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The Victorian era -- roses, lace,
tea parties, classical music.
There are few historical periods that are
more romantic -- no wonder Victorian touches are so popular at weddings!
The term Victorian refers to the styles and attitudes during the reign of
guess who, Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
Whether you go all out and have a
Victorian-themed wedding, or opt for a few touches like colors and
flowers,
Victoriana does romantic wonders for any wedding.
Here are some
of our favorite ideas!
INVITATIONS
Very formal invites were the norm in the Victorian era: Engraved
invitations on smooth, medium weight pure white or ivory paper,
printed in script. The bride would hand-address them.
Think about putting your monogram (maybe your new last initial in
the middle, both your first initials around it) on your invitations.
Check with a specialist stationer for typeface possibilities.
Victorian capped letters -- when the first letter of a line is very
ornate, is a good, decorative touch.
Since calling cards were a must-have in Victorian times (you'd
present one at the door when you went to visit a friend's home,
announcing your arrival), you might include them with your invites for
guests to hand to ushers when they come to the ceremony.
Slip dried rose petals into your envelopes, or use paper with rose
petals in it.
Paper-lace hearts, ribbons, and cupids are all perfect Victorian
invitation motifs.
You can buy Victorian-themed stationery and place cards from the
Victorian Papers catalog (call (800) 800-6647 for a copy), on which
you can hand write your own invitations, or have them professionally
printed.
Mail-order invitation companies like American Wedding Album (800)
428-0379, and Willow Tree Lane (800) 219-9230, offer Victorian-themed
styles. Many other catalogs have them, too (they're popular!) -- ask
when you call for any catalog.
RINGS
Victorians added their own touch to wedding bands by adding personal
inscriptions, such as "Ever thine." Many modern couples
carry on this tradition by engraving their initials, the wedding date,
or terms of endearment on the inside of their bands.
Bands were made in the form of symbols of unity, like tied bows,
hands clasped together, and buckles.
Queen Victoria's ring was a gold snake eating its own tail with
jewels for the eyes (interesting symbolism, huh?).
WEDDING PARTY
Victorian brides-to-be would invite their friends to a tea to ask
them to be in the wedding -- you can too. Maybe go out to a hotel or
tea room, or put together your own at-home tea -- in the
"parlor"!
The bride would serve her maids a sweet white-layer cake with tiny
charms baked into it, each with a meaning for the maid who receives it
with her slice -- rings (next to marry), horseshoes and clovers (good
luck), anchors (hope or adventure), thimbles (old maid), and
fleur-de-lis (love will flower), among others.
LOCATIONS
Victorian celebrations were often tea parties, garden parties, or
grand, elegant balls.
An historic Victorian inn (especially prevalent in New England), a
ballroom in Victorian colors (pinks, golds, greens), an elegant
history museum, a botanic garden, or a 19th-century estate would all
make perfect period reception sites. Check with your local historical
society or Chamber of Commerce to find homes, estates, and inns in
your area that can be rented for weddings.
Home was as popular a place to marry as church in the Victorian era;
if your parents, grandparents, or close friends live in a pretty old
house, consider it as your wedding site.
FLOWERS
The quintessential Victorian flower was, of course, the rose, which
stood for love.
For bouquets, nosegays (also called tussie
mussies) were a must.
They're small, round, plump bouquets.
Blooms to use: roses, pansies, hyacinths, orange blossoms. Queen
Victoria herself had myrtle in her bouquet, says Stacy Hampton,
executive director of The Victorian Society in America, a non-profit
educational group. After Victoria's wedding, all royal British
weddings have included bouquets with cuttings from the descendant of
that same myrtle, she added. All-white bouquets were also popular. You
may want to have them tied with satin ribbons knotted with flower
buds, to represent enduring love.
The Victorians were strong believers in the special meanings of
flowers; they were greatly influenced by a book of the era, "La
Langue des Fleurs" by Madame de la Tour.
DECORATIONS
Again, go for Victorian pastel colors like champagne/gold, shades of
pink, and moss or hunter green.
Candles are a romantic and definitely an appropriate touch, at the
ceremony or reception.
Flowers should be an integral part of your decorations -- think
roses, lilies, potted palms, and ferns.
Display old black-and-white family portraits (maybe your
grandparents' or great-grandparents' wedding photos) in silver frames.
Get creative with the ever-present Victorian motifs of lace, hearts,
or angels.
FOOD
The tea reception is classic Victorian -- have the party in the late
afternoon, and serve various teas, finger sandwiches, scones with jam
and clotted cream, miniature pastries and petit fors, champagne, and
of course, the wedding cake.
A brunch reception also lends itself well to Victorian style.
See if there are any 19th-century recipes in your family (or dip
into old cookbooks at the library or an old-book/antique store), and
have a meal prepared based on them.
MUSIC
Consider a string quartet for the ceremony and/or cocktail hour;
harps, violins or pianos for the reception.
Dances popular in Victorian times: reels, waltzes, quadrilles.
Composers popular in Victorian times: Handel, Wagner, Mozart.
If you want a more rockin' party, make the reception music the
modern part of the wedding and get a DJ in there!
PHOTOGRAPHS
Be sure your photographer takes some timeless black-and-white shots.
Have formal portraits taken -- of the two of you, you with your
families, with the wedding party -- reminiscent of your ancestors'
posed wedding pictures. But, adds Hampton, unlike those ancestors,
don't forget to smile! "They all frowned and looked
terrible."
Before diamond rings which only became popular late in the Victorian
era, Victorian grooms presented their brides with engraved lockets,
ivory hair combs, or soft kid gloves (all great bridesmaid-gift ideas,
as well).
For favors, think about chocolate truffles, ornate silver frames,
romantic fans, or brocade-covered boxes.
RESOURCES
There's a treasure trove of information on Victoriana on the
Internet; do a search for "Victoriana" or "Victorian
Weddings" and you'll find tons of ideas and resources.
Check out "The Victorian Yellow Pages," a book full of
more than 200 sources of Victoriana. It's a great place to find info
on wedding clothes and accessories. To order, send $12 plus $3
shipping to: Teapot Press, P.O. Box 2048, Scotia, NY 12302; allow 2
weeks for delivery.
Every great subject has an association behind it, and Victoriana is
no exception: The Victorian Society in America, 219 South Sixth
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106; (215) 627-4252.
For clothing, check the Victorian Society's web page,
www.victoriana.com
The Victorian Papers catalog is a great resource not only for
invitations, but for all things Victorian; call (800) 800-6647 to get
yours.
Another fun catalog: Past Times, which features "Fine gifts and
accessories from Great Britain, inspired by the past." Call (800)
621-6020.
Authentic
Victorian products -- anything you can even remotely think of -- are available
through the Amazon Drygoods catalogs. You can order a general catalog, with
everything from corsets to cookbooks, or check out the clothing and shoe
catalogs. There's a small fee ($3-$7) for each catalog. Call (800) 798-7979.
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