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Queen Victoria and Victorian Wedding Traditions |
| "It is in
one's own power to be happy and to be contented" |
| Queen Victoria was
born in 1819 as Alexandria Victoria. She took the throne in 1837,
she was just 18 years old. She refused to have her overbearing
mother tell her how to run the throne. She took control of her own
life and her throne. She soon gained the love and respect of her
country. She was intelligent. She was sincere and honest.
She had a sense of humor. She loved
Pearls and Cameos. She loved Flowers. She loved the
arts. She was considerate and tolerant of others - she wanted to
hear other people's opinions. She loved animals. People
loved her personality and style. She spoke German, being from
German descent. When she learned to speak English, she did so with
no hint of a German accent. Queen Victoria also learned to speak
Italian because she loved opera. |
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| I must admit I am a
little of a romantic! I adore the love story between Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert. Yes, they were cousins....but that
happens in royalty. They fell madly and deeply in love. They
had a mutual respect and admiration for each other. They were
completely devoted to each other. He was her husband, her friend,
her confidant and her top advisor. They had 9 children together. |
| Albert died from
typhoid fever in 1861. Queen Victoria mourned for the rest of her
life - wearing black and secluding herself in her castle. She said
that she would soon follow her beloved in death, but lived 40 years
more! She kept Albert's room in pristine condition - it was
maintained just as if her were still alive. |
| Queen Victoria
celebrated her 50 years as queen, her Golden Jubilee, in 1887. She
once again embraced the public. She toured England and visited
other countries. Her energy and optimism was once again embraced
by England. Her Diamond Jubilee was also a grand celebration in
1897. She reigned for 64 years, the longest reign in British
history. She died in 1901at the age of 81. She was buried in
a white dress and her wedding veil. |
| The Victorian era is
attributed to her personal tastes, state of mind, ethics. She was
more in touch with the middle class that preceding monarchy. |
| Victorians were
sentimental people, loving romance and symbolism. During the
Victorian era, virtue, modesty and respectability were important
attributes of one's character. The Victorians were very concerned
with personal enhancement, this is evident in their dress, jewelry,
fabrics, home decor, gardening, health/beauty secrets, handwriting, etc.
Victorians loved ornamentation - this is evident in their cards,
magazines and art. |
| The Victorian era
was one of optimism with exploration, medical research/breakthroughs,
invention, industrialization, etc. People worked hard and strived
for literacy and higher education, thus the "middle class" was formed.
Family values, morals, faith, modesty, proper decorum, etiquette and
work ethic were important to Victorians. |
| Railways allowed
Victorians to travel, thus increasing leisure time. They could
travel to sea-side resorts, races and sporting events. Parlor
games, puzzles, charades and other forms of amusement were enjoyed by
all. Crafting, such as needlework, beads, cross stitch were
enjoyed by Victoria ladies. |
| Civic conscience,
social responsibility, gender and racial equality were on the rise
during the Victorian era. This was true in the United States as
well with the legal abolishment of slavery. Also, humanitarian and
religious organizations (such as the Salvation Army) reflected the
Victorian concern for the poor and needy. |
| More Resources About
Queen Elizabeth: |
|
PBS "Queen
Victoria's Empire |
|
Kings and Queens of
The United Kingdom |
|
Women's History from About.Com |
|
Queen
Victoria: Grandmother of Europe |
|
Queen Victoria:
Images of Her World |
 Victorian
Weddings... |
| The white wedding
gown started during this period. It became fashionable to copy
Queen Victoria's wedding. It was also a display of wealth to
purchase a dress you would only wear once. The Victorian bride
also favored a long veil. Battenberg lace became very popular
during this time. Women's shoes were high button or lace-ups. |
| Hats and gloves were
very important daily wear. Women wore dresses with high colors,
but party dresses actually showed cleavage. |
| Men wore stiff
colors, ascots, pocket watches, canes, cuff
links and top hats. Men's shoes had spats (decorative shoe
covering with buttons). |
| Some favorite
wedding favors during the Victorian era were: Jordan almonds and
chocolates shaped like cameos. |
| During the Victorian
era, Cake Pulls were very
popular (cake charms are still very popular today!) |
| Victorians loved
ornamentation, so invitations and cards were beautiful and formal.
Invitations were usually engraved and cards were coved with decorations. |
| The Victorian era
was the peek of the English tea fetish. Finger food receptions
became popular. Garden tea parties were fashionable. Wedding cakes
were sometimes fruit cakes with rolled fondant icing. |
| Victorian weddings
were full of flowers that had special meanings to the bride.
Bridesmaids would carry their flowers in silver tussy mussys. When a
lady received flowers from a gentleman, there was a message he was
conveying. |
| For more information
about the Victorian era: |
|
Victoriana |
|
The Victorian
Wedding |
|
Victorian Websites |
|
Victorian Station |
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