Historical weddings have become increasingly popular since the huge popularity of TV shows such as Game of Thrones and Bridgerton, not to mention the countless remakes of Jane Austen’s classics.
A historical wedding is a great way to incorporate your interests into your special day while making it memorable for your guests. And of course, whether you opt for a historical wedding venue or fancy dress, you’ll have ample photo opportunities.
In this article, we share seven steps for planning a historical wedding so that you can create an unforgettable day.
Choosing the Venue
Once you know where you’re getting married, you can sort out the rest of the details. But the first step in planning a historical wedding is choosing the right venue.
Castles and ancient manor houses are popular choices for historical weddings as these buildings are often preserved in olden day times. As such, when you step through the doors it feels like you’re stepping back in time.
What’s more, historic wedding venues provide a wealth of inspiration, from the gorgeous sash windows and wooden panelling to the landscaped gardens and water features, there is plenty to get those creative juices flowing.
Choose a Venue with Accommodation
Your wedding day will be unforgettable. It may also be exhausting. You’ll start early and finish late, with plenty of busyness in between. Many people say they reached the end of their wedding day feeling happy but completely exhausted. As such, it is worth considering venues that provide accommodation so you can kick off your shoes and sink into the pillows for a good night’s sleep.
Many historic houses have rooms available for the bridal party as well as their family and friends. Making use of this can take the pressure off your wedding day celebrations. You can – quite literally – dance into the early hours without worrying about how you’ll get home.
Selecting Jewellery Pieces
On your wedding day, people won’t just be admiring the venue and the flower arrangements, they’ll also pay close attention to the details you have included throughout the day. One detail you should pay particular attention to is your choice of jewellery.
A historical wedding wouldn’t be complete without antique jewellery to compliment your dress. Details such as pearl earrings, silver bracelets, and brooches help complete your look and create a meaningful talking point for your guests.
Incorporating historical jewellery pieces is a lovely way for the bride to include ‘something old’ and particularly special.
Focus on the Food
Choosing the food for your wedding is an important focus. Historically, too, food was a big focus of weddings. In fact, according to HELLO! Magazine, “You might be wondering why the meal is called a wedding ‘breakfast’ when it’s served in the afternoon or evening. The tradition actually dates back to the 16th century when guests fasted up until the wedding day – and were therefore looking forward to a real feast!”
Nowadays, planning your wedding menu can feel like a lot of pressure. Whether you’re keen to keep everyone happy or you’re worried about catering to specific dietary requirements and allergies, choosing what you’re going to eat can feel full of complications.
That’s why many brides are choosing to go back to the basics. Mediaeval dinners such as hog roasts are especially popular, while a smorgasbord of cheese, meat, bread, and olives is also a great (and historical) choice.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to cater to your tastes. What foods do you both enjoy? Are there any particularly special dishes?
Focusing on foods you both enjoy is the best place to start and will ensure you enjoy your wedding breakfast.
Let Your Venue Bloom
One of the best things about historical weddings is that you can use flowers extensively. From gorgeous floral arches and luscious bouquets to flower crowns, there are never too many flowers at a historical wedding.
Wedding flowers are a tradition stemming back to Medieval England when brides used to hold bouquets to mask their own smell (after all, you smell pretty bad when you only have one shower a year).
Thankfully, most brides today hold bouquets out of tradition rather than the need to mask their own body odour.
According to Brides Magazine, “the bridal bouquet ties all of a wedding’s design and decor together. It’s an accessory, a focal point, and one of the first peeks guests get into a celebration. So if you’re a bride-to-be, deciding what you’ll carry as you make your way to the altar is actually pretty important.”
From selecting the right colour combinations to choosing flowers that hold special meaning to you, it’s important to work with a florist. They will help you achieve the look you’re going for and will ensure your flowers beautifully complement your venue and dress choice.
Choose Your Mode of Transport
Historical weddings are a great opportunity to embrace historical methods of transport, such as the gorgeous aesthetic of a traditional horse and carriage.
Many brides choose to incorporate a horse and carriage into their wedding day, and there are many ways you can do this. For example, you could have the horse and carriage transport you to the venue, whisk you away to the reception, and even take you away at the end of the night.
Another popular option is to offer horse and carriage rides to your guests at the reception. This is a great opportunity to keep your guests entertained while also creating some gorgeous photo opportunities.
Have a Choreographed First Dance
Aside from the first kiss, one of the most highly anticipated moments of your wedding will be your first dance. Your guests will be eager to hear your song choice and watch as you dance for the first time as a married couple.
Throughout history, dancing has been a way to engage in celebrations and connect with other people.
In fact, according to Masterclass, “Dance has been part of human history since its earliest origins, bringing transcendence to spiritual rituals and creating bonds within communities. Dance styles have changed through history, but dance itself remains one of the most expressive physical art forms.”
Working with a professional choreographer to create your first dance is an excellent way to focus on dancing well while showcasing your love for your partner. Whether you’re confident on the dance floor or not, a choreographer will ensure you don’t mess up the steps in front of your friends and family.
What’s more, working with a choreographer will allow you to explore different historical dance styles so that you can create a first dance that isn’t soon forgotten.
Final Words
So, there you have it: 7 steps to planning a historical wedding.
We hope our tips have inspired you. There are so many ways you can incorporate historic elements into your wedding day to create a truly memorable experience for yourself and your guests. Follow our tips and you will plan a wedding that goes down in history – see what we did there?
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