A Cherished Collection!

After getting a few comments about my 'bridal wreath collection' seen in my birthday photos, I decided I should do a post on them. The History of Victorian Wedding Orange Blossoms is old and romantic.

"Incorporating orange blossoms into the bride's costume originated in ancient China where they were emblems of purity, chastity and innocence. There are few trees so prolific as the orange; it is one of the rare plants that blooms and bears fruit at the same time, thus becoming symbolic of fruitfulness. During the time of the Crusades, the custom was brought from the East first to Spain , then to France , then to England in the early 1800's. By then, many enchanting legends had spread throughout the continent of maidens entwining fresh orange blossoms into a bridal wreath for their hair... Queen Victoria created the vogue for the sweet smelling blossoms when she wore them in a grand wreath for her 1840 wedding... When real orange blossoms were in short supply or in northern climates where citrus fruits did not flourish, wax replicas were used instead."

When I saw my first wreath, I fell in love with the sentiment of someone creating these lovely flowers of wax to be worn by a bride - and only later learned of their history. I was lucky to find a few wreaths in local antique shops a number of years ago, and then searched Ebay for others. Word got around and a lovely woman in Berkeley told me she was selling her collection and suddenly I had more than I knew what to do with! At that point I had a vision of displaying them like a quilt, each on individual boards, as you see above. Once I was able to create a square of 25 wreaths I stopped collecting - where would I put any more??? I did add a 'French Marriage Globe' to my collection (used by wealthy brides to display their wreaths and bouquets) - which I adore. Most of my wreaths are French. My favorite ones are those that look like real Orange blossoms, (this one came with the Wedding Menu card!)

Many are very decorative, with pearls and ribbons added on; shaped like wheat sheaths or spring berries... One is completly made of gold paper, and another came with the grooms bow-tie! I love them all, for their romantic symbology and sweet sentiment!!!

Comments

[tongue in cheek]

Beautiful. I like how you simply matted them it shows off their beauty. Can't you just feel the love and happiness coming from them, the blushing bride, the young girl's dream...Thank you for showing these photos, I love looking at them.

[Friederike! & Sandra]

what a wonderful collection and how beautiful presented!

[eb]

oh my gosh Ulla - you read my mind - I wanted to know more about that collection in the birthday photo - so divine and so romantic - I can smell the aroma of neroli oil...

or more precisely - mock orange - from our garden - and this was the aroma of my falling in love - oh yes...

swooning...

xox - eb.

[susanna]

What a beautiful collection, Ulla! They are so feminine, so lovely. And knowing that those wreathes were made especially for love, romance and happiness adds an extra specialness to your collection. Are they on permanent display in your house or studio?

[corine]

I love how those are arranged. Together they form more than a collection, they are a work of art.

[Pinkie Denise]

Ulla, what a very special collection. So uniquely beautiful. I don't think I have ever
seen anything like it before. You are so amazingly interesting I just enjoy the knowledge you have to share. I could sit and listen to you forever.........................
This post invokes a memory as a child picking
oranges in an orchard, the sweet fragrant smell of the waxy blossoms, there is no other
fragrance like it so sweet and distinct. I love it and you too for sharing Pinkie Denise

[Erla]

Dear Ulla.
What an incredible collection and so perfectly presented.
Can you imagine all the different brides and the anticipation saturated with the 25 occasions?
Big hug from Iceland.
Erla

[Linda Harre]

How lovely and how gorgeous that wall was behind you in the photo!!! Love the history and the story! Thanks again for informing and inspiring me:D hugs, Linda

[myra]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I must learn how to make them. Thanks so much for always sharing truly beautiful and amazing things!

[rochambeau]

What a collection! They look great displayed on your wall the way you have them. What an interesting post written by a beautiful birthday girl!

[Terri]

You have a beautiful collection! My wedding band is decorated with engraved orange blossoms. They told me that it ment never ending love. That was over 35 years ago, Thanks for sharing your beauties. Terri