Renaissance Love

If you have ever dreamed of being a princess with a handsome knight by your side, then a Renaissance themed wedding may be just the thing to make your romantic dreams come true.

True to rustic form, reception locations for Renaissance themed weddings should be older buildings made of stone, old timber, brick, or housed in historic homes with a Tudor, English Cottage or Castle-type look to them. If hosting a spring or summer outdoor wedding, a large white tent set ablaze with colourful banners and garlands makes for a perfect setting without a large expense.

With the popularity of Renaissance Fairs in existence today, you may even have the exceptional opportunity of hosting your wedding at the Fair itself. Surrounded by a level of authenticity you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. If you decide not to host your wedding there, sourcing out and attending such fairs can give you many great ideas, accessories and even wedding favours that you can later bestow upon your guests. If having difficulty finding such favour items to suit your theme, try looking for items in a Celtic or Keltic vein, many of which will suit your medieval themed wedding.

To give your wedding clothing that Renaissance feel, the groom should be attired in doublets, breeches and hose (though those interested in a less authentic look, may choose to merely wear a richly coloured vest of velvet or silk). The bride should be adorned in a Juliet-styled empire-waist gown made of similarly rich materials. Instead of the traditional white, most medieval brides wore a cream coloured gown or a blue gown, which they wore as a symbol of purity, and which brides today continue to wear as their "something blue".

A circlet is another must-have accessory for the medieval bride. Made from an ivy laced garland or flowers, or from ornate silver bedecked with jewels, a circlet will give you the look of a pagan princess longing for her knight.

For some brides and grooms looking to hold a Renaissance wedding it is the accessories or lack there-of that makes the difference between merely playing dress-up and transporting guests back in time. Whether a sword wielding bride, goblets made from clay or silver to toast the happy couple, or a decorative touch such as the joining of two coasts of arms above the head table, each attention to detail adds to the Medieval ambiance you are attempting to achieve.

The final and most important part of a medieval theme is the menu. The preparation of it, the serving and even the way it is eaten. With items like turkey, pheasant, venison and mutton, cheese, fresh fruits, breads, tarts and custards on the menu, served on old-fashioned wooden plates can add the crowning touch to your meal. Giving guests the choice on whether or not to use utensils to partake in their dinner, gives the meal a truly authentic medieval flare.

As beverages you may want to continue in your chosen theme, by serving, water, ale, beer, mead, milk and/or wine to your guests, choices that not only add to the theme, but additionally could pass on savings to your bar tab.

A medieval themed wedding can be as rich and glorious, or as simple and rustic as you wish. The good thing is that with this theme - you have plenty of ideas from which to choose.

©2008 Weddingstar Inc.