Ribbons, Laces and Frills

Ribbons and frills have been associated with romance since the days of knighthood when a knight rode into battle with a ribbon or scarf given him by his lady fair. The dictionary states that the word “Lace” comes from a Latin word meaning to “snare” or “noose”.

Cupid

Cupid was one of the gods of mythology. In Latin, the word Cupid means “desire.” Cupid is typically represented as a chubby, naked, winged boy or youth with a mischievous smile. He possessed a bow with a quiver of arrows by which he transfixed the hearts of youths an and maidens.Cherubs are descendants of Cupid. They are depicted as lovable little winged creatures without arrows and quivers. Cherubs were typically not mischievous like Cupid.

The Rose

The rose, which is undoubtedly the most popular flower in the world, speaks of love and has been the choice of lovers in every century. If you rearrange the letters of the word rose you get Eros, the god of Love.

Hands

A lady’s hands was a favorite decoration that depicted “femininity.” Its beauty was enhanced by adding a frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. Clasped hands represent those of Queen Victoria and prince Albert and were symbols of the friendship between their countries of Germany and England.

Turtle Doves and Love Birds

“Oft have I heard both youth and virgin say
Birds choose their mates, and couples too, this day;
But by their flight I never can divine,
When I shall couple with my Valentine.”
Herrick

It was thought that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14. Doves and pigeons mate for life and therefore were used as a symbol of “fidelity.”

Puzzik-circa 1840. A puzzik is a quaint sort of homemade valentine which was a sort of puzzle that the receiver had to solve. Not only did she have to decipher the message but also to figure how to refold the paper once it was opened. The order of the verses was usually numbered, and the recipient had to twist the folds to determine what was being said.

Daguerreotype-popular from 1840 to the Civil War. An old-time tintype was found in the center of a card surrounded by an ornamented wreath. Another type was a “Mirror Valentine” which had a small mirror placed in the center to reflect the happy face of the receiver.

Rebus. Although it had many forms, a rebus usually was a romantic verse written in ink with certain words omitted and illustrated with a picture. Meant to be a riddle, they were not always easy to decipher.

Watch Papers. Popular when men carried pocket watches, these were made to fit the back or front of a pocket watch.

When exchanging vows under the sun or the stars, be sure to expect the unexpected. But with some creativity, planning and foresight, the adventurous couple can have the wedding of their dreams.

Instructions

• STEP 1: Consider your wedding date. If you have your heart set on a January wedding, you may want to forgo the oceanside ceremony.
• STEP 2: Scout out several possible locations ‘ even outdoor wonderlands can get booked up far in advance.
• STEP 3: Examine each location carefully. Is there a major intersection nearby? Is the place prone to bad weather? Are there lots of mosquitoes? Will there be construction work in the area on your wedding day?
• STEP 4: Ask about rules such as neighborhood noise restrictions. What could be worse than the neighbors calling in the cops to break up your reception?
• STEP 5: Tell your vendors about the location and discuss any challenges or extra expenses they may incur in working there. You may want to hire vendors who already have outdoor-wedding experience.
• STEP 6: Calculate the costs of outfitting an outdoor site before you choose a location. Do you plan on providing a tent? What about lawn furniture?
• STEP 7: Consider weather and have a backup site ready. If you have chosen a rain-prone site, make a note on the invitation: “In case of rain, please join us at … .”
• STEP 8: Make your site homelike: Rent amenities such as chairs, tables, linens, an electric generator, a dressing trailer, a portable dance floor and portable toilets.
• STEP 9: Designate a central location where guests can gather for cake, dancing, bouquet tossing and so forth.
• STEP 10: String lights between trees, hang Chinese lanterns in the branches, rent some spotlights or scatter scores of votive candles - the possibilities are endless.

Tips & Warnings

• Check for hidden costs, such as use-permit fees for public spaces.
• Choose wooden rather than metal seats - they tend to absorb heat and cold.
• Check with people in your wedding party about any allergies they may have.
• Consider hiring a valet service or running a shuttle bus to assist with parking.
• An outdoor wedding does not necessarily translate into less cost. Remember that there will be costs associated with outfitting the location and making it accessible to guests.