Do you have your heart set on throwing a Renaissance-themed wedding? Go for it. You will have to put a little more effort into the planning, but once you see your guests oohing and aahing over the charming wedding dresses, the ornate headpieces, and the whimsical props, you will feel the hard work is all worth it.
Look the Part
As may be expected, the bridal gown should go the whole nine yards Renaissance-style. You may have to try a bazillion of wedding dresses to find one that could remotely pass for a Renaissance gown. But remember, if worse comes to worst and you find nothing that fits, you can always grab any of those pristine white, lacy wedding dresses most bridal shops carry and simply dump a bouquet of flowers on your head.
Don't forget to throw in some herbs in your floral crown (and I mean some, not your entire kitchen's stock of herbs). And while you're at it, toss in some twigs, too. The pointing is not to make your head look like something a bird would nest on. The point is to lend authenticity to what would have otherwise been plain wedding dresses that every bride would wear.
Ideally, though, Renaissance-themed wedding dresses should be made of velvet or silk, with silver or golden embroidery. Don't forget to braid your hair or curl it. As for the groom, make sure his costume complements yours. Laced vests and tunics are only some of your options; there are more, but you will both be better off bringing him with you to the bridal shop so he can pick out what he would be most comfortable wearing.
Venue, Venue, Venue
Of course, all the silk and velvet wedding dresses in the world would count for naught without the perfect ambiance. If you can't have your wedding in a stone castle, a Tudor-styled hotel, or any place with Gothic-looking stones and stained glasses (read: cathedral), your nearest bet is a vineyard or a garden. You can rent a machine to create well-timed fogs; and you can festoon the walls, chairs, or the wedding arch with ivy.
Don't forget to put red, orange, and yellow flowers in wicker mini-baskets. Use wooden candle holders and white or dark red candles, too. The colors will complement wedding dresses (not just the bride's) superbly while the baskets, flowers, and candles will give the place a rustic look.
Invitations, Favors, and the Menu
Now, on to the nitty-gritty. Keep the invitations simple. Use beige or ivory parchment paper, calligraphic font, and hot wax seals. As for the wedding favors, you can give away a goblet placeholder set or a flute or photo frame with pewter finish.
The menu is even easier. Incorporate typical game like venison, goose, or quail to a meal line-up that includes vegetables like asparagus, carrots, and lettuce, cheese, strawberries, nuts, custards and tarts. Ale, wine, beer, and fruit juices will complement your food choice perfectly!
And if you still have room in your budget for more interesting additions, you may want to add a minstrel or two, or a traveling juggler or court jester who will perform during the cocktail hour.
