A British Royal Wedding – Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten

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In this post, the fifth post in the series of British Royal Weddings, I will discuss the wedding of Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) and Philip Mountbatten (Duke of Edinburgh).  It is noted as the longest marriage of a British sovereign and on November 20, 2017 they will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.

Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten
November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London, England

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip are third cousins through Queen Victoria, they are also second cousins once removed through King Christian IX of Denmark.  Princess Elizabeth is the eldest daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (formerly known as Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon).  Prince Philip is the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

Being from the same royal families, Princess Elizabeth and Philip had seen each other occasionally, once in 1934 and again in 1937.  The most significant meeting took place in July 1939 when Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret, accompanied their parents on a visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England.  At the time she was 13 years old and the heir apparent to the British throne and he was an 18 year old cadet assigned the task of entertaining the two princesses during their visit and clearly the young Princess became smitten with the handsome cadet.

Left to right – Philip, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth, King George and
Princess Elizabeth at the Royal Naval Academy in 1939

Much like Prince Albert before him Philip had an ambitious uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who wanted him to marry a (future) Queen and he encouraged him to develop a relationship with the young Elizabeth.  In the years that followed the two corresponded frequently as Philip continued his career in the Royal Navy by serving in the Mediterranean and the Far East.

By 1946 the couple was deeply in love and Philip secretly proposed to Princess Elizabeth while they were in Scotland and she happily accepted.  Unfortunately there was a four month Royal State Visit scheduled which required Princess Elizabeth to travel overseas with the King, the Queen and Princess Margaret.  Meanwhile under the guidance of his uncle, Philip became a British citizen, renounced his Greek and Danish titles and converted from the Greek Orthodox religion to Anglican Church of England.

When the Royal Family returned to England from South Africa Princess Elizabeth was now 21 years old and her parents finally consented to the marriage.  On July 9, 1947 the engagement of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was official announced at Buckingham Palace.

Princess Elizabeth and Philip at the time of their engagement

Since Philip was considered a poor European Royal and he could not afford an extravagant engagement ring. The story goes that Philip’s mother, Princess Andrew of Greece, had shunned royal life after their exile during the Greco-Turkish War.  Since that time she had joined an order of the Greek Orthodox Church and as a result she no longer possessed her royal jewelry.  So, to solve the problem of selecting an engagement ring that would be worthy of Princess Elizabeth, the heir presumptive and his future bride, Philip used the diamonds from one of his mother’s tiaras and designed a platinum ring with a 3 carat diamond in the center and additional diamonds on either side.

Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) engagement ring

At the time of the wedding England was still recovering from World War II which had ended just two years earlier.  The memories of the horror of the Blitz bombings as well as the damage and destruction within London and the surrounding countryside were still evident.  The hostilities toward Germany were also still strong and this affected the bridal couple directly.  Philip’s four older sisters had all married German princes; three of them had been a part of the Nazi party.  Needless to say Philip’s German relatives were not invited to the wedding.  Another person not invited was Princess Elizabeth’s uncle, the Duke of Windsor who had abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, which caused her father to become King George and thus made her heir to the throne.

On the day before the wedding, King George gave Philip the titles of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Earl of Merioneth and the Baron of Greenwich.  Seemingly using the recent war with Germany as the reason, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary (the bride’s mother and grandmother) insisted that any children of the Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip would not bear the surname of Mountbatten (a name with German roots) and that it would the Royal family’s name of Windsor.  Historical Note: Prince Philip deeply resented that his children would not bear his last name.  It wasn’t until many years later after King George and Queen Mary had died and the Prime Minister Winston Churchill had resigned that Queen Elizabeth II (who had ascended to the throne in 1952 and her coronation took place in 1953) requested a change to finally honor her husband.  A compromise was decided that the Royal family would continue as the House of Windsor but that future descendants would bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor to finally honor her husband.

The wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip took place on November 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London.  The Royal procession started from Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in one carriage and another for Queen Mary.  Prince Philip dressed in his naval lieutenant uniform left Kensington Palace with his best man David Mountbatten, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven, who was the groom’s first cousin.  Finally Princess Elizabeth and her father, King George, traveled in the Irish State Coach and were the last to arrive at the Abbey.  The streets of London were filled with thousands of people and millions listened to the radio broadcast of the wedding ceremony attended by 2,500 invited guests that included six kings and seven queens.

On her wedding day Princess Elizabeth wore an ivory silk dress designed by Norman Hartnell and embellished with embroidery and thousands of pearls.  The 13 foot bridal train featured a beautiful star pattern which was attached to her head by the diamond Queen Mary Fringe Tiara which had been “borrowed” from the bride’s grandmother.  Unfortunately before leaving for the Abbey the tiara broke but luckily the court jeweler was able to repair the damage.  (For more detailed information about Princess Elizabeth’s bridal dress and other accessories she wore on her wedding day, please click on the link to A Royal Bride – Princess Elizabeth)

Princess Elizabeth had eight bridesmaids in attendance.  They were Princess Margaret (her younger sister), Princess Alexandra of Kent (her first cousin), Margaret Elphinstone (her first cousin), Diana Bowes-Lyon (her first cousin), Lady Mary Cambridge (her second cousin), Pamela Mountbatten (the groom’s first cousin), Lady Caroline Montagu-Douglas-Scott and Lady Elizabeth Lambart.  There were also two page boys that carried her bridal veil as she walked down the aisle of the Abbey, they were her cousins Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent.

Princess Elizabeth walking down the aisle of the Abbey
with her father, King George

The wedding ceremony was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York.  The director of music for the ceremony was William Neil McKie who was the Abbey’s Master of the Choristers; he also coordinated the music in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the altar of the Abbey

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip leaving the Abbey after the ceremony

After the ceremony, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip returned to Buckingham Palace for a wedding breakfast.  Served at the wedding reception were several wedding cakes and the main four tiered cake was nine feet tall and weighed 500 pounds, the cake was cut with Prince Philip’s military sword.  According to tradition, one tier of the wedding cake was saved and would be served at the christening of their first child.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip wedding cake

After the wedding reception Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip departed for a honeymoon at the Broadlands, the home of the Earl of Mountbatten.  Later the couple spent the rest of their honeymoon at Birkhall on the Royal Estate of Balmoral located in Scotland.  Then, while Clarence House in London was being renovated the couple leased Windlesham Moor near Windsor Castle.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip went onto have four children – Prince Charles born in 1948, Prince Anne born in 1950, Prince Andrew born in 1960 and Prince Edward born in 1964.

In 1952 Princess Elizabeth’s father, King George died and she ascended to the British throne.  In 1953 she was crowned in an elaborate coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Most recently the public and personal lives of the Royal couple have come into focus with the popular Netflik series, “The Crown”.  Also earlier this year it was announced that Prince Philip would be retiring from his public engagements, he holds the record as the longest serving consort.  The 91 year old Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in British history at over 65 years and still counting, this record was set in 2016 when she surpassed the length of Queen Victoria’s reign.

For more information about the previous posts in the British Royal Wedding series, just click on the links to the first post in the series about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

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 Ring Bearer

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Previously this month I featured a post about Flower Girls and this week I will discuss the role of the Ring Bearer.  The ring bearer is traditionally a young boy between the ages of four and eight that carries the wedding rings during the ceremony.  In other parts of the world a young boy can have another duty as part of the wedding party; a page boy would traditionally carry the train of the bride’s wedding dress.  Today the role of page boys is basically symbolic and most common in European weddings, such as the British Royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.  Most recently the couple’s son, Prince George, was one of the page boys at his Aunt Pippa’s wedding in 2017, as shown in the photo below.

Prince George (second from the right) with the other page boys and flower girls

In this post I will discuss the origin and history behind the role of the ring bearer.  I will also give some ideas and suggestions for classic ring pillows for a ring bearer to carry on a wedding day.  In a future post, Unusual Ring Presentations, I will offer ideas for some very different items for the ring bearer to hold the wedding rings.

The origin and history of the ring bearer / page boy

To find the origin of the ring bearer / page boy we need to look back centuries ago.  But first, let’s clarify the difference between a ring bearer and a page boy.  In general a ring bearer is a young boy that carries the rings in an American wedding.  A page boy is a young boy that is part a European weddings, usually multiple page boys will walk down the aisle together with several young girls.

The tradition of a ring bearer dates back centuries ago to the time of the Ancient Egypt when the jewels of the pharaohs would be carried on luxurious pillows during ceremonies.  Throughout the decades, the custom spread to parts of Europe and the royal crowns or scepters would be carried for the King or Queen in royal processions.  In the Renaissance period of Northern Europe during a wedding ceremony of a knight and his lady, the ring bearer would present the wedding ring on the tip of a sword which sounds like a very grand gesture!  Eventually the custom of a ring bearer changed and would be incorporated into the weddings of the upper and middle classes and a young boy would be chosen to carrying the wedding rings, this became very popular in Victorian England and later in the United States.

In regards to the origin of a page boy it can be traced back to medieval times when young boys were servants of noblemen.  One of the many duties of a page boy would be to carry the train of the nobleman during a procession so that it would not be soiled or damaged.  Today, page boys still hold important roles in royal ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament in England every year when several page boys will hold the train of Queen Elizabeth II in the procession through the chambers.

Queen Elizabeth accompanied by Prince Philip during the State Opening of Parliament

The role of a ring bearer in today’s modern weddings

  • Ring bearers are generally related to either the bride or the groom and it is best if they are between the ages of four to eight years old. In the wedding procession, the ring bearer follows the bridesmaids and is positioned just in front of the flower girl, maid/matron of honor and the bride.
  • Traditionally, the ring bearer will carry a small pillow with the wedding rings securely attached by a ribbon. If concerned about the expensive rings being lost, an alternative is to attached inexpensive fake rings to the pillow instead.
  • If the ring bearer is too shy or nervous to walk alone in the wedding ceremony procession they can walk with the flower girl.
  • Another idea to make the ring bearer feel more comfortable is to position their parents near the front of the ceremony to “rescue” him if he get anxious or upset. If the wedding ceremony is too long, the ring bearer can sit with his parents after walking down the aisle.
  • If problems happen (like dropping the pillow, being fussy or crying) just stay calm and hopefully the ring bearer’s parents can step in to handle the situation.
  • It is a nice idea for the ring bearer and his parents to be invited to the rehearsal and the dinner that usually follows.  This would allow the ring bearer to meet the other people in the bridal party and it would make him feel more comfortable.

The ring pillow used at the wedding of Prince George and Princess May of Teck
(later known as King George VI & Queen Mary) which took place on July 6, 1893
photo from the royalcollection.org.uk

Ideas for traditional ring bearer pillows

In general, a ring bearer will carry the wedding rings securely attached to a pillow with ribbons during the wedding procession.  Most often the ring pillow is purchased specifically for the wedding and there are numerous styles available through bridal shops, retail stores or the internet.  Occasionally the bride or a relative will make a special ring pillow for the wedding.  The ring pillow selected should coordinate with the style, color or theme of the wedding.

So, here are some ideas for ring bearer pillows …

   

Two examples of classic ring pillows –
embellished square pillow (left) and round pillow (right)

An example of a lace fabric ring pillow with rhinestone initial pin attached
(I would suggest taking a look in the fabric section of a craft store for more ideas using bridal or other specialty material)

Two examples of crocheted ring pillows –
square pillow (left) and a romantic heart-shaped pillow (right)
 

Two examples of monogrammed ring pillow – machine embroidery (left) and needlepoint (right)

Another example of a needlepoint ring pillow

An example of a ring pillow used for “something blue”

An example of a ring pillow using a vintage cashmere sweater for “something old”

   

two examples using organic material for spring or summer ring pillows –
roses (left) and moss (right)

A ring pillow embellished with seashells for a beach wedding

Ideas for classic ring boxes

Instead of using a traditional ring pillow, might I suggested a classic ring box for the ring bearer to carry.  Some of the ring box examples are available in silver in a variety of shapes or unique vintage ones found in antique stores.

Two examples of silver ring boxes

An example of a vintage traditional bell-shaped ring box
Two more examples of vintage ring boxes

Two examples of vintage celluloid ring boxes
For more ideas for Unusual Ring Presentation, please click on the link.

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!)

The Princess Bride – the Book and the Movie

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It is hard to believe that the wonderful 1987 movie, “The Princess Bride”, was released 30 years ago this year, the movie is based on the 1973 book by the same name.  The story had everything – adventure, fantasy, comedy, an evil prince named Humperdinck and a love story between Westley and Buttercup.  In this post I will discuss both the book and movie.  I will also give a brief description of three of the beautiful dresses created for the character of Buttercup that were made by the famous British costume designer Phyllis Dalton.  Perhaps these dresses worn in The Princess Bride film could provide inspiration for a Renaissance themed wedding dress.

“The Princess Bride” Book Information

“The Princess Bride” author, William Goldman, presents the story as an abridged version of a tale originally told by S. Morgenstern.  This was a literary device used to enhance the telling of the story but Goldman originally made-up the story for his two daughters, one that requested a story about a princess and the other about a bride.  Goldman would later go on to adapt the story into a screenplay for the movie.

Possibly to generate publicity for the book, Goldman claimed that he had written a chapter about the reunion of Buttercup and Westley which was not used in the book; the missing chapter could be obtained upon request from the publisher.  Interestingly, many readers did write and subsequently received a letter stating that a copy of the chapter was unavailable for legal reasons because the fictional Morgenstern estate would not allow the release of the chapter in question.  (What a brilliant way to create additional interest while still keeping the ruse that Morgenstern wrote the original story!)

In “The Princess Bride” movie directed by Rob Reiner, the four principal leads are played by Robin Wright as Buttercup, Cary Elwes as Westley, Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck and Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya.  Other supporting actors include Peter Falk as the Grandpa with a very young Fred Savage as the Grandson, Andre the Giant is Fezzik, Wallace Shawn is Vizzini, Christopher Guest is Count Rugen and Peter Cook is the memorable priest at the wedding.  Billy Crystal makes a brief appearance as Miracle Max with his wife is played by Carol Kane.

“The Princess Bride” Movie Plot

The movie begins with a grandfather reading his ill grandson an adventure story and, much to the dread of the grandson, the story has a little bit of romance.  The story starts on a farm in the fictional country of Florin and centers on a young and beautiful girl named Buttercup and a handsome “farm boy” named Westley.  The strong-willed and selfish Buttercup frequently demands that Westley perform seemingly useless chores for her and he happily complies to the requests always with the response of “as you wish”.  Then one day Buttercup realizes that what he actually is telling her with his actions and words is “I love you”.  The confused Buttercup confesses that she loves him too and Westley decides that he must seek his fortune before they can be married and he set out to sea.  Sadly, Buttercup receives word that her beloved Westley has been killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts when he attacks the ship in which Westley is traveling on.  Buttercup falls into a deep melancholy after the loss and vows that she will “never love again”.

After a period of time the heir to the throne of Florin, Prince Humperdinck, is in need of a wife and of all the women in the land he chooses Buttercup.  She agrees to the marriage but is very clear that she does not love him.  But before the wedding can take place Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of misfits – a Sicilian named Vizzini, a Spanaird named Inigo Montoya and a Turkish giant named Fezzik.  As they make their escape across the sea to the Cliffs of Insanity a mysterious man in black follows them.  Once he catches up to them he wins a fencing battle with Inigo, strikes Fezzik unconscious with a large boulder and in a wit of nerves he defeats Vizzini.  Then, as he captures Buttercup and he argues with her about how easily she found love with another man, she tells him that his remarks are unwarranted and she shoves him down a hill as he yells, “as you wish”.  Shocked that the man in black is her beloved Westley Buttercup tumbles down the hill after him!

Meanwhile, Prince Humperdinck sets out to rescue Buttercup and almost catches up to Westley and Buttercup but they escape into the Fire Swamp.  When they briefly stop battling “rodents of unusual size” and other perils of the swamp, Westley explains that when his ship was attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts he was taken prisoner, served as a crew member on board the pirate’s ship for years until he eventually assumed the role of the Dread Pirate Roberts at the request of the old pirate.

Meanwhile, it turns out that Prince Humperdinck was actually behind the kidnapping of Buttercup, he is not the kindhearted man that he wishes everyone to believe.  When Westley and Buttercup emerge on the other side of the swamp, Prince Humperdinck captures them.  Buttercup agrees to marry the Prince if he agrees to free Westley.  He returns to Florin with Buttercup but sends Westley to be tortured in “the Pit of Despair” by the cruel Count Rugen.  (In a strange coincidence it turns out that the Count is identified as the six-handed man that killed Inigo’s father many years earlier)

Thinking that she has guaranteed the safety of Westley, Buttercup is dreading her marriage to Prince Humperdinck.  Meanwhile Inigo and Fezzik rescue the paralyzed and “only half-dead” Westley and they take him to Miracle Max to have his health restored.  After receiving treatment, they set out for the castle to stop the wedding of Prince Humperdinck and Buttercup but they seem to have arrived too late.  As Westley goes in search of Buttercup, Inigo meets the Count and realizes that he is in fact the six-handed man, after a brief battle Inigo kills the Count to avenge the death of his father.  Finally, Westley finds Buttercup’s room and they are reunited but Prince Humperdinck suddenly appears to threaten Westley.  Just as the Prince believes he has gained the upper hand, Westley suddenly regains his strength and he challenges the Prince but Humperdinck proves himself a coward and runs away.  Luckily it turns out that the Prince and Buttercup were not officially pronounced man and wife and therefore not legally married.  So, in the end Westley, Buttercup, Inigo and Fezzik leave the castle to ride into the night and hopefully they get there happily ever after.

In the final scene, the grandfather finishes the story he is reading to his grandson and gets up to leave the room when the boy asks if his grandfather could please return the next day to read the book again the grandfather turns and says … “as you wish”.

Special Note:  Perhaps one of the most memorable and humorous scenes of the movie was the wedding.  The castle chapel is set for the ceremony and as the wedding starts the priest turns to the couple and utters these words – “Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togethew today. Mawwiage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam. And wove, twue wove, wiww fowwow you fowevah and evah… So tweasuwe youw wove.”

The actor Peter Cook plays the priest in the film and he delivers an unforgettable performance by mispronouncing the R’s, W’s and L’s.  It is one of the funniest moments in the movie and needless to say, I’m sure many bridal couples have briefly contemplated replicating this infamous scene from The Princess Bride!!

The infamous wedding scene

“The Princess Bride” Movie Costumes

The Princess Bride costumes were designed by the well-known British costume designer Phyllis Dalton.  She had won two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design for her work for the 1965 film Dr. Zhivago and the 1989 film Henry V, and she also won an Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series for the 1982 The Scarlet Pimpernel.  In regards to The Princess Bride, the film is set in a non-descript time period but Dalton’s costume designs are based on the style of the dresses worn during the Middle Ages.

The Red Dress

When Buttercup was kidnapped by Vizzini, Fezzik and Inigo, she was wearing a red dress.  The design is based on a traditional outer garment from the Middle Ages known as a houppelande.  The long dress with a full skirt features a high piped collar, a pleated bodice, flared full sleeves that are tied at the wrists, a laced back and she also wears  an embellished gold fabric belt.  Initially Buttercup is riding in the countryside when she is abducted and she is shown wearing a golden beaded cap and brown riding gloves which obviously become lost during her ordeal.

Buttercup wearing the red dress in the kidnapping scene

The details of the sleeves  

The details of the back of the red dress (without the lace tie)

The Pink Dress

In the dream scene of the movie, Buttercup emerges from the castle to be introduced to the crowd as the future Princess of Florin.  The pink dress with long tapered sleeves that she is wearing over a plain white chemise features an empire bodice which is beautiful decorated with gold, pearl and crystal beading and embroidery.

Buttercup wearing the pink dress in the dream scene

The beautiful details of Buttercup’s pink dress and her rather large gold crown

 In another dream scene Buttercup wears the same dress with a beaded cap

The Wedding Dress

The dress worn by Buttercup at her wedding to Prince Humperdinck has a wonderfully detailed empire waist gown made from pale blue flocked velvet and the empire bodice is accented with beautiful pearl beadwork and embroidery, worn underneath the dress is a white chemise with more beadwork at the neckline.

Buttercup’s wedding dress on display
with the outfits of Inigo and Westley/the Dread Pirate Roberts

Although The Princess Bride is not set in a specified time period, in the Middle Ages young unmarried women would wear their long hair down.  This is how Buttercup wears her hair throughout the movie.  For her wedding to Humperdinck, Buttercup wears an intricately designed crown which features ivory colored flowers, leaves and pearls.

Westley and Buttercup

Special Note:  Robin Wright’s first acting job was in the NBC daytime soap opera “Santa Barbara”.  From 1984 to 1988 she played the role of Kelly Capwell, the quintessential “California girl” with her long wavy hair.  It is perhaps for this reason that she was cast into her first film in the role of Buttercup in The Princess Bride film because she had the perfect appearance to fit the look of a Medieval-period princess.

Wedding Flowers – The Stephanotis

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This month as part of my ongoing series about wedding flowers I will be featuring the stephanotis.  The stephanotis is one of the most popular flowers used in wedding and is known for its sweet scent and lovely white flowers.  In this post I will briefly discuss the origin and history of the stephanotis.  I will also offer some ideas and suggestions for classic bridal bouquets and boutonnieres as well as other wedding floral arrangements.

The stephanotis floribunda is a flowering plant native to the Madagascar region of Africa, the thrives in areas with a hot and humid climate.  The stephanotis plant is wood stemmed with green leaves and it produces a distinctive looking white flower with five long waxed petals with a pleasant scent.  The origin of the name comes from the Greek stephanos, meaning crown and otis meaning ear which describes the long stamens of the flower.  In the language of flowers the stephanotis means happiness in marriage and also the desire to travel.

In general, stephanotis flowers are available to the floral industry are grown commercially in greenhouses because the fragile plants requires high humid conditions and can be susceptible to extreme changes in temperature.  As a result, the stephanotis can be expensive to produce so it is most often reserved for use in bridal bouquets or boutonnieres.

The stephanotis does need some preparation before being used in bridal bouquets or other wedding arrangements.  One technique is to use a 26 gauge wire cut to the length of 9 inches creating a slight hook at the top which is then inserted into the base of the stephanotis and then finished by wrapping portion of the stem and the remaining exposed wire with floral tape for additional support.  Another alternative is to use a pre-fabricated “stephanotis stems” and are available for purchase on the internet or from a local florist supply store.

  

Another option when preparing the stephanotis for use is by accenting the flower with either a pearl or crystal center insert to add a bit of elegance or sparkle.

As previously mentioned since the stephanotis can be expensive it is often limited to bridal bouquets or boutonnieres.  But, if a wedding budget can allow for the additional cost, the stephanotis could also be used for ceremony and reception floral arrangements, such as pew decorations or a cake topper.

Shown below are several ideas and suggestions for using the stephanotis:

The classic stephanotis bridal bouquet

    

Two different traditional round bouquets using stephanotis and roses

A cascade style bridal bouquet using stephanotis and white roses

    

Three different types of bouquets using stephanotis – blue hydrangeas (left),
pink peonies (center) and white tulips (right)

    

Two different types of boutonnieres using stephanotis – three stephanotis (left)
and the other with a stephanotis and a white rose (right)

      

Two different types of bridal hair accessories using stephanotis

    

Two flower girl accessories using stephanotis –
a hair wreath (top) and pomander (bottom) to carry

     

Two different types of cake decorations using stephanotis

      

Two diferent reception floral uses of stephanotis –
stephanotis and manzanita centerpiece (left) and stephanotis hung from chandeliers

Here is a charming idea for a floral arrangement to send to the parents of the bridal couple after the wedding as a lovely thank you (be sure to attach a note)

Wedding Flowers – The Rose

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As part of my ongoing series about wedding flowers, this month I will be featuring the classic rose.  In a previous post, History of the Rose, I discussed the origin, legend and history of the rose.  I will also discuss the language of the rose and the meaning of the different colors.  Since the rose has remained a very popular choice for weddings at the end of this post I will offer some tips and suggestions for bridal bouquets and boutonnieres as well ceremony and reception floral arrangements.

The language of flowers (floriography) was practiced centuries ago throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  In the Victorian era, the custom of nosegays (tussie-mussies) became a popular way for men and women to send secret messages to each other thereby somehow circumventing the eyes of their chaperones.  Flowers were chosen for their special meanings, such as the gardenia for new love, a camellia for romantic love, violets for faithfulness and forget-me-nots for remembrance, but the flower most often used was the rose which had a variety of different meanings.

An example of a classic Victorian tussie-mussie in a silver holder

The different meanings of roses

In the language of flowers, the classic rose had many different meanings according to its color and also the number of roses used.  I will explain the various meanings of the five most popular colors of roses below:

White Rose –

The white rose has become one of the most popular and traditional wedding flowers, in fact it is sometimes referred to as the bridal rose.  During Victorian times, in the language of flowers, the deeper the color of the rose meant the deeper the passion.  So, a white rose represented purity and innocence and was often sent as a message of true love.  Since it is also associated with new beginnings, the white rose was often appropriate to use for special occasions such as a wedding or a baptism.

Traditionally a bridal bouquet is made of all white flowers and white roses are a perfect choice.  Roses can be used either as buds or full bloom flowers; either type is fairly sturdy and will generally withstand most weather conditions.  White roses are available in pure white but other varieties can have a hint of color, such as pink, which can add some subtle interest when used in an all-white bridal bouquet.

Pink Rose –

Another popular color choice for weddings is the pink rose.  In the language of flowers a pink rose represents happiness and admiration but there were sometimes additional meanings depending on the particular shade of a pink rose.  Specifically a light pink rose means grace while a dark rose would mean gratitude.  Pink roses are often used for bouquets or floral arrangement to send to a young girl to mark a special milestone such as a graduation.

Pink roses used as wedding flowers in bouquets, boutonnieres and other arrangements would be a wonderful idea for a spring or summer wedding.  Since pink roses are available in a variety of shades, a combination of light and dark pink roses would add interest to any type of arrangement of wedding flowers.

Red Rose –

The red rose is one of the most popular rose colors and in the language of flowers it was used to convey a message of deep emotion and romantic love.  Red roses can also represent beauty, devotion, desire and deep passion.

The demand for red roses increases dramatically for Valentine’s Day, so to avoid paying a higher price or risking a supply shortage when planning a February wedding it might be best to choose another type of flower.  But if you have your heart set on red roses be prepared to order early and to pay a higher price!

Orange roses –

In the language of flowers, the orange rose represents enthusiasm and gratitude.  Specifically a light peach rose meant modesty, innocence and purity and a darker orange (or corral) rose which is more intense in color meant passion.

Orange or peach roses would be the perfect color to use for a fall wedding  Just image a lovely bouquet made in a combination of the two colors set against the bride’s white dress or a bridesmaids gold colored dress.

Yellow rose –

Back in the Victorian times, a yellow rose sent a message of jealousy and when given to someone it usually indicated that the person receiving the rose had committed infidelity.  Today, the yellow rose represents friendship, joy and wishes for good health which makes it an appropriate flower to use for a baby shower, a gift for a new mother or as a get well wish for someone in the hospital.

A yellow rose would be a wonderful flower to use for a wedding, just consider a bouquet of yellow roses for the bridesmaids to carry which would convey a silent message of friendship from the bride.

Ideas and suggestions for rose wedding flowers 

Roses can be a very versatile wedding flower that can be used for bridal bouquets and boutonnieres as well ceremony and reception floral arrangements.  Below are several ideas and suggestions for wedding flowers using rose, the examples show various arrangements using all white roses but any color or combination of colors can be used.

  

Two examples of different shaped rose bouquets

An example of a classic rose boutonniere

Two examples of rose corsages

An example of a rose arch used in church
but could also be used for an outdoor wedding

An example of a rose floral arrangement – perfect for a church altar decoration

An example of a candle and rose arrangement – would be perfect for a unity candle!

Two examples of rose chair decorations

An example of rose petals beautifully arranged for an aisle

 An elegant example of rose floral arrangement for a reception

An example of a rose cake topper

The History of the Rose

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In my ongoing series about wedding flowers, this month I will feature the rose.  The classic rose has remained a very popular choice for weddings and is frequently used for bridal bouquets and boutonnieres, as well ceremony and reception floral arrangements.  In this post I will not only discuss the history the rose but also several legends associated with this beautiful flower.  Then in an additional post, Wedding Flowers – The Rose, I will discuss the customs and traditions associated with the rose and the meaning of the different colors of roses.  I will also offer some tips and suggestions in which the rose can be used in bouquets and floral arrangements for both ceremony and reception decorations.

The rose (rosa) is a perennial flowering plant which can grow as a bush, shrub, a climbing or trailing plant.  The flowers grow on wooden stems with leaves and prickly thorns which form on the outer layer of the stems.  There are approximately 150 species of roses grown throughout the world and the flowers can vary in diameter from 2” miniature to almost 6” large full blooms.  These different types of roses are available in a variety of colors with the most popular being white, pink, red and yellow.

In general, roses are considered a landscape plant specifically grown and used in gardens primarily for their fragrant and colorful flowers.   Commercially roses are also grown to be used as cut flowers for the floral industry and the rose petals are sometimes used as a source for the perfume companies.  In mild climates, the roses are grown outdoors, sometimes in covered areas to avoid any damage to the plant.  In more severe climates the plants can be grown in greenhouses with temperature control environments that can extends the growing season.  Whether it be outdoors or indoors, the plants are often sprayed to prevent plant disease or pest damage although today there are some growers that produce organic roses without the use of harmful chemicals.

A variety of hybrid roses are used by the lucrative floral industry, the roses are cut before their bloom while still buds and then refrigerated until ready for sale or to be made into arrangements for celebrations such as weddings.  For the perfume or cosmetic industries rose petals are crushed to produce attar of roses (meaning rose oil) and about two thousand flowers are needed to produce one gram of oil.

The Perfume Makers painting by Ernst Rudolf

Historical and archeological evidence suggests that roses have been used in a variety of different ways dating back several centuries.  There is a Greek legend about Flora (the goddess of flower) who is deeply saddened by the death of a woman of remarkable beauty.  She asks for the help of the other gods and goddesses to transform the woman into a beautiful flower as a lasting memorial.  She names the flower “Rose” and Apollo (the god of the sun) shines on the flower so that it will grow, Aphrodite (the goddess of love) gives it beauty and Dionysius (the god of fertility and harvest) gives it a lovely fragrance.

The mythological creation of the Rose

During the time of Ancient Egypt it has been said that Cleopatra used roses to seduce Mark Anthony.  In order to charm him she soaked the sails of her royal barge with rose water to create a heavenly scent when she first greeted him.  She also covered the floor of her bedroom with an intoxicating layer of fragrant rose petals to further entice him.  Needless to say, Mark Antony succumbed to her methods of seduction and was forevermore reminded of Cleopatra whenever he smelled the scent of roses.

Mark Antony meeting Cleopatra’s barge

During the time of the Ancient Romans, roses were often used in celebrations or religious ceremonies.  One such event with a tragic ending is depicted in the 1888 painting The Roses of Heliogabalus by the Anglo-Dutch artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.  The painting shows the Roman Emperor Elagabalus presiding over a feast during which the guests are showered with rose petals.  Although this may sound like an enchanting celebration, the ominous intent of the Emperor was to actually smother his guests thereby causing their deaths.

The Roses of Heliogabalus painting by Alma Tadema

As previously mentioned, roses are grown in a variety of different colors and there is a Persian legend regarding the Red Damask Rose that dates back to the 7th century which offers an interesting explanation as to how the rose got its deep red color.  The story goes that a nightingale (the poetic and symbolic bird once referenced in the Odyssey) loved the white rose so intently that when it held the flower tightly the thorns cut into its chest causing it to bled profusely onto the flower thus turning the once pure white rose into a blood red rose.

The Nightingale and the Rose

During Medieval times, rose petals were sometimes crushed to make powder or oils for medical purposes to cure a variety of illnesses. For this reason, the type of rose used for this became known as the Apothecary Rose (Rose Gallica Officinalis) because an apothecary by definition is a person who prepares and sells medicines and drugs.  Another use for the rose was to create beads for jewelry or other items, such as rosaries.  To form the beads, the dried rose petals were mixed with a little water or oil and the mixed would be rolled into small balls.  (Special Note: Rosaries made from rose petals are still available for purchase today through many sources, most commonly the rosaries are made for sentimental reasons usually created from the flowers from funerals)

A rosary made with rose petal beads

In the 15th century the rose became the symbol of two fractions fighting for power in England.  In the War of the Roses, which took place in the period from 1455 to 1487, the red rose (Rose Gallica) had become a symbol of the House of Lancaster and the white rose (Rose Alba) was used by the House of York.  When King Henry VII ultimately won the war and peace was established he ordered the two roses combined to create the Tudor Rose, this iconic symbol is still used today in England.

The Tudor Rose

In the 18th century Empress Josephine, the wife of Emperor Napoleon, had an extensive garden at the royal estate, Chateau de Malamaion, located a few miles from Paris.  The Empress had a special interest in botany and horticulture and it has been noted that she imported almost 200 different varieties of roses from Asia and England which were planted in the gardens at the Chateau.  To document the roses the Empress commissioned the botanical illustrator, Pierre Joseph Redoute, to create a series of watercolors called “Les Rose” which quickly gained fame as one of the finest collections of floral illustrations.

     Empress Josephine in her garden of roses by Farah Khan

During the Regency period an English garden looked very different, old rose bushes reached the height of sometimes six feet.  The growing season for old roses was relatively shorter in length and a rose plant could literally be covered with large blooming flowers that became known as cabbage roses because of their size.  Another popular rose emerged at this time and it was called the moss rose because the stem and sepals were covered with a bristly growth which resembled moss.

An Old Moss Rose

Today, the roses grown in a modern garden are generally hybrid tea roses which can be traced back to the 19th century when they began to be cultivated as different varieties, the first known hybrid tea rose was the La France rose in 1867.  By 1902, records indicated that there were only 36 varieties of old roses while the number of hybrid roses had grown to approximately 1,900 varieties.  By the late 20th century the number had increased substantially to more than 10,000 varieties of hybrid tea roses.

The La France hybrid tea rose

The oldest documented living rose bush is recorded to be over 1,000 years old.  Known as the Tauseandbjahriger Rosenstock (the German translation means literally the Thousand Year Rose) the rose bush grows on the wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral located in northern Germany.  The Rose of Hildesheim is a Rosa Canina which is a native climbing wild rose native to Europe and when last measured the rose bush was about 33 feet in height and 30 feet width.  During World War II the Cathedral was bombed, destroying the structure but the rose bush survived and it continued to grow and bloom among the church ruins.

The Rose of Hildesheim growing at Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany

For more information regarding roses, please click on the link to Wedding Flowers – The Rose.  In this additional post I will discuss the customs and traditions associated with the rose and the meaning of the different colors of roses.  I will also offer some tips and suggestions in which the rose can be used as a wedding flower.

The History of Monograms

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A monogram is usually created by combining two or more letters. Monograms are frequently used for weddings and will take the first initial of the groom and bride’s names and combine them with the last name of the couple.  In this post, I will discuss the history of the monogram and show several examples of historical monograms and the various ways that monograms can be used today on household items, personal clothing or for special celebrations like weddings.

The History of the Monogram

Centuries ago, the Greeks and Romans used monograms on clay coins as the barter system for purchasing goods and services which eventually led to a monetary system of trade.  During the Middle Ages, artisans would often use their monograms to sign their work and an example of this is shown below in the painting by the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.  His paintings can be identified to a particular period in his career by the monogram he used, at the start of his career he signed his pieces with a simple single letter R and in the following years as his career progressed he used the combined letters RH and then RHL.

Throughout the years, royalty and other members of the nobility have used monograms to mark their status in society.  Kings and Queens would use monograms to mark their personal property and household items, weaponry and armor, royal banners and coats of arms.

Shown below are several examples of these types of royal monograms:

The throne of Napoleon with his royal monogram

Tsar Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna royal  monogram
on the Hermitage gate in Saint Petersburg, Russia

In the 18th century monograms were used to mark linens with the owner’s initials so as to properly retrieve the items from a laundering service in the larger cities or from a communal wash in the smaller villages.  The monogram was usually embroidered onto the item in white thread but red thread was also used since it was the most common and least expensive dye available, the dark color of the monogram made it easier to quickly identify.  Eventually more elaborate monograms were designed with flourishes and scrolls embroidered in beautiful colors of silver or gold thread used by the upper class.

A monogram on a piece of clothing that once belonged to Queen Victoria

The embroidered goldwork royal monogram of Marie-Antoinette

In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the more opulent and expensive monograms reflected a higher status, wealth and prosperity of the person.  It seemed that every household item from tablecloths and tableware to bed linens and towels to all variety of clothing could be monogrammed.  Royal wedding souvenirs also gained popularity during this time and items were monogrammed with the initials of the bride and groom, this started a popular trend for weddings which has continued into modern times.

A cake box for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
with the intertwined initials of W and C

Today, especially in the U.S. southern states, the tradition of monograms continues. Monograms are a great way to customize a variety of items from clothing and accessories to household items such as towels, napkins or bedding.  There are certain rules to keep in mind when purchasing monogrammed items.  In general the most common type is the three-initial monogram consisting of the last name initial placed in a large type at the center of the monogram, flanked by the first and middle initials in a smaller type.

Shown below are examples of monograms used on clothing:

A monogram used on the cuff of a man’s dress shirt

Shown below are some examples of household items with monograms:

An example of a single initial monogrammed towels

An example of a monogrammed napkin

Monograms are also very popular for weddings and can be incorporated into many items such as invitations, aisle runners, reception, dance floors, wedding cake or perhaps even an antique handkerchief with a blue embroidered initial of the couple’s last name for the bride to carry as the “something blue”!  In general, for a monogrammed wedding item the first initial of the couple would be used with the groom’s first name located to the left and the bride’s first name to the right, the last name initial would be located in the center.

Shown below are some examples of monograms used for weddings:

An example of a beautiful monogram on an engraved invitation

A monogram of the bridal couple can be used on a wedding cake

An example of a monogram used on a dance floor

A lovely embroidered handkerchief for “something blue”

Special Note: Portions of this post originally appeared on my other blog, the Enchanted Manor.

A British Royal Wedding – Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer

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To continue the ongoing series about the British Royal Weddings, this post will be about the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer which took place on July 29, 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England.  At the time it was called the “Wedding of the Century” and it seemed to be the fairytale of the Prince and heir to the British throne marrying the beautiful Lady of a noble birth from an aristocratic family that had been a part of English history for centuries. 

Prince Charles was born on November 14, 1948 at Buckingham Palace and he is the eldest son of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip (later to become Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh) He was born during the reign of his maternal grandfather King George VI and he would become very close to his maternal grandmother Queen Elizabeth (later to be known as the Queen Mother).  Upon the death of his grandfather in 1952, his mother became Queen Elizabeth II and he would attend her coronation in 1953 at Westminster Abbey.  Prince Charles was formally given the title of Prince of Wales in 1958 and his investiture would be held in 1969 as a grand televised ceremony from Caernarfon Castle located in north Wales, he holds the record of the longest serving heir apparent to the British throne in the history of England.    

Prince Charles received his formal education at Cheam and Gordonstoun, he then went onto the University of Cambridge and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Later served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976, his naval career followed the Royal family tradition set by his great grandfather, grandfather and father.

Just prior to his military service, Charles took a seat in the House of Lords in 1970 and he would also go on to perform official duties on behalf of the Queen and the Commonwealth.  In 1976 he founded the Prince’s Trust which has become one of the most successful charitable organizations in the United Kingdom.  The Prince is also a dedicated environmentalist promoting organic farming and awareness of climate change.

Lady Diana Spencer was born on July 1, 1961 and she is the youngest daughter of John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer, and Frances Shand Kydd.  Diana received a traditional British education; she struggled academically but showed talent as a pianist, excelled at swimming and diving, and also studied ballet and tap dance.  After attending one term at a finishing school in Switzerland, Diana would later move to London to share a flat with several friends.  She worked numerous minimal jobs and eventually found work as a nanny and then as a nursery teacher’s assistant.

The Spencer ancestral home, Althorp, was located in Norfolk and Diana’s family would occasionally spend time at the Royal estate of Sandringham.  Diana was closer in age to Prince Andrew, Prince Charles’ younger brother, and Lady Sarah, Diana’s older sister, briefly dated Prince Charles in 1977.  But it was on a country weekend in 1980 that Diana came to the attention of Prince Charles when she graciously commented on the death of his favorite Uncle, Lord Mountbatten who had tragically died in an IRA bombing in 1979.  Touched by her acknowledgement of his recent loss, Prince Charles became interested in the charming and rather shy Diana as a potential wife.  Subsequently, the couple began a discreet courtship and Prince Charles proposed to Diana in February 1981.

At Buckingham Palace on February 24, 1981, Prince Charles and Diana appeared before the international press to officially announce their engagement. Diana’s large engagement ring was stunning, it was made by the Crown jewelers Garrard and featured a 12 carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire that was encircled by 14 diamonds and set in 18 carat white gold.  (Special Note: Thirty years later, in 2011, Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s son, Prince William, proposed to Catherine Middleton with the same sapphire and diamond engagement ring)

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on their engagement day

With the wedding date set for the summer, the media attention soon turned to Diana and for security reason she moved into Clarence House, the home of the Queen Mother, Prince Charles grandmother.  She stayed there for a short time before moving into Buckingham Palace where it was more convenient during the planning of the wedding.  Later she would return to Clarence House and this is from where she left on the morning of her wedding to travel by carriage to St. Paul’s Cathedral. (Special Note:  In a strange twist of fate, Prince Charles would later move into Clarence House after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.  Then, in 2011 Prince William left Clarence House on the morning of his own wedding to travel by car to Westminster Abbey)

Since the number of invited wedding guests would be approximately 3,500 it was decided that St. Paul’s Cathedral would be the location for the ceremony instead of the smaller Westminster Abbey which had been the traditional site for previous British Royal weddings.  The location of St. Paul’s Cathedral would also provide a longer procession route, it was reported that approximately 600,000 people lined the streets of London to witness this historical event and security was increased with 4,000 police and 2,200 military officers to control the massive crowds.    

 St. Paul’s Cathedral

On the day of the wedding, notable International heads of state and the Commonwealth, members of the European Royal families and other invited guests had gathered at the Cathedral.  Precisely at the scheduled time members of the British Royal family left Buckingham Palace in a procession of eight carriages and were escorted by several different regiments from the Commonwealth.  The 1902 State Landau was used to transport Prince Charles and his brother Prince Andrew, the groom wore the full dress naval commander uniform, a full dress sword was attached to the uniform and tasseled in gold, a pair of gold Prince of Wales Royal ciphers attached to the epaulettes on both shoulders.  He also wore a trio of stars from the orders of the Garter, Thistle and Bath as well as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal.  (Special Note: The 1902 State Landau would also be used by Prince Charles and Princess Diana after the wedding ceremony to travel from the Cathedral back to Buckingham Palace.  Thirty years later the carriage was used for Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding in 2011)         

Diana and her father traveled from Clarence House to the Cathedral in the Glass Coach which was built in 1881 and later purchased by the Crown in 1911 to be used throughout the years for various official events such as the State Opening of Parliament and various Royal Weddings.  Since the inside of the carriage is very small there was very little space for Diana, her father and the voluminous wedding dress and the large train.  So, as a result when Diana emerged from the carriage at the Cathedral the dress appeared to be winkled but was quickly smoothed out before she would proceed down the aisle.  Diana’s much anticipated wedding dress was designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel and was made of ivory silk which featured a full voluminous skirt, fitted bodice with full 3/4 length sleeves trimmed with antique lace, hand embroidery, sequins and pearls.  The massive 25 foot train, the longest to be worn by a British Royal bride, featured ivory silk taffeta and antique lace.  The 153 yards of silk tulle were used to make the wedding veil that was secured with the Spencer tiara.  (For more information regarding the wedding dress and other items worn on the wedding day, please click on the link to Lady Diana Spencer – A British Royal Bride)    

As Diana took the arm of her father to begin the 31/2 minute walk up the aisle, the choir sang “Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke.  Following them down the aisle were the bridal couple’s seven attendants: Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones (the groom’s cousin), India Hicks (the granddaughter of the Earl of Mountbatten), Catheringe Cemeron, Sarah Jane Gaselee and Clementine Hambro, the two page boys were Lord Nicholas Windsor (son othe Duke and Duchess of Kent) and Edward van Cutsem (godson of the groom).  Waiting at the main altar with Prince Charles were his two younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, who were supporters (the English version of a best man).

The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, Alan Webster, presided over the traditional Church of England wedding service and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, would conduct the marriage ceremony.  In regards to the vows, it was the first time in recent British Royal history that the word “obey” was omitted.  In keeping with a tradition set at the 1923 wedding of Prince George and Lady Elizabeth (the groom’s grandparents), Diana’s wedding ring was made Welsh gold. 

Performing at the wedding service were the Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Choir the Chapel Royal, the Bach Choir, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra with a fanfare performed the Royal Military School.  The musical selection included the “Prince of Denmark’s March”, “I Vow to Thee, My Country”, “Pomp and Circumstance No. 4” and the British National Anthem.  The New Zealand soprano, Kiri te Kanawa sang “Let the Bright Seraphim” by Handel.

At the conclusion of the wedding service, the bridal couple and 120 invited guests returned to Buckingham Palace for a four course wedding luncheon.  The menu included quenelle of brill in lobster sauce, Princess of Wales chicken (an entrée especially created to honor Diana, chicken stuffed with lamb mousse), served with new potatoes, butter beans and cream of corn, also served were strawberries with clotted cream.

As customary at Royal wedding, several wedding cakes were served (there was a total of 27 cakes).  The main wedding cake featured a five foot tall multi-tiered fruitcake weighed 225 pounds and was created by David Avery, the head baker at the Royal Naval cooking school.  The traditional wedding cake was covered with white icing and featured with the coat of arms of Prince Charles, the Spencer family crest and fondant flowers including roses, lilies of the valley and orchids.   

Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding cake

During the day Prince Charles and Princess Diana (now known as the Princess of Wales) made the traditional appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.  This was the first time a British Royal Couple would publically kiss on the balcony on their wedding day.  (In 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton also made history when they kissed not once but twice on their wedding day!)

Prince Charles and Princess Diana would travel by train from Waterloo Station in London to the Broadlands, the private estate which was owned by the Earl of Mountbatten.  After spending three days there, the couple flew to Gibraltar to board the Royal Yacht, Britannia, for an eleven day cruise of the Mediterranean Sea.  Later they flew to Scotland to spend time with the Royal family on during their annual holiday at Balmoral Castle.       

Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their honeymoon at Balmoral

The couple would go on to have two children, Prince William born in 1982 and Prince Harry born in 1984.  Unfortunately, the future would not be kind to Prince Charles and Princess Diana and they would endure an unhappy marriage that included infidelities on the part of the Prince and Princess as well as malicious and very public gossip involving both of them.  The Royal couple would ultimately divorce in 1996 and sadly the Princess would die in a tragic car accident in Paris in 1997.   

Prince Charles and Princess Diana with Prince William and Prince Harry at Highgrove