Medieval Wedding Guide

Vanessa Hand
Medieval Wedding Guide

About House Drakstonne
In Medieval times many families worked together to accomplish the many chores that
needed to be done. Families would also take in other people from outside to help.
These groups of people lived together in house 'holds'. A 'hold' is a protected area of a
village or castle. The house was given the name of the person who owned it, and that
was how everyone referred to that home; for example House Smith, House Cooper, or
House Drakstonne.
I was introduced to the Society for Creative Anachronisms in 1989, and was
enchanted. There were so many people who wanted to 'Live the Dream' and work
together. Several of my new friends and I got together often to learn more about the
Middle Ages and began sewing costumes and making jewelry at my home. I chose the
name House Drakstonne to represent our group; Drakstonne means 'Stone of the
Dragon.' (I just love dragons!)
When I started selling jewelry and costumes at Medieval events, I was often asked for
more medieval items people could not find. I added leather work and branched out into
feast gear (eating equipment). Feast gear was very important during the Middle Ages.
People had a set they would carry with them when they traveled. This usually
consisted of a wooden bowl and a mug, but sometimes a plate and eating utensils,
too. We searched through thrift shops all over the city, and collected a great
assortment of rescued feast gear.
When my own wedding was at hand, I gathered all the information I could on medieval
weddings. When friends and family asked ‘why?’ about a custom or a costume, I
would do the research and find out. Over the past few years I have enjoyed being able
to share what I learned with other people planning their own medieval weddings, and
hopefully making their wonderful day easier to plan.
I wish you brightest blessings!
Vanessa Hand
Owner, House Drakstonne
House Drakstonne 1997 www.owl-lady.com owl-lady@owl-lady.com

© 2002 HandSpun Publishing HandSpun Publishing Company
Text revised 1999 Vanessa HandBeard www.intuitivetimes.com
First Published 1996 in US Creators of electronic books

for download and CD rom
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized Owner and Managing Editor, Vanessa HandBeard
in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, without prior permission in writing
from the Publisher.
CD created by Bill Martin

Cover illustration by Vanessa HandBeard
ISBN 0-9719562-0-0
•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ
Table of Contents and Master Checklist

6-18 Months Before
¨ Contact A Wedding Consultant (Pg. 9)
¨ Budget Planning (Pg. 9)
¨ Choose The Place/Date/Time Of Ceremony And Reception (Pg. 9)
¨ Before The Ceremony (Pg. 9)
¨ Ceremony (Pg. 10)
¨ Plans For After The Ceremony (Pg. 10)
¨ Ceremony Sites (Pg. 10)
¨ Make Appointment With Person Performing Ceremony (Pg. 11)
¨ Colors (Pg. 11)
¨ Select Catering (Pg. 11)
¨ Reserve Photographer and Videographer (Pg. 11)
¨ Transportation (Pg. 12)
¨ Hire Musicians For Ceremony (Pg. 12)
Where To Look? ~ Recordings ~ Performers
¨ Flowers (Pg. 13)
Decorating ~ Carrying ~ Herb and Flower Meanings
¨ Rings (Pg. 14)
¨ Investigate Accommodations For Out Of Town Attendants (Pg. 15)
¨ Plan A Guest List With Names And Addresses (Pg. 15)
¨ Wedding Party (Pg. 15)
¨ Movie References (Pg. 15)
¨ Clothing!!! (Pg. 16)
Wedding Dress ~ Veil/Headpiece ~ Men ~ Women ~ Accessories ~ Shoe Pattern ~ Where To Find
Costumes ~ How To Make Costumes ~ Commercial Patterns
¨ Getting Guests To Dress The Part… (Pg. 20)
3 To 6 Months Before…
¨ Order Invitations, Programs And Thank You Notes (Pg. 23)
Printing/Calligraphy/Embellishments ~ Paper ~ Presentation ~ Programs ~ Announcement Sample Texts
¨ Invitation Mailing(Pg. 24)
A Few Words On Sealing Wax
¨ Reception Planning (Pg. 25)
Hall ~ Entertainment ~ Tables ~ Words From The Guests
¨ Food (Pg. 27)
Meat ~ Vegetables ~ Breads ~ Soups ~ Drinks ~ Desserts ~ Tips
¨ Cake (Pg. 32)
¨ Honeymoon (Pg. 32)
¨ Ceremony Decoration (Pg. 33)
¨ Plan Rehearsal Dinner (Pg. 33)
¨ Order Wedding Band Engravings (Pg. 33)
¨ Keep A Record Of All Gifts Received (Pg. 33)
¨ Check That All Bridal Attire Has Been Ordered (Pg. 33)
1997 House Drakstonne z - Historical Fact P-Tip 6 - Time Saver $ - Money Saver ¢- Don't Forget 2
2 Months Before…
¨ Getting The Men Involved Too (Pg. 37)
¨ Order Favors For Reception (Pg. 37)
Garter ~ Other Favors
¨ Shop For Wedding Accessories (Pg. 38)
¨ Confirm Flowers, Ceremony And Reception Reservations (Pg. 38)
¨ First Gown Fitting (Pg. 38)
¨ Start Addressing The Invitations (Pg. 38)
1 Month Before…
¨ Confirm Rehearsals (Pg. 41)
¨ Confirm Lodging For Out Of Town Guests (Pg. 41)
¨ Purchase Final Party Supplies, Wedding Album, Guest Book (Pg. 41)
¨ Gifts (Pg. 41)
¨ Have The Final Fitting On Your Wedding Attire (Pg. 41)
¨ Apply For Marriage License With Fiancee (Pg. 41)
1-2 Weeks Before…
¨ Finalize Decorating And Flowers Schedules (Pg. 45)
¨ Give Caterer Final Guest Count (Pg. 45)
¨ Confirm All Costumes (Pg. 45)
¨ Confirm Reservations (Pg. 46)
Sites, Music, Photography, Videography, Transportation, Flowers, Food, Entertainment
¨ Pick Up Honeymoon Tickets (Pg. 46)
¨ Pack For Honeymoon (Pg. 46)
Day Of The Wedding…
¨ Have Emergency Kit With You (Pg. 49)
¨ Get Hair Done (Pg. 49)
¨ Begin Dressing 1-1/2 Hours Before The Ceremony (Pg. 49)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Note: When something in the booklet is described as 'period', it refers to 'of that time period'.
Sun is setting, and the clearing is quiet. Ribbons trail from branches high, and flower petals are
strewn about. Animals peer silently from hidings, wondering what this evening will bring.
There is magic in the air, all can feel it; and then movement from the hill.....
People begin to arrive in the clearing, carrying a single candle not yet lit. Everyone is quietly
murmuring in delightful anticipation. As the people settle into the gathering, the musicians can be
seen arriving. The light flute, and soft drum.... Someone is adding a harp but cannot be seen.
The monk arrives in a burst of energy (so unlike the friar) concerned about being late, and pulls
himself together. People giggle as he passes, not able to help themselves, he is such a joyous
person.
The guests pull closer in a circle, the sun heavy with impending nightfall. The lighting of the
candles begin. In a circle the flame moves, one lighting the next until the circle is complete. The
music changes ever so slightly to signal the bride and groom. They are eager to share this moment
with their friends and family, to declare their love for one another in a handfasting.
•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ•œ
Handfasting a nd the Medieval Wedding

"When we are handfasted, as we term it, we are man and wife for a year and a
day; that space gone by, each may choose another mate, or, at their pleasure,
may call the priest to marry them for life; and this we call handfasting." Sir
Walter Scott, The Monastery (1820), ch. 25.
Weddings during the Middle Ages were considered

family/community affairs. The only thing needed to create a
marriage was for both partners to state their consent to take one
another as spouses. Witnesses were not always necessary, nor
was the presence of the clergy. At this celebration, the couple
exchanged gifts, (a ring, a piece of fruit, etc.) clasped hands and
exchanged a kiss. The "vows" could be a simple as, "Will you
marry me?" "I will." The role of the clergy at a medieval wedding
was simply to bless the couple.
In the later medieval period, the wedding ceremony moved from the
house of the bride to the church. It began with a procession to the
church from the bride's house. Vows were exchanged outside the
church. The priest gave the bride to the groom, and then everyone
moved inside for Mass. After Mass, the procession went back to
the bride's house for a feast. Musicians accompanied the
procession.
Modern Handfasting Traditions
The essential elements are thanking the Higher Power for bringing
this love into their lives. The cutting of the wedding cake usually
includes feeding each other a small portion, and you can make a
toast to each other and drink out of the other's cup, to show
commitment to caring for each other.
Jumping over a broom, or jumping over a crossed broom and
sword (possibly held by the best man and the maid of honor)
symbolizes the cutting of ties to parents and the ties being swept
away.
Medieval brides believed that knots symbolized good luck, hope,
and steadfastness, so their bouquets were tied with numerous
knots. Continue the tradition by giving your ushers tie clips or cuff
links adorned with sculpted knots, or adorn a ring pillow or
kneeling pillows with silken curtain cording knotted at each corner
and finished with tassels.
During the vows, have a friend bind your hands with a ribbon or
embroidered cloth (try Celtic knots) while explaining the tradition
to guests.
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is by loving and by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.
-- George McDonald
6 to 18 Months Before
Contact a Wedding Consultant
Budget Planning
Choose The Place/Date/Time Of Ceremony And Reception
Before The Ceremony
Ceremony
Plans For After The Ceremony
Ceremony Sites
Make Appointment With Person Performing Ceremony
Colors
Select Catering
Reserve Photographer and Videographer
Transportation
Hire Musicians For Ceremony
Flowers
Rings
Investigate Accommodations For Out Of Town Attendants
Plan A Guest List With Names And Addresses
Wedding Party
Movie References
Clothing!!!
Getting Guests To Dress The Part
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.
-- Alexander Smith
ü Contact A Wedding Consultant

This sounds very 'serious', but hiring a wedding planner Looking back at my own wedding, I can see many places
can cut your costs, plan your time, and make this most where a consultant would have saved me a few dollars,
important time in your life a joyous and memorable one. and a few arguments!
ü Budget Planning -
Set a tentative budget. Choose the type of wedding. How big? How formal?
An Informal Wedding A Semi-Formal Wedding A Formal Wedding

Attendants: 1-3 For Each Attendants: 2 - 4 For Each Attendants: 4-8 For Each
Guests: 10-50 Guests: 50-100 Guests: 100-500
Reception: Home / Restaurant Reception: Country Club / Home / Reception: Country Club / Home
Entertainment: Pianist / Vocalist / Restaurant Entertainment: 1-2 5-Piece Bands /
Tapes Entertainment: 4-Piece Band / DJ / Orchestra
Budget: $50-$3,000 Budget: $3,000-$10,000 Budget: $10,000-$50,000+
Be realistic. Marriage is a life change, and carrying in more debts can put a strain on the best of people. If you must take
out a loan for your wedding, think it over carefully and weigh all the options, percentage rates and payments you will be
paying.
ü Choose Place/Date
Place Date/Time
Time Of Ceremony And Reception
Recently my sister-in-law became engaged. She and her Think about all these things, and when you have torn apart
fiancee have been trying to set a date. Sounds simple the calendar you'll know it's time to take a break!
enough, find a nice time of year and pick a weekend. He Remember-- this is YOUR time, and if there is a special
is in school, and won't know when graduation will be date the two of you want to pledge your love to each
taking place until later in the year. Families have to fly in other, that is what is important. You will remember it all
from out of town. Holidays fall into play. Vacation time your lives. If there are people who cannot attend, make it
has to be scheduled, along with travel tickets to purchase up to them with a late reception sometime later in the
(non-refundable in most cases). Reservations have to be year when they can all get together, perhaps during the
made early if it is a busy season. holidays.
ü Befo re The Ceremony

z Ancient Spartan soldiers were the first to hold stag z The bride should carry three coins. One is given to
parties. The groom would feast with his male friends on the groom, one to the family she is leaving, and one
the night before the wedding. There he would say good- tossed into the street in front of her new home for luck.
bye to the carefree days of bachelorhood and swear ¢ Bring emergency repair and beauty items to the
continued allegiance to his comrades. wedding, including a travel sewing kit, safety pins, hair
z A medieval tradition involving knots is for the mother spray, nail file, nail polish, extra stockings, etc.
of the bride to tie the bride's belt in three knots, which the 6 Send out schedules letting your wedding party know
husband unties after the ceremony. where they are needed and when (rehearsal, pictures,
etc.) a few weeks before the big day.
ü Ceremony
z Incorporate the traditional 'Bride Price' into the actual P If you have children attending the ceremony, ask
ceremony. After the father escorts the bride to the altar, them to help by handing out programs, candles, ribbons,
have the best man present the father with the bride etc.
price.A bride price is what the groom offers the bride's
family in trade for their daughter's hand. The dowry is P Personalize the custom of walking under an arch as
what the family gives her to bring into the marriage. they do in military weddings. Use something personal to
z Binding the hands of the bride and groom symbolizes both of you.
the joining of the bride and groom into a new family. P Try a woodland-inspired ring pillow, made of tufts of
moss placed on a small tray and trimmed with ivy and
flowers.
ü Plans For After The Ceremony

Decorating our wedding site were bright colored ribbons hung from surrounding trees, and from the rope sectioning off our
area. After the handfasting, while the Justice took us aside for the official 'paperwork', we had someone assist the
videographer and carry the long handfasting ribbon. We asked everyone to tie one of the small ribbons onto the larger
one, and make a wish for us as they did that. Everyone loved it—and it was also a great way to fill the time and clean up
the site!
P An alternative to throwing rice is blowing bubbles. the couple on their way to their reception (and they give
Hand out bottles and blowers before the ceremony starts. her one). Celebrate your joy with a donation to your
favorite charity. Have your best man or maid of honor mail
z A fire should be started in the couples new home as
it on the day of your wedding.
they return (if they don't have a fireplace, light a candle).
A popular tradition in many countries is to escort the z Tying shoes to the bumper of the car represents the
newly married couple in a loud and happy parade to the symbolism and power of shoes in ancient times.
reception. Hire a bagpiper or a Renaissance-style singing Egyptians would exchange sandals when they exchanged
minstrel to lead the way melodically. goods. When the father of the bride gave his daughter to
the groom, he would also give the brides' sandals to show
P If your Honeymoon trip doesn't begin right after your
that she now belonged to the groom. In Anglo Saxon
reception, try a small post-reception party for your friends times, the groom would tap the heel of the bride's shoe to
and family. show his authority over her. In later times, people would
z In Britain it's considered good luck if a charwoman throw shoes at the couple, and now we just tie shoes to
(bag lady or street person) appears, begs a coin from their car.
ü Ceremony Sites
P Check local garden or park areas, and inquire what P Check local restaurants, inns, hotels, parks
the restrictions are on decorating. The simplest site can (amusement parks as well), theme locations, for more
look wonderful with a pavilion, arch or flowers. ideas.P Find out if that expensive reception site you
P Check with area campgrounds. Many of them have love has special rates for off time of day or seasons.
wonderful wooded clearings perfect for an outdoor P Check with a local Renaissance Festival for
wedding. (And many have large picnic areas!) information on holding a wedding on site during the festival
season.
ü Make Appointment With Person Performing

Ceremony
Do this far ahead, to find out your options. We had our had weighed a few more options way back at the
person all picked out, she even helped plan the wedding. beginning. If the person handfasting you is not ordained,
It was special to us even more since she was married on make sure to have arrangements with a Justice of the
the same day a few years before. We got down to the Peace. Book the Justice early—we waited too long and
last month, and she suddenly had obligations that were just lucky that he was so curious about the wedding
prevented her from being in town the weekend of the that he raced across town between other weddings to
wedding. We couldn't change the date, so we had to officiate at ours! He was there appearing as a guest, and
scramble to find someone else to conduct the wedding. then we had a small ceremony with the witnesses to
We were honored to have a dear friend perform the make it official. (He had a great time, and we made his
handfasting, but it could have been less traumatic if we list of top ten most unusual weddings.)
ü Colors
P Choose meaningful colors to accent your wedding. P Use ribbons to define the alliances of families. For
Blue symbolized fidelity; green is the color of fertility; red example, have the bride's family and guests wear green
is the color of love and joy. Include the meanings of these and gold, the groom's blue and white. Distribute the
colors in the wedding program for guests. ribbons at the guest register or when everyone is arriving.
While handing out the ribbons, explain the tradition.
ü Select Catering
This doesn't necessarily mean go out and hire a people would take it. They loved it! Guests brought
professional caterer if you cannot afford it. Ask around, dishes to the feast, and in many cases the containers or
maybe someone you know (or your fiancee knows) is able platters were the gift. We also received modern traditional
to do this for a nominal fee plus the cost of food. wedding gifts, which surprised us. Most gifts were
z In medieval times one of the most precious traditionally food. The reception was at our home, and set
commodities was food. Traditionally the guests brought a up with a few banquet type tables to hold the food. If you
gift of food to the wedding, to help with the feast. We decide to try this (and I encourage it!) make sure there is
implemented that tradition in our wedding, wondering how ample space for outlets, such as a power strip.
ü Reserve Photographer And Videographer

P Set up a special corner of the reception area for your P Check the work of the videographer or photographer
photographer to take the photographs in a medieval prior to the wedding. Sure it's nice for Uncle Pete to work
looking setting. Add banners, props, goblets, etc. the camera for free, but is that what you want to record
this special event?
ü Transportation
z Before cars and limousines, male guests at Irish,
Scottish, and German village weddings would kick off the
celebrations with a wild foot-race from the ceremony to
the reception.
ü Hire Musicians For Ceremony

Where To Look?
P Word of mouth is the best way to find a band or P Check the local paper's arts calendar for local clubs,
anything else for that matter. coffee houses, etc.
P Ask caterers, restaurant workers. P Take an evening or two and go to all of the local clubs
P Call local music stores, local universities. and bars. You get a ready-made audition this way.
Recordings Supplier:
Nick Fritsch : Lyrichord Discs Inc.
141 Perry Street
Medieval recordings are getting a bit easier to find, and New York, NY 10014
can help greatly. Appropriate music adds atmosphere, Fax # 212 929 8245 Phone 212 929 8234
and can be inexpensive. Lyrichord has a wonderful Lyrichord www address: http://www.lyrichord.com/
selection of authentic medieval music. Lyrichord E-Mail: lyricny@interport.net
Performers
z Period instruments include the flute, bagpipe, guitar, z Irish dancers are wonderful entertainment during the
viol (forerunner of the violin), many types of horns, harp, reception.
drum (bhodrain or dhoumbek) and Irish pipes. z Have a trumpet (or voice) heralder at the entrance area
P Modern synthesizers can sound medieval at many of the building.
settings. Check with local music groups at universities for a
P A single harpist, Celtic piper, lute/mandolin player or madrigal choir. The students might just show up for the
harp and violin duo adds a magical touch. opportunity to perform (don't forget to invite them to stay
for the banquet.).
P Have a wandering minstrel play love ballads during
the receiving line. z Have a "loud and joyous noise" herald your walk up
the aisle.
ü Flowers
Use herbs in the bouquet. It is even possible to include the roots in a flower water cap, and then the herbs can be planted in
each person's gardens after the ceremony. Ancients used herbs, not flowers, in bouquets because they felt herbs
(especially garlic) had the power to cast off evil. If a bride carried sage (the herb of wisdom) she became wise; if she carried
dill (the herb of lust) she became lusty. Later flowers replaced herbs and took on meanings all their own.
Keep in mind that they did not have florists back then and many items that they used were dried. The bride's bouquet was
usually given to her by her mother and there was great significance in the types of items present in the arrangement. For
example, the wheat was to wish the bride fertility, both in family matters as well as family crops. Usually there would be
some flowers present which were native to the area around the bride's home, the groom's home, and 1 flower from where they
would live after marriage. This was more of a peasant custom since they usually could not afford rings and this symbolized
the couple's joining.
Decorating Flowers
P Place laurel branches, ivy trails or evergreens along P Line the site steps or walkway with rows of potted
the path of the bride and groom after the ceremony, to flowers in full bloom. Daisies, or chrysanthemums with
symbolize luck and fertility. many colorful blossoms per pot, or small evergreen trees
P Have ushers hand out bags of herbs, sprigs of decorated with ribbons and twinkle lights, and a spray for
greenery, and flower petals, to sprinkle over the path of the arch.
the couple as they make their joyous walk back down the $ Wreaths of dried flowers and herbs can be used as
outdoor aisle. gifts for the wedding party, or used in your own home to
z Vine arches are a symbol of growth, fertility, and decorate.
renewal. Also, when you pass through an arch it is an Garlands of flowers are appropriate for the wedding party
entrance to a new world. to wear.
Carrying Flowers
P Have each attendant carry a bouquet made from a z Medieval brides believed that knots symbolized good
different flower but using the same greenery & general luck, hope, and steadfastness, so their bouquets were
shape of bouquet. tied with numerous knots.
P A wonderful look is a cascading hand bouquet with z In Tudor England, brides carried marigolds that had
ivy trailing and many white or colorful flowers. been dipped in rosewater. They later ate them since they
$ Carry a single long-stemmed rose, roses or tulips were thought to be aphrodisiacs.
trimmed with ribbons. Tie them together with green craft P Use mixed wildflowers with stalks of dried wheat
wire. Wrap about 4 inches of satin ribbon around the instead of baby's breath.
stems (toward the bottom). Add ribbons and pearls to the z Welsh brides used to give their attendants myrtle in
hanging ribbons.
their bouquets, to be planted later; tradition held that if the
z Include in the bouquet thistle and heather. plant grew, the grower would be married.
P Arrange a bouquet according to the flowers
meanings.
P If your wedding is in the evening, carry a candle
instead of flowers. I can't think of anything more romantic.
Herb Meanings
Allspice ~ Compassion; Dill ~ Lust Or Optimism; ; Fennel Parsley ~ Cleanliness Of Mind And Body; Sage ~
~ Strength; Worthy Of Praise; Rosemary ~ Domestic Virtues; Great Respect.
Remembrance; Mint ~ Great Virtue;
Flower Meanings
Calla Lily ~ Magnificent Beauty; Chamomile ~ Energy In Magnolia ~ Benevolence, High-Souled, Love Of Nature,
Adversity; Carnation ~ Woman's Love; Cherry-Blossom ~ Magnificence; Orange-Blossom ~ Chastity, Bridal
Spiritual Beauty; Clover (Four-Leafed) ~ Be Mine; Clover Festivities; Orchid ~ You Are A Belle, You Flatter Me;
(White) ~ Think Of Me; Daisy ~ Innocence; Dandelion ~ Rose (Red) ~ Unity, Romantic Love; Rose (White) ~ I Am
Coquetry; Fern ~ Fascination, Magic, Sincerity; Fir ~ Worthy Of Your Love, Silence, Innocent Love; Rosebud
Time; Fleurs-de-lis ~ Message; Honeysuckle ~ Bonds Of (Red) ~ Inclined To Love, Pure And Lovely; Rosebud
Love; Hyacinth (White) ~ Modest Loveliness; Hyacinth ~ (White) ~ Too Young To Love; Tulip (Red) ~ Declaration Of
Constancy; Iris ~ Message, My Compliments, Eloquence; Love; Tulip (Variegated) ~ Enchantment, Your Eyes Are
Ivy ~ Fidelity, Friendship, Marriage, Wedded Love; Lily- Beautiful, Tulip (Yellow) ~ Hopeless Love, Violet (Blue) ~
Of-The-Valley ~ Perfect Purity, Return Of Happiness, Faithfulness, Love, Loyalty, Wheat ~ Prosperity
ü Rings
z It is unknown when wedding rings were first worn. z Diamond engagement rings were given by medieval
They were probably made of a strong metal, like iron so Italians, because of their belief that the diamond was
that it wouldn't break easily which would have been a very created from the flames of love.
bad omen. The early Egyptians believed that a circle was z The ancient Romans believed that the vein in the third
the symbol of eternity a sign that life, happiness, and love finger ran directly to the heart, so wearing the ring on that
have no beginning and no end. A wedding ring was finger joined the couples hearts and destiny
placed on the third finger of the left hand because it was
believed that a vein ran directly from that finger to the
heart.
Supplier of medieval and Celtic designs and castings:
J&J Casting
2621 W. Northern
Phoenix, AZ 85051
602-995-4948
http://www.jandjcasting.com/
ü Investigate Accommodations For Out Of Town

Attendants
¢ Find out from the guests if they would like information near the hotel, as well as restaurants. No doubt there will
or help in finding lodging if they are not staying with in be a few last minute items needed!
town relatives. P A wonderful alternative many people don't think about
P If they are not familiar with the city, try to find a map is Bed and Breakfasts. They can be amazingly
and information on lodging near their preference, the reasonable in price, and what a treat!
wedding site or your home. Also check for local
shopping, drugstore, supermarket, and laundry/cleaners
ü Plan A Guest List With Names And Addresses

Sounds so easy, doesn't it? It can be one of the most list as complete as you can before asking around. Leave
stressful items on your checklist. Begin with a specific approx. 10 percent open for the family to remind you
number limit. Then begin with the actual wedding party, about Aunt Harriet or Uncle Robert.
parents, and siblings/families. Make sure to decide
whether or not you want small children attending. Most When things get out of hand, go for a walk and think
people are not offended if you state it early enough for about what this time is really about. Then attack the list
them to find arrangements. Many people are glad to have again.
a romantic night out without the children! Try to make the
ü Wedding Party
z Many of today's wedding customs have evolved from make sure the bride got to the church and to the groom's
the days of ancient Rome, when evil spirits were believed house afterwards. The bride also had women to help her,
to threaten the bride and groom. Bridesmaids dressed the "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".
similarly to the bride, and ushers' attire resembled the P The titles "Maid of Honor" and "Best Man" are fast
groom's. This was an attempt to confuse the spirits. If being replaced by "Honor Attendant" as couples throw
they could not tell the bride and groom apart from the convention to the wind in order to choose their dearest
attendants, they would not be able to carry out their loved ones. Among the latest to enter the ranks of honor
plans. attendant for the bride are an elderly grandmother and a
z From the Anglo Saxon days: When the groom was brother; a groom's honor attendant could be his father or
about to capture his bride, he needed the help of his his sister.
friends, the "bridesmen" or "brideknights". They would
Movie References
First Knight ~ Excalibur ~ Camelot ~ Monty Python and and Henry II, ruler of England 1154-1189) ~ Braveheart
the Holy Grail (932 AD) ~ El Cid (late-1000s Spain) ~ (late 1200's Scotland) ~ Hamlet (set 1300/1400? 2
Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) ~ Robin Hood (Michael versions 1) w/Mel Gibson, 2) w/Laurence Olivier) ~
Praed/Jason Connery) ~ Robin Hood (Disney) ~ Robin Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Hamlet comedy)
Hood Prince of Thieves ~ Robin and Marion ~ Robin Hood- ~ The Warlord ~ The Princess Bride ~ Much Ado about
Men in Tights ~ Ladyhawke (based on 12th C French Nothing ~ The Taming of the Shrew ~ Lady Jane (Grey,
legend) ~ The Lion in Winter (about Eleanor of Aquitane grandniece of Henry V)
ü Clothing!!!
If you want everyone in period costume, think about what
styles everyone will find comfortable. Renaissance
peasants and Medieval clothing will probably be easiest to
wear for those not accustomed to heavy, confining or
unusual clothing. These are also the easiest styles to
create.
z Look at some historical costume books and pick out
a time frame that suits you. Here are some basic
categories to help you decide:
Royalty (the most formal clothes from the era)
Merchant class (good, modestly prosperous)
Peasant (casual, outdoorsy, little decoration)
Medieval (women gowns; men in Tights and tunics)
Renaissance (women in tight bodices and full skirts; men
in tights, breeches, pirate shirts, laced vests)
z Clothes in Medieval society told people who they were, what rank and
how powerful and rich they were. Edward III instigated "Sumptuary Law",
which dictated what people could and could not wear; for example;
• Pearl embroidery and ermine restricted to Royalty and Nobility.

• Gold cloth, jewels and linings of miniver fur could only be worn by Knights and
those of higher rank.
• Cloth of silver, silver girdles (belts) and fine quality wool might be worn only by
squires and those of higher rank.
• Commoners were only allowed to wear coarser wools and cloth. Silk and
jewels being forbidden, even if they could afford them.
z Pointed shoes came into fashion during Edward’s reign, and were also
restricted.
The nobility were allowed 24" of pointed shoe beyond the natural foot,
gentlemen 12" and commoners 6 1/2"
z Special devices were designed to attach to the knee, with a clip to hold
the toe of the shoe up so the person could walk without becoming tangled in
their shoe.
z Many people could not afford clothes and hand-me-downs were quite normal.
These were patched and repaired until they were completely threadbare and worn, then
they were finally passed to beggars, who wore them until they disintegrated.
Wedding Dress
z The white wedding dress was made popular by Anne
of Brittany in 1499. Before that, a woman just wore her
best dress.
z Brides were sometimes stripped at the altar by the
men getting favors (good luck tokens). Brides often had
sleeves and bodices totally beribboned to avoid being
stripped.
P Choose colors that would have been found in nature.
Pure white was definitely not period, since white was only
worn by royalty. The fabric had to undergo several
expensive processes to make it white.
P Use natural fibers, such as linen. Brocades are
wonderful, and can be found woven with metallic threads.
They can be expensive, around $25 per yard, but well
worth the look.
P Some styles can be found in the movie references in
this book. Keep these time periods in mind; high waisted
"princess" style, late 14th century; simple tunic dress with
draping sleeves, 12th century; Houppelande with fitted
underdress, early 14th century.
Veil/Headpiece
z Maidens normally wore their hair loose, which P For a removable headpiece, use a piece of flexible
symbolized virginity (married women wore their hair up wire (light coat hanger or heavy floral wire) and wrap it
and mostly covered). Another idea would be to get hair from end to end with white or green floral tape. Form it
braided similar to the styles at renaissance faires, and into a circle that fits comfortably on your head. Secure
add flowers and jewels. Fresh or silk ivy, silk or dried the two ends together with floral tape. Add the dried or
flowers, rose buds, etc., Are all wonderful in loose hair or silk pieces, or on the morning of your wedding gently
woven into braids. secure fresh flowers or ivy strands to the circle in several
z Anne of Cleves (early 1500's) supposedly wore a places with floral tape. Leave it in the refrigerator, maybe
wreath of rosemary at her wedding. on top of a wet cloth in a Tupperware container. You
could add colored ribbons, pearls, cords, tulle or silk
z Veils were not worn until the last hundred years or so.
flowers to the headband as to your taste.
Try some variations of fresh flower or other type of
headpiece.
Women
Chemise: Long sleeve floor length underdress.
Gown: Long dress usually worn over fitted chemise.
Skirt: Women - Long skirt, fairly full.
Bodices: Vest laced up accentuating bosom.
Simple gown; Gown with underdress; Houppelande with underdress
Men
Shirt: Long sleeved full poet type shirt.
Vest: Leather if possible, or heavy cloth, laced.
Breeches: Long pants, somewhat flared at the bottom for
fullness when tucked into boots. Drawstring waist.
Leather gauntlets at the cuffs of the shirt.
Short tunic, leggings; Long tunic, hood, leggings
Accessories For All

$ Both men and women can use a good, sturdy leather A pouch to hang off your belt can be made of leather or
belt. Look for them in thrift shops, or look for simple belt fabric.
buckles and make your own. Carry a cup made of wood, pewter or silver tied to the belt
Knee high moccasins or boots for either sex, or "Mary with a cord of leather by the handle or stem.
Janes" for women work well, or flat pump style shoes in a The T-tunic was worn by both men and women.
natural color. A nice full flowing cloak.
A Basic Guide To Footwear In The Viking Age
By Jeff Clarke (Hafgrim Gunnarson)
A Viking or medieval shoe is typically made from two pieces of

leather, a sole and an upper, with sometimes an insert of leather).
A design feature of these shoes is that the sole has a triangular

extension at the heel, which fits into a triangular recess in the
upper. This triangular heel set-up is a hallmark of dark age and
early medieval footwear up until the year 1150 when round heels
came into fashion (see figure right). Note also the shape of the
sole, there is hardly any waist at all, the sides are nearly straight,
this is in complete contrast to the waisted medieval sole
underneath, note also the rounded heel on the medieval sole.
Next, make a hole through both pieces of leather (upper and sole)
with an awl then feed a needle with thread attached from each side
and pull as tight as you can. Sew completely around.
When the shoe is sewn around the bottom it must be turned right side out. The seam is the weak spot of the Viking
shoes, it is the seam that always breaks. Cut small openings at the markings, and lace up with leather cord.
Where To Find Costumes

$ Ask everyone you know if they have anything in their $ Look in thrift stores for things with a Medieval or
closets. Looking at clothes with alterations in mind, you Renaissance flair. Women look for: long velvet gowns
can be surprised what you already have. with fitted bodices, long sleeves, and full skirts; velvet or
P Place a small ad in the local costumer's guild, tapestry vests (especially those that lace up the
Renaissance guild, and SCA newsletters to borrow, rent, front),peasant blouses, ruffled blouses, long skirts. Men
or have outfits made. look for full pirate-style shirts, velvet tunics, velvet or
tapestry or leather vests, baggy trousers, boots. For
P Check out local costume rental. simple peasant outfits, look for gauzy peasant blouses,
P Check with local theatrical companies and college pirate shirts, long cotton skirts, and leather boots and
theater departments to see if want to sell their costumes. belts.
How To Make Costumes

The pattern for a simple tunic is this:
Measure from the neckline to the knee.
Double that length.
Get that many inches of 60 inch wide fabric.
The fabric is already folded length wise. Fold it in half
again and lay it out on the floor.
Find a comfortable large t-shirt and fold it in half, sleeves
together.
Place the shirt so the fold of the t-shirt is along the side
fold edge of the fabric, and the neck opening is at the top
fold.
Cut an opening for the neck, not too big.
Cut out the sleeve/body part.
Sew sides together wrong side out, hem length, neck,
and sleeves. Add trims.
Commercial Patterns
Chemise: McCalls #7134, view A. No changes need to be appearance. Instead of button holes use grommets and
made except length. lace it closed.
Skirt: McCalls #6840. It is not historically accurate, but Men's shirt: Simplicity #9035. (women's pattern), but the
has a great medieval look to it. look of the neckline is perfect in either view A or B. The
Bodices: Almost any vest pattern will work. Here are the only changes that need to be done to this pattern is to
changes that you should make. Square the neckline, it lengthen the sleeves to the wrist and add a cuff.
should not be a v - neck as shown on the pattern. Run Men's pants: Simplicity 9605. Eliminate the pockets.
boning down the two front seams to add strength and to (Men's pants: you can use a pair of sweat pants as a
keep the garment straight. Line your bodice to add extra pattern if you are familiar with the way pants are sewn
strength to the garment and to give it a finished together.)
ü Getting Guests To Dress The Part

P Print on the invitation or reception card ¢ Also try to get a caterer, photographer and minister
"Medieval/Renaissance Attire Optional". who will dress in period clothing, and be prepared to get
P Write a newsletter describing accommodations, the clothing for them.
sights to see, etc. Add a section called "Theme of the $ For those guests who cannot come up with a suitable
Wedding", describing some of the history, costume tips, costume, make 'slip on' costumes -- tunics over pants for
whether there will be costumes available, or masks if it is men, gowns for women.
a masked ball.
P Give guests a list of the movie references in the back
to help them with costume ideas.
Armor pieces Pre made renaissance clothing

Tournament Productions Chivalry Sports Renaissance Store
5421 Lake Murray Blvd #11 7718 E. Wrightstown Road
La Mesa, Ca 91941 Tucson, AZ 85715
joerc@cts.com Our phone is--1(800) 730-5464
http://www.tournamentproductions.org/ chivalry@renstore.com
Http://www.renstore.com
Noble Style designs Black Wolf Blades and Accessories

Ana's Accouterments 11940 Hidden Valley Rim Rd
P.O. Box 1625 Boise, ID 83709
Slidell, LA 70459-1625
504-641-7501 (9 am - 9 pm Central Time)
ana@slidell.com
3 to 6 Months Before
Order Invitations, Programs And Thank You Notes
Invitation Mailing
Reception Planning
Food
Cake
Honeymoon
Ceremony Decoration
Plan Rehearsal Dinner
Order Wedding Band Engravings
Keep A Record Of All Gifts Received
Check That All Bridal Attire Has Been Ordered
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is with true love as it is wi th ghosts;

everyone talks about it, but few have seen it.
-La Rochefoucauld
ü Order Invitations, Programs And Thank You

Notes
Printing/Calligraphy/Embellishments
P For a small wedding, have a professional write P Decorative motifs that would work with the theme
each invitation in calligraphy (may be expensive). include simple flowers, fancy scrolls, heraldic
6 Laserprint the invitations on a heavy parchment and symbols, and metallic embossing. Touches of rich,
using a type style that imitates calligraphy. jewel-tone colors are very period, especially combined
Print in colored ink for more versatility. with gold or silver -- think of Medieval illuminated texts.
z Include ancient symbols in the invitation graphics. P Add embellished color or gold/silver highlights if
$ Accent invitations with watercolors for an artistic and wanted.
inexpensive invitation.
Paper
$ To save on invitations order cardstock paper and P Print on ordinary white paper, then glue on a
use a laser printer to print the invitations. Nice slightly larger sheet of 100% silk rag paper - really
parchment stock is available from a local printer beautiful pearl color, with silk fibers clearly showing.
supplier, or use scroll paper. Use period border from clipart.
Presentation
P Fold or roll and tie with ribbon, or seal with wax. P Resemble an authentic wedding announcement of a
$ You can make a wax seal out of a metal button Princess and Prince. By adding a few letters to the
glued to a small plastic stick. end of the town's name, you can make it more
medieval sounding. For example; Salem could be
Salemtown or Salemshire.
Programs
¢ Include schedule, and/or a list of the names of P Special rituals, such as the handfasting, may not
wedding-party members (including the officiator), with be familiar to all attending. Feel free to add items from
an explanation of their connection to you and your this guide in your personal programs.
fiancé. Include the meanings of the colors and flowers.
P An order of service, the words to a special prayer or P If the ceremony is to be celebrated in a language
hymn may be printed in set type or calligraphy. not spoken by all the guests, add the translation in the
program.
Thank You Notes

6 Have your Thank you notes pre packaged, ready to P It is a special touch for both bride and groom to
address. As gifts arrive, write the address from the sign the note.
return address directly onto the thank you note $ Remember to budget the cost of stamps into the
envelope. Jot a note inside to thank the person for the thank you notes as well as the invitations.
particular gift, and it is ready to stamp and mail out
after your honeymoon.
Announcement Text Examples

Lady Rachael Gwynne Crowley HEARYEHEARYE
And Let it be known that on the 30th day of April
Lord Giles Chadwick Richardson In the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-
Request the honour of thy presence four
At their marriage The house of Crowley pledged its firstborn daughter
On Saturday, the thirtieth of April in Rachael
The year of our Lord Nineteen hundred and ninety four To the house of Richardson in marriage to the
The ceremony will begin at dark o'clock firstborn son
At Giles
Encanto Park At
Phoenix, Arizona Encanto Park
Feasting and merriment will follow the ceremony Phoenix, Arizona
Medieval/Renaissance-style garb encouraged Giles and Rachael Richardson now reside at
1234 WestEast Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! On the eve of April the thirtieth,

The honour of thy presence In the year of our lord
Is hereby requested Nineteen hundred and n inety-four
At the marriage of At half past the seventh hour,
Rachael Gwynne Crowley The heads of Houses Crowley and Richardson
And Invite you to bear witness to the joining of
Giles Chadwick Richardson Rachael
On 30 April, 1994 To
In a medieval wedding ceremony Giles
At half-past the seventh hour In the bonds of matrimony
In the eventide And to share in the celebration
Of the joining of these two houses
At Encanto Park
Phoenix, Arizona
ü Invitation Mailing
P For extra special delivery to local guests, have your P Rolled scrolls can be mailed in tubes from the post
invitations delivered by a friend dressed as a herald! office or mailing store.
A Few Words on Sealing Wax…

Stamps and sealing wax are available at most this, use the spoon method. Crumble pieces of wax
stationery stores. BUT… The post office really doesn't into an old spoon. Warm the underside of the spoon
like it - it gums up their machines. However, there is over a candle. When the wax is melted, carefully pour
no actual prohibition against using it. Even if you seal it onto the envelope. Stamp with the seal.
the inner envelope, the recipient will likely get an After creating the circle of hot melted wax on the
envelope full of little crumbled pieces of wax. You can envelope, breathe on the seal (which leaves it a bit
ask your local Post Office if they can hand stamp the damp from the moisture of your breath) so it will not
mail. They may have a limit or extra charge for this. stick to the hot wax.
Sealing wax is quite simple: melt the wax onto the It is advisable to lightly coat your stamp every 5 uses
area to stamp, and press the metal stamp into it. As to keep the wax from sticking and to make it easier to
with everything though, there are a few tips to make it remove the stamp without damaging the image.
easier.
Melting the wax from another candle or lighting the
wax stick itself will produce blackened wax. To avoid
Any light vegetable oil will work, but cooking spray is If you still want to use wax seals, you might want to
the easiest and least messy. have the envelopes hand-canceled or use a cardboard
Wrap the envelope in a nice gold or silver ribbon; poor envelope. Another possibility is to forgo the wax and
wax over a spot on the ribbon and then press the seal just use one of those red or gold initial seals from
into the wax, sealing both ribbon and paper. stationery shops.
ü Reception Planning
P Look for buildings in stone, half-timbered wood, P If you have the space, a big white tent is nice &
brick, or very rural. Find out about historic homes in could be decked out with banners & garlands. These
your area, especially those with a Tudor or English are available at most tent rentals companies, and they
cottage or castle look. are not too expensive, considering they deliver, set it
z Outdoors settings are perfect for a Medieval up, and take it down. The pavilions provide shade for
wedding. the wedding itself, the cooks, and for the guests to
dine under.
Hall
P An abundance of color! A few well placed colorful $ Borrow a hand-made suit of armor from a member of
banners can be all that transforms the area. the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronisms). These
$ Banners can be put together with fusible interfacing people are very proud of their hand-crafted work, and
or glue (although sewing looks nicer). All you need is most won't mind showing it off by sharing it with you.
cheap, colorful fabrics, and maybe a few tassel or z Have a couple of the ushers/groomsmen carry a
fringe trims. banner on a post during the processional. Present
P Cloth 'shields' with coats of arms painted on can be them to the fathers as a sign that you're giving them
hung above seats. back their names/households in order to begin one of
P Decorate with tapestries hanging on the walls, your own.
black iron candle holders and medieval-style flags. $ Ring the site with a rope with colorful strips of cloth
P Use tulle/netting or another inexpensive white fabric tied-on every foot or so.
to decorate with "swags"; add large bows or small P Grapevine arches festooned with ribbons add a
sprays of flowers at each gathering where the swag is wonderful wooded feeling to an indoor reception.
being held.
Entertainment
P Create your own personalized guest book from a
quality photo album (the kind with real paper pages).
Have your maid of honor collect a few signatures and
best wishes per page.. Later, add snapshots taken by
guests at the wedding as well as other keepsakes.
P Entertain your guests with a treasure hunt or car
rally, a great way to occupy them during a long break
in the day.
P For an outdoor reception, set up areas for croquet
If there is a considerable time-lag between ceremony and badminton, complete with equipment and cool
and reception, don't forget your guests. drinks.
z Entertainment has been in vogue for wedding
receptions since medieval times.
P Place paper and pens on each table for guests to
use when inspiration strikes.
P Keep young guests occupied and made to feel
special by making up goody-bags with candies,
puzzles, and tiny books.
P Between courses at the meal, invite guests (or hire P Create a dragon out of cloth to cover something in
people ahead of time) to entertain with stories, the area. Ask guests to name the dragon. Select the
juggling, poetry, etc. winning name by popular vote. As a prize offer two
z Include a Maypole dance in the festivities. Use tickets to the Renaissance Festival!
different colored ribbons to represent each family name z There is a Scottish tradition called a 'Scrammy'
and have them woven together to represent the where the groom throws handfuls of small coins to the
bonding of both families. children of the local area as they leave for their
honeymoon.
Tables
z Ribbons have held a much-loved place in wedding if you can. Place small folded cards in front of each
traditions since medieval times, when they were worn portrait, calligrapher with the names of each couple
as declarations of celebration and given to guests as and their wedding date.
mementos. Find a stationer, specialty printer or party P Mount banners on poles or on trumpets carried by
supplier that offers ribbon printing services. Lengths of 'heralds', they could lead you to wherever you are
personalized ribbon, printed with your names and headed, such as the altar, the banquet table, or your
wedding date, can be used in the bridesmaids' awaiting carriage.
bouquets and reception decorations, and tied around P Place the table for the wedding party in front of a
the stems of wineglasses. wall and hang your family crest/banners behind the
P For a regal touch at each place setting for your chairs where you will each sit.
dinner reception, make napkin-rings from lengths of P Metal goblets, drinking horns, bits of armor,
ribbon, looped and then sealed with a daub of wax shields, banners, large candles along with flowers and
impressed with your initials. Stamps and sealing wax ivy, make good table decorations.
are available at most stationery stores. z Set two tables across one end for the 'head table'
$ Make inexpensive, original place cards out of home- and two rows leading away from the head table like the
made cookies, each iced with a guest's name. arrangement in an old English manor house (U
P Make the gift table look special by setting a display shaped). That leaves a 'playing' area in-between the
of family wedding portraits at one end. Include rows of tables for the entertainment.
portraits of both sets of your parents and grandparents,
Pre made renaissance clothing

Chivalry Sports Renaissance Store
7718 E. Wrightstown Road
Tucson, AZ 85715
Our phone is--1(800) 730-5464
chivalry@renstore.com
Http://www.renstore.com
Words From The Guests…

P We purchased 16 pieces of poster board, and a few baskets with crayons and markers. I still have
stapled them to the wall of the reception area. My the posters!
brother is a pretty good artist, and drew a message P Place a colorful square of cloth at each reception
and some ivy across the top of the poster board. His table place-setting and a few fabric pens on each
message read: 'The wedding is over, the bride's all table. Ask guests to sign the squares, then use them
aglow; leave a message right here; to let them feel how to create a one-of-a-kind wedding wish quilt.
you know (know how you feel didn't rhyme.)' We had
ü Food
z Exchanges of food between the families of the bride

and groom has been a hallowed tradition in countries
around the world since ancient times. Symbolize the
union of your families by offering guests home-made
goodies prepared by both families. An afternoon family
jam- or relish-making session, for instance, may
garner good times as well as delicious gifts.
z In the 15th century, fowl was popular at feasts--and
the goal was to try to get the bird to look as life-like as
possible. The cooks would put all the feathers *back
on* the bird, along with its head and such. The ability
to make the bird ultimately look alive was considered
culinary genius.
Meat Soups
Roasted chicken; beef; brisket; roasted Cornish hen; Barley broth; oat and leek soup; onion and almond
venison; sausages; peppered pork chops; rabbit; creme soup.
Mutton (lamb); quail; boar; fish.
Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding; Cornish pasties Desserts
(little meat and/or veggie pies); Chicken breasts in a
Bread pudding; baked apples and fruit tarts.
sauce with raisins or currants, and lemon white, which
Glazed fruit; apples; strawberries with bowls of
is rice cooked with lemon rind and raisins.
powdered sugar and chocolate sauce for dipping.
Pastries with pine nuts and sugar; cakes made with
Vegetables almonds and sugar; various preserves, made with
Yams/sweet potatoes; green beans; baked acorn sugar and honey; an abundance of candied spice.
squash; parsnips; baked onions.
Period salad ingredients include: chives, scallions, Drinks
radish roots, boiled carrots, turnips; young lettuce,
Beer; cider; wines; water; ale; mead; milk.
cabbage, asparagus, purslane and herbs with vinegar,
oil and sugar; and cucumber served with vinegar, oil,
and pepper. Spices
Cinnamon; cloves; mace; saffron; pepper; ginger;
Breads anise; nutmeg; parsley; basil; rosemary; thyme.
Sugar was very expensive, used for nobles.
Crusty bread and cheese; homemade bread with
honey butter.
Recipes
These recipes were found in Cariadoc's Miscellany. Each recipe was translated from the original old English text. To
find the original versions of the texts, visit their web site at www.pbm.com/~lindahl/cariadoc/miscellany.html. I have
included two of the original recipes here, along with several translated recipes.
Meat Dishes
(TRANSLATION)
Pigge in Sage 1-1/2 lb. pork roast

salt
"Take a pigge; Draw him, smyte of his hede, kutte him pepper
in iiii quarters, boyle him til he be ynow; take him 2 T. dried sage or 12 fresh leaves, chopped
uppe, and lete cole; smite him in peces; take an 2 t. parsley, finely chopped (omit if fresh sage used)
hondefull or ii of Sauge; wash hit, grynde it in a morter 4 hard-boiled eggs, separated yolk and white
with hard yolkes of egges; then drawe hit uppe with 1/4 c. cider vinegar
goode vinegre, but make hit not to thyn; then seson 1/4 t. salt
hit with powder of Peper, ginger and salt; then cowche 1/8 t. pepper
thi pigge in dishes, and caste the sirippe theruppon, 1/8 t. ginger
and serve it forthe."
Coat pork with salt and pepper. Roast at 325 (or boil in
water) until done. Cool and slice.
Process yolks with sage, parsley and vinegar until
smooth. Chop whites as fine as possible, add with
seasonings to vinegar mixture. Add more vinegar if
sauce seems too thick. Arrange sliced pork on platter,
serve with sauce.
(If you like sage, this is a wonderful dish. If you don't
like sage, it's a very good dish. The sauce would also
be good as deviled eggs, if you left the whites whole
and added a little cayenne pepper.)
Beef y - Stewed
About 1 Lb+ Beef broth from the meat. At the end of 45 minutes mush up
3 Medium Onions the bread and add that, the saffron and salt, bring to a
W1/4 c. Chopped Parsley boil and serve.
1 Bouillon Cube
1/2 t. Cinnamon; 1/4 t. Cloves; 1 t. Sage; 1/4 t. Mace
1/8 t. Whole Grains Of Paradise (Grind)
4 Slices Bread
Pinch Of Saffron
1 t. Salt
Vinegar
Add fresh water to cover and bouillon, bring to a boil,

add parsley, onion, and spices. Simmer about 45
minutes. Meanwhile, put bread to soak in water and
Cormarye
1 t. Ground Coriander marinade and let it marinate over night, turning it once
1 t. Caraway (measured whole then ground) or twice. Heat oven to 450 deg. , put in pork, turn down
1/2 t. Pepper to 350 deg. , roast until it is done (170 deg. on a meat
3 Cloves Garlic (.15 oz) thermometer), basting with the marinade every ten or
1 1/2 c. Red Wine fifteen minutes. It should take about an hour and a half
1/2 t. Salt to two hours, depending on the size and shape of the
1 1/2 lb. Pork Roast roast; for larger roasts the rule is about half an
1/2 c. Chicken Broth hour/pound (if you use more than a three pound roast,
you probably want to scale up the amount of
Grind caraway in a mortar, then grind garlic with it (or marinade). Collect the drippings from the broth,
use a spice grinder and a garlic press). Combine with combine with half their volume of chicken broth,
coriander, pepper, wine and salt to make a marinade. simmer for at least 15 minutes and serve over the pork.
Stick pork with a knife several times. Put pork in
Vegetables
Mustard Greens
1 1/4 lb. Mustard Greens (including smaller stems) Wash mustard greens. Boil stems two minutes, then
1 t. Salt add leaves, boil 6 more minutes and drain. Fry bacon
3 T. Oil (6 minutes in microwave). Heat oil, add greens and
4 Slices Bacon stir, then add salt and cook five minutes. Crumble
4 t. Vinegar bacon and put over greens with vinegar. Stir it all up
and cook another 3 minutes.
Caboges
"Take fayre caboges, an cutte hem, an pike hem clene (TRANSLATION)
and clene washe hem, an parboyle hem in fayre water, 1 Medium Head Cabbage
an thanne presse hem on a fayre bord; an than choppe 4 c. Beef Broth
hem, and caste hem in a fayre pot with goode fresshe 4 lb. Marrow Bones
broth, an wyth mery-bonys, and let it boyle: thanne Pinch of Saffron
grate fayre brede and caste ther-to, an caste ther-to 1 T. Salt
Safron an salt; or ellys take gode grwel y-mad of freys Breadcrumbs
flesshe, y-draw thorw a straynour, and caste ther-to.
An whan thou seruyst yt inne, knocke owt the marw of Wash cabbage. Cut it in fourths. Parboil it (i.e. dump
the bonys, an ley the marwe ij gobettys or iij in a into boiling water, leave there a few minutes). Drain.
dysshe, as the semyth best, and serue forth." Chop. Squeeze out water. Put it in a pot with beef
broth and marrow bones. Simmer until soft, stirring
often enough to keep it from sticking (about 20
minutes). Add saffron, salt, enough bread crumbs to
make it very thick. Simmer ten minutes more. Serve.
Armored Turnips
1 lb. Turnips (5 little)
10 oz Cheddar Cheese Boil turnips about 30 minutes, peel and slice thin,
2 T. Butter layer turnips and sliced cheese in 9"x5" baking pan,
1/2 t. Cinnamon; 1/4 t. Ginger; 1/4 t. Pepper and bake 30 minutes at 350 deg.
Savoury Toasted or Melted Cheese

1/2 lb. Butter whisk to blend the two together and keep the sauce
1/2 lb. Cream Cheese from separating (which it is very much inclined to do).
1/8 lb. Brie or other strongly flavored cheese When you have a uniform, creamy sauce you are
1/4 t. White Pepper done. You may serve it over asparagus or other
vegetables, or over toast; if you want to brown the top,
Melt the butter. Cut up the cheese and stir it into the put it under the broiling unit in your stove for a minute
butter over low heat. You will probably want to use a or so.
Desserts
Excellent Small Cakes
3 c. Flour 2 t. Sack (sherry)
3/4 c. Sugar
3/4 lb. Currants = about 2 1/2 c Cut butter into the flour as one would for piecrust.
3/8 lb. Butter = 1 1/2 sticks Bake cakes about 20 minutes at 350 deg.
2 1/2 T. Cream Icing: about 1/3 c. powdered sugar and enough water
1 Egg Yolk so you can spread it.
1/4 t. Nutmeg
To Make an Excellent Cake

2 c Flour Icing:
1 & 1/2 Sticks of Butter 1/8 Egg White (about 2 t)
2 c. Currants 1/4 t. Rosewater
1/4 t. Cloves 2 T. Sugar
1/4 t. Mace
1/2 t. Cinnamon Mix flour, spices, and sugar. Melt butter, mix up yeast
1/4 t. Nutmeg mixture, and crush the saffron in the rosewater to
1/2 T. Sugar extract the color. When the butter is melted, stir it into
2 T. Sack (or sherry) the flour mixture, then add sack, yeast mixture, and
1/4 c. Ale yeast settled out of homemade mead or rosewater-saffron mixture. Stir this until smooth, then
beer (or 1 t dried yeast dissolved in 3T water) stir in currants. Bake at 350 deg. in a greased 10"
1 T. Rosewater round pan or a 7"x11" rectangular pan for 40 minutes.
8 Threads Saffron Remove from pan and spread with a thin layer of icing;
cut into bar cookies.
Cheese and Flour Cake

2 c. Flour (1/3 whole wheat) knead in. Knead milk and yeast into the dough for
1/2-3/4 c. Water about 5-10 minutes, until fairly uniform. Leave 45
3 T. Oil minutes to rise in a warm place. Divide dough in about
1-1/2 t. Yeast 8 equal portions, flour and pat, stretch, or roll out to
3 T. Milk size of pan (about 4"x7"); if you roll it out you can use
12 oz. Cheese 12 equal portions. Layer with sliced cheese. Bake 45
6 T. Honey minutes at 350 deg. Drizzle the honey over it. Serve
1 T. Sugar with mixed sugar and pepper for the guests to sprinkle
1/4 t. Pepper over to taste. This should probably be done with
sourdough instead of yeast, but we have not tried it
Knead flour and water to a very dry dough, mix warm that way yet.
milk and yeast, let sit five minutes, add oil to dough,
Flathonys
1/2 c. Milk Bake a pie shell. Beat together milk, egg yolks, ale,
4 Egg Yolks sugar. Melt butter, add salt, beat into the liquid, trying
1/3 c. Ale to keep the butter from separating out (the hard part).
1/4 c. Sugar Pour into the pie shell, bake at 350 deg. about 20-30
4 T. Butter minutes. Sprinkle on sugar (about 1 T) after the
1 t. Salt flathony is reasonably solid.
Tips
An easy trick to enhance a punch bowl is to float ice
cubes with a rosebud or other edible flower frozen in
the center of each.
If you can find or rent them, get brass, silver, pewter,
or wooden servingware. Pewter goblets are a great
touch -- get a pair for yourselves so you can toast
each other in style!
Time may not permit you to eat at your reception, so
have your caterer pack a basket of goodies from your
reception for you to enjoy when time permits.
ü Ca ke
z The wedding cake we know today was not around
in medieval times. Instead, medieval guests brought Bridecakes
tiny desserts, cookies, or 'bridecakes' and piled them
1/2 cup butter
together -- the forerunner of the wedding cake.
1/4 cup honey
z The tradition of the 'wedding cake feeding' came 2 cups oat flour or wheat flour
from the bride and groom eating off a common plate 1/4 teaspoon salt
and feeding each other, possibly symbolizing the 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
joining of the two as one through marriage. 1 cup rolled oats
z The wedding cake was intended as a symbol of 1/2 cup currants 1/4 cup buttermilk
fertility. To ensure a life of plenty, the Romans broke a
thin layer of cake over the bride's head at the end of Cream butter and honey together. Mix dry ingredients
the ceremony. Crumbs were then gathered by guests together and add the currants, stirring to coat them
as good luck tokens. with Flour. Stir dry ingredients into butter-honey
P A modern style wedding cake won't be too out of
mixture and add butter milk to make a dough. Roll into
balls and Flatten on greased cookie sheet. With a
place. Decorate it with greenery and flowers, heraldic
knife mark each with a Bride’s Cross (+). Bake in a
symbols painted with colored icing or decorate like a
preheated 350 Degree oven for 15 minutes.
castle.
Recipe from Wiccacraft for Families by Margie
P Have a smaller cake especially for the bride and McArthur.
groom, decorated with symbols for their health and
happiness.
*NEW* - Pewter Wedding Cake Toppers by Fellowship Foundry
The styles include: Romeo and Juliet matching cake topper and goblets; 2
dragons, rearing up at each other to form a heart- cake topper and goblets; and
variations on roses. Serving items and small toasting glasses available also!
You can visit their website at http://www.fellowshipfoundry.com/
Contact Chivalry Sports for availability and pricing. (pg. 26)
ü Honeymoon
z It was believed that if the newly married couple Keep in mind that many people vacation at certain
were to drink mead each evening for the duration of times of the year. Find a place that suits how you
one moon following the wedding, they were assured a feel. Do you want to spend it on a beach?
male heir within one year. And, if that did occur, lavish Mountains? Maybe backpacking through Europe.
gifts and accolades were bestowed upon the Check early with a travel agent to get all the plans
meadmaker (artisans that were highly revered at the settled far in advance so you can have a smooth
time). In other words, the couple drank mead (honey transition from wedding to honeymoon.
wine) for one month (moon) ... Thus the word
honeymoon. The mead was drunk from a cup passed Supplier: Symphony Travel
down throughout the generations. P.O. Box 37696
Phoenix, AZ 85069-7696
623-935-7750
¢ Pay for Airline Tickets and deposits wandalee@qwest.net
www.azsymphonytravel.com
ü Ceremony Decoration
z Ribbons have held a much-loved place in wedding P Ring the site [in a park] with rope with colorful
traditions since medieval times, when they were worn strips of cloth tied-on every foot or so.
as declarations of celebration and given to guests as P Hang homemade banners from the walls or from
mementos. Decorate trees, benches, ropes and poles. At the top of the banner leave a sleeve opening.
flowers/bushes with small ribbons approx. 8" long in Slide a dowel through it. Pound a nail into either end
bright colors. of the dowel, and add rope. In a second large dowel
z Vine arches are a symbol of growth, fertility, and add a cup hook toward the top, and hang the banner
renewal. Also, when you pass through an arch it is an from it. This pole can be hammered into the ground for
entrance to a new world. outdoor weddings.
P Arches are rentable at most wedding/floral shops.
You may be able to rent the vine spray.
ü Plan Rehearsal Dinner

We did not do this, and we should have. No matter advance lets everyone know to keep their calendar
how small or informal, getting together the night before clear the night before the wedding.
and getting everything scheduled is a good idea. Meet
at a quiet coffee shop if you don't want something **Note- do not offer alcohol if you can avoid it… you
formal, or have it at one of your homes. Make sure don't want it to turn into a party. Schedule the dinner
everyone understands their proper times, places, and early and suggest everyone go home early and get
responsibilities. Planning the rehearsal dinner far in some sleep!
ü Order Wedding Band Engravings

z This is a wonderfully medieval tradition, and even P Meet with your jeweler early, and confirm what
dates back to ancient times when girls would have should be engraved. Verify it more than once (by both
clay beads with the date and initials carved in it to parties) for date and spelling accuracy. If you approve
wear as a charm necklace. the engraving and it is wrong, you will end up having to
pay for new rings (or live with the mistake!)
ü Keep A Record Of All Gifts Received

Mom always said "Write your thank you notes in a of gifts with all the information - 'from' and date at least-
timely fashion", but even a few days can go by during - in your card file or notebook. Write your thank you
this stressful time and you may not remember who notes after you return from your Honeymoon.
sent you that lovely platter or bedding. Keep a record
ü Check That All Bridal Attire Has Been Ordered

Double check everything; make a sketch of what you might spot what may be missing. It can be
were looking for in the entire costume. Consult with a heartbreaking to remember that wonderful item the
local seamstress, SCA member, or someone who night before the wedding.
NOTES (and Additional Recipes!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but
in looking outward together in the same direction.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
2 Months Before
Getting The Men Involved Too
Order Favors For Reception
Shop For Wedding Accessories
Confirm Flowers, Ceremony And Reception Reservations
First Gown Fitting
Start Addressing The Invitations
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All's fair in love and war.

-Francis Edward Smedley
ü Getting The Men Involved Too

Make sure to have the men involved in every step here. Make sure all the accessories are thought about at
Take measurements, fit them properly, and ask them this time too.
what kind of look they want. Sometimes the schedule
gets so hectic the men feel overwhelmed, and then left If the men are ordering any type of armor or blades, the
out (yes, personal experience speaking here.) orders must be well in advance.
ü Order Favors for Reception
Garter
z The garter toss is one of the oldest surviving

wedding traditions. It was customary for friends,
relatives, guests to accompany the bridal couple to the
marriage bed. Guests would sit at the end of the bed
with their backs to the bride and groom. Men would
throw the bride's stocking over their shoulder and try to
hit her nose, while women would do the same for the
groom. As time went on, this became rowdier and
rowdier to the point that some guests were all too
eager to help the bride out of her wedding clothes. To
forestall such impropriety, the garters were quickly
removed and thrown to the mob as a distraction.
Smart brides began having men compete for the garter
usually a foot or horse race. Also, many would give
out small colored ribbons called "favors" to guests as
an attempt to avoid being turned upside down by men
eager for their garter. It has evolved into the tradition
we now know.
Brides were sometimes stripped at the altar by the
men getting favors. There are paintings depicting
brides with sleeves and bodice were totally be-ribboned
to avoid being stripped.
Other favors
z In the world of chivalry, a favor was often a lady's P A basket of home made candles, or beeswax
scarf or handkerchief, which she gave to her lover candles can be placed in a basket by the table with
before he went into a battle or joust. the guest book. Guests can take a candle as they
z At Renaissance faires, favors are small pendants, enter or leave the reception. The candles are easy to
ribbons, rosettes, tassels, or other wearable trinkets make and not expensive. Beeswax is available in all
often given by the nobility. These favors represent the sorts of colors at craft shops. It is sold in sheets that
esteem and affection of the giver for the recipient. you cut to size and roll around the wick to make a
P Some wedding favor ideas: Parchment scrolls candle. Make two small candles sharing the same
printed with a favorite poem and tied with velvet ribbon; wick in wedding colors to symbolize the unity.
miniature wreaths of dried flowers and herbs; velvet P Put all the recipes for the reception food in a
pouches filled with potpourri; small flasks of mead or cookbook. This solves another problem as well;
fruit wine; tickets to a local Renaissance Festival; guests with various dietary restrictions and allergies
gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins; little brass bells; can peruse the cookbook before going through the
bookmarks. buffet and decide which things they can eat.
ü Shop For Wedding Accessories

Remember all the little things; nylons, slippers, ushers… whoever is in the party needs to finalize their
jewelry, hair ties/pins/flowers (and get extra!) lists here.
Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer,
ü Confirm Flowers, Ceremony And Reception Reservations

After you have planned out what you want, getting any said they were ready for me to pick up. On the ticket
fresh flowers to arrive on time is critical to a fresh the clerk read to me, it stated I had prepaid the
bouquet, or arrangement. I found a shop with a great delivery charge and left the information, phone number
company discount. I called a month in advance. I and directions. I strongly suggested the owner drive
confirmed twice. I prepaid by credit card and paid the the 45 minute drive to bring me the flowers that
extra delivery fee. I sat on my wedding day and cried morning. This happened three years ago, and see how
as the flowers were still sitting at the shop a 45 minute vivid the memory is? Confirm everything one more
drive from my house. When I called the shop, they time….
ü First Gown Fitt i n g

Pay close attention to whether or not you can sit Take your maid of honor along to see how to help you
comfortably in the dress, walk well and dance in the get into the dress on your wedding morning.
shoes, and laugh with the veil/headdress on.
ü S tart Addressing The Wedding Invitations

Remember that list you made? Confirm each address someone help, make a party out of it with your
before addressing and stamping. Invitations and bridesmaids or friends, or a romantic evening with your
postage add up pretty fast, and wasting even a couple fiancee.
can start to get frustrating. Make sure to have
1 Month Before
Confirm Rehearsals
Confirm Lodging For Out Of Town Guests
Purchase Final Party Supplies, Wedding Album, Guest Book
Gifts
Have The Final Fitting On Your Wedding Attire
Apply For Marriage License With Fiancee
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life.

That word is love.
-Sophocles
ü Confirm Rehearsals
6 Send out schedules letting your wedding party know
where they are needed and when (rehearsal, pictures,
etc.) a few weeks before the big day.
ü Confirm Lodgi ng For Out - Of - Town Guests

P Make sure everyone has the address, phone people at home who could not attend so they can be
number and "how to get there" from the airport to the reached.
hotel. Send an extra copy for them to leave with the
ü Purchase Fin al Party Supplies, Wedding Album, Guest Book

6 Decide what you want ahead of time, and call around $ Use the yellow pages and call around first, since you
to find out where to find the items. Party supply stores are buying in large quantities call restaurant suppliers
are great, but can be time consuming and expensive if for rental or large purchase discounts.
you just walk in and buy everything you want there.
ü Gifts
P A new take on the Scottish tradition of the groom and the wedding date on it; small flasks of mead or
giving his bride an engraved "wedding spune" is to give fruit wine; a thank you scroll rolled up with a gold ring
the mothers of the bride and groom silver serving around it (and a gift certificate to their favorite store or
spoons engraved with your initials and your wedding restaurant).
date. P Showering gifts upon the bride and groom is a
z An ancient tradition is to have a bead inscribed with given at weddings, but it is the thoughtful couple who,
the initials and date of the wedding. in turn, give their new in-laws gifts in thanks and
P Other gift ideas: bookmarks; mugs with names remembrance of the day.
ü Have The Final Fitting On Your Wedding Attire

At your final fitting, pay close attention to how the all working together. If there is a problem, speak up!
outfit moves with you, the comfort, and don't forget to Don't worry about complaining, that is why you are
try sitting and dancing in it. Try on everything; the trying it on so far ahead.
headpiece if you can, the shoes, etc. Make sure it is
ü Apply For Marriage License With Fiancee

Check with your county about special requirements for three hours the same morning I was to pick up my
the license. Many counties and states vary, and wait family at the airport. Thank goodness for flight delays!
times/processing times vary also. I sat in the office for
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it.
-- Anonymous
1 to 2 Weeks Before
Finalize Decorating And Flowers Schedules
Give Caterer Final Guest Count
Confirm All Costumes
Confirm Reservations
Pick Up Honeymoon Tickets
Pack For Honeymoon
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards. - Benjamin Franklin
ü Finalize Flowers And Decorating Schedule

Confirm all decorating schedules with your volunteers, Give each of them the full schedule, just in case they
and make sure to have a few extra people just in case. need to fill in for someone else.
ü Give Caterer A Final Guest Count

If finances allow, plan for 10 percent more people than one last time (and get a second count from someone
you have on the list. Otherwise, check your numbers helping) to avoid a shortage.
ü Confirm All Co stuming

Get every piece of accessories together with the costumes, and have them ready for a final fitting. A 'dress' rehearsal
the night before can eliminate wedding day panic for everyone in the wedding party.
ü Confirm: Sites, Music, Photo, Video, Transportation,

Transportation, Flowers,
Food, Entertainment
This is where that handy notebook will really pay off.
ü Pick Up Honeymoon Tickets

Try to pack them in a very safe place that you both will Leave a copy of your itinerary with both families in
remember. Also pack any visas, passports, itineraries case of emergency.
and other information you will need.
ü Pack For Your Honeymoon

Cover all you need for where you are going; suntan
lotion, winter clothing, etc.
The Day of the Wedding
Have Emergency Kit With You
Get Hair Done
Begin Dressing 1-1/2 Hours Before The Ceremony
NOTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the wedding cup, whenever you're wrong,
admit it; whenever you're right, shut up.
-- Ogden Nash
ü Have Emergency Kit With You

This reminder needs to be given to each member of the Extra money, identification (wallets) - make sure you
wedding party, not just the bride! have a pouch or something to hold them.
Travel sewing kit, safety pins, hair spray, nail file, nail Water bottle, hard candy, aspirin or other pain reliever.
polish, extra stockings, tissue. Any medication you may need to take for that day.
ü Go To Hairdresser
Or have hairdresser come to you. Practice the style a
week or so in advance, you don't need any surprises!
ü Begin Dressing One And One-

One- Half Hours Before The
Ceremony
Again, this should be practiced about a week before.
There are many accessories that go with a wedding
outfit, have them all available during the rehearsal and
pack them all together for the wedding day.
Deep breath and

enjoy!
Thank Yous
Thanks to my husband Matthew, my daughters
Amber, Kellie and Ashleigh, Wanda, LaJeanne,
Becky and everyone else who spent countless hours
doing research, editing and putting up with all the long
evenings.
Thanks Gael for your wonderful ideas and help!
Thanks also to the Wild Wolf Women of the Web,

(www.wildwolfwomen.com) for their love and support.
Couldn't have done this without you all!
Credits:
- Barbara Kuehl, Compiler Of The Medieval &
Renaissance Theme Wedding Faq
http://paul.spu.edu/~kst/bib/bib.html
- Art Used With Permission From Arttoday
(http://www.arttoday.com)
- "A Natural History Of Love," By Diane Ackerman
-Some Food Item Ideas Are From "The Original
Mediterranean Cuisine" By Barbara Santich, Prospect
Books, 1995.
- Recipes From "Cariadoc's Miscellany"(C) By Davi d
Friedman And Elizabeth Cook, 1988, 1990, 1992.
- "A Basic Guide To Footwear In The Viking Age" By
Jeff Clarke (Hafgrim Gunnarson)
- Kirsten Nichols At http://www.bibiana.com/ For The
Commercial Pattern Information.
ISBN 0-9719562-0-0

Medieval Wedding Guide

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Medieval Wedding Guide

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Vanessa Hand

Medieval Wedding Guide

I wish you brightest blessings!

House Drakstonne 1997 www.owl-lady.com owl-lady@owl-lady.com

First Published 1996 in US Creators of electronic books

CD created by Bill Martin

Table of Contents and Master Checklist

Handfasting a nd the Medieval Wedding

Weddings during the Middle Ages were considered

Modern Handfasting Traditions

Choose The Place/Date/Time Of Ceremony And Reception

Before The Ceremony

Plans For After The Ceremony

Make Appointment With Person Performing Ceremony

Reserve Photographer and Videographer

Hire Musicians For Ceremony

Investigate Accommodations For Out Of Town Attendants

Plan A Guest List With Names And Addresses

Getting Guests To Dress The Part

ü Contact A Wedding Consultant

An Informal Wedding A Semi-Formal Wedding A Formal Wedding

ü Befo re The Ceremony

ü Plans For After The Ceremony

ü Make Appointment With Person Performing

ü Reserve Photographer And Videographer

ü Hire Musicians For Ceremony

Supplier of medieval and Celtic designs and castings:

ü Investigate Accommodations For Out Of Town

ü Plan A Guest List With Names And Addresses

• Pearl embroidery and ermine restricted to Royalty and Nobility.

Simple gown; Gown with underdress; Houppelande with underdress

Short tunic, leggings; Long tunic, hood, leggings

Accessories For All

A Viking or medieval shoe is typically made from two pieces of

A design feature of these shoes is that the sole has a triangular

Where To Find Costumes

How To Make Costumes

ü Getting Guests To Dress The Part

Armor pieces Pre made renaissance clothing

Noble Style designs Black Wolf Blades and Accessories

Plan Rehearsal Dinner

Order Wedding Band Engravings

Keep A Record Of All Gifts Received

Check That All Bridal Attire Has Been Ordered

It is with true love as it is wi th ghosts;

ü Order Invitations, Programs And Thank You

Thank You Notes

Announcement Text Examples

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! On the eve of April the thirtieth,

A Few Words on Sealing Wax…

Pre made renaissance clothing

Words From The Guests…

z Exchanges of food between the families of the bride

Pigge in Sage 1-1/2 lb. pork roast

Add fresh water to cover and bouillon, bring to a boil,

Savoury Toasted or Melted Cheese

To Make an Excellent Cake

Cheese and Flour Cake

ü Plan Rehearsal Dinner

ü Order Wedding Band Engravings

ü Keep A Record Of All Gifts Received

ü Check That All Bridal Attire Has Been Ordered

NOTES (and Additional Recipes!)

Order Favors For Reception