Wedding Trends Look Book 2020: Victorian Dreams
Destination weddings can take you to distant locals, but they can also transcend time, taking you and your guests to a bye-gone era. Inspired by the grand living at the turn of the 20th century? Consider a wedding at the Rippon Lea House and Garden, one of Australia’s grand suburban estates complete with a pleasure garden of sweeping lawns, magnificent trees, and a tranquil lake. Located just outside Melbourne, this venue offers a dream-like ambiance with classic gardens, an orchard, and a fernery. Rippon Lea Estate is a heritage-listed estate built in 1868 by Frederick Sargood. The venue is Australia’s last suburban 19th century estate.
Elegance and magnificence combine in this awe-inspiring estate set on 14 acres, creating the perfect surroundings for a Victorian-style wedding. Imagine guests mingling around the grand piano in the Drawing Room or sipping champagne in the Conservatory, then relaxing in the afternoon splendor around the pool. Tranquillity and blissfulness followed by a romantic picnic by the lake.
Select a color palette that is light, classic, and timeless with soft tones of ivory, blush, daisy, beige, green, and burgundy. A color theme that remains very soft throughout, balances the introduction of a bolder, yet classic and preppy color, burgundy found in the heritage bricks and repeated in the groom’s suit.
Setting the table with unbleached linens, unadorned flatware, and speckled pottery, luxurious crockery and fine china will give the look a romantic yet updated feel. Add in the look of unpressed linen napkins for a relaxed and casual vibe. The mix of metals will also keep a trend-forward look while playing with the eclecticism of the Victorian era. To complete this look, keep the florals simple and understated. The small arrangement included soft sun-kissed spar roses, grasses, and dainty baby’s breath.
A traditional English wedding takes place in the morning, followed by the wedding breakfast. Plan a menu that includes all the quintessential Victorian and British-influenced dishes including classic scones, jam and cream, tea, biscuits, tarts, strawberries, and other fine desserts.
Invitations used for this theme could include timeless blind-embossing. Consider a delicate monogram crest motif or combination of a classic serif font combined with a script font printed in black on plush cotton stock. A great look when tied together with a black ribbon. Consider ceremony cards created using a handheld fan design, holding all the stationery cards within the one fan, and tied together with a tassel tieback. Gold embossed menus tied with a classic gold tassel and name card will finish off the reception tables.
Old-world romance can be styled into the wedding day using vintage stemware and silver champagne buckets on silver trays to create the feel of days gone by. Classic elements of Chippendale tables and mix-matched finery are indicative of this romantic Victorian aesthetic.
To complete the look, think romantic sheer and flowy gowns with high necks and bishop sleeves, like this flowy angel wing gown by L’ETO Bridal. Vintage style drop-pearl earrings, signature crystal bridal heels, and a black velvet bow in the hair or a fishtail updo, with baby’s breath, weaved to create a romantic feel. Make-up should mimic the natural and soft style, with rose and peach tones. A preppy vintage suit with a pinstriped jacket is reminiscent of the Victorian era.
Escaping from the crowd after the celebration, set up a romantic picnic surprise. Write love letters to remember the perfect day, then relax in the shadows of the overarching trees.
Photos by Sephory Photography
