When fashion historians in years to come look back on what characterized the 1990's, one thing will stand out. No, not grunge; that fad happened too early in the decade to be much remembered in the end. Rather, the 1990's will be remembered for this: borrowing fully and shamelessly from other eras, both in this century and those earlier.

Nowhere is this trend more obvious than in wedding fashions. An examination of styles that were popular in the past ten years reveals a fascinating obsession with and love for times past. The gauzy, pre-hippie look of the Empire-style gown, (anyone remember Gwyneth Paltrow in "Emma"?) the lacy dress and swept-up hairdo of the Victorian era, or the stylish suit--a la Coco Channel--of World War II brides; all have been resurrected--and often updated--in the past decade.

One of the most emulated historical periods, I found in researching this topic, is the Medieval/Renaissance. People worldwide, particularly in Western cultures, have chosen to recall this time when creating their own nuptials. And why not? Turns out the traditions of the age of the Renaissance are some of the most rich--and beautiful--in European history.

LOCATIONS

So you’ve gotten engaged. Time to plan the wedding. Turns out your the kind of person for whom a white dress, black tux, and pink flowers doesn’t cut it. Rather, you have a thing for the traditionally romantic--knights in shining armor, to be exact. If this is the case, a Medieval/Renaissance wedding--complete with recollections of Guinevere and Sir Lancelot--may be the perfect choice for you.

The first decision you’ll be confronted with is where to hold such a wedding. If you want your ceremony in a church, try to find one that looks Gothic--i.e made of stone, with lots of stained glass, and even, possibly, some Tudor (brown-and-ivory) wooden accents.

If you are having your wedding in a hall that is modern, the Medieval wedding will be more difficult to accomplish, but can still be improvised. In this case, decorate the space with plenty of ivy (the traditional wedding plant of the era--seems you can never have too much of it), black iron candleabras and scrolls, banners of family crests, large baskets of flowers, and flowered garlands on wooden and/or iron poles (for more info on flowers, see below). Big, chunky wooden candle holders are also appropriate and add the requisite flavor to the scene.

Design for the reception is similar. There are tons of places around the world that are appropriate for this type of wedding. Most popular is an old castle or castle-looking building that is now or can now be used as a party location. Even in the U.S. there are such places in most areas. (Of course, not all of them have the same level of authenticity as in, say, Scotland--but we Americans are used to that being the case, unfortunately or not!)

Most of these places are used to holding Medieval weddings, and know how to accommodate such a request. They may even offer advice on choices like decor, food, and music, and recommend persons and businesses in the area that offer appropriate services.

One last option--and it’s a good one--is to get married at a local or regional Renaissance Fair. In the United States, there’s such a fair in nearly every state or even counties, and it’s becoming more and more common to see weddings taking place at them. There’s usually a hospitality coordinator or other such person in charge of arranging such an event, and then, in essence, all of the hard work is being done for you. Often, the bridal party just shows up, and the fair takes care of the rest. The feasibility of this option, however, depends on both the size of the fair and the size of the wedding (it’s much easier to do this if you’re having a smaller wedding).

DRESS

If you are a bride-to-be and are going to have a Medieval wedding, immediately let go of the notion of a white dress. Brides in the Middle Ages wore dark and regal velvet dresses in such colors as hunter green, burgundy wine, or deep purple. Often these dresses were laced up the sides and/or back, had long, pleated skirts, and were floor-length and long-sleeved. They were also usually relatively (tastefully) low-cut. A metallic (gold or silver) braided ribbon often ran throughout the design. The torso of the dress often was cut like coat, hence the dress being called a "cotehardie," or, literally, "bold coat."

Brides today who want a Medieval or Renaissance-style wedding often stick to such a dress for both themselves and their bridesmaids. Hair is worn long and flowing, with loose curls, braids, or roles. In lieu of a veil, it is suggested that brides wear a wreath of ivy, herbs, and flowers, possibly with ribbons attached and hanging loose over the back of her head.

The dress is as unique for men. Tights, breeches, tunics, pirate shirts, laced vests, and boots are the order of the day. If his hair is long, it too can (in fact, should) be worn loose. Also, anything in a tapestry pattern is perfect for either the bride or the groom, as well as anyone in the wedding party.

Now you’re probably saying, sure, that sounds great, but where can I actually find such clothing? The answer is, there is more than one option available. There are manufacturers and pattern makers who offer excellent selections. Some of the major ones include Medieval Miscellanea, Past Patterns, Folkware Patterns, and Fantasy Fashion. The Raiments catalog is another place that came up frequently in my research.

If you don’t sew, or don’t know of anyone who does, another option is going to local costume shops, theatre groups, Renaissance fairs, or even the Salvation Army and seeing what they have. You’d be surprised some of the items people bring to these places!

FLOWERS

The element that makes the flowers of this celebration distinct from other weddings is the prominent use of herbs. Rosemary, thyme, basil, and even garlic often play a prominent role and are interspersed with the chosen flowers. This custom originated from what was then believed to be the mystical, even religious, significance of various herbs in both health and destiny.

As with the clothing, the flowers displayed should be rich, darker shades such as red, orange, purple, green, brown, and bright yellow. Suggested flowers include the gloriosa lily, which has the appearance of crushed red velvet; ivy; red roses; amaryllis; birch twigs or holly branches; and parrot tulips. Bouquets, especially the bride’s, should be large, overflowing, and hand-tied. Obviously, since this was long before the era of professional flower shops and Styrofoam used in fanciful centerpieces, all the flowers should appear as rustic and natural as possible.

One last thing in terms of flowers: believe it or not, wheat, considered symbolic of fertility, played a vital role in marriage ceremonies. Therefore, many brides today who are getting married in a Medieval wedding are sure to integrate some wheat into her bouquet.

INVITATIONS

The last thing you’ll need to figure out are the invitations. The most appropriate, and thus common, invitation to a Medieval/Renaissance wedding is made of ivory or beige parchment paper, with the announcement written (or printed) in calligraphy (black ink). The paper can then be either rolled like a poster and clasped with a napkin-like ring scrolled metal or wood, or folded into thirds and sealed with a gold seal, or, for the more altruistic, hot wax.

There are many gorgeous papers available nowadays at paper and art supply stores, many of them with a washed-out, antiquated look that is perfect for these invitations.

There’s no doubt that of all the period-style weddings, Medieval/Renaissance is not only one of the most popular but also the most dramatic and possibly romantic. Stone castles, Tudor fashions, Gothic design, sweeping velvet gowns, stunning wildflowers, and men in tights....what else could a bride possibly want for her special day?!