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Medieval & Renaissance Wedding Ideas

Whether your tastes run toward complete historical accuracy, or you prefer a few simple period "touches," the most important part of a planning an historic period wedding is ...enjoy it!

With a little planning, a medieval or Renaissance look and feel can be easily incorporated into your wedding invitations, reception menu, flowers and decorations, even the entertainment venue.

Of course, what really sets the tone for a trip back to Renaissance or medieval times is the proper location ....

Historic Period Wedding Locations

For historic era weddings, nothing compares to a stone castle (or a modern facsimile) for truly authentic feel and ambiance. For church ceremonies, Gothic or Tudor style architecture with lots of weathered stone and stained glass also makes for a perfect venue.

Renaissance and medieval wedding themes also lend themselves naturally to outdoor locations. Contact your local parks department to see if you can access a scenic woodland or lakeside venue, or think about a nearby country club with a quiet garden setting and party facilities. Your local medieval or renaissance faire will also be glad to help you arrange your wedding during their annual festivities.

Renaissance & medieval style wedding invitations

Set the tone of your wedding using parchment or cream-colored paper, printed in Gothic or calligraphic type, or go whole hog with decorated scrolls tied with colorful ribbons. Address your guests as "Ye Lords and Ladies" detailing the time and place with the promise of "feasting and merriment to follow".

Renaissance & medieval wedding attire

Here's where your personal taste and budget really matter. Wedding attire may vary from simple period touches to full-blown gowns for the bride and her maids, and authentic attire for the groom and groomsmen. In major cities, costume shops offer a range of choices for renting a complete line of historic era wedding attire.

The renaissance & medieval wedding menu

With a goose, venison, or roast beef fitting the bill nicely, recipes can be easily updated for modern tastes. Side dishes might include rustic portions of potatoes and carrots, along with savory salads served with period herbs. Wash it all down with ale, beer, wine, cider or a hearty jug of mead.

Renaissance & medieval wedding decorations

Liven up your festive celebration by interspersing dark hues with splashes of bold reds, blues and purples. Follow through with colorful sprays of either fresh or dried flowers. For a truly authetic touch use lots of green ivy, a mainstay of late medieval and renaissance weddings.

Period wedding music & entertainment

Maintain the ambiance with tapes or CD's of your favorite medieval or Renaissance music for your grand entrance, interspersing quiet period tunes during dinner. (You can also surprise guests by mixing it up with lively modern dance music during the reception to encourage everyone to get up and boogie!)

Other fun ideas include arranging for a DJ in a court jester costume and, if your budget allows, seek out period jugglers or other entertainers who specialize in working local medieval or Renaissance faires.

More about Renaissance & medieval weddings around the Web:

A Guide to Having a Medieval/Renaissance Wedding - Good overview with advice on locations, wedding gowns & bridal dresses, color themes, invitations, flowers, and other tips for updating the theme for modern times.

How to Plan a Medieval or Renaissance Wedding - Step-by-step guide with tips on designing invitations, choosing locations and menu, with additional visitor suggestions and related guides on period garb, from eHow.com.

Renaissance Wedding Tips, Dress and Gown Information - Helpful tips on choosing favors, wedding attire and men's dress, period decorations, era-appropriate activities.

How to Plan an Outdoor Renaissance Wedding - Wedding attire ideas for the bride, bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen, decorations and ceremonial touches, plus tips on music and entertainment.

More medieval & Renaissance wedding resources:

The Origins of the Wedding Costume

Renaissance Wedding Invitation sample

Medieval European recipes

also see in History -> Medieval history | Renaissance history | Reenactment