From whence comes this elegant wedding theme?
Only Martha knows (and these days, she's too busy to tell).
But we know a few things too, don't we? And one
is that the Perfect Pear theme truly is perfect.
There's something Georgian England about it — the ideal balance of old and new. It's fresh: it hasn't been done to death. Elegant, but not stuffy.
Sweet, but not cloying.
The pear itself figures in all kinds of symbolism.
In the Victorian language of flowers, pears mean affection.
In Cromwell's England, pears meant Christ. In Chinese tradition,
pears mean longevity. Despite the differences, one point
is clear: the pear is a multi-millenial celebration of womanly form.
Pear-fectly Luscious Favors
The pear theme is relatively new, so brides sometimes
find themselves scrambling for ideas. Favors may be the easiest
part to settle on; selection is good. Pear theme favors include:
-
Bags of miniature pears, of course! Tuck into netting,
tulle or even burlap, and attach a "Perfect Pear" tag
with names of the bride & groom and the wedding date.
- Perfect Pear candles come in all shapes, scents and sizes, with a delicious array of packaging options.
-
Juicy Pear Jelly Bellies
add jazz in an elegant box, organza bag or glassine envelope.
- Pear-shaped
cookie cutters on a pretty, beribboned card are
charming.
- Pear-scented
soaps sometimes rise to the level of art form.
- Pear-scented
incense is a lovely luxury.
-
Marzipan
and pears are the perfect pair, too! Even a beginner can make marzipan
pears. Read how to make beautiful marzipan
figures at home.
-
If you're crafty, small jars of homemade pear butter
could make for a welcome treat.
-
Foil-wrapped,
solid chocolate pears
are delightfully over-the-top.
Pre-Pearing the Perfect Reception
Spin out the pear theme with pear
invitations, pear-shaped placecard holders, pear topiaries and more.
You can even gild real pears with silver or goldleaf for a look
that's unforgettable.
Whatever you do, as a Pear Theme bride
you simply must visit USA
Pears, which gives you step-by-step directions for all this
and more.
Get yourself a quality pear rubber stamp, and
go wild with the wedding stationary.
Consider serving pear liqueurs at the reception:
try Marie Brizard (French), Combier's (also French), Maraska Kroskovac
(Croatian), or Pera Segnana (Italian). You can also try your hand
at homemade pear liqueur,
which is reputed to be light and airy in taste. A pear and Stilton
salad deserves serious consideration, as does a poached pear dessert
drenched in raspberry sauce or chocolate.
While you're setting up those stunning centerpieces,
consider naming your reception tables after pear varieties: Asian.
Bartlett. Bosc. Comice. D'Anjou. French Butter. Red Cascade. Seckel.
Taylor's Gold. Winter Nellis...
Thank you so much for all the wonderful ideas!