Inspirations

Movies

The following is a list of recommended movies with Fantasy, Medieval, or Renaissance themes. Some are much more realistic than others, but all are great sources to get you thinking of costume ideas and to get you in the mood!

• Braveheart
• Legend
• Willow
• First Knight
• The Princess Bride
• Elizabeth
• Shakespeare in Love
• Beauty and the Beast
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• Robin Hood: Men in Tights
• Mists of Avalon (TV mini-series)
• Rob Roy
• Ever After
• Midsummer Night's Dream
• Excalibur
• A Knight's Tale
• Merlin (TV mini-series)
• The 10th Kingdom (TV mini-series)
• Camelot
• Hamlet (the Mel Gibson and Kenneth Branagh versions are both good)
• Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail

And, of course, the best fantasy movies of all time (some might say the best movies of all time), based on the best fantasy books of all time: LORD OF THE RINGS!! The trilogy includes LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring, LOTR: The Two Towers, and LOTR: Return of the King, and all are amazingly detailled when it comes to costumes. They're also great films to enjoy, whether your a big fantasy fan or not. Watch them, darn it!

Medieval Wedding Websites

These are the personal websites of a few people I've had the pleasure of meeting online, on the Medieval & Renaissance Wedding Message Board. The sites all show weddings similar to the way ours will be, so they'll give you a good visual idea of what to expect for clothing, decorations, ceremony wording, and more. Enjoy!!

• A Midsummer Day Wedding -- Scott and Grace -- Grace and Scott's wedding has been very inspiring to me, as they, too, used LOTR as a stylistic inspiration! Check out all the great photos of their clothing and their decorations, as well as "Wedding Texts", which gives their entire ceremony wording, some of which will be quite similar to ours. She also has some great links to other personal wedding websites worth checking out.
• The End of the Quest - The Making of the Day -- Elisabeth and Carl's wedding was gorgeous! Check out all the photos! Her ceremony had some of the same elements that ours will have, including the handfasting and broom jumping. The tent for her reception was remarkable. I hope our reception decorations can be half as lovely!
• The 16th Century Wedding of J.T. and Simone -- A thorough site of Simone's wedding in the planning stage -- their big day isn't until April! But you can see her beautiful invitations and programs, as well as all her ideas for garb and other elements of the ceremony. A little later in period than ours will be, but very cool!
• David and Mindy, June 21st, 2003 -- Mindy is full of great ideas on the Message Board, and there were great details in all aspects of her wedding! Her dress is gorgeous -- definitely check it out!
• Matt and Sherry - A Love of a Lifetime -- Sherry and Matt's love story is so romantic! Weirdly enough, she's getting the same dress as mine (except in a different color and some other small differences), and we also have the same cake server set, as well! Too bad I can't have her chapel. It's amazing!! Go check it all out NOW!!
• This Day, For Now and Forever - Sharon & Paul 23/08/2003 -- Lots of photos to look at of Sharon and Paul's wedding (in Australia -- they do this theme everywhere!). Check out her cake -- it looks delicious!

 

Clothing and Accessory Ideas

We would like to strongly encourage everyone attending the wedding to dress up in period costume -- we know most of the guests will be dressed up, so you'll feel less "out of place" if you do too, plus it will be great fun as we will be having a Costume Contest at the reception! However, we realize that some people will not be able to, or want to, spend much money on an outfit they'll only wear one time. I don't blame you. That's why I've created the following guide to finding a costume, with options that will fit every budget. Now you have no excuse!!

Illustrations of typical clothing from the various periods of the Middle Ages can be seen at the following links:

• http://green.seagull.net/garb/ -- everything prior to the Early Sixteenth Century would work very well
• http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/COSTUME3_INDEX.HTML -- The clothing of the Twelfth Century and on are most appropriate
• http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/COSTUME4_INDEX.HTML -- Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
• http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/COSTUME5_INDEX.HTML -- More of the Fifteenth Century

Make it Yourself!

The easiest and cheapest way to come in costume is to make your own. This can involve using items you already have in your closet in new ways, or may involve purchasing (for very low cost) a few items at used clothing stores or at Halloween time. If you have a little more money, and the talent, you can also sew yourself a great costume. Here are some ideas:

From Your Closet:

For Women -- Any long skirt, especially a broomstick skirt, will do nicely. Or, if you prefer, pants are okay too! Dark, neutral, or jewel-toned colors would be best. No gingham, stripes, or other prints unless they are embroidered on. Pair this with a blouse (preferrably ruffly around the collar and/or sleeves, and maybe with some lacing up the front), and add a belt and some costume jewelry. Scarves and shawls can be added around the waist or head for a gypsy-like look. A vest -- particularly a tapestry, velvet, or leather one -- would complete the look nicely. A sheet or blanket can easily be pinned around your shoulders like a cloak. A plaid blanket would be very cool! Even some bathrobes can make cool costumes -- I have a floor-length, black velvet one that looks very "sorceress" like! Hair can be kept simple -- if it's long, let it loose or add a few braids. If it's short (like mine), put some flowers in it. Shoes can be simple ballerina-style house slippers, boots, or anything you like! Just please don't wear pointy heels, as the wedding will be outside!

For Men -- Any dark or neutral colored pants would do nicely. Or wear a pair of leggings if you have the guts! A white or black shirt of any kind, belted at the waist instead of tucked in, would look great, especially if you have one that laces up the front. Again, vests make good additions. And a make-shift blanket cloak would top it off. Brown or black boots or shoes complete the outfit.

For Children -- Smaller versions of adult ideas, as well as long dresses in bright colors for the girls and white turtlenecks for the boys.

From Used Clothing Stores:

Used clothing stores have lots of really, really great costume elements if you look around creatively! Besides finding the above items if you don't already have them, you can also find dresses that could work (especially if they have bell-shaped sleeves), leather coats that can be made into vests by cutting off the sleeves, and even fur coats (real and fake) that can be cut up to add fur trims to your clothing and footwear! (A friend of mine uses the cut-off sleeves of a fake fur coat as "leg warmers" for that Viking look. He just wraps them with strips of leather around his calves. Doesn't even need to have boots!) Some used clothing stores are great sources of material that can be made into simple tunics, tabards, or cloaks, too. My sister plans to buy some brocade-like curtain material from Value Village to make doublets for my nephews -- a lot cheaper than getting new material! I did the same thing once for a Medieval-looking dress I made as a costume. Only cost me a few dollars, and then a little sewing work. Use your imagination, without having to spend a lot of money!

Halloween Costumes:

Everything from fake swords, wigs, and entire costumes can be bought for $30 or less at Halloween time that would be appropriate. Look for robes, capes, "wench" outfits, etc.

Can You Sew?

If you're at all handy with a sewing machine, there are some really great Medieval and Renaissance (and Fantasy) costume patterns out there from the major pattern companies. Some suggested ones, by company, are the following:

Simplicity Patterns

• # 5922, 7756, 8715 -- Women's Renaissance dresses of similar styles, all with a noble version and a peasant or wench version
• # 8192, 9531, 5294 -- More Women's Renaissance dresses, of different variations
• # 5293 -- Women's Renaissance dresses, plus sizes
• # 8587 -- Men's and Women's Medieval/Renaissance peasant outfits, two versions
• # 9452, 9887 -- Adult cape and cloak patterns
• # 9753 -- Men's Fantasy/Medieval costumes, wizard robes and king/knight outfit
• # 9966 -- Women's Gypsy/Highlands outfit
• # 5925 -- Men's Renaissance costumes, a scholar's robe and bard's outfit
• # 5363, 9454 -- Fairy costumes, if you want to have some real fun!
• # 5574 -- Men's Renaissance costume, Lordly look (tights!)
• # 5582 -- Women's Renaissance wench-style outfits
• # 8855 -- Women's Celtic/Highland outfits
• # 8913 -- Men's Celtic/Highland outfits (kilt!) ** Good shirt pattern**
• # 9891 -- Women's Fantasy/Medieval dresses
• # 9836 -- Girls' Renaissance dresses
• # 5407 -- Girls' and Boys' Renaissance/Fantasy Costumes
• # 5512 -- Children's capes, tabards, and hats
• # 5520 -- Children's Princess and Knightly Costumes
• # 5523 -- Girls' Fairy Costume
• # 5909 -- Children's Renaissance Costumes (described as "Wedding Costumes")
• # 5517 -- Toddlers' Renaissance/Fantasy Costumes (so cute!)

McCall's Patterns

• # 4139 -- Adult Capes and Cloaks
• # 4082 -- Girls' Renaissance Dresses
• # 4090, 4091, 4107 -- Women's separate Renaissance Skirt, Bodice and Chemise Patterns (more historically accurate)
• # 4041 -- Women's Medieval Dress
• # 3789 -- Wizard Robes for Adults and Children, Tunic and Pants for Men and Boys
• # 3797 -- Women's Renaissance/Fantasy Dresses, various styles

Butterick Patterns

• # 5656 -- Men's and Boys' Renaissance Costumes, knightly look (tights!)
• # 6196, 6198 -- Women's Renaissance wench-look costumes

These are just some of the costume patterns available from the big companies (all are viewable online if you click on the links above). There are even more out in the stores -- check it out!

Rent It!

A fuss-free and fun option is to rent a costume from a costume shop. Good Medieval, Renaissance or Fantasy themed costumes cost around $50 to rent. Two costume shops in the Halifax-Metro area and their contact information are:

Boutlier's Costume Rentals -- 211 Windmill Rd., Dartmouth -- Phone: 464-3536 -- Call for Hours of Operation (This is the only one I've ever had experience with. Lots and lots of costumes to be found here!)

Allie's Costume Magic -- 1272 Barrington St., Halifax -- Phone: 420-1070 -- Open Monday-Saturday 12:00-5:00pm

Buy It!

This is obviously the most expensive option, but I'm including it for those who may be interested in having a really great period or Fantasy costume for the long run, and are willing to pay the money to get one. Probably the cheapest option is to find a seamstress or tailor and then have them make you an outfit based on one of the patterns mentioned above.  However, there are many, many great costumers and seamstresses out there for this type of theme who will work online with you to create custom-made period costumes, or pieces (like the tunic Matthew will be wearing). Unfortunately, most of them are in the States, which means exchange rates, duties and taxes have to be factored into their prices. But I'm including a list of websites anyway, so you can get a look at period garb. They're great for everyone to take a look at for inspiration and for fun! Also, I'm including websites that sell great accessories that you may be able to afford to add to your outfit, such as shoes and boots, jewelry, belts, headdresses, and more. Enjoy!

• www.ebay.com -- Seriously. A really great source for everything from a specific dagger or other accessory you may want, to full outfits. Just search for "Medieval", "Renaissance", or "Fantasy" under the "Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories" category, or any other specific words you may be looking for (for example, "LOTR swords" or "girdles"). Some sellers don't ship to Canada, but many will. Check it out!
• www.maidenfaire.com -- Beautiful, custom-made dresses and men's wear for the various periods. Highly recommended on the Medieval Wedding Discussion Board. This is where my dress will be coming from!
• http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/home.htm -- More beautiful stuff, mostly women's. Some budget items (dresses under $150 US), as well as custom pieces.
• www.fashionsintime.com -- Nice costum-made costumes from many periods, for both men and women.
• http://www.greycatdesigns.bigstep.com/catalog.html -- Like above, but less historically-accurate. More fantasy-like. Very nice stuff, good prices.
• www.pyramidcollection.com -- Various items, but some nice capes, shirts, and dresses (inexpensive) in the "Apparel" section. Also, some nice jewelry.
• www.stitchinwitches.com -- Beautiful stuff, but expensive. But go look for inspiration!
• http://www.by-the-sword.com/new/catalog.htm -- Very great source for men's costume pieces, including clothing, footwear, armor and swords. (Some of Matthew's costume elements will likely come from this company.) Nice women's stuff, as well. Accessories, too -- belts, pouches, etc. Check it out!
• http://www.renstore.com/cgi-bin/renstore.storefront -- Lots of great ready-to-wear clothing and accessories for a variety of prices.
• http://www.castlegardencreations.com/ -- Same as above, but less variety.
• http://66.0.193.113/cgi-bin/www11650.storefront -- Same as above.
•  www.sofisstitches.com -- Ready-made, and very nice, Renaissance costumes that you order to size. For men and women. Fairly inexpensive.
• http://www.leatherworks.com/gothic_medieval_dresses.htm -- Some of the same clothes as the links above, so you may want to compare prices before buying.
• http://www.camelotcreationsonline.com/ -- Custom-made costumes from one of the members of the Medieval Wedding Discussion Board. Highly recommended by some of the other members!
• http://www.ancientcircles.com/ -- Fantasy and Medieval ready-made costumes, as well as jewelry and other accessories.
• http://www.ravensmoon.com/index.asp -- Very inexpensive and simple costume pieces -- vests, capes, cloaks, shirts, etc. Good for ideas if you're making your own.
• http://www.garbtheworld.com/index.shtml -- Same as above, but with more variety.
• www.pillagedvillage.com -- Again, some inexpensive, ready-to-wear costumes. Also, some patterns and trims if you're making your own costume. And lots of great accessories!
• http://www.travelerinthyme.com/Gwens.html -- The so-called Guinevere gown, inspired by King Arthur's wife. Inexpensive in stretch velvet. A lovely costume, my bridesmaids may be wearing these.
• http://www.polyhymniaconcepts.com/ -- Gorgeous, pricey costumes. Beware -- they were given a very bad review on the discussion board, so I wouldn't order from them. But looking is fine, and fun!
• http://www.ravenswoodleather.com/ -- For all your leather needs. Really nice clothing, slightly pricey (but hey, it's real leather!).
• http://www.jekylthehidesmith.com/ -- More leather and suede. Pretty good prices.
• http://www.fionasfineries.com/ -- Great prices for tunics and shirts.
• http://www.leatherworks.com/gothic_medieval_dresses.htm -- Fairly inexpensive (less than $100 US) Gothic-style dresses for the more fantasy-minded.
• http://store.yahoo.com/ladyorensmedievalshoes/ -- Awesome Medieval shoes and boots! Good prices, lots of variety. I bought shoes indirectly from here (through a woman on my board who didn't use them), and they're lovely shoes. Matthew's boots will probably be from here.
• http://scaboots.com/ -- Great boots for the men (or ladies)! Best prices I've found online.
• http://reems.com/womenshop.asp?page=2&subshopid=338 -- Another possibility for the women to wear on their feet is the Middle Eastern khussa, a jewelled slipper. Very pretty and affordable. (Just make sure to wear them in well!)