A Victorian Bride at The Whitney

Three weddings took place at The Whitney yesterday, which is not unusual, but one in particular stood out when I got a glimpse of the bride.   As soon as I saw her, I knew her gown was from the mid-1800's era and she was emulating Queen Victoria whose wedding to her beloved Prince Albert took place on Feb. 10, 1840.

I wanted to take the bride's picture but didn't want to be intrusive.  Imagine my delight when I saw pictures on Facebook this morning of the wedding posted by Jackie Wakeling Jacobs, the seamstress who made the gown, and owner of Past Reflections. 

I had a brief opportunity to speak to the bride as I passed her in the hallway while she was waiting for the elevator.  I told her she looked beautiful and that she reminded me of wedding pictures of Queen Victoria.  She smiled and said her gown was authentic to the Victorian era.  

Below is Queen Victoria's wedding picture in her white silk satin gown.  She is credited with starting the tradition of white bridal gowns.

Enjoy the pictures from yesterday's wedding at The Whitney courtesy of Past Reflections.

I smiled when I saw one of our teapots and cups and saucers sitting on a table [lower left corner], because Queen Victoria, who loved tea, probably would have sipped it while getting ready for her wedding ceremony too.

~ The Ceremony ~

~ The Reception ~

~ The Bride, Emele ~

The small, intimate reception was held in Mr. Whitney's library.  Guests were given a china teacup as a remembrance of the happy occasion.

I first met Jackie Wakeling Jacobs back in 2005 when I helped at Tea by Three tearoom. Cheryl Nix, the owner, invited Jackie on a couple occasions for a program on vintage clothing.

The photo below was a Halloween tea and the topic was Victorian mourning clothes.  Jackie is shown modeling a mourning outfit she made.  Victorians took mourning very seriously.

Cheryl Nix [center], Jackie [right] and me [left].

I wish I would have seen Jackie yesterday, but I was busy with my responsibilities, and she was probably busy helping Emele.

I hope you enjoyed this Victorian wedding vicariously.

Craft-Tea at The Whitney

Last Saturday The Whitney hosted one of three Craft-Teas scheduled this month - something new they're trying.  Saturday's tea was Christmas card making.  The restaurant is all decorated for Christmas and definitely provides an atmosphere for inspiration and creativity.  11 ladies attended.  They were served three courses of their Afternoon Tea, and then had a break to make their Christmas card.  When it was finished the fourth course - desserts - was served.

~ Gift bags for attendees ~

Barb Kapla [left] a Stampin' Up instructor and her helper.

~ Giving instructions to the ladies. ~

Two of the three tables of participants.

The finished card cover.  

The attendees had a fun time.  The next sold-out [capped at 20] Craft-Tea was scheduled for this Saturday - decorating a Bouche d' Noel with our talented pastry chef, Eric, but sadly, it will have to be rescheduled because Governor Whitmer ordered dine-in restaurants in our state to be shut down effective yesterday [Nov. 18] thru Dec. 8th due to the resurgence of COVID-19.

The Princess Tea scheduled for December 5th is proceeding but the date is tentative due to the restaurant's shut-down - watch the Whitney website.  Our annual Christmas tea is scheduled for December 18th and 19th and my boss told me yesterday we will be doing Christmas teas "To-Go" this year, so watch the website for that as well.

In the meantime while I'm at home, I've been engaging in some creativity of my own - two Shutterfly photo albums as Christmas presents.  I submitted one of my daughter's 2019 Valentine's Day Wedding last night and am working on a "Teatime with Nana" album for my granddaughter, Tiffany.

Last Day of January

It's hard to believe the first month of the new year is gone already!  This last day of January was a work day and we had two delightful guests for Afternoon Tea... Elizabeth and Sandra.

As soon as they walked through the front door in beautiful pre and mid Civil War outfits I knew I wanted to take their picture, and they graciously granted me permission.  I thought they might belong to an reenactment group, but they don't. Elizabeth [on the left] is a seamstress and makes costumes.  Sandra is her good friend.  They're big Jane Austen fans.

The Whitney grand staircase was perfect for photographing their beautiful outfits.

We had two other guests today who were special too - a pre-school little boy and his brother who was probably in kindergarten or first grade.  They came with their mother and grandmother and were dressed in matching light blue sport coats with red bow ties.  They were perfectly behaved little princes.  Because they were children I didn't ask to take their picture to post on the Internet.

I always say, "You meet the nicest people over tea!"  And my job allows me to meet them frequently.  I love my job!

Friends at Tea Time

I went to work this morning not expecting any surprises.  I never look at the names on the reservation list - only the number of guests who will be coming.   There was one table for six and two tables for two.  

I was surprised when the server came back to the tea/coffee prep area saying, "Some ladies are in the Drawing Room and asked to see you.  They said they're friends of yours."  Friends, indeed!  They attend the church where I was secretary for 22 years and where I attended 27 years - before our son started a church plant of the same denomination 20 miles north of us.  My hubby and I left the 'mother church' to lend our support to the new church.

I love the Girl Scout song:  "Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold."  I made new friends at the new church, but I cherish the friendships at the old church!  I was so happy they came to visit.

I normally dress in dark clothing, but since this is Memorial weekend, I got daring and dressed patriotic.  One of the ladies sent the photo she took of me in front of the first floor fireplace.

I loved that ministry related job I held for 22 years, but now I'm privileged to serve in another capacity.   I'm so blessed by the opportunities God has given me.

Yesterday, we had a mother and her four adult daughters come to tea to celebrate the 70th birthday of one daughter.  The cake was so beautiful I took a picture.

Annual Christmas Tea at The Whitney

Whitney's Fourth Annual Christmas Tea will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

It will be hosted by Mary Jones of Intu Tea [the restaurant's tea purveyor].  The event will include live holiday music, a very special Christmas menu, special guests, and presents.

Tickets are $75 per person and are available through eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-holiday-tea-tickets-52099447851

Seating is limited, so don't delay.  Any local readers who attend, please make yourself known to me.  

*  *  *

As promised in my last post, a tour of the mansion to see the Christmas decorations in several of the rooms [I didn't go up to the third floor for pictures].  It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas at The Whitney!

~ Grand Hallway Fireplace Mantel ~

~ Reception Room Mantel and Christmas Tree ~

~ Drawing Room Mantel and Christmas Tree ~

~ Formal Dining Room Mantel and Christmas Tree ~

~ Library Mantel and Christmas Tree ~

~ The Study Mantel and Christmas Tree ~

The music room wasn't decorated yet, so we'll ascend the Grand Staircase to the second floor.  Those are the 16 steps [plus 10 more next to them] that I climb multiple times every time I go to work.  Love the exercise!  ;-)

~ Mantel in Mr. Whitney's Bedroom and Christmas Tree ~

~ Mantel in Mrs. Whitney's Bedroom and Christmas Tree ~

~ Mantel in Mrs. Whitney's Sitting Room and Christmas Tree ~

Mantel in daughter's bedroom - either Flora Ann's or Katherine's, we don't know which, and Christmas Tree.

As with anything, the decorations are much prettier in person, but for readers who can't visit the Whitney a photo tour is the next best thing.

Mother / Son Lunch Date

Today should have been a work day, but I didn't know there were four Afternoon Tea reservations when I went home yesterday, so I thought I had the day off.

My son, Steve, has never been to The Whitney, and has been wanting to visit.  Today was a light day for him, and since I thought I had the day off we decided it was the perfect time to go to lunch there.

We were seated in the Library, and Paul was our server.  I ordered African Nectar Rooibos herbal tea to go with my meal.

Paul brought each of us a shot glass of hot Maple flavored Apple Cider garnished with fresh diced Apples.  Yum!

Steve ordered Calamari as an appetizer.  He said it was the best Calamari he ever had.

His entree was Shrimp and Grits with Cajun Andouille Sausage.  

I've been very diligent about sticking with the diet to correct a health issue, so I ordered a grilled Cauliflower Steak with grilled Asparagus and Baby Carrots with a Black Bean Burger.  It was not only healthy, but delicious.  I came home looking for a Black Bean Burger recipe on the Internet, and found one I'm anxious to try.

Dessert for Steve was a Key Lime filling in a White Chocolate Cup.

My kids and their spouses have all created Bitmojis for themselves, but that's beyond my technological skills, so during lunch Steve created a Bitmoji for me - albeit a 30 year younger version of me.  ;-)  Have you created a Bitmoji of yourself?

After lunch, I took Steve on a quick tour of the mansion.  It's decked out in Christmas splendor right now, with a Christmas tree in every room, and all 22 mantels decorated. Below is the fireplace in the Great Hall.  I took some pictures on Wednesday to accompany an e-mail I'll be sending out about The Whitney's Christmas Tea next month, and this pic was one of them.

I'll take you on a Christmas tour of the mansion in my next post.