Top Hat and Tails - Ideas For Planning A Vintage Themed Wedding

Elegant Wedding Favors and Bridal Party Gifts you will fall in love with!

Years ago when I was a young girl I remember being entranced by the movie "My Fair Lady".
Adorable Audrey Hepburn played the character Eliza Doolitlle, a cockney flower girl with no
education who after being schooled in the finer arts of speech was transformed into a lady of
breeding and manners, at least in the eyes of the outside world. One scene in particular struck my
fancy, it was when Eliza and Professor Henry Higgins visited the Ascot race track where all the blue
bloods congregated for horse racing.

A stunning Eliza (Audrey Hepburn) dressed in a white and black gown and enormous hat was
surrounded by Higgins and the other gentlemen arrayed in top hats and tails. It was only when the
irrepressible Miss Doolittle shouted her true, cockney slang at a horse, that her real character
upstaged the pretentious character she portrayed. Needless to say the entire movie was a visual
feast of a by gone and glamorous era. In today's world perhaps you are a bride who adores the old
world charm and mannerisms of long ago. If the Vintage theme is what you are striving to produce
for your wedding it's now time to come up with ideas to make this extraordinary event happen. First
off let's decide on your style, location and flowers.

Location:

If you are looking for a venue to marry your beloved, choose an old church, ball room or a garden.
These were natural places for weddings in the Victorian and Edwardian era to take place. Colorful
blooms and gilded fixtures embellished these venues and set the stage for elegance. If anything,
manners and tradition was extremely important during this era. Remember, vintage weddings
could be quite detailed and showy, depending on papa's income and position.

Flowers and Reception Decor:

Floral arrangements in the latter 19th century were dramatic and lovely. Roses, dahlias, zinnias,
sweet peas, violets, buttercups and freesia interspersed with baby's breath and ferns. Brides often
carried nose gays or tussy mussies, balls of ornate blooms tied with ribbons. Reception tables
were laid out with glass or silver vases over flowing with dramatic and lovely flowers. Tables were
adorned with lace doilies, fine crystal, china and cups. Rooms, carpeted with Persian and oriental
rugs were lit up with chandeliers and lamps topped with fringed shades. Underneath these
sparkling chandeliers, couples waltzed and danced quadrilles.

Vintage Apparel:

Vintage wedding gowns could be quiet elaborate depending on the bride's status and income.
Silk, tulle, cashmere or satin. Bustles were replaced with small trains in the latter Victorian era.
Brides typically wore veils crowned with orange blossoms. One important thing to remember was
that before Queen Victoria, wedding gowns were often any color depending on the bride and her
culture. Bridal accessories included white gloves, silk stockings, beaded purses, cameo pins and
pearls and flat shoes adorned with bows. Men typically wore stripped trousers, white shirts and
waist coats of gray or white with bow ties. Tail coats were cut away in shades of black and grey.
Last but not least, no gentleman of breeding would be seen with out his elegant top hat.
Groomsmen wore similar apparel as the groom and bridesmaids and children were arrayed in
white or pale colors of pink or mint green tied with bright satin sashes. Often little girls wore muslin
and boys wore knee trousers.

Food:

A vintage wedding served food fit for a king! Oysters, filet mignon, roast duck, salmon, truffles,
sugary cakes and a fine selection of champagne and liqueurs were offered to toast the happy
couple. After dinner, gentlemen would slip away to the study or library to enjoy fine cigars and
brandy. Wedding cakes were elaborate fruit cakes embellished with sugary flowers and scrolls
and cut to be sent home in boxes with the guests. In fact their could be three cakes, one for the
guests, one for the groom and the other for the bride.

Wedding Favors:

If you are searching for ideas for a vintage themed wedding keep in mind that Victorians loved
giving gifts. Lovely silk fans, sachets, letter openers, ornate boxes, cigars, handkerchiefs and
cameos were beloved favors of choice.

If you are now ready to plan your own Vintage wedding seek out antique and second hand shops.
Research customs and traditions of the period you have in mind. alert your guests if you wish them
to dress in old Vintage clothing, big hats, pearls and tuxedos. Prepare invitations on vellum in
ornate calligraphy or font. Most of all have fun. This is your dream wedding come to life.

Top Hat and Tails - Ideas For Planning A Vintage Themed Wedding

by Deborah Lewis

Your wedding day, it's the most romantic and wonderful day of a man and woman's life so why shouldn't you have
the best? I created Love Your Wedding to do just that, bring you the loveliest and most classy wedding favors and
accessories on the market today. At Love Your Wedding our favors and accessories are designed and created
by the finest companies in the world. If you have an idea for a themed wedding we will be most happy to give you
ideas and suggest specific products for your wedding. Please email me at Deborah@LoveYourWedding.com.
We are sure you will be 100% satisfied.

I wish you much joy and happiness on that special day we all dream about
Deborah Lewis Owner of Love Your Wedding