Victorian Wedding Theme

Classic, Formal Victorian Wedding Theme With A Twist

When you speak of a Victorian wedding, you immediately imagine an affair exuding in grace and elegance, one that’s filled with fine china, plenty of lace, corsets and petticoats, and fragrant rosebuds. It’s not a surprise that many couples planning to tie the knot go for a Victorian-style event. You too can choose this if you’re a fan of the medieval period. Give yours a unique feel by adding some twists here and there.

Setting

The botanical garden is the most popular choice. With its manicured lawn, fountains, statues and blooming roses, it certainly is the right venue for Victorian weddings. Another worthwhile option would be a mansion, especially one with beaux-art style. Pick a ballroom that’s dressed in Victorian colors such as pink, green, gold, jewel blue, burgundy, and copper.

Now if you want something different, you may choose to hold the affair in your own garden or backyard. It doesn’t have to be big but it should be able to accommodate the number of guests that you’re having. It would be nice if your garden has large oak and willow trees, where you can spread tables and picnic blankets under to create a laidback and charming atmosphere.

Outfit

Dressing up is probably the most fun part of any Victorian wedding. You’ll get to wear a spectacular Victorian gown. With its countless layers of lace, ruffles and accessories, you’d almost feel like your Queen Victoria. It was after Queen Victoria’s wedding that white became the traditional color for wedding gowns.

That is where you can add a twist to your wedding. Dare to wear a colored gown on your Victorian wedding. Just make sure you retain some of the fashion styles of that era like the restrictive corset, fitted bodice and full skirt. As for the accessories, don a cameo, a pair of kid-leather gloves, silk stocking and brocade heel shoes. For the gentleman, choices include frockcoat, waistcoat, cravat or ascot ties and trousers.

Invitations

Invitations should be written on white or ivory paper to be inserted inside calligraphed envelopes. Be sure to use a Victorian font and add vintage stamps to complete the look. Now here’s the fun part: instead of being overly formal with the wording like most Victorian weddings, you can be a little whimsical and give it a modern twist. “Travel back in time with us as we get married Victorian-style!” is more amusing than “We request the honor of your presence….”

Flowers

The rose is the standard flower for any Victorian wedding. But feel free to enjoy other blooms if you want something different. Other options like tulips, pansies, hyacinths, and stephanotis are just as splendid. The bridal bouquet should be arranged in a tussie mussie way. Make sure to stay away from figs that represent idleness and larkspur that denotes infidelity.

Décor

To recreate the charming ambience of a Victorian scene, take a good look at the painting of Pierre-Auguste Renoir entitled Le Moulin de la Galette (1876). Although Renoir is not English, he’s renowned for infusing the color palette and dress codes from Queen Victoria’s kingdom in his paintings. Also, the place should be filled with antique vases, laces, fine china, teacups, Battenburg lace overlays, fringed coasters and silk doilies.