Category Archives: Traditions/Customs

History of Charm Bracelets

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In this post I will discuss the history of charm bracelets and I will also showcase several examples of interesting historical and famous charm bracelets.  In general, the charms for a bracelet are collected over several years and as a result it becomes a type of record of the special milestones of the moments and accomplishments in a life.  (Special Note: A charm bracelet with a beautiful wedding charm would make a wonderful gift from a groom to a bride that could be added to over the years to commemorate the birth of children, an anniversary, a new home or family vacations, etc.)

People have been wearing charms or pendants, for hundreds and even thousands of years.  In fact, the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, Romans and the medieval knights all wore charms as decorative pendants or amulets to ward off evil spirits and sometimes these trinkets were worn into battle for good luck.  Charms were also worn to signify a person’s heritage or their religious belief.  Early Christians in Rome wore small charms in the shape of a fish called ichthys (the Greek word for fish) to let other Christians know of their religious commitment during the time when it was dangerous to be a Christian.

The role of charms changed during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901.  She became well-known for wearing personalized charm bracelets and she also gave charms as special gifts to family and friends.  As with most fashion trends set by Queen Victoria, charm bracelets or necklaces became an enormously popular jewelry item.

During their marriage Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a very sentimental charm bracelet which had nine gold heart lockets made in different semi-precious gemstones to represent each of their children, the lockets opened to reveal the name and birth date of each child and also contained a lock of their hair.  The charm bracelet was given to the Queen in 1840 to commemorate the birth of the Royal couple’s first child, Victoria.  That first locket to represent the Princess Royal was made of a pink stone then the subsequent siblings lockets were turquoise blue for Albert, red for Alice, dark blue for Alfred, translucent white for Helena, dark green for Louise, dark blue for Arthur, opaque white for Leopold and light green for Beatrice.  (Special Note: Queen Victoria wore her precious charm bracelet for many years and upon her death in 1901 she had given specific instructions to have it placed in the Prince Albert’s room at Osborne House, the room had been preserved for decades as it was on the day that he had died in 1861)

Queen Victoria’s charm bracelet from Prince Albert
which commemorates the births of their nine children
photos from www.royalcollection.org.uk

Another family charm bracelet treasured by Queen Victoria featured small oval sepia photographs of her grandchildren set in gold with the names of each child and their birth date engraved on the back.  The unique item was known as a slide charm bracelet which was another popular fashion accessory during the 19th century.  The charms would literally slide onto a chain or, in the case of the Queen’s bracelet, an elasticized band.  The notable grandchildren of the Queen depicted on the bracelet included the future King George V, the future Wilhelm II the Emperor of Germany & King of Prussia and the future Empress Alexandra the consort of Nicholas II.   (Special Note: Queen Victoria was often referred to as the “Grandmother of Europe” because during her long reign her children and later her grandchildren married into many of Europe’s Royal families)

Queen Victoria’s charm bracelet
which commemorates the births of her grand children
photo from www.royalcollection.org.uk

The last charm bracelet of Queen Victoria’s that I will discuss was a Christmas gift given to her by Prince Albert in 1844, it was personally designed by him.  The intricate charm bracelet features a miniature portrait of the Prince; it is a smaller copy a Robert Thorburn painting.  The miniature is surrounded by a replica of the blue Order of the Garter and the bracelet is set in gold with alternating five braided cord bows and four York and Lancaster roses also surrounded by the blue garter.

Queen Victoria’s charm bracelet
which features a miniature portrait of Prince Albert
photo from www.royalcollection.org.uk

In 1889, at the Paris Exposition, the American luxury jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. premiered a silver chain link bracelet with a heart-shaped charm.  Like the classic diamond engagement ring that debuted in 1886, the charm bracelet would continue to be a best-seller for the company for many decades to come.  (Special Note: This Tiffany charm bracelet, although a little pricey, would make a wonderful gift from a groom to a bride to present on at the rehearsal dinner or on their wedding day.  Perhaps, when given in the iconic “Tiffany blue” box, it would make a great shower gift and something blue from the bride’s parents!)

www.tiffany.com/jewelry/bracelets/return-to-tiffany-heart-tag-charm-bracelet-GRP01430

Over the years charm bracelets have waned back and forth in popularity.  The first resurgence was during the period of time between the 1930s and 1960s.  The next examples of charm bracelets I will discuss are Disney themed.  When the first full-length animated movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was released in 1937 Cartier, the French luxury jewelry company, designed a gold linked charm bracelet featuring brilliant colored enamel charms.  Lillian Disney, Walt’s wife, wore the bracelet to the movie’s premiere at the Carthay Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs charm bracelet

Walt Disney had another special charm bracelet made for his wife, Lillian.  The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences allowed an award winner to specially request an 18 karat miniature Oscar statuette charm.  The charms were one inch tall and were engraved on the bottom with the name of the award winner, the film and the year it was released.  By the early 1950s Walt had collected 20 Oscar charms with the intention of making a necklace for Lillian but she requested that the charms be attached to a bracelet instead.  Lillian was very proud of Walt’s achievements and she wore the bracelet for many years.  (Special Note: Today, the Oscar charm bracelet can be seen on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, CA)

Lillian Disney’s Oscar charm bracelet

In the 1950s movie stars, such as Elizabeth Taylor, were often seen wearing charm bracelets for their film roles or sometimes photographed in magazines and newspapers wearing them in their private life.   The next example is a charm necklace that originally belonged to Edith Head, the famous MGM movie costume designer.  She had a wonderful friendship with Elizabeth Taylor who greatly admired the necklace and after Head’s death the bracelet was given to Taylor.  Then after Taylor’s death in 2011 the bracelet would be included in the jewelry auction to benefit Taylor’s Aids Foundation.

The unique charm necklace features 13 ivory theatre tokens displayed on a gold link chain.  In the 18th and 19th century, tokens were used instead of paper admission tickets and an ivory token would be for the more expensive box seats while a metal token would be used for the cheaper seats on the main floor used by the general public.

Elizabeth Taylor ivory theater token necklace
which sold at the 2011 Christie’s for $214,500

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who is forever known as a style icon, had an impeccable fashion sense and she loved classic but very expensive clothes and jewelry.  Interestingly, one of her most treasured jewelry items was a charm bracelet that she began wearing when she was a teenager.  Throughout the years Jackie changed or added inexpensive charms which included animals, birds, fruit and even a Moroccan-styled black hand to create a very unique bracelet.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis charm bracelet

Most recently charm bracelets have become popular by the Pandora jewelry company.  Similar in style to the slide charm bracelets from centuries before, this contemporary bracelet starts with a simple bracelet and then charms can be added or removed depending on the wearer’s personal preference.

www.pandora.net/en-us

So, if you are looking for a very special shower or wedding present for a bride, a charm bracelet would make a wonderful gift.  There are numerous charms bracelets available for purchase at retail stores and on the internet.

British Royal Wedding Cakes

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In this post will begin by discussing several of the British Royal Wedding Cakes made throughout the years starting with Queen Victoria to the most recent wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.  Then, in closing I will discuss the history of wedding cakes including the meanings of the various traditions and customs associated this delightful confectioner’s dessert served at the wedding reception.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

The wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert took place in the Chapel Royal at St. James Palace on February 10, 1840.  Afterwards, there was a wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace and several wedding cakes were displayed and the main cake was a single layer about three yards in circumference and fourteen inches in height, it was also noted to weigh approximately 300 pounds.  The cake was covered in white icing and decorated with several figurines and other floral embellishments.  The cake top was almost a foot in height and featured a Britannia figurine and another figurine representing Queen Victoria on the right with a pair of turtle doves at her feet, while on the left was a figurine representing Prince Albert with a dog at his feet.  A cupid figurine appears to be writing the date of their marriage into a book and there are also several additional cupids bearing the emblems of the United Kingdom.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – wedding cake

Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra of Denmark

Prince Albert Edward and Princess Alexandra (later to become King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) were married at St. George Chapel in Windsor Castle on March 10, 1863.  A wedding breakfast for five hundred guests was held afterwards to honor the bridal couple. Like his mother before him, several wedding cakes were made for the reception with the main wedding cake shown in the photo below.  The mail cake was a three-tiered cake with white icing, at the base were rose, thistle and shamrock festoons intertwined with the British and Denmark coat of arms.  In addition there were several figures of cupids with harps and near the top of the cake were two flags painted with the images of the Prince and Princess.  At the very top were a Prince coronet with three ostrich feathers”, the symbol of the Prince of Wales.

Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra  – wedding cake

Prince George and Princess May of Teck

Prince George and Princess May (later to become King George V and Queen Mary) were married at the Chapel Royal in St. James Palace on July 6, 1893, followed by a wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace.  The main wedding cake measured almost seven feet high and it took over five weeks to make with almost forty separate pieces to create the figure molds; it is shown on the photo on the left.  The photo on the right shows the “second cake” which was smaller, measured four and a half feet tall and weighed almost 225 pounds.  The cake is decorated with symbols reflecting Prince George’s naval career.

  

Prince George and Princess Mary – wedding cakes

Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Prince Albert George and Lady Elizabeth (later to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) were married at Westminster Abbey on April 26, 1923, a wedding breakfast followed at Buckingham Palace.  There were fourteen wedding cakes and the main one featured a four-tier cake which reached almost 10 feet in height and weighted over 700 pounds, the cake was made by McVitie and Price with ingredients supplied by the Girls Guide of Australia.

Prince George and Lady Elizabeth – wedding cake

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten 

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Phillip Mountbatten (later to become Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh) were married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey.  The main cake was a four tier cake was nine feet high and weighed 500 pounds, it is shown in the photo below.  The cake was elaborately decorated with Tudor roses, charming cupid figures, lavish columns and royal insignia.  At the wedding breakfast the wedding cake was cut the Duke of Edinburgh’s military sword.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip – wedding cake

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer   

Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married on July 29, 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral.  For the wedding breakfast held at Buckingham Palace there were an amazing 27 wedding cakes.  The main cake was five tiered and stood five feet high styled simply with only a few embellishments and took fourteen weeks to create.  The cake was decorated with white royal icing and featured the Windsor coat of arms made in marzipan; also the couple’s initials were used to adorn the cake.  The cake was topped with fresh flowers including roses, lilies of the valley and orchids.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana – wedding cake

Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton

Prince William and Catherine Middleton, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.   In following the royal tradition, a wedding breakfast was held after the ceremony at Buckingham Palace.  Fiona Cairns a traditional fruit cake covered with white fondant and additional piping and scrollwork; she incorporated many historical and symbolic decorations.  There were the traditional gum paste flowers including the rose for England, the thistle for Scotland, daffodils for Wales and shamrocks for Ireland.  As a special touch the Sweet William flowers, symbolizing gallantry, were also used to honor the groom.

Prince William and Katherine Middleton – wedding cake

    

Prince Harry and Meghan Mrkle, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were married on May 19, 2018 at St. George’s Chapel located at Windsor Castle.  The first of their two wedding receptions was held in the St. George’s Hall.  This reception was officially hosted by Queen Elizabeth and the highlight of the luncheon was the wedding cake made by London based baker Claire Ptak of Violet Bakery.  Sitting upon several golden stands the layered Amalfi lemon and English elderflower cake was decorated with peonies in shades of white and cream.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – wedding cake

“Tying the Knot”

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In this post I will discuss one of the oldest wedding traditions and some say the reason behind the phrase tying the knot.  The tradition dates back many centuries to the ancient Celtics when during the marriage ceremony the couple’s hands were literally tied together to symbolize the binding union and unbreakable bond between the couple.  This pagan custom became known as handfasting and was later incorporated into the religious ceremony throughout Ireland, Scotland and England.  Today, handfasting has become a growing trend in modern wedding ceremonies and is generally performed after the vows and ring exchange.

The handfasting custom was recently seen at the British Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle which took place in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor in May 2018.  During the service the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, solemnly wrapped the stole of his religious ceremonial vestments several times around the hands and wrists of the bride and the groom.

A variation of the tying the knot custom is sometimes performed in the Catholic wedding ceremony and the origin of this tradition can be traced back to countries such as Spain, Mexico and the Philippines.  During the service the best man and the maid/matron of honor will place a special white wedding cord tied into an infinity loop that is placed over the heads of the bride and groom to rest around their shoulders.  This custom symbolizes the lifetime union of the bride and groom that have been joined together in matrimony.  Afterwards, the cord is usually saved as a significant memento of the wedding and can sometimes even be passed on to the children of the bridal couple to be used years later at their weddings.

Another interpretation of the tying of the knot custom can be performed using two pieces of rope.  During the wedding ceremony the bridal couple will tie the two ropes together with a fisherman’s knot to symbolize that these two individuals are joining their lives together to become one.  The fisherman’s knot is generally used for this custom because it is considered the strongest knot and the most difficult to be untie.  The wedding “love knot” can be saved and later framed as a lasting memento of the wedding and it would be a great idea to personalize the frame to include the bride & groom’s names and the wedding date.

IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR WEDDING “LOVE KNOTS”

There is a story that in centuries long past sailors far away at sea or soldiers fighting in distant countries that were intent on marrying a loved one back home would send them a secret message with a simple rope.  If it was sent back with the rope tied into a knot it would mean that she was agreeable to marriage, hence the name “love knot”!!

As previously mentioned, shown in the section above is an idea for framing a wedding love knot, here are a few more ideas and suggestions for incorporating love knots into a wedding ceremony or reception.

Save the Date

Shown below are two ideas for save the date cards which are sometimes sent after an engagement but before the actual wedding invitation or announcements.

Wedding invitation or announcement

For a wedding invitation or announcement, the two ideas shown below feature elegant satin ribbons tied into love knots.

Jewelry

Shown below are two ideas featuring the romantic love knot and either choice would make a wonderful engagement or wedding present or perhaps even a special gift for the bridesmaids to commemorate the bride and groom’s special day.

Bridal bouquet

Long ago there was a tradition of tying the ribbons of a bridal bouquet with love knots, as shown in the photo below.

Shown below are two modern twists on love knots for a bridal bouquet, the first one features elegant knots tied into the ribbons of the bouquet wrap which would be perfect for a formal wedding and the second one is a macramé bouquet wrap which would be a great idea for a bohemian-style wedding.

Reception place settings

For a beach or nautical themed wedding reception, a rope love knot would make a wonderful place setting card holder or a table number holder.

Reception napkin ring

Another idea for a beach or nautical themed wedding reception would be a rope love knot napkin rings as shown in the photo below.

The next idea would be for a formal wedding reception and a napkin could be tied into a simple knot with the name of the guest tucked inside.

Wedding favors

Pretzels would make the perfect “love knot” themed wedding favor and shown below are two different styles of packaging.

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation

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This year marks the 65th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II which took place on June 2, 1953.  In this post I will describe the various parts of the elaborate coronation ceremony and also the Queen’s coronation dress designed by Norman Hartnell.

Historical Note: The Queen now holds the record as the longest reigning British monarch and is the only one to have celebrated a Sapphire Jubilee.  In September 2015 she surpassed the reign of Queen Victoria, her great great grandmother, who reigned for 64 years from 1837 to 1901.

The Accession and Preparations for the Coronation

Upon the death of King George VI on February 6, 1953, his daughter, Elizabeth ascended to the throne and was proclaimed queen by the Privy Council.  The formal coronation ceremony was not held until one year later since the festivities would be deemed inappropriate during the period of mourning that follows the death of the monarch.

In April 1952 the coronation committee, under the leadership of Bernard Fitzalan-Howard the Duke of Norfolk and overseen by Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh was formed to plan the coronation ceremony. The coronation was scheduled to take place on June 2, 1953 which would allow for 16 months of preparation time.  Westminster Abbey was closed for several months while construction crews prepared the exterior and interior.  Viewing stands were also built along the route from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey.

Sadly just a few weeks before the coronation day Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth, died on March 24, 1953.  Normally, there would be a long mourning period and the coronation would have been postponed for several months but according to the wishes expressed in the dowager Queen’s will she stated that her death should not affect the planned coronation and the event should precede as scheduled.

Rehearsals involving all participants were held in the days prior to the coronation date.  Key members that would participate in the coronation rehearsal of  the different parts of the ceremony and the Queen took part in two full dress rehearsals just days before the coronation date.  She had practiced the procession back at the palace with her maids of honor carrying a long sheet instead of the coronation robe.  The Queen also wore the Imperial State Crown during the days leading up to the event so that she could get used to the heavy weight of the crown.

The Coronation Ceremony

On coronation day approximately three million people gathered on the streets of London.  Journalists came from around the world to report on the festivities and for the first time in history the BBC was going to broadcast the coronation ceremony to more than twenty million viewers around the world.  There had been considerable debate within the British Cabinet and Prime Minister Winston Churchill was opposed to the idea but Queen Elizabeth insisted that the event should be filmed for television.

The coronation ceremony for the monarch of England has taken place in Westminster Abbey since William I was crowned in 1066.  At the time of his coronation centuries ago there was an older smaller church on the present site in the City of Westminster (London) prior to the building of the current large gothic cathedral.  Most people will recognize Westminster Abbey as the place where Prince William married Catherine Middleton in April 2011, the site has also been used for many other Royal Wedding throughout the years.

On the day of the coronation, prior to the arrival of the Queen, various foreign royalty and heads of state arrived in a procession of carriages and one of the last to arrive to the Abbey was the Irish State Coach carrying the Queen Mother.  Of course the last to arrive was Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip who traveled in grand style from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach pulled by eight matching horses.

The Gold State Coach was built in 1762 and has been used in every coronation since King George IV, the coach weighs four tons and is 24 feet long and 12 feet high.  The gold gilded enclosed coach features panels painted by Giovanni Cipriani and at the four corners are tritons that represent Britain’s imperial power and on the roof are three gilded cherubs that represent England, Ireland and Scotland, the interior of the coach is lined with velvet and satin.

The coronation ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior cleric in the Church of England.  Other clergy and peer members had additional roles and most of the participants were required to wear ceremonial robes or uniforms for the ceremony.  Government officials and representatives from foreign countries along with members of the royal family throughout England and the Commonwealth nations were also invited, approximately 8,000 guests.

The Procession –

Finally with everyone assembled the coronation ceremony starts with the procession of the royal regalia.  Preceding the Queen into the Abbey are the royal maces, three ceremonial swords representing mercy, spiritual and temporal justice, the Sword of State, St. Edward’s Staff and lastly St. Edward’s Crown.  Normally the Sovereign enters wearing a traditional crimson surcoat, this is usually worn for the duration of the ceremony and the other coronation garments and robes are placed over it.  Instead of a surcoat Queen Elizabeth entered the Abbey wearing her custom designed coronation gown made by Norman Hartnell and the Robe of State carried by her eight Maids of Honor.

The different sections of the coronation ceremony have largely remained unchanged over the centuries.  After the procession, Queen Elizabeth arrives at the front of the Abbey, she kneels to pray and then sits in the Chair of Estate as the royal regalia is brought forward and placed on the altar.  Then she moves to stand before King Edward’s Chair which is also known as the Coronation Chair.

The Coronation Chair was commissioned for the coronation of King Edward I and carved in 1297.  The high back Gothic chair features four gilded lions that function as the legs of the chair.  Since 1308 all British sovereigns have used the chair at their coronations, with the exception of Queen Mary I who was crowned in a chair given to her by the Pope and Queen Mary II who was crowned in a copy of the chair.  In the past, a space below the seat of the chair held the coronation stone of Scotland, also known as the Stone of Scone.  After much debate, in 1996 the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland but with the provision that it would be returned for the next coronation.

The Recognition –

During this section of the ceremony, the Archbishop along with the other clergy presents the Queen to the four corners of the Abbey, starting at the east, south, west and north.  The congregation signifies their acknowledgement and shouts their joy.  The Queen accepts their acclamation while standing in front of the Coronation Chair.

The Oath –

The Queen then sits in the Coronation Chair and the Archbishop stands before her to ask her if she is prepared to take the Oath.  The Queen places her right hand on the Bible and she pledges to uphold the laws of the State and Church of England.  Afterwards she kisses the Bible and signs the Oath.

The service continues with a reading from the Gospel by one of the Bishops followed by several hymns sung by the choir and then the Archbishop will recite more prayers.

The Anointing –

The Queen rises and with the assistance of the Mistress of Robes she is dressed in an anointing gown made of plain white cloth that fastens in the back, it was specially made to be worn over her coronation gown.  The Queen once again moves to the Coronation Chair and four Knights of the Garter approach with a pall (canopy) made of silk to shield the public from this most sacred part of the coronation ceremony.

The Dean of Westminster takes the Ampulla and the Coronation Spoon from the Altar and with the Archbishop goes to stand before the Queen.  The Dean pours the Holy Oil into the Spoon and the Archbishop anoints the hands, breast and head of the Queen.  She then kneels and the Archbishop gives her a blessing.  The Knights of the Garter remove the pall and walk away.

The Queen rises with the aid of the Mistress of Robes and she removes the anointing gown replacing it with afresh clean tunic, known as the Colobium Sindonis.  Then, the Supertunica is put on and fastened with a Girdle and the Stole is draped over her shoulders and finally the Imperial Mantel.  The Queen then returns to sit in the Coronation Chair.

The Investiture –

This is the portion of the coronation ceremony when more items of the royal regalia are presented to the Queen, such as the Spurs, the Sword of State, the Armills and the Orb.  The Coronation Ring is also presented and placed on the fourth finger of the Queen’s right hand.  Next the Sceptre with the Cross and the Rod with the Dove are given to the Queen.

The Crowning –

Finally this is the part of the ceremony that is the most solemn.  The Archbishop stands before the Altar and takes St. Edward’s Crown into his hands and says a prayer.  He returns to the Queen sitting in the Coronation Chair and reverently raises the Crown over her head for a few moments and then slowly lowers it onto the Queen’s head.  This act constitutes the actual crowning of the Sovereign who symbolically takes possession of the kingdom.

As the Queen is being crowned, simultaneously the Princes, Princesses and Peers put on their crowns and coronets and a shout goes out among those gathered in the Abbey, “God Save the Queen”.

The Homage –

The Sceptre with the Cross and the Rod with the Dove are given to a peer to hold for the duration of the Homage.  The first to pay homage to the Queen are the Archbishop and the other bishops who kneel before the Queen and pledge their support.  Then the Duke of Edinburgh pays his homage, pledges his support and kisses the Queen’s left cheek.  Next follow the other royal members and peers who have gathered to witness the coronation ceremony.

Just before Communion, the Queen will have the Crown removed and the Orb will be given to a peer to hold.  After Communion the Queen will kneel before the Coronation Chair with the Duke of Edinburgh at her side, the Duke’s coronet will also be removed. The Archbishop will say several prayers and he ends with a blessing for the royal couple.

The Recessional –

The Queen will go into the private chapel for a few minutes and as she returns she is now wearing the Imperial Crown.  The Sceptre with the Cross are placed into her right hand and the Orb into her left hand.  Then, the Queen will leave the Abbey as the congregation sings the National Anthem.  The members of the Royal family, clergy and guests will slowly follow.  Upon exiting the Abbey the Queen and Duke take their seats in the Gold State Coach and escorted by thousands of military personnel from around the Commonwealth as they make their way back to Buckingham Palace through the streets of London.

The Coronation Wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth II

In 1953, for her coronation ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II worn a specially made gown designed by Norman Hartnell instead of the normal surcoat.  The coronation gown was made of white silk with intricate embroidery of the floral symbols of the countries of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Nations, including the English Tudor rose, a Scottish thistle, a Welsh leek, an Irish shamrock, a Canadian maple leaf, an Australian wattle flower, a New Zealand fern and a South African protea.  Unknown to the Queen at the time, Hartnell cleverly had a four-leaf clover embroidered on the left side of the dress where Queen Elizabeth’s hand would touch it throughout the day.

Over her gown, the Queen wore the Robe of State when she entered the Abbey for the coronation ceremony.  Attached to the shoulders of the dress, the purple hand woven silk velvet robe was lined in ermine and had a train that was six yards long.  The robe was beautifully embroidered with gold thread that featured a design of wheat and olive branches to represent peace and prosperity and the train ends with the Queen’s crowned cypher.

The Queen also wore the diamond Coronation Necklace and Earrings that were originally made in 1858 for the coronation of Queen Victoria.  The Coronation necklace was also worn at the coronations of Queen Alexandra in 1901, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1937.  At the time of the coronation in 1953 the necklace had 25 graduated cushion-cut diamonds set in silver with gold links and a large 22 carat diamond pendant known as the Lahore Diamond.  The matching Coronation Earrings were also made in 1858 and consist of four cushion-cut diamonds and two drop diamond pendants that are approximately 12 and 7 carats each.

On the journey to the coronation ceremony from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey the Queen wore the George IV State Diadem, it was made in 1820 for the coronation of King George IV.   The diadem has 1333 diamonds, including a four-carat yellow diamond, and 169 pearls with a design that alternates between crosses and a floral design which incorporate roses, thistles and shamrocks which are the symbols of England, Scotland and Ireland.

The diadem was later worn by Queen Adelaide, the consort of King William IV.  Queen Victoria inherited it in 1837 and she wore it at her coronation during the recessional from Westminster Abbey.  Upon her death in 1901 the diadem was passed to a secession of Queen consorts; Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.  The diamen is now part of the Queen’s Personal Jewel Collection and should be easily recognizable as it is worn by the current Queen on the postage stamps, coins and currency of England.  The diadem is also worn in the annual procession from Buckingham Palace to the State Opening Parliament.

England is the only European country that still uses royal regalia for the consecration ceremony of their king or queens.  Some of these items are hundreds of years old and others more recent items were used in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  (For more detailed information about the coronation regalia in the Crown Jewels collection please see last month’s post, The Crown Jewels of England – Part One)

Ideas for wedding handkerchiefs

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Previously I wrote an interesting post about the History of the Handkerchief.  In this post I will discuss some ideas and suggestions for using handkerchiefs for a wedding; including bridal accessories, gifts for members of the bridal party or items to use for the ceremony or reception.

HANDKERCHIEF USED FOR SOMETHING OLD

Every bride getting married knows the Old English rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.  “Something old” represents a link to the past and this is usually the easiest item of the four to acquire.  An old handkerchief, perhaps given to a bride by her mother or grandmother, would be a very special way to add a sentimental and personal meaning to the day.

Special Note: A beautiful handkercheif is a wonderful idea for a bridal shower gift to give the bride.  Include a note that suggests that after the birth of the couple’s first child the handkerchief could be made into a baby bonnet (as shown in the photo below) to be worn on the Christening day.  Please note, a few slight adjustments would be needed to make the handkerchief into a bonnet.

HANDKERCHIEF USED FOR SOMETHING BLUE

To continue with the theme of the Old English rhyme, “something blue” for a wedding has come to represent fidelity and loyalty.  A bride could select a handkerchief made in blue silk and trimed with lace or perhaps one beautifully embroidered with an initial in blue thread.  A blue handkerchief would also make the perfect bridal shower gift from a mother to her daughter to use for her wedding day.

HANDKERCHIEF USED AS A WRAP FOR A BRIDAL WEDDING BOUQUET

Another idea for incorporating a handkerchief into a wedding would be use it attached to the stems of the bridal bouquet, it could be a new handkerchief or a vintage one found in an antique store.  For a bride that is looking for a sentimental way to remember an elderly family member that has died, a beautifully embroidered handkerchief from a mother, grandmother, favorite aunt or perhaps a handkerchief from a father or grandfather could be used for this purpose.

HANDKERCHIEF USED FOR WEDDING PRESENTS

A handkerchief would make a wonderful bridal shower gift especially if it is personalized with the bridal couple’s names or initials and the wedding date, this would be a nice idea for a mother to give to her daughter.  Another idea for a gift would be for the bride to give her parents and/or the groom’s parents special handkerchiefs personalized with a name or poem.

A handkerchief could also be used to wrap a special gift for a bridal shower and the handkerchief could also be used later on the wedding day.  The example shown below features a lovely handkerchief that is used to wrap a small gift. To achieve this look, a small box (perhaps containing a special jewelry item, such as earrings) is placed in the center of the handkerchief and the four corners are simply gathered at the top, tied with a matching ribbon and maybe finished with a beautiful brooch attached for some added elegance.

This idea could also be used for the bride’s gift for her attendants and would be a perfect way to present them with a necklace or bracelet to wear on the wedding day.  To make these gifts truly special find vintage handkerchiefs embroidered with the first initial of the name of each attendant.  Another idea for handkerchief personalized with the bridesmaids initials would be to wrap it around the stem of their bouquets (as shown in the photo below).

HANDKERCHIEF USED FOR A WEDDING RING PILLOW

A very unique way to use a handkerchief for a wedding ceremony would be to use it to make the ring pillow.  The example shown below features a vintage floral handkerchief wrapped around a pillow form with the four corners folded over and then a ribbon attached to the center for securing the wedding rings.  With the beautiful colors of the handkerchief ring pillow shown below it could also be used as a “something blue”.

HANDKERCHIEF USED FOR WEDDING FAVORS

Handkerchiefs would make great favors for a vintage inspired wedding. The handkerchiefs could be collected rather inexpensively for antique stores and then placed alongside the guest book at the welcome table.  The handkerchiefs can be arranged in any number of creative ways, the first example shows the handkerchiefs folded and arranged in an old suitcase that has a sign attached that reads “for happy tears”.

The second example shows how white handkerchiefs can be made into roses that are tied with ribbon and a special tag attached that could have the bridal couples name and wedding date, these handkerchief roses would also make a great wedding keepsake.

HANDKERCHIEFS SIGNED BY GUESTS FOR A WEDDING QUILT

Here is a unique idea for guests to sign instead of a traditional guest book at the ceremony and/or reception.  Purchase enough vintage handkerchiefs (plus a few extras) at antique stores for the guests to sign and be sure to also have a couple of black sharpie pens on the welcome table for the guests to use.  Then, after the wedding have the handkerchiefs made into a quilt for the bridal couple; this would make a lovely reminder of their special day.

HANDKERCHIEF USED IN A WEDDING MEMORABILIA SHADOWBOX

If a special handkerchief was used by the bride/groom on their wedding day it could be displayed in a wedding memorabilia shadowbox.  Shown below are a couple of examples for wedding shadowboxes and suggestions for items that could also be included; such as the bridal garter, shoes or jewelry worn on the wedding day and be sure to also include a wedding photo.  Additional item suggestions for large shadowboxes could be the wedding invitation, the bride’s bouquet, the groom’s boutonniere or the toasting glasses and wedding cake topper from the reception.

As you can see from the ideas and suggestions mentioned in this post there are numerous ways that handkerchiefs can be used for a wedding.

Ideas for Unusual Ring Presentations

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Previously in the post the History of Wedding Rings I discussed the origin and history of the wedding custom.  That post was followed by a two part series about the British Royal Family Wedding Rings starting with Queen Victoria in Part One through to one of the most recent, Catherine Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge in Part Two.The ring bearer is traditionally a young boy between the ages of four and eight that carries the wedding rings during the ceremony procession.  In the Ring Bearer post I offered some ideas and suggestions for classic ring pillows.

In this post I will offer some very different and unusual ideas for the wedding ring presentation, such as the use of family heirlooms like a childhood teddy bear or an old sweater made into a ring pillow. Some of these items could add an interesting element to a wedding ceremony while other items will fit with a particular wedding theme, such as a seashell, or a bird’s nest.

Unusual Ring Presentation Ideas

Classic ring pillows are a wonderful option for the ring bearer to carry but for a bride looking for something different shown below are several unusual items for a ring bearer to carry on a wedding day.

Shown below are two examples of ring pillows made with sentimental items –
a father or grandfather’s shirt (left) and sweater (right)

A “something old” item for the ring bearer to carry would be a childhood teddy bear
(for additional security, attach the rings with a ribbon)

Another “something old” item for the ring bearer
to carry would be an old family bible (the wedding rings can be tied on with a ribbon)

Shown above is a heart-shaped hallowed out book to hold the wedding rings

Shown below are three examples of customized wooden boxes
for the ring bearer to carry the wedding rings
       

A childhood ballerina musical box could be used to hold the wedding ring

A toy truck could be used to hold the wedding rings
(after the wedding the ring bearer could keep it as a gift from the bridal couple)

Two examples for the ring bearer to carry the wedding rings for an outdoor wedding –
wood and moss “pillow” (left) and a bird’s nest (right)

      

 Three examples of seashell items to hold the wedding rings

A coconut used to hold the wedding rings (would be perfect for a Hawaiian wedding!)

Two whimsical items that could be used to attach the wedding rings
lock and key (top) and a bell (bottom)

      

Shown below are photos of a very special dog ring bearer,
this idea has become very popular and it is a wonderful way to include the family pet.

    

For More Unusual Ring Presentations, please click on the link

The History of the Wedding Cake

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Today the wedding cake is traditionally the centerpiece of the wedding reception, not only is it displayed in a prominent place at the venue but there is usually a special ceremony in which the bridal couple cut the cake.  The style and size of a wedding cake can vary from the simple single layer cake to elaborately decorated multi-tiered cakes.  The choice of cake, filling and frosting can also vary with a wide selection of flavors and the bride and groom will often schedule a special appointment with a bakery or with a particular pastry chef to sample or taste test the different combinations.

The tradition of a wedding cake can be traced back to the time of the Ancient Romans when during the wedding festivities the groom would eat a small portion of a loaf of bread and then break the bread over the bride’s head to symbolize the man’s power over the women, another interpretation was that it would ensure fertility and health to their future children.  The guests attending the wedding would gather and eat the bread crumbs maybe hoping to obtain some luck.

In Medieval England the tradition became a type of game or obstacle when loaves of bread were stacked on a table as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over.  If the couple were able successfully kiss over the stack it was thought that it would assure a prosperous life together.  Another very odd custom during the medieval times was that guest would throw bread at the bride as another symbol of fertility.

There is an interesting story which originated in the 15th century about a Frenchman, who also happened to be a pastry chef. He had visited England and saw the unusual custom of the bridal couple trying to kiss over the stacks of bread or other pastries.  When he returned to France he created a more elegant version of the pastry stack and it became known as a croquembouche.   He piled profiterole (a pastry ball filled with cream or custard) piled into a cone shape which were held together with spun sugar.  The croquembouche became the French version of the wedding cake and in later years it could be decorated with sugared almonds or drizzled with chocolate.  Today, the croquembouche remains a popular desert still served at wedding or special occasions in European countries.

Shown in the photo above is a modern day croquembouche

In the 17th century, fruit cakes officially replaced the bread served at weddings; these became known as the bride’s pie or cake.  On a historical note, the first commercially produced fruit cake especially made for weddings was the popular Banbury cake.  A Banbury cake is an oval flat pastry with a spiced currant filling which were originally made by Edward Weichman in 1586 and sold in a small shop in Banbury (hence the name!)  These cakes were usually ordered by local English brides but in later years the cakes would be sent to other countries as far away as America, Australia and India.  (Special Note: Today, the Banbury cakes are still available for purchase from several different bakeries and are often ordered by customers for their tea time!)

  

Eventually two cakes would be customarily served at a wedding reception, of course the first was the bride’s cake and the other became known as the groom’s cake.  The groom’s cake was usually a smaller, dark and rich fruit cake.  By the mid-19th century white frosting made with refined white sugar was used for wedding cakes but only the wealthiest upper class could afford the very expensive ingredient.  When young Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in the 1840, royal baker created a large single layer wedding cake with white icing which measured about three yards in circumference, fourteen inches in height and weighed approximately 300 pounds.  The elaborate cake top was almost a foot in height and featured a Britannia figurine, two more figurines representing Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  A cupid figurine writing the date of their marriage was also used to decorate the cake top and there are also several additional cupids bearing the emblems of the United Kingdom.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s wedding cake

(For more information on the British Royal Wedding Cakes, please click on the link)

At the Great Exhibition of Crystal Palace Exhibition which took place in London in 1851 a grand three tiered cake was debuted, the first tier was made of cake while the other two tiers were made entirely of sugar.  This multi-tiered cake became popular for wedding cakes, dowels were used to separate the layers and the decorations became even more elaborate.  The wedding cake had now evolved into a grand multi-tiered elaborately decorated centerpiece of the wedding reception.  The innovation of pillars made of wooden dowels inserted into the cake for internal support enabled the height of wedding cakes to soar to the ceiling.  Because of the additional labor and expense that a multi-tiered wedding cake required, it was thought that the height of the wedding cake was an indication of the wealth of the family!

Interior plastic pillars shown used in a modern wedding cake

Multi-tiered wedding cakes have become the standard throughout the world but most often for weddings in England and in the United States.  The difference between the two countries is that in England the traditional wedding cake is a fruitcake sometimes made with raisins, dates or orange peel and soaked in cognac and then frosted with Royal icing, marzipan or fondant.  Because the density of the cake allowed for longer storage, it was at this time that the tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake to be served later for the couple’s first year anniversary or the celebration of their first child’s christening.  Now many modern cakes consist of flavors such as vanilla sponge, chocolate sponge or carrot cake.  (Special Note:  British Royal wedding cakes were among the most elaborate cakes made in the world.  This still holds true today in the 21st century and when Prince William married Catherine Middleton in 2011 their wedding cake had eight-tiers, as shown in the photo below)

In the United States, the traditional wedding cake is generally made with flour and eggs with additional ingredients added for flavor, such as vanilla or chocolate, and then a variety of fillings, such as custard, are used between the layers.  The entire cake is then frosted with icing made from buttercream or covered with fondant and then artfully decorated with icing piped on in various patterns, gum paste roses or possibly marzipan figurines.

An elaborate Sylvia Weinstock wedding cake with frosting and gumpaste flowers

In the past, wedding cakes throughout the years have been decorated with fresh flowers, sometimes scattered on the different layers, at the base or at the top in a vase to hold the flowers.  Wedding cake toppers before the 20th century were generally made by a pastry chef or wedding cake baker and handcrafted from frosting, gum paste, marzipan or occasionally non-edible materials, such as plaster of Paris.  These cake toppers reflected the matrimonial theme and were sometimes wedding bells, cupids or lovebird figurines.  (For ideas and suggestions for Wedding Cake Toppers, please click on the link)

1920s wedding cake topper (photo from Pinterest)

After World War I, decorative cake toppers became very popular and were all the rage with the upper class society in America, England and France.  At this time, more elaborate cake toppers were made commercially for the first time with mass produced materials such as glass or porcelain.  Eventually companies like the Sears & Roebuck department store in the mid-1920s made cake toppers available to the middle class through their mail order catalog and featured bride and groom figurines in less expensive materials such as chalkware and wax.  Bridal couple figurines were displayed side by side wearing a variety of fashion options, such as top hats for the groom that reflected the time period.  Then, just before and during World War, the bridal couple figurines featured the groom wearing military uniforms and sometimes carrying patriotic flags.  This category of cake topper is fairly unusual to find in antique stores or online which make these figurines one of the most sought after type to purchase or collect.  Eventually, during the late 1940s and into the 1950s, cake toppers became available in materials such as Bakelite and plastic.

       

Vintage 1940 (L) and 1950 (R)wedding cake toppers (photos from Pinterest)

Today, an unlimited variety of cake toppers are currently able for purchase.  Depending on the theme, style or the interests and hobbies of the bridal couple there is a cake topper to fit.  (For more information regarding the Cake Topper Custom, please click on the link for ideas and suggestions for selecting a cake topper as well as tips for purchasing vintage ones)

Traditions, customs and superstitions regarding wedding cakes

  • The cutting of the cake originally started as a custom performed by the bride who would then distribute the slices to the guests (perhaps a sign of her new household duties as a married woman). Then in the mid-19th century, as royal icing was used to cover the traditional dense fruitcake, it would harden to the point that two people (the bride and the groom) would be required to cut through it.
  • It was thought that sometime in the late 19th century the custom of the bride and the groom sharing the first bite of the freshly cut wedding cake was started. This proved to be a grand gesture symbolic of the bridal couple sharing their first meal together.

A Victorian era bride and groom cutting their wedding cake

  • Since a traditional fruitcake was so dense in consistency it allowed for longer storage and this was possibly why the tradition was started in the late 19th century of preserving the top tier of the wedding cake. After the wedding, the top would to saved with the intention to be served for the couple’s first year anniversary or hopefully for the celebration of their first child’s christening.
  • Superstitiously in the past many bridesmaids cut a small piece of wedding cake, pass it through a bride’s wedding ring for luck and then it would be wrapped and placed under their pillow in the hopes that they would “dream about their future husband”.  Later this custom evolved into slices of wedding cake specially packaged individually for guests to take home after the wedding to eat later or maybe perhaps to be tucked under their pillows!  Shown in the photo below is a slice from the wedding cake of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

  • Dating back to Victorian England a custom of placing silver charms into the wedding cake was started, the origin could be traced back to an early century when a token would be hidden inside a “bride’s pie”. The charms were tied to a silk ribbon and placed inside the cake and then pulled out by the bridesmaids at the wedding reception.  Different charms would have special meanings and represented what the bridesmaid’s future would bring.  A wedding ring charm indicated a future marriage, the anchor stood for adventure, the coin for prosperity, the four leaf clover or horseshoe for luck, and the thimble for spinsterhood. This charming tradition of wedding cake charms is still a custom in the Southern United States.

For two interesting posts regarding Wedding Cake Display Ideas – Part One and Part Two, please click on the links

“Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”

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Every bride getting married knows the Old English rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”  The exact origin of the poem is unknown but the tradition can be traced back to the Victorian era.  According to the tradition, usually the items are given by the bridal couple’s family and friends but more recently the modern bride will collect some of these items herself.  This is a perfect opportunity to add special meaning to a wedding and the items used should be personal and sentimental to the bride and groom.

In this post I will discuss this sentimental bridal tradition and I will offer ideas and suggestions on what items to collect.  A good time for these items to be given to the bride would be at the bridal shower or bridesmaid luncheon which often takes place in the weeks before the wedding day.  I suggest that the gifts should be given in a special way, perhaps beautifully wrapped, and I would have the bride open each item separately and to make it even more very meaningful it would be a good idea to explain the story behind why that particular item was chosen.

“Something old” ideas and suggestions

Something old represents a link to the bride or her family.  This is probably the easiest item to acquire; usually a mother or a grandmother of the bride will have a special piece of jewelry such as a first communion cross or locket to give to the bride.

Clothing items can also be used in a clever way for the “something old”, such as a piece of fabric from one of the bride’s old childhood dresses or from a mother or grandmother’s dress can be used to wrap around the handle of a bridal bouquet.  Maybe the button from an old suit of the bride’s father can be sewn into the bridal dress. (I think it goes without saying but … always ask permission to use these clothing items before cutting them!)

This vintage cake topper is an example of “something old”  

This old rosary wrapped around the handle of a bridal bouquet can be “something old”

Two examples on how to use a “something old” cameo brooch –
attached to a bridal bouquet (left) or attached to the wedding dress (right)

Two examples of how to use a “something old” pearl necklace –
attached to a bridal bouquet (left) or woven into the bride’s hair (right)

Here is an idea on how to use a “something old” brooch or earring
as an embellishment to attach to a fabric flower to be worn on the wedding dress

Two examples of “something old” silverware and china –
a silver teapot used as a floral arrangement for the welcome table (left)
and a china teacup used as a floral cake topper (right)

“Something new” ideas and suggestions

Something new represents a hope for the future of the bride and the groom on the occasion of their marriage.  The obvious choice for most brides will be her wedding dress, headpiece or shoes, consider adding a personalized label with the bride’s name and date of the wedding sewn into the bridal dress.  Perhaps the bride’s future husband will have purchased a special piece of jewelry to mark their wedding, such as a pair of earrings, necklace or a bracelet with a special charm to commemorate the wedding day.  Another fabulous choice for “something new” would be that the bridal couple could purchase a brand new car to use on the wedding day for transportation from the ceremony to the reception or later as they drive away to their honeymoon.

An example of “something new” –
a white satin robe to wear on the morning of the wedding as the bride gets ready,
the robe can be personalized with “the bride” or “the future mrs. ???”

An example of “something new” –
lingerie that the bride bought for herself
or that she possibly received at the bridal shower

An example of a wonderful smelling “something new” can be perfume

If you are at a loss for finding “somethng new”
try searching for a penny made in the year of the wedding

“Something borrowed” ideas and suggestions

Something borrowed is traditionally an item that comes from a happily married person who is letting the bride “borrow some of their martial success”. The borrowed item could be something as sentimental as a wedding dress or veil that was worn by a parent or grandparent.  Another idea could be a piece of jewelry loaned from a family member, a parent, grandparent or even a great grandparent.  The important thing to remember is that the something borrowed needs to be returned after the wedding.

An example of the ultimate royal “something borrowed” would be the Cartier Halo Tiara which Catherine Middleton wore when she married Prince William.  The tiara was commissioned by King George VI in 1936 for his wife, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother).  For their daughter (the current Queen Elizabeth II)’s 18th birthday she was given the tiara and many years later she lent it to her grandson’s bride to wear on her wedding day.

Catherine Middleton wearing the Halo Tiara

Alas, for a bride who cannot “borrow” from a queen’s royal collection, she can ask a family member, such as a mother, or a close friend to use their wedding veil to wear on the wedding day.

Maybe for “something borrowed” the bride can ask the groom or her father for a tie which can be wrapped around the handle of the bridal bouquet and secured with straight pins.

Another suggestion is that an old family bible can be used by the ring bearer for the “something borrowed”, just attach the wedding rings with ribbon, string or a leather strip.  Another romantic idea for a “borrowed” book is to visit a local library and check-out a poetry book to use for the reading at the wedding ceremony (of course it should be returned by the due date or a fine will need to be paid!)

An example of a sentimental “something borrowed” item would be a military medal either from the groom, father or grandfather which can be pinned to the bridal bouquet.

“Something blue” ideas and suggestions

Something blue represents fidelity and loyalty; this item can be a fun way to express the bride’s personality or her quirky sense of humor.  This item can be something that is hidden from sight, such as a blue thread monogram inside the bride’s dress, or it can be used as a bold fashion statement of the bride’s style, such as a blue sash.  Traditionally a “something blue” item is a blue garter decorated with blue ribbon and white lace.

An example of “something blue” jewelry for a bride to wear on the wedding day –
sapphire earrings

Two examples of “something blue” shoes –
formal blue pumps for the ceremony
and casual blue Converse shoes for dancing at the reception

Here is a rather intimate “something blue” –
blue lingerie for the bride to wear under her bridal dress on her wedding day

… or if the bride cannot find “something blue”,
perhaps she can simply tie a blue ribbon around her finger!

The sixpence

The final item mentioned in the old English rhyme is the sixpence which represents good fortune and prosperity for the bridal couple.  The sixpence is traditionally an item carried by British brides and it is placed in the bride’s left shoe.  Today’s brides can have a sixpence or another special coin sewn into the hem of her bridal gown or she can carry it in the purse used on her wedding day.  Two ideas for a different type of coin could be from the year of birth of the bride and groom or a coin from the country of their parents or grandparents ancestry.

History of the Handkerchief

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In this post I will discuss the history, traditions and customs of the handkerchief.  By definition, a handkerchief is usually a small piece of fabric that is carried for the purpose of personal hygiene.  In the past handkerchiefs have also been used as a prop for European folk dances.  During the Regency or Victorian periods in England a handkerchief was often used in such a way that it could send hidden messages.

The origin of the word handkerchief comes from two French words, couvrir meaning to cover and chef meaning head.  This was an appropriate descriptive term given that in the Middle Ages a piece of cloth known as the kerchief was often used to cover a women’s head.  Then, during the 16th century European people began to hold kerchiefs tucked into a pocket and these pieces of cloth were used to wipe their face and for this reason the prefix hand was added to the word kerchief to differentiate between the two items.

It has been thought that the origin of the handkerchief dates back to the China during the Zhou dynasty when a piece of cloth was used to cover a person’s head from the sun.  The first written historical record of a handkerchief was by the Ancient Roman poet Catullus and he refers to a piece of linen cloth which was used to wipe a face.  In Ancient Greece perfumed cotton cloths were often used to mask offensive odors due to the fact that people of that time bathed infrequently.

During Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries, a lady’s personal handkerchief was often made in more luxurious materials such as silk and for this reason the handkerchief became a symbol of status and wealth.  Sometimes a lady would give her handkerchief as a favor to a noble knight at a jousting tournament or perhaps before going off to battle, she would tie it on the knight’s arm or he would tuck under his armor.

A lady presenting a handkerchief to a knight

Then, during the 16th century, women of the European courts would often spend time practicing their needlework skills and they would stitch intertwined initials or floral designs onto pieces of cloth.  These sometimes large pieces of fabric were sometimes carried as a handkerchief and not only showed a women’s ability in domestic skills but also became a sign of refinement.  These handkerchiefs would also show a sign of wealth because gemstones would sometimes be incorporated into the design or used to create ornamental tassels at the corners.  Queen Elizabeth I was known to have beautiful handkerchiefs embroidered with gold or silver thread and sometimes she would present these as gifts of friendship to the women of her court.

A portrait of an Elizabethan era women holding a handkerchief

There is a handkerchief story involving young Austrian-born Marie Antonia (later known by the French form of her name, Marie-Antoinette).  When traveling to France in 1770 after her betrothal to the Dauphin of France (the future King Louis XVI), she was so upset to be leaving her beloved homeland that she cried endlessly on the journey.  Without a way to wipe away her tears Marie-Antoinette began to tear at her dress pulling away bits of fabric and lace.  Afterwards, in anticipation of her uncertain future, she was determined to keep a handkerchief tucked into her sleeve or pocket if more crying overcame her as she adjusted to life in France at the magnificent Palace of Versailles.

A portrait of the young Marie Antoinette

Prior to this time, handkerchiefs came in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the personal preference of the owner.  Then on June 2, 1785 King Louis XVI issued a decree at the request of Marie-Antoinette, the Queen Consort, that the length of a handkerchief should be equal in size to the width.  This rule would standardize the square shape of the handkerchief as we know it today.

Handkerchief of Marie Antoinette featuring her royal monogram

During the Regency period and through to the Victorian and early Edwardian eras handkerchiefs became increasingly popular.  Prior to those periods a handkerchief was generally used for the purpose of personal hygiene but gradually a handkerchief began to be used for other reasons.  The society rules of romance during those times had very strict rules of etiquette and this limited the intimate contact between couples who were being constantly watched by chaperons.  So, much like the language of flowers used in a tussey mussey or floral bouquet, a handkerchief would be used to convey secret messages.  Below is a list of various gestures that could be made with a handkerchief and the flirtatious meanings.

A Regency era women holding a handkerchief

Until the Regency period most handkerchiefs were made of linen or cotton with the exception of members of royalty or ladies of the aristocracy that could possibly afford handkerchiefs made in more luxurious fabrics such as silk.  Queen Victoria often carried a handkerchief throughout her long life from the time she was a young queen attending public events such as the opera to her time as a widow when she constantly wore black mourning clothes.

Handkerchief of Queen Victoria featuring her royal monogram

Princess May of Teck (later Queen Mary) on her wedding day
holding a Honition lace trimmed handkerchief

By the time of the Victorian and Edwardian periods in England a handkerchief was considered a necessary fashion accessory that now included women of the middle class.  Handkerchiefs were also gaining popularity in the United States and shown below is a 1906 advertisement for Pullman Irish Linen handkerchiefs.

During World War I United States serviceman would sometimes bring home a “souvenir” handkerchief of their time overseas for their girlfriend or wife.  A handkerchief would very easily fit into a duffle bag for the trip home and it was a thoughtful gift to show that the soldier was thinking of his special girl back home.  The trend continued during World War II but the difference was that a handkerchief would be given as a special memento before the serviceman left for his tour of duty.  This was an idea very similar to the old medieval custom of a lady giving a knight her personal favor before a joust or battle but instead it was a soldier giving his girlfriend, wife or even his mother a special memento to remember him while he was away.  Sometimes these handkerchiefs became a very sentimental item to be cherished when a soldier did not return from the war.

  

Then, something happened that would change the future of the cloth handkerchief.  In 1924 the Kimberly-Clark company introduced the Kleenex facial tissue.  The Kleenex was originally marketed as a way to remove makeup but by the 1930s it was sold as a disposable handkerchief replacement that would lessen the spread of contagious flu and colds.  Eventually the Kleenex would reduce the need of the cloth handkerchief and sales would drastically decrease to the point that handkerchief were almost eliminated it completely from daily use.  Recently with the trend for more environmentally friendly products and the handkerchief has become a more economical alternative to disposable tissues.

1930s magazine advertisements for Kleenex facial tissues

Of course, in regards to weddings, the use of a bridal handkerchief has never gone out of style.  Many brides will carry a special handkerchief on their wedding day to be used as a “something new or something old” item.  In fact with the trend for creative design ideas has created a demand for vintage handkerchiefs to be used as guest favors and other decorative items.  For more suggestions for incorporating handkerchiefs into a wedding day, please click of the link to Ideas for Wedding Handkerchiefs.

The Flower Girl

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One of the most famous little girls in recent history is Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  As one of the four flower girls at the wedding of her Aunt Pippa Middleton to James Matthews in May of 2017 the two year old Princess Charlotte looked so sweet in her lovely ivory dress with the big bow tied in the back.

In this post I will discuss the origin and history behind the role of the flower girl and what their purpose is in today’s modern weddings.  I will also give some ideas for several different types of flower girl baskets as well as some alternative items that a flower girl can carry on a wedding day.  (For information regarding the Ring Bearer, please click on the link)

The origin and history of the flower girl

In the wedding procession the flower girl will usually precede the bride down the aisle tossing flower petals along the way but how did this tradition get started and how has it changed throughout the years.

The custom of a flower girl dates back centuries ago to the time of the Ancient Romans when young girls were chosen to carry wheat sheaves or herbs possibly to symbolize fertility and prosperity for a young married couple.  Later during the Renaissance garlic would be carried to ward off evil spirts that could bring back luck.

During the Elizabethan Era flower petals would be throw along the path from the bride’s house to the church were the ceremony would take place.  Then the bridal party would walk in procession to the church and the flower girls would carry small flower and rosemary bouquets.

In the Victorian Era the flower girl would wear white dress with a colorful sash tied at the waist, the practical idea was that the dress could be worn again after the wedding.  The flower girl carried a decorated basket filled with flower petals or sometimes a floral wreath which was meant to symbolize never ending love.  Most recently, in the case of British Royal weddings, multiple flower girls participate in the ceremony.

The role of a flower girl in today’s modern weddings

  • Flower girls are generally related to either the bride or the groom and it is best if they are between the ages of three to eight years old. In the wedding procession, the flower girl follows the bridesmaids and is postioned just in front of the maid/matron of honor and the bride.
  • Traditionally, the flower girl will carrying a basket filled with flower petals and toss them as she moves down the aisle. An alternative for the flower girl to carry could be a pomander ball, a floral wreath or a wand.
  • If the flower girl is too shy or nervous to walk alone they can walk with the ring bearer.
  • Another idea to make the flower girl feel more comfortable, is to position their parents near the front of the ceremony to “rescue” them if they get anxious or upset. If the wedding ceremony is too long, the flower girl can sit with her parents after walking down the aisle.
  • Occasionally, the decision to choose one young girl to be a flower girl can be difficult to narrow down. Sometimes for this reason multiple children can be selected to walk down the aisle in pairs.
  • It is a nice idea for the flower girl and her mother to be invited to the bridal shower and/or the bridal luncheon. This would allow the flower girl to meet the other people in the bridal party and it would make her feel more comfortable.
  • If problems happen (like dropping the basket, being fussy or crying) just stay calm and hopefully the flower girl’s parents can step in to handle the situation.

Ideas for traditional flower girl baskets

A flower girl will traditionally carry a basket filled with flower petals that she will toss onto the ground as she precedes the bride down the aisle at the wedding ceremony. So, here are some ideas for flower girl baskets …

 An example of traditional flower girl basket
A classic white fabric basket with lace trim and stain bow and crystal brooch accent

An example of twig baskets embellished with flowers

A twig basket decorated with greenery

An example of an elegant silver basket

Ideas for flower girl pomanders

Another traditional idea for flower girls to carry on a wedding day is the pomander or a “kissing ball”, usually with a ribbon loop handle attached at the top.  Shown below are a few ideas for pomanders using a variety of materials.      

An example of floral pomander

A pine cone pomander for a winter wedding

A seashell pomander for a summer or beach wedding

Ideas for non-traditional flower girl alternatives

Most recently creative brides have been coming up with some unusual items linked to a specific season or wedding theme for their flower girls to carry down the aisle. Shown below are some examples of alternative items for a flower girl.

A metal beach pail embellished with seashells

A seashell for a summer or beach themed wedding

A hallowed pumpkin with a twig handle for a fall wedding

A white furry muff embellished with white roses and evergreen

Two wonderful ideas for a nightime wedding –

A metal lantern embellished with roses and ivy

A twig ball with handle accented with “fairy lights” (right)

SPECIAL NOTE AND CAUTION WARNING! – do not use an open flame for a nighttime wedding especially when the item with be handled by children.  Instead use a battery operated candle or a string of small battery operated lights which are available at a retail or craft store.

A whimsical silver teapot filled with filled with flowers

A rose heart wand for a flower girl

A starfish wand  for a beach wedding

Finally, in recent years the trend has been for the flower girl to carry a sign and shown below are two examples

Finally, shown below is a photo when I was a flower girl back in the 1960s.  The dress was made of orange satin and I carried a white wicker basket.  (I still have the dress and the white wicker basket packed away in a box which I have stored in my closet!)