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wed-flwrs-FAQ - 3/18/96

 

Medieval & Renaissance Theme Wedding FAQ: Questions about Flowers, Bouquets and Headpieces

 

NOTE: See also the files: weddings-msg, p-weddings-bib, wed-FAQ, p-marriage-msg,

Ger-marriage-msg, Scot-marriage-msg, beadwork-msg, silk-msg.

 

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                             Thank you,

                                   Mark S. Harris

                                   AKA:  Stefan li Rous

                                        stefan at florilegium.org

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Medieval & Renaissance Theme Wedding FAQ: Questions about

Flowers, Bouquets and Headpieces

 

***************************************************************

(c) The Medieval and Renaissance Theme Wedding FAQ was compiled

by and is maintained and copyrighted by Barbara J. Kuehl.  All

suggestions and additions should be emailed to her at

bj at csd.uwm.edu.  This document may be freely redistributed

without modification provided that the copyright notice is not

removed.  It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in

commercial documents without the written permission of the

holder.

****************************************************************

 

4.1:  What flowers can I use in my bouquet to go along with the

    medieval theme of my clothing?

 

From: Guinevere1 at aol.com:

In a book entitled "Period Flowers", the chapters called

"Medieval Flowers" and "Renaissance" talk about the flowers

most popular during those times.

                   -------------------------

From: margritt at mindspring.com (Margritte)

There is a book called "Theme Gardens" that you might want to

check out.  It has plans for several gardens--including a

medieval paradise garden, a Shakepeare garden, and others. It's

a wonderful place to look for lists of appropriate flowers.

                   -------------------------

From: cd055 at FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Jennifer Gebhardt)

Our wedding has a Celtic theme...and my bouquet will have white

roses, wine roses, thistle, and heather.

                   -------------------------

From  bj at alpha1.csd.uwm.edu

I carried a bouquet of green ivy, white sweetpeas, white roses,

and white carnations which I tied together with trailing white

and green ribbons.

                   -------------------------

From: lise at balkis.cc.bellcore.com (339R0-romanov)

Each could carry a single long-stemmed red rose trimmed with

ribbons.

                   -------------------------

From: platypus at glue.umd.edu (Amy E. Rottier)

I had a cascading hand bouquet with lots of ivy trailing and

many colorful flowers (I wanted garden-y type flowers, simple

and homey).  The girls had large hand-tied bouquets of the same

flowers.  My flower crown was BIG - but I'm a big girl, and they

balanced me out.  The florist made a spray for the arch, too,

and it was incredible. Looked fantastic and drew the ceremony

place together (a single big focus point just behind us, instead

of distractions everywhere).

                   -------------------------

From: Betsy Miller <elizabeth.miller at fmr.com>

Here's an alternative I'm toying with (shamelessly pilfered from

Martha Stewart):  Each attendant carries a bouquet made from a

single flower but using the same greenery & general shape of

bouquet.  The picture I saw had one bouquet made with irises,

one with white roses, one with orange lilies, and one with a red

flower (not roses, but I can't think of what it was).  It looked

really pretty, especially since all the bridesmaids had

identical gowns.

                   -------------------------

From: bozwin at aol.com (Bozwin)

My attendants are each carrying a cluster of tulips tied with

ribbon. Very reasonable price at that time of year (spring).

Haven't decided yet if each will carry a different color, but

maybe.  With 4, you could do the colors like winter, spring,

summer, fall.

                   -------------------------

From: hlburges at ellis.uchicago.edu (Hillary Butterfly Burgess)

Three ideas I've seen and loved: 1) A small round bouquet with

cascading ivy and ribbon (ivy is cheap filler, but beautiful,

ribbon you can get inexpensively at a craft/fabric store).

2) Long stem flowers.  Tie them together with green craft wire,

wrap about 4 inches of satin ribbon around the stems (toward the

bottom) and attach a bow to the ribbon.  (I like satin bows)

Add ribbons and pearls to the hanging ribbons from the bow to

make it more fancy/formal. 3) Baskets:  We *might* have the

flower girls carrying small baskets filled with petals and then

have the BM carrying bigger baskets filled with flowers and

hanging ivy.  My mom has bought the baskets at yardsales and

craft stores for between 25c and a buck.  She will decorate them

with satin material and ribbon, then we will give them to our

florist who can make a flower arrangement for the BMs.  The

florist suggested we use the BM's arrangements as table

centerpieces.

                   -------------------------

From: khealey at world.std.com (Katie Healey)

My fiance's name is ERIC, so my flowers were Edelweiss (a pain

to find in October!!!), Roses, Ivy, and Carnations.  I know, it

sounds too cute for words, but I really liked it.  For my

bridesmaids, I had bouquets that were virtually the same, except

for one type of flower.  I found one kind of flower that means

"friendship forever" (my best friend's bouquet); another kind of

flower means "memories treasured" (for the bridesmaid who had

been a friend since before we could walk); "new friendship" for

my future SIL; etc.  There are several good books on flowers

that tell about the meanings of different flowers.  It's kind of

neat, once you get going. When I gave each bridesmaid her

bouquet, I included a little card that explained the meaning of

their special flower.  We all cried baskets before we even left

my house!

                   -------------------------

From: Debbie McCoy <bridea2z at gate.net>

Ancients used herbs, not flowers, in bouquets because they felt

herbs--especially garlic--had the power to cast off evil spirits

(can you imagine walking up the aisle holding a clump of

garlic!?).  If a bride carried sage (the herb of wisdom) she

became wise; if she carried dill (the herb of lust) she became

lusty. Later flowers replaced herbs and took on meanings all

their own. Orange blossoms, for example, mean happiness and

fertility.  Ivy means fidelity; lillies mean purity.

                   -------------------------

From: Jason_L at pop.com (Jason L)

Our flower girl carried sheaves of wheat, a symbol of growth,

fertility, and renewal.

 

================================================================

4.2:  Does anyone know (or can anyone point me to a resource

     for) the meanings of different flowers in a bouquet?

 

From: fishcat at hooked.net (Trystan L. Bass)

The language of the flowers is ancient and many of the symbols

have not changed.  These examples come from Shakespeare:

     Red rose and myrtle = I love you

     Ivy with white and red flowers = marry me?

     Forget-me-nots = my true love is yours

     Pansies = you occupy my thoughts

     Violets = I am faithful and loyal

     Mint = great virtue

     Sage = great respect

     White and red roses = unity of purpose

     Pink roses = ours must be a secret love

     Marigolds = I am a jealous lover

     Lavender = I distrust you

     Basil = I hate you

                   -------------------------

From  bj at alpha1.csd.uwm.edu (Barbara Jean Kuehl)

If you are interested in creating a bouquet with a special

meaning, the following website contains a list of flowers and

their meanings: http://acm.vt.edu/~lfowler/wed/flowers.html.

 

================================================================

4.3:  I've found a wonderful company to make our "costumes", but

     I'm not sure what to wear for a "veil".  I know veils are

     traditional nowadays, but our medieval wedding is anything

     but.  Could I wear flowers in my hair instead of a veil?

 

From: Debbie McCoy <bridea2z at gate.net>

It's not necessary to wear a veil. A veil is merely traditional

and ceremonial (although in Judaism Conservative and Orthodox

ceremonies, it's a requirement). Since your wedding sounds very

much your own, the only thing that's important is that your

headpiece (if you choose to wear one) look beautiful.

                   -------------------------

From: ac298 at seorf.ohiou.edu (Lisa Steinberg)

The veils of today have only been used for the last hundred or

so years so, by not wearing one, you aren't contradicting some

ancient tradition.  I like the look of flowers scattered

throughout a hairdo--nice and whimsical.

                   -------------------------

From: Michaele Kashgarian <kashgarian at llnl.gov>

I'm planning to wear fresh flowers instead of a veil. Once I

decide on a dress, I'll try to figure out which flowers will

go with it.

                   -------------------------

From  bj at alpha1.csd.uwm.edu (Barbara Jean Kuehl)

Instead of a veil, I wore a wreath of fresh ivy.  Anne of Cleves

(early 1500's) supposedly wore a wreath of rosemary at her

wedding.

                   -------------------------

From: Deirdre Shaw <shaw_d at a1.tch.harvard.edu>

All the Renaissance Faires that I have been to sell wreaths made

out of dried flowers.  I've usually seen a *wide* variety of

colors and flowers used, so you should be able to find something

that matches or complements what you're wearing.  I've liked the

look of the flower wreaths so much that my headpiece is going to

be a wreath similar to the ones sold at the Faires.

                   -------------------------

From: fishcat at hooked.net (Trystan L. Bass)

A wreath of flowers is a very ancient bridal headpiece.  You

could also wear your hair loose, which symbolizes virginity

(married women wore their hair up and mostly covered).  You

could have the bridesmaids wear their hair braided or up, to

emphasize the bride.

             -------------------------

From Guinevere1 at aol.com

The headpiece I will be wearing is a wreath made of

ivory-colored flowers, with a veil attached to the back.  I am

also having headpieces made by a friend of mine for my

bridesmaids.  They will have different colored flowers, baby's

breath, and ribbons (which coordinate with the emerald-colored

dresses) instead of the veil.

             -------------------------

From: Jason_L at pop.com (Jason L)

We adapted a Finnish tradition of the mothers crowning the bride

to give their blessing to the daughter.  Andrea entered wearing

a wreath, which she gave to one of her attendants, then both

mothers came forward and put a snood and tiara on her head.

             -------------------------

From: sac56615 at saclink1.csus.edu (Judith A. Murray)

I had my hair braided by a woman who does braiding at

renaissance faires.  Flowers, pearls, but no headpiece and no

veil.  It was the talk of the wedding!  (I also paid to have my

sister's hair braided - her braid cost $38, and mine $50, plus I

gave her a $12 tip, making it an even $100 - this was one of my

slurges!).

             -------------------------

From: woods at oakhill.sps.mot.com (Lynn Woods)

I don't like veils either. I have really long hair and so I made

a headpiece that is three white silk rose buds, two mini-lilies,

& ivy. Draping down from the flowers is three loops of white

satin ribbon with long pearl sprays over the ribbon.  It's a

little hard to describe, but the effect is similar to a veil

without having to actually endure netting or tulle or whatever

it is. It goes on the back of my head.

             -------------------------

From: prauda at plootu.Helsinki.FI (Kristiina Prauda)

My friend Paivi's headpiece consisted of her magnificently long

and thick tawny hair styled around her head (not in braids, but

sort of tubes or rolls) and decorated with fresh ivy leaves and

individual white gladiolus flowers. It was really beautiful.

Paivi's cousin is getting married in a few weeks.  I heard that

her veil is short, layered and rather fluffy and that she's

renting a headpiece from "Kalevala Koru". They make jewellery

based on actual historical jewellery findings., The headpiece is

a bronze or silver garland, and can be worn either closed,

crownlike on top of the head, or open at the end, tiara-like.

              -------------------------

From: Kari Astley <astleyk at u.washington.edu>

I decided to get a head band with a tear drop pearl in front

because I've always loved the look (sort of like a mythic

princess).  I would highly recommend trying some on and then

finding someone to make the one you want.  I had no idea what I

was looking for till I tried some on.  It's amazingly easy to

have someone make one, and that way you get exactly what you

want.  Also, the price for mine was incredible, it was cheaper

than it would have been had I bought one in a store.

             -------------------------

From: prauda at plootu.Helsinki.FI (Kristiina Prauda)

We had a formal evening reception with a medieval-ish theme.  I

made a veil for myself.  I borrowed a small gold-and-rhinestone

tiara from a theatre and added a two-layered, gathered tulle

veil with narrow gold thread edging starting straight from the

tiara. The upper layer went to my waist and served as a blusher;

the other layer went down to the hem of my gown (no train). I

had always known I wanted a long, big veil, but I hate the look

of those white pearl-and-sequin headpieces. Nor was I too keen

on fresh flowers, because I think they look best with no veil at

all (with very well styled hair). The tiara was perfect with my

gold-accented silk gown.

 

================================================================

4.4  I would like to use a garland of ivy as a headpiece, as it

    is symbolic of good luck and all.  I have an ivy plant, and

    I wonder if just cutting off a long extension of the plant

    and forming it into a circle would work.  Any advice?

 

From: bj at alpha1.csd.uwm.edu (Barbara Jean Kuehl)

That's what I did.  I cut off a long vine of ivy from a plant I

had been growing for some time.  I wound it around about three

times, tucking it every so often so that I didn't need to use

wire or ties to keep it together.  It worked great, and it held

up fantastically!  I was able to wear it a week later to the

renaissance fair! After that, however, the leaves began to brown

and fall off.

             -------------------------

From: q2usa at aol.com (Q2 USA)

Use a piece of flexible wire and wrap it from end to end with

white or green floral tape. Form it into a circle the size of

which sits on your head where you'd like it.  Secure the two

ends together with floral tape.  The morning of your wedding,

gently secure the ivy strand to the circle in several places

with floral tape.  Leave it in the refrigerator, maybe on top

of a wet cloth in a tupperware container.  You could add colored

ribbons, pearls, cords, tulle or silk flowers to the headband as

to your taste.

 

================================================================

4.5:  Help!  I am allergic to flowers and I cannot figure out

     how to replace them in my wedding.  I am having a medieval

     theme.  Are there any suggestions?

 

Diana Ewing <dewing at mail.fgi.net> wrote:

If your wedding is in the evening, why not a candle instead of

flowers.  I can't think of anything more romantic.

                   -------------------------

From: jcowie at bgnet.bgsu.edu (Jenette Lynn Cowie)

Are you allergic to dried flowers?  Some dried flowers are very

beautiful, and go well with many themes.  If this doesn't work,

maybe you could consider using several candles.

                   -------------------------

From: prauda at kruuna.Helsinki.FI (Kristiina Prauda)

If you cannot use any real flowers even in decorations, there is

always silk ivy. Ivy (and other greenery) has often been

suggested in these groups for medieval-style decorations, and

silk ivy doesn't look as fake as silk flowers sometimes do. It

actually looks very good in long garlands and thick branches

around the room (and high on the walls, if possible).  There are

so many possibilities for medieval decorations that flowers are

not at all necessary: candles, candelabras, banners, shields,

tapestries... And if flowers are not completely forbidden, as

long as they're not close to you, maybe you could have an

arrangement on the altar (if it is a church wedding). As for you

and your possible bridesmaids, you could carry candles.  Or

maybe your bridesmaids could also be readers for the ceremony

and carry fancy scrolls with ribbons, with their texts written

in the scrolls?

 

<the end>



Formatting copyright © Mark S. Harris (THLord Stefan li Rous).
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Comments to the Editor: stefan at florilegium.org