|
Here are some ideas for your Renaissance wedding:
The
Ceremony:
Handfasting-
Hand-fasting is a
ceremony in which the bride and groom's hands are tied together with
ribbons or decorative cord, symbolizing that their lives are joined together for eternity.
Scrolls-
Have your officiant and any readers read from a scroll.
Reading-
a love sonnet by Shakespeare.
Sword Presentation- The
groom can present his bride with a sword, symbolizing his
strength of commitment.
Cup of Blessing- The
bride can present her groom with a goblet of water or wine,
representing her love.
Bell-
A bell can be rung to forever be a reminder of your vows.
Pronouncement- Instead
of Mr. and Mrs., have the minister pronounce you as Lord and
Lady, Prince and Princess, or King and Queen!!
Throwing Rice:
Throwing rice at the wedding couple dates back to Renaissance times, and symbolizes fertility and luck.
Wedding Site:
A backyard wedding ceremony is perfect, as
most
Renaissance weddings were held outside, often at the bride's
parents' house. They were also held in chapels, or at the
church door. Look for a church or other venue with lots of
stonework, stained
glass, or Tudor wooden
accents.
Décor-
Candles, candles, candles! Use large,
chunky wooden candleholders or black wrought-iron candleabras to add
atmosphere to a church or other indoor site. (For outdoors, use
candles in lanterns or glass enclosures to keep the wind from
blowing them out.) Decorate with ivy, banners of family crests, large baskets
of flowers, and flowered garlands on wooden or iron poles.
Attire:
Have your bridal party dress in Renaissance attire, and as an
option, invite your guests to dress in Renaissance attire, too!
Or provide costumes for your guests to dress in for photo
shoots at your reception.
Renaissance clothing can be found online or rented from costume
shops.
Bride's Gown
and Flowers- Blue was a symbol of purity, and Renaissance brides
either wore
blue or carried something blue. Choose a fabric such as velvet, brocade,
or silk,
in a rich color. You can wear your hair loose, long, and flowing
with a wreath of ivy or flowers and ribbons. The bride's bouquet should be large, overflowing, and
hand-tied, with a rustic, natural look.
Attire for Women-
Nobility dressed in elaborate and brightly colored
gowns, in silks, brocades, and tapestry. Dresses were
floor-length, long-sleeved, often with an over-skirt, and
usually tastefully low-cut.
Renaissance ladies adorned themselves in jewelry, furs, and
elaborate belts.
Attire for
Men- Tights, knee length breeches, pirate shirts, doublets,
cloaks, boots, and swords!
Music:
Look for minstrels to
lead your processional, to play during the ceremony, and to lead the recessional.
For added pageantry, you could have members of the wedding party
carry your family's coat of arms banners.
Reception:
Menu- Feasting was a big part of any
Renaissance celebration. Popular meats were
game, such as goose,
venison, quail or
roast chickens, meat pies,
plus serve cheeses, nuts, fruits, herbed and hearty vegetables, rice,
tarts and custards. Celebrate with
ale,
beer, wine and fruit juices.
Garter-
The throwing of the garter dates back to the Renaissance era.
The belief was that by capturing the garter and giving it to his love,
a man would receive faithfulness.
Tiered Cakes-
The tiered or layered wedding cake also dates back to
Renaissance times. Ask your guests to bring small (pancake sized)
cakes to stack on top of each other. Tradition says that if the couple kisses
over the top of the cakes without knocking them down, they will
have good luck!
Entertainment- court jester, juggler,
or minstrel.
Invitations:
Set the tone for your Renaissance wedding with your wedding invitations.
Choose ivory or beige parchment paper, with the
invitation in black calligraphy or a calligraphy-type font. Roll invitations like a
scroll and tie with a ribbon (mail in a tube), or fold them into thirds and seal with hot wax.
Use Olde English wording ie:
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
The honour of thy presence is hereby requested
at the marriage ceremony of Lady Ann Huntington
and Sir Chad Wilson
on Saturday, the
twenty-seventh of June
in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine.
The ceremony
will commence
at half past the sixth hour
at the Huntington's Lair
33 Lovely Road
in the shire of Hamden, Connecticut.
Renaissance style attire is recommended but not required.
Feasting and merriment will follow the ceremony.
You are invited to participate in
the
Renaissance Wedding Cake Tradition
whereby guests bring small cakes to stack
on top of each other.
If the couple can kiss over the top
without knocking them down, they will have good luck!
|
