should include, although you'll find that there are infinite possibilities to showcase your own style.
FINDING A MEDIEVAL WEDDING DRESS AND OTHER ATTIRE:
A medieval wedding dress and grooms attire are essential, of course! This means a wide variety of things depending on whether you want to be peasants, royalty, or anything in between. The most popular is royal style - full of rich fabrics and elaborate touches. Men should wear doublets, breeches and hose, women should wear Juliet-style dresses. Consider silver, gold, and wine colors rather than white. You may be able to find a great bridesmaid dress that will save you considerable money over a traditional medieval wedding dress.
Look for a Renaissance Fair near you- there should be vendors where you can purchase or special order your dream medieval wedding dress or ensemble. Also, check out Moresca.com for a great variety of clothing. They will make you custom dresses and grooms outfits. For brides seeking a more traditional dress, ask your bridal shop for gowns that have princess lines and drop waists.
But, if you're looking for a true medieval wedding dress, pass up that white frock! Blue was the symbol of purity, not white. (Interestingly, this is why brides today still wear "something blue.) You also could merge the two traditions and wear a white medieval wedding dress with blue trim.
MENU:
Serve traditional foods, including turkey, venison, or mutton. (side note: this reminds me of that scene from The Cable Guy where the waitress says "There were no utensils in medieval times, thus, there are no utensils AT Medieval Times. Would you like a refill on that Pepsi?") You'll probably want to give your guests the comfort of utensils, but look for a local vendor who will rent you wooden plates for a more authentic touch.
Even if you aren't having a "royal wedding", you'll want to serve a great banquet. Traditionally, feasts were a part of a marriage day regardless of the bride and groom's social class. Other than the foods mentioned above, you might serve roast quail, turtledoves and partridge, goose, roasted boar, calves' heads, fish, roasted peacock, cheeses, walnuts, fresh fruits, bread, tarts and custards, fruit preserves and mulled wine. You might serve water, ale, beer, mead, milk, and/or wine to guests, and be historically accurate.
MEDIEVAL WEDDING INVITATIONS:
Choose an appropriate paper, such as heavy parchment. You might want to have an intricately colored invitation in jewel tones and golds and silvers. Look for clip art on the internet which will allow you to easily design an evocative invitation. Evoke the theme with your language - consider saying hand fasting instead of wedding or betrothal, and open with Hear Ye Hear Ye, or Let it Be Known Throughout the Land. Consult the Medieval Wedding Guide for some great language tips. You may also want to ask your guests to come in period dress.
SPECIAL TOUCHES:
Traditional entertainment included jugglers, minstrels and other entertainers. Guests would come to feast, and to dance to either vocal or instrumental music. At your wedding, consider having a juggler, live musicians, and possibly a dance instructor/leader to show your guests how to "round dance" properly.For a true royalty feel, have the bride ride in on horseback (sidesaddle, of course).
From Nina Callaway
Finding the perfect medieval wedding dress, invitation, and menu
The medieval wedding is romantic and classic. Here are the key elements that anyone using this theme should include, although you'll find that there are infinite possibilities to showcase your own style.
FINDING A MEDIEVAL WEDDING DRESS AND OTHER ATTIRE:
A medieval wedding dress and grooms attire are essential, of course! This means a wide variety of things depending on whether you want to be peasants, royalty, or anything in between. The most popular is royal style - full of rich fabrics and elaborate touches. Men should wear doublets, breeches and hose, women should wear Juliet-style dresses. Consider silver, gold, and wine colors rather than white. You may be able to find a great bridesmaid dress that will save you considerable money over a traditional medieval wedding dress.
Look for a Renaissance Fair near you- there should be vendors where you can purchase or special order your dream medieval wedding dress or ensemble. Also, check out Moresca.com for a great variety of clothing. They will make you custom dresses and grooms outfits. For brides seeking a more traditional dress, ask your bridal shop for gowns that have princess lines and drop waists.
But, if you're looking for a true medieval wedding dress, pass up that white frock! Blue was the symbol of purity, not white. (Interestingly, this is why brides today still wear "something blue.) You also could merge the two traditions and wear a white medieval wedding dress with blue trim.
MENU:
Serve traditional foods, including turkey, venison, or mutton. (side note: this reminds me of that scene from The Cable Guy where the waitress says "There were no utensils in medieval times, thus, there are no utensils AT Medieval Times. Would you like a refill on that Pepsi?") You'll probably want to give your guests the comfort of utensils, but look for a local vendor who will rent you wooden plates for a more authentic touch.
Even if you aren't having a "royal wedding", you'll want to serve a great banquet. Traditionally, feasts were a part of a marriage day regardless of the bride and groom's social class. Other than the foods mentioned above, you might serve roast quail, turtledoves and partridge, goose, roasted boar, calves' heads, fish, roasted peacock, cheeses, walnuts, fresh fruits, bread, tarts and custards, fruit preserves and mulled wine. You might serve water, ale, beer, mead, milk, and/or wine to guests, and be historically accurate.
MEDIEVAL WEDDING INVITATIONS:
Choose an appropriate paper, such as heavy parchment. You might want to have an intricately colored invitation in jewel tones and golds and silvers. Look for clip art on the internet which will allow you to easily design an evocative invitation. Evoke the theme with your language - consider saying hand fasting instead of wedding or betrothal, and open with Hear Ye Hear Ye, or Let it Be Known Throughout the Land. Consult the Medieval Wedding Guide for some great language tips. You may also want to ask your guests to come in period dress.
SPECIAL TOUCHES:
Traditional entertainment included jugglers, minstrels and other entertainers. Guests would come to feast, and to dance to either vocal or instrumental music. At your wedding, consider having a juggler, live musicians, and possibly a dance instructor/leader to show your guests how to "round dance" properly.For a true royalty feel, have the bride ride in on horseback (sidesaddle, of course).