The Bride and Groom's Special Wedding Attire

There has been a lot of curiosity over my choice of wedding attire. I've decided not to wear a white, cream, ivory or pastel gown because, quite frankly, they look lovely on many ladies but not on me. I've always gravitated to rich, jewel colors and lush fabrics. Therefore, my wedding dress will be more akin to those worn by women in the renaissance or medieval periods. I've decided to wear royal blue velvet accented with gold trim and a delicate cream, flower-patterned brocade. My wonderful friend and work colleague, Mary, will be making my dress. The two of us are co-designing it and have already picked out patterns that we will modify to create what we have dubbed my "pretty, pretty, princess" wedding gown. I know that my dress will truly be "one of a kind" because we have yet to run across a pattern or picture that is exactly what I envision. Right now, we are going to be working with pieces from 4 different patterns (and modifying some of those pieces). Mary is also making me a hooded cape to wear while traveling between the Church and Reception site.

"Why blue?"

The color blue is historically associated with the Virgin Mary (I was raised a Catholic), and is also a strong symbol of purity (as is the color white). Blue traditionally symbolizes fidelity and eternal love (that is why sapphires are often popular gems found in engagement rings). In the past, brides wearing blue were outwardly demonstrating their belief that their husbands would always be true to them. I know that Ed will be true to me just as I will be true to him. We were meant for one another. The color blue also symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, sincerity, piety, and heaven. Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body because it is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. The tradition of brides wearing something blue is most often reflected by modern brides wearing a blue garter or carrying "something blue." So, you see, I'm really NOT being a total bridal rebel. I'm just quirky and determined to meet and marry my Beloved wearing a dress that outwardly reflects the trust and love that I bring to our union.

Mary will be making a vest for Ed to wear with his tuxedo [Sorry to disappoint those of you who wanted to see Ed in full Renaissance attire including tights! He'll be dapper in a tux not tights!!]. The front of Ed's vest will be velvet and the back brocade made from the same fabric that we use to construct my dress. Another unique feature about our wedding attire is that we will be sewing "tokens" or little mementos from Loved Ones (both living and those that have passed away) into the lining/seams of the dress and vest. That way, we'll really not be "alone" as we make our pledges before God and our gathered family and friends. We'll have our Dear Ones close to us, with us (literally) every step of the way. For example, Ed will have something from each of his Grandfathers in his vest and I'll have tokens from my closest girlfriends and my Father.

In keeping with this theme of family mementos, I'll be carrying a small gold-beaded handbag that belonged to my Mother's Mother. Grandma Machalk gave me this bag to carry to my Junior Prom. In the bag, I have a hankie that my Great-Grandmother Foster gave to my Grandma Machalk to carry on her wedding day. Grandma gave that hankie to my Aunt Beverly (my Mother's sister) who in turn gave it to me as an engagement present. I may wear a gold and diamond necklace that my Grandpa Kakuk gave my Grandma Kakuk on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. My Grandpa gave me the necklace when my Grandma passed away and I treasure it. If it doesn't work with my wedding dress, I'm planning on wearing it for the rehearsal and dinner afterward. I'll have my Daddy's wedding ring with me as I walk up the aisle.

There are a lot of other symbolic aspects to our ceremony, but you'll have to keep reading to learn about those!