How to Plan a Medieval Bridal Shower

In medieval times, betrothal parties were held for a bride and groom. In modern times, the Maid of Honor or a close friend of the bride usually hosts a bridal shower. If you are hosting a shower for a bride who is a fan of medieval times, then with a few simple steps you can combine the medieval betrothal party and the modern bridal shower to host a medieval-themed bridal shower.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Parchment paper
• Ribbon or raffia
• Medieval costume
• String or yarn
• 1 yard of cotton material for each of the bride's wedding colors
• 2-3 pieces of felt for each of the bride's wedding colors
• Ribbon in each of the bride's wedding colors
• 1 wooden dowel for each banner
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Poster board
• Markers or paint
• Wildflowers
• Pillar candles
• Food

Instructions

1. 
   Hand-deliver your party invitations if possible.

   Use a medieval font to create your invitations and print them on parchment paper. Roll the invitations up and tie them with raffia or ribbon to turn them into scrolls. Hand-deliver the scrolls if possible. If the invitations must be mailed, fold the paper instead of rolling it and use a parchment envelope.

2. 
   Medieval costumes can be simple or elaborate.

   Rent or make a medieval dress to wear. If your guests are expected to wear period clothing as well, allow ample time between the delivery of the invitations and the date of the party for them to acquire a costume.

3. 
   Kitchen utensils were the traditional gift at medieval betrothal parties.

   Modify traditional bridal shower games to fit the medieval bridal shower theme. For example, at medieval betrothal parties, guests would bring wooden cooking utensils or tools as gifts. As a twist on this custom, play the kitchen utensil game. Have each guest bring a new kitchen utensil to the bridal shower. Tie each utensil to a piece of heavy string or yarn. When all the utensils are attached to the string, tie it into a necklace for the bride to wear. Take pictures of the bride wearing her utensil necklace. Let the bride keep the utensils as gifts.

4. 
   Banners and shields can be decorated as simply or elaborately as you want.

   Decorate the location of the medieval bridal shower with colorful banners and shields displaying the family crest of the new couple.
   To make the banners, get 1 yard of cotton material in the wedding colors. For example, if the wedding colors are lavender and eggplant, get 1 yard of lavender and 1 yard of eggplant fabric. Cut both pieces of fabric lengthwise. If the material is wide, cut it into thirds. Each piece should be approximately 15 to 20 inches wide and 36 inches long.
   On a piece of plain paper draw the first letter of the groom's last name. Make the letter as big as the page. Pin the letter to a piece of lavender felt and cut it out. Cut out a lavender letter for each of the eggplant banners. Using a hot glue gun, attach one letter to the center of each banner. Repeat the process with the bride's initial with the eggplant felt and lavender banner.
   Lay a banner face-down on a table. Fold the top edge over, allowing enough space for the wood dowel. Hot glue or stitch the material. Slide the banner over the wood dowel.
   Cut a piece of ribbon 6 inches longer than the wood dowel. Tie one end of the ribbon to the right side of the wood dowel and the other end of the ribbon to the left side. Match the ribbon color to the letter on the banner. Hang the banner by the ribbon.
   Draw a shield on a piece of poster board, and design a coat of arms on the shield. Research the bride and groom's last names to find out what their family coat of arms looks like. Cut out the shield and hang it on the wall.

5. 
   Fresh flowers are timeless decorations.

   Place a few bouquets of wildflowers or plants around for decoration.

6. 
   Pillar candles create an intimate mood.

   Place large pillar candles around for lighting and decoration. Supplement with modern lighting as needed.

7. Play a CD of medieval music. Music was an integral part of medieval celebrations. A wandering minstrel would weave his way through the party, playing a flute or fiddle and singing songs that told of faraway lands.

8. 
   Choose foods that can be picked up and eaten easily.

   Set up a medieval banquet. Serve roasted beef, lamb, poultry or salmon, along with cheese barley or rye bread. Include vegetables, such as onions and cabbage, to round out the meal. Because people at medieval gatherings mostly ate with their hands, choose foods that can be picked up and eaten easily. Ale was the drink of choice in medieval times.

Tips & Warnings

• People in medieval times considered raw vegetables unhealthy and rarely ate them.
• Use caution with lit candles to avoid fire hazards. Do not place the candles close to curtains or banners, and avoid placing candles in areas where they may be knocked over.

Resources

• Bridal shower game ideas
• Medieval instrumental music that is free to download
• Sixty seven free medieval fonts you can download
• Information about Medieval dress, jewelry and weddings
• Coats of arms that are free to download