One Whole Year of Bloggin'

This is kind of amasing for me! I have managed to write a good number of entries every month, and the year has gone by so fast.

Photo by Italian Kat Tan-Conte

I started this blog because it was a good way to gather thoughts and ideas about my own wedding, but also because I couldn't find a wedding blog that celebrated these kinds of theme unions. I am getting married in about 6 months and with all the work I have done, planning and writing about it, it somehow became a hobby to me. I am not sure how long this blog will live, altough I still have so much I want to post and share.

It's been wonderful to see interest in my blog grow, from 72 views a month to 150 views a day. It brings me great joy that you comment or read and are inspired by what I dig up.

As for future entries I have paid a lot of attention to the bridal gown, and very little to the groom's attire. So when a year has past with the Dress of the Month series in May, I will start a new series of monthlty entries about the Groom. You can look forward to the Braveheart, the Robin Hood and the Temple Knight groom.

I hope also to feature some more real medieval weddings, and again - I would love to hear from anyone getting married the medieval way :)
With some luck this year will be as exciting a year of bloggin as the past one.

With infinite love

Cecilie - the Medieval Bride

Easy DIY favor bags / rice bags

I wanted to make some small pouches for the rice/grain people will be throwing our way after the ceremony. In days gone by, the throwing of grain upon the couple was a symbol of the wishes for fertility in marriage.

To make the bags I used:
1 sissor
A large piece of undied linnen
A pencil that can draw on fabric
1 dessert plate
A roll of leather string - brown leather looks the best (mine was too dark I think)
Rice/grain
Stamp with a nice pattern
Green inkpad

1. I rolled out the linnen and placed the small dessert plate on it. Using the pencil I drew a line along the plate to make an even circle.

2. Then I cut a small piece of leather string and placed the rice in the center of the circle.

3. Bend the circle's edge up and tied the leather string around it.

4. The next step isen't necessary but it looks nice and decorative. It requires a stamp of some sort, mine is cirkular like sunbeams with a twirl at the end. Press it down on the inkpad and then on the linnen:

These small pouches can be used for both favors or rice, and they look very cute and rustic.

Calligraphy Love Musings

The etsy-seller Sarah Chase Dessler is selling an illustrated qoute from  1st Corinthians about love. It's neat craftmanship and could be a sweet wedding present or may be used for the invitations.

I don't know if she does custom work for invitations and so, but it can't hurt to ask. Calligraphy can be so elegant and altough with some patience you can do it yourself, someone with experience might do the job more satisfactory. But swing by her shop and see for yourself.
I am also very envious of her marvelous working space:

The Rings - part 2

I had promised myself to make another post about the rings, simply to give you more examples to inspire you when hunting for the right rings. As I wrote in an earlier entry I went to the Danish National Museum between christmas and newyears and took a lot of pictures for you from their medieval ring collection.

As you can see the exhibited rings are all gold, but at the time they were also made in other metals like silver. The national museum usually only show the most impressive ones.

I especially adore the engagementrings:

The above are all from 1200-1500 and characterized by hearts, knots, hands reaching for each other or even scultured lovers.
The rings from the early part of the Middle Ages are often twined or plaited and occurs from 1050-1150. Twined arm and neck rings were known by the vikings, but the finger rings arrived with the start of medieval times:

In the late medieaval period signet rings were used to press into hot wax like a person would sign their name today. These were copied by peasants in bronze or silver.

The rings worn by the bishops were often very elaborate with precious stones - Sapphires, rubies, amethysts and garnets - and with holy ingravings like the cross, jesus' face (1350-1450 AD), or the names of saints and Mary.

Lastly there's the rings inscribed with patterns, intitals or words from the bible. They were popular in the 14th and 15th century.

Maybe some of these rings will inspire you when you are looking for some for your wedding :-).

Dress of the month - February (Lindsay Fleming Collection)

This month the dress I am featuring, comes from the Celtic Spirit Collection by designer Lindsay Fleming. The collection is inspired by fashion in medieval Britain and the celtic knot. The design below is called Arran. I think it's a beautiful combination of the bride today and the bride of the past, the kind we like to feature :-). Photography by Archibald Photography. I know of at least one medieval bride getting married this year in one of these, and it will look beautiful in her castle venue.

The golden heart knot pattern framing the line of waist and chest gives it a luxurious appearence. I like the t-shirt cut with the attached flowing bellsleeves. And if you prefere a more medieval wedding dress color it is possible to customise your gown. I do like showing you white dresses though, because that is the color I have associated with weddings all my life. It is possible to combine your theme with modern and medieval traditions.

It should be noted that Lindsay Fleming was voted Scottish Bridal Designer of the year 2006, 2008 and 2010. So even if the Arran design isn't something for you, you should still sneak by their website and see if there's another wedding dress for you.



The Tyra design