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.