If you want a romantic, classic theme for your wedding, the Regency era offers all the inspiration you need. The Regency era lasted from 1789 to 1832 and mostly conjures up images of grand country houses, ladies in extravagant gowns and gentlemen dressed in top hat and tails. Considered the most romantic period in history, thanks to classic novels that were published at the time by authors like Jane Austen, most have dreamt of a wedding just like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy.
Jane Austen Today explain what’s involved:
“Throwing a Jane Austen style wedding today is all about the details, from the invitations to the gloves, to the shape of the dress and the sleeves, to the lace parasol or hat and old-fashioned fragrant flowers, to hairstyles and jewellery. All these echoes of an elegant yet simple style from the past will make a regency era wedding seem true to form”
If you are planning a dreamy Regency-themed wedding and are looking for some ideas, look no further.
Timeless Romance
To create a regency look for brides, the classic gown for this era is the empire line dress. With delicate unstructured soft silhouettes and oozing feminine elegance, the empire dress is the perfect choice for a Regency wedding. Choose beautiful fabrics such as lace, chiffon and taffeta, choose a design with capped sleeves and fitted bodice for an authentic look. Vintage lace boots peeping out underneath the skirt will in enhance the regency feel to your look.
To accessorise the gown, opt for vintage jewellery such as pearls and delicate silver pieces, but keep it simple. Lace or silk gloves and a capelet in lace for summer or faux fur for winter will finish off the regency bridal look. The hairstyle for the regency bride would be a half up bun with a few loose tresses tumbling down. Keep make-up natural and soft to get that classic looks from the era.
For the groom, dark grey pinstriped trousers, crisp white shirt, tan fitted waistcoat and silk tie finished off with a tailcoat, your groom with be transformed into your very own Mr Darcy!
Pretty Vintage
For a Regency wedding theme keep to a soft pretty colour palate. Decorate your venue with seasonal flowers, ribbons and lace. For the tables, crisp white linen table cloths, decorated with antique style silver tealight holders and hurricane lanterns, finished off with greenery and oversized blooms as a centrepiece. Serve your guests an traditional Regency wedding afternoon tea style wedding breakfast. When it comes to tableware use English bone china, silver cutlery and crystal glasses to give an authentic regency wedding look to your reception.
For entertainment, hire a harpist or string quartet to play while you and your guests enjoy the wedding breakfast. Keep your guests young and not so young amused with traditional lawn games such as croquet, skittles, bowls or perhaps a coconut shy.
For your wedding transport, only a traditional horse and carriage will do for an authentic Regency-style wedding. It will make a real statement and is guaranteed to take your guests’ breath away when they see you arrive at your venue. It will certainly be a day to remember!
