The Edwardian era began in England in the early 1900’s, and directly followed Queen Victoria’s reign. During the Victorian period women wore tightly corseted clothing that was quickly abandoned during the Edwardian era. Women’s gowns became more loose-fitting and were quite often accented with lace appliques or intricate embroidery. Opera-length gloves became popular during this time, as did cameos and family brooches.
An Edwardian fairy tale wedding will very often include lace on bridal gowns and integrated into table decor, either as a full lace tablecloth or delicate lace doilies. An excellent bridesmaid gift for this type of wedding is an engraved cameo that can be worn on the day of the wedding and treasured as a keepsake by each bridesmaid. You may also choose a tiara rather than a veil for your bridal headpiece, or combine the two for a truly elegant look. You can also choose a larger tiara for the bride and smaller, but similar tiaras for each bridesmaid and flower girl.
The reception decor for your Edwardian wedding can include many curved lines as seen in many Art Noveau pieces of that period. Another characteristic of this period are finely detailed gilded mirrors, and when hung side by side can create the illusion of space in an otherwise crowded reception hall.
Accent each reception table with Edwardian-inspired candle favors, like the ones pictured above, or accent the lace tablecloth with castle-themed place card holders that feature a coiled wire stand, reminiscent of the curves seen in many Art Noveau pieces from that time. The Edwardian accents you choose for your fairy tale wedding can be subtle or distinct, but make sure that they fit in with your personal style as well!