Elizabethans at every level of society--indeed, the peasants and middle-class perhaps even more than royalty--loved a good time. This was particularly true of weddings.

Elizabethan weddings were the first to feature many of the customs we use today, including the exchanging of vows and rings, the creation and eating of wedding cakes, and the passing of the garter. The notion of a bridal party procession developed during Elizabethan times, as did the brides wearing wreaths of blossoms and carrying bouquets trimmed with love knots.

Wedding dresses tended to fall into two categories: heavy brocades ornamented with threads and lace in gilted, metallic colors; or white, billowy dresses with long sleeves, antique lace and bows, and a number of tiny buttons. No matter what the style, the dress usually had a plunging neckline that revealed ample cleavage. Otherwise, the bride’s body was fully covered with a number of petticoats and corsets, resulting in a vast, ball-gown style skirt.

Remember, this was the era of the "faire maiden." Thus, women’s hair was worn long--often to the waist--and loose. Women would create soft, flowing curls for special occasions like a wedding, and no proper bride would be seen without a crescent-shaped cap of herbs adorning her head.

The most distinct element of the Elizabethan wedding is undoubtedly the prominence of herbs. Just as the Victorians developed an obsession with flowers, bestowing upon them secret meanings and mythical qualities, so did the Elizabethans with herbs. Infatuated with both the fragrance and historical significance of these plants, Elizabethans of all social classes infused them into every possible part of a wedding, from the bride’s headdress to the embellishment of candelabrums at the dining tables.

The most commonly used herbs were thyme, lavender, rosemary, parsley, "Blue Ribbon" echinops, sage, chive, marjoram, and the daisy-like feverfew. Not only did such herbs line walkways and encompass entire gardens; they would also be grouped into bundles, based on such factors as fragrance and color.

For weddings, bridesmaids carried small bunches of herbs called "tussie-mussies." These were essentially little tied posies of sweet-smelling herbs. Often, each tussie-mussie was different from the others, giving each girl her own unique bouquet. Even when unlike, however, these posies complemented each other in fragrance and color. Typical colors schemes for Elizabethan weddings included soft golds, dusty pinks, yellowy creams, and sage greens--much as one would picture in a tapestry from the era.

The bride’s bouquet took the form of a "pomander," or flower-ball. Usually about twice the size of the bridesmaids’ tussie-mussies, the essential function of the pomander was to perfume the air around the bride. Herbs used in the pomander included marjoram, various shades of sage, thistle, and occasionally small flower blossoms in muted yellow or purple. Typically, a wide piece of colorful ribbon or gauze was used as a handle. After the wedding ceremony, they were used to decorate a house or reception room, often hanging from iron railings and knobs by the aforementioned piece of ribbon.

When re-creating an Elizabethan wedding, it’s important to focus on the big picture: elements such as full dresses in brocade, gilt, or even white, with a revealing decolletage; long hair parted in the middle, preferably worm with loose curls; the plentiful use of herbs in rounded bouquets, as well as in headpieces, and centerpieces; and a muted color scheme.

Stick to these concepts, and you’re sure to have a wedding that is not only Elizabethan in design, but uniquely stunning as well.

World Wander : Married at Victoria Falls :-

In eight months of traveling you really get to know a person. In fact, Karen and I have not spent more than twenty hours apart in the last eight months together. We are best friends, partners and in love. If you think about it we have spent more time together in the last eight months than most married couples spend together in their entire lives. We still didn't know where we would get married but it would be special and during our trip. We had copies of our birth certificates and all we needed was a special place to tie the knot. We both wanted friends and family at our wedding but it would be a little tough in a foreign country for everyone to attend. We both realized that we would be the only two at our wedding and somehow it seemed like that is the way it should be.

This brings us to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and the place we would get married. Karen came across a wedding book in Johannesburg that mentioned you could get married at the Victoria Falls Hotel. We signed up for a twenty day overland camping tour from Cape Town through the deserts of Namibia, Botswana and our final destination Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

We arrived on Friday in Victoria Falls and started asking about getting married. We presented ourselves at the customer service desk of the Vic Falls Hotel and were told it would take at least two months to get the proper paperwork. According to the rules we had to advertise in our home newspaper for three weeks our intent to marry. We also had to prove that we are currently not married. Karen and I both looked at each other and thanked the nice lady for her help. We set off for the tourist information office to ask more questions. We would be getting married at Victoria Falls.

The tourist office directed us to Dahaba Safaris and our wedding planner Liz. We had no dress, no tux and all we wanted to do was get married. We also wanted it to be a wedding we would never forget. Liz is the kind of person you want involved with any project you are working on. She was born in Victoria Falls and she and her husband run a successful travel service in the area. She also does weddings every once in a while..for fun. We met with Liz Monday morning at 10:00 AM and by 3:00 PM she had everything arranged. The wedding bands had been ordered, the material for the dress was on its way and she knew someone with a tux my size. We are in the middle of a country where it is impossible to make a phone call and this all happened in five hours. The magistrate would perform the legal
ceremony and we asked about meeting with Father Thomas, the Catholic Priest in the area. We wanted to be married on the river and Liz knew exactly what we wanted. Karen and I both knew we were in good hands.

Liz took us to Vicki's house who would be making Karen's dress. Her garage looked like a dressing room filled with costumes and outfits from the numerous plays they produced. Karen picked out her pattern and I tried on the borrowed tux. It was a perfect fit and the only thing missing was a cummerbund. No problem says Vicki, they had just finished a production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and I could wear the cummerbund worn by Brad. All I needed was a pair of dress shoes and a hair cut and I would be ready.

Karen had a couple things to do on her very short list and they all involved being pampered. The Elephant Hills Inter Continental Hotel had just opened a day spa and Karen signed up for the works. After eight months on the road you can get a little dirty. In fact, I signed up for a facial and some eyebrow shaping. If you have never had your eyebrows plucked guys, you should try it. Women get it done all the time only reconfirming my belief that they are tougher than men.

Wedding day arrived and we checked in early to the Vic Falls Hotel. Up until now, we have been camping for the last twenty-six days. Even during our six days in Victoria Falls we camped in the city camp ground for $4 a night. Our new accommodations cost $378 a night. We wanted to check-in early and check-out late to get our money's worth. A little sun at the pool and the need to recover from our impromptu combined bachelor-bachelorette party - three of us drank an entire bottle of Jack Daniels. Karen was off for her makeup and hair appointment. I would get cleaned up, put on my tux and disappear until 4:00 PM for pictures.

Karen arrived in the lobby a little past 4:00 PM and she was a stunning bride. The dress was a perfect fit and a style that made Karen sparkle. I wasn't nervous and couldn't wait to be married. If we would have done this at home I am sure I would have been a wreck. Instead, I was smiling and thinking about the next 80 years. I could tell Karen was relaxed and anxious to see Palm Island. We had complete faith in Liz and knew that the site she had picked out would be perfect.

A short drive to the Zambezi River at the top of Victoria Falls and we board our boat to Palm Island. This was the first time we saw the river and I couldn't imagine it could be so beautiful. We arrived on the Island and found a wedding paradise. The magistrate performed the legal ceremony and just like that, Karen and I were married.

I almost forgot to mention our special guests at the wedding... two elephants in attendance and a group of loud hippos. When Father Thomas asked, "If anyone here knows of any reason why these two should not be married?" After a short pause the hippos burst out in loud approval. Karen and I are truly blessed and our good fortune seems to have no bounds. Somehow I had just attended the most incredible wedding imaginable and it turned out to be ours.

I look forward to a long life of happiness, family and love with Karen Willis my wife, partner and best friend.

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