If you and your partner want an unforgettable wedding experience and love the idea of a themed wedding, why not plan a Renaissance wedding?
Picture you and your partner surrounded by the magic and splendor of the Renaissance era while in costume and a celebration that is personally tailored toward what makes you and your partner happy.
I had the chance to capture Clint and Kate’s Maryland Renaissance Festival Wedding, and not only was it an epic and festive celebration, but it was also a one-of-a-kind experience for them and their guests.
Let’s dive into why you should plan a Renaissance Festival Wedding with a behind-the-lens look at Clint and Kate’s Maryland Renaissance Festival Wedding.
Why You Should Plan a Renaissance Festival Wedding
A Renaissance wedding could be perfect for you if:
You want a wedding that is offbeat, quirky, and non-traditional
If you know that you don’t want a wedding that adheres to tradition and want a symbolic, non-religious ceremony that gives you the freedom to customize it, then a Renaissance festival wedding will allow you to do exactly that.
You already love Renaissance festivals
If you and your partner have been going to Renaissance festivals and they are special to you and your relationship, having your wedding at a Renaissance festival will not only be lots of fun but also significant for both of you as you start this new and exciting chapter of your life.
You want you and your guests to have festive costumes
When I say dressing up in a costume, I’m not talking about buying a generic chain-store Halloween costume. For your Renaissance wedding, you and your guests can get creative with what you choose to wear.
For example, you or your guests could wear a cloak, a long skirt, or two long skirts for layering, or a floor-length dress, or come in costume as a specific profession, such as a cleric, blacksmith, or baker—the list goes on.
Here are some additional ideas for costumes:
- A Wizard
- An Elf
- A Sorceress
- A Court Jester
- A Knight
- A Fortune Teller
The great news about a Renaissance wedding is that you get to make your day look however you want, and that includes choosing what you and your partner want to wear.
You want an outdoor wedding with unique activities to do afterwards to celebrate
Another great reason to plan a Renaissance wedding is that you can have your wedding outdoors. After your ceremony, there are so many different activities (and foods) you can indulge in at the Renaissance fair.
You and your guests can enjoy Renaissance entertainment, check out vendors, eat smoked turkey legs, fresh crepes, or apple pastries, or participate in activities such as throwing battle axes.
Also, during your ceremony, you can add customary elements, including:
- Handfasting
- A musician to play the lute or violin
- A cleansing ritual for your wedding aisle
- A ritual to honor your ancestral heritage
- Having your guests raise swords as you take your first steps down the aisle
…and so much more!
You love the idea of planning a wedding feast for your reception
Imagine having a grand, royal wedding feast after your ceremony, complete with a menu with rich flavors, hearty portions, a spectacular presentation, and more, all curated to match the food served during this era.
You can even plan to include Renaissance-inspired desserts such as fruit tarts, sugared fruits, or marzipan figurines. Also, you can have mulled wine, mead, or ale to serve as drinks.
Plan a Maryland Renaissance Festival Wedding
Hear ye! Hear ye! If you want to have a Maryland Renaissance Festival Wedding, here are some important things that you need to know:
- You and your wedding parties must all be dressed on theme
- The Festival can help give you recommendations for craftspeople who can design and create costumes for you
- You can have an officiant that is fully dressed up to match you
- The area where you will have your ceremony is an outdoor space and is exposed to the elements
- There is a $100 fee to secure the stage for your wedding
For more information about planning your wedding at the Maryland Renaissance Festival go here.
Kate and Clint’s Wedding at the Maryland Renaissance Festival
Kate and Clint had a magical and jovial wedding at the Maryland Renaissance Festival (MDRF) that fully embodied the Renaissance spirit.
Their day had a D&D party in attendance and nerds and a romantic ceremony at the Renaissance Festival chapel. After their ceremony at the chapel, they continued their celebration with turkey legs and joust-watching before an afternoon break before the evening’s reception.
Kate and Clint had a reception at Bryant St Market in DC in a private event space. Something that was really unique about their reception was that Kate and Clint had drawn portraits of each other on pumpkins, and they had their guests vote on whose pumpkin was best.
They also asked their guests to draw a portrait of someone else attending on paper pumpkins for Kate and Clint to keep as mementos. This was a Halloween tradition that the two of them shared, and it was such a fun way to incorporate their guests in a memorable way!
Ready to Plan a Maryland Renaissance Festival Wedding?
A Renaissance festival wedding will always linger in your and your guest’s memories and if self-expression is important to you should consider a Renaissance wedding. This type of wedding gets to look like whatever whatever whimsical fairytale you’re imagining being brought to life. Also, a Renaissance festival wedding is your chance to go back in time and escape into another era.
Now, all you need is the perfect photographer to capture your wedding. I would love to be your partner in letting your imagination run wild! You can click here to learn more about my wedding photography services, or you can head over here to reach out and chat about your vision for your wedding!
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