Monday, December 14, 2009

A Victorian Christmas Wedding

Table with floral arrangement

This month, our local historical society has decided to recreate a Victorian Christmas Wedding theme. The 1873 house has been transformed into what it may have looked like back in Victorian times for a home wedding reception. The dining room is decked out with the finest silver tea service, the best linens and lace are on display, and evergreen garland and holly add that Christmas touch.

Clayson House

The Reception

Tea service

Desserts on the sideboard

The Bride's Cake
The Bride's Cake

The Groom's Cake
The Groom's Cake

I found this bit of information fascinating:

"In 1884, the recommended trousseau consisted of a dozen chemises trimmed with embroidery or insertions, a dozen nightdresses, six well-trimmed combinations, a dozen drawers, nine camisoles, six vests, five flannel petticoats, two dressing gowns, three bed jackets, a dozen pairs of fine quality Lisle stockings, three pairs of silk stockings, two dozen handkerchiefs, a pair of French corsets, a bustle, a satin nightdress and a lace-trimmed sachet. A modest trousseau might consist of three dozen of everything."

And a partridge in a pear tree, perhaps?

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8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW... First of all I want to mive-right-in to that gorgeous home. BUT I don't think I want to wear all the "stuff"!! LOL!!
Lovely post.....
Happy Holidays!
Love,
Marilyn

December 15, 2009 at 8:04 AM  
Blogger The Victorian Parlor said...

Too funny! I was just thinking as I read the list that it sounded something like the 12 Days of Christmas! The pictures are gorgeous and I love the house! Thank you so much for sharing!

Blessings,

Kim

December 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM  
Blogger The Pink Birdhouse said...

Oh my gosh, now I know that I was born in the wrong time, because that victorian wedding is so much like what I would have wished for as my dream-wedding! The house is a delight, the cake a frosting dream, and the decorations just lovely. I enjoyed reading about what a trousseau would have had in it, imagine the dreamy chamisoles with lace inserts!! A wonderful post that I have enjoyed reading twice over now!! thanks so much for sharing this with us. warmly, Debby

December 15, 2009 at 3:01 PM  
Blogger Cass @ That Old House said...

I am SO glad that you stopped by for a visit at That Old House -- because now I found YOU! (Don't look behind you, because I'm following you!)

I have scrolled thru several posts -- you Chicagoans are a hearty lot, to be at an outdoor Christmas market in mid-December! My brother used to live in Wheaton; I've had firsthand experience of Chicago winters. Brrr...

I love Eastlake, too -- We lived in an Eastlake rowhouse in Pittsburgh's Allegheny West neighborhood more than 25 years ago -- in an area that was just emerging as a "good" place to live again... it was wonderful! Still my favorite neighborhood! Plus I miss the excitement of being on the annual house tour.

Merry Christmas! Cass

December 16, 2009 at 5:25 PM  
Blogger The Pink Birdhouse said...

Hi again! Just had to drop by again and let you know what a delightful comment you left on my recent post. And it gave me a chance to enjoy your wonderful pictures once more!! I am sooo in love with that house. My brother tells me that weather is cold out your way right now. Nothing like a Chicago winter!! :-) Keep warm, and sending warm thoughts your way, Debby

December 17, 2009 at 11:57 AM  
Blogger Teresa said...

MMM as a choco-holic, I'd be eating the groom's cake for sure! Beautiful pix once again...

Teresa

December 19, 2009 at 12:45 PM  
Blogger Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Oh my gosh Pam, that is a LOVELY Victorian home...so love visiting them whenever possible too.

They did a nice job of recreating that Victorian Wedding theme.

Galveston, Tx. has the "Dickens on the Strand" festival each year..in December....and many of the Victorian Homes down there are on the tour...what a TREAT that is.

Rose
http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/

January 20, 2010 at 10:27 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Rose-

I love going on tours of old homes! You get to take a peek into peoples' lives, see how they decorate, and get some great ideas.

_Pam

January 21, 2010 at 12:37 PM  

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