White Lace & Wedding Cake ~ Victorian Influences on Wedding Traditions by Tara Kingston
Wedding watchers are eager for the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this spring. Many of the traditions the bride and groom may opt to incorporate into their wedding were influenced by Prince Harry's ancestor, Queen Victoria. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, her wedding was an opulent affair that continues to influence weddings today.
~ Wedding Gowns
While many modern brides are opting to wear a color other than white, pristine white wedding gowns such as the long-sleeved dress worn by Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, when she married Prince William, remain a popular choice for twenty-first century brides. White wedding dresses became fashionable after Queen Victoria opted to wear white for her wedding to Prince Albert. In the years before Queen Victoria chose white for her gown, silver was considered the traditional color for royal brides.
~ Lace
In her own words as recorded in her diary, Queen Victoria described her wedding dress as "…a white satin dress, with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, an imitation of an old design." Creating the lace used in her gown employed more than two hundred people for eight months, bolstering the struggling lace trade.
~ Here Comes the Bride
Countless brides have walked down the aisle to the traditional "Bridal Chorus" from Wagner's opera, Lohengrin. This wedding march was played at the wedding of Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Louise in 1889, and remains a popular choice today.
~ Wedding Cake
Elaborately decorated cakes enjoyed at weddings are a cherished tradition that dates back to the Victorian era. Queen Victoria's wedding cake weighed three hundred pounds, while her daughter, Princess Victoria, had a wedding cake that was seven feet high. Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's granddaughter, had a wedding cake that was so elaborately decorated it took months to create!
To learn more about Victorian influences on wedding traditions, check out these sources:
http://fiveminutehistory.com/10-facts-about-the-victorian-tradition-of-white-weddings/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wedding
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria
Hughes, Kristine. The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 1998.
All photographs are in the public domain.
A note from Tara:
As always, I enjoy researching the fascinating era of Queen Victoria's reign and writing love stores set during that time. My latest release, Lady Evelyn's Highland Protector, is set during the late-Victorian era in the 1890s. A historical romance with an air of suspense, the story features an English bridesmaid who has traveled to the Highlands to attend her dearest friend's wedding, only to be swept into danger when she witnesses an attempt at murder. Here's a little about the story:
Can her Highland bodyguard heal her wounded heart?
A Highlander's vow...Scottish spy Gerard MacMasters never expected to be playing bodyguard in his mission to catch a killer. Stunning English beauty, Lady Evelyn Hunt, has witnessed a merciless assassin's escape—now, she's in danger, and it's up to him to keep her alive. Yet, he is drawn to the tempting woman. Passion flares, but he knows better than to fall for her. He's already lost one woman he loved—never again will he put his heart on the line.
She shields her heart...After a crushing betrayal at the altar, Lady Evelyn wants nothing to do with love. Kissing a gorgeous rogue is one thing, but surrendering her heart is another matter. When she stumbles upon a mysterious crime, nothing prepares her for the dashing Scot who charges into her life. The hot-blooded Highlander may be her hero—or her undoing.
To read an excerpt from Lady Evelyn's Highland Protector:
https://entangledpublishing.com/lady-evelyn-s-highland-protector.html
Award-winning author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with romantic suspense and adventures of the heart. She lives her own happily-ever-after in a cozy Victorian with her real-life hero and a pair of deceptively innocent-looking cats. When she's not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys movie nights, cycling, hiking, DIY projects, and cheering on her favorite football team.
You can connect with Tara on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at her webpage, www.tarakingston.com. If you'd like updates on new releases, historical romance, and contests, please sign-up for Tara's newsletter.
Labels: history of weddings, Queen Victoria, Tara Kingston, Victorian era, Victorian Weddings
The Twelve Pirate Days of Christmas
Let's get into the holiday spirit, shall we? I give you a remake of a favorite classic Christmas carol. Sing along with me!
The Twelve Days of a Pirate Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
A fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the second day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Two treasure maps
And a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the third day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Three black flags,
On the fourth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Four bags of loot,
On the fifth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Fiiive golden rings,
On the sixth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Six swords a-crossing,
On the seventh day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Seven sirens singing,
On the eighth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Eight anchors weighing,
On the ninth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Nine sails a-flapping,
On the tenth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Ten guns a-firing,
On the eleventh day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Eleven loyal crewmen,
On the twelfth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to me
Twelve full kegs of rum,
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New year!
Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
Labels: Christmas, holidays, Jennifer Bray-Weber, Pirates, Romancing the Pirate
White Lace & Wedding Cake ~ Victorian Influences o...