This past weekend we hosted a special event titled Tea, Love and Marriage - Victorian Style. The menu featured the subtle language of flowers. The first course included a leafy green salad with kiwi, blueberries, and sugared almonds symbolic of hope. The salad was dressed with Orange Marmalade Dressing. Orange symbolizes your purity equals your loveliness.
"There is a language, little know, lovers claim it as their own. Its symbols smile upon the land wrought by nature's wondrous hand; and in their silent beauty speak, of life and joy, to those who seek, for love divine and sunny hours, in the language of the flowers." J.S.H., The Language of Flowers, London, 1875
The sandwich course featured Cucumber & Mint (virtue) Butter, Rosemary (remembrance) Chicken Salad Tartlets, Sweet Basil (good wishes) Pesto & Tomato Crostini, Calla (magnificent beauty) Lily Sandwich with Parsley (festivity), and Tomato Rosemary (remembrance) Muffin with White Rosebud (girlhood).
A Traditional English Cream Scone was served alongside Rose Geranium (preference) Pound Cake accompanied by Sweet Cream and Strawberry Preserves, Fresh Orange Slices, Pineapple (you are perfect) and a Tuxedo Dressed Strawberry.
Dessert included s Sugar Glazed Parasol Cookie, Frosted Lavender (luck) Stem, and a Wedding Cake Petit Four.
Our special guest speaker was Myra Reichart. She discussed courtship, the wedding ceremony, clothing and gowns, and other customs and superstitions of this era. 
Many of our guests dressed appropriately for this very fun day. We love the extra effort they made to add to the festivity and gaiety of the day.
Love the symbolism here! Filing this salad recipe away for the bridesmais luncheon this fall!
ReplyDeleteYour menu with all the symbolism was definitely thoughtful. Loved seeing every little thing, including the outfits the ladies wore. A very fun theme.
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