Bridal Portraits & A Victorian Settee

by V.V. Denman | @vvdenman

For related posts in the Mother-of-the-Bride Blog Series, click here.

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My parents, who are avid antique dealers, purchased a reproduction Victorian settee in the mid-nineties. It sat in their formal living room flanked by winged-back chairs and an elaborate curio cabinet.

Even though my parents ranked grandchildren higher than furniture, I always feared one of my offspring would soil/damage/destroy what has come to be known as “The Princess Couch.“

It didn’t happen, of course. The things I worry about never do.

On the contrary, my mother encouraged the children to enjoy her pretty things. So when Jessica turned eight, she and her friends donned dress-up clothes and convened for a tea party at Grandma’s house. Finger foods were served on depression glass, and Cherry 7-Up was sipped from crystal stemware. Then each girl, in turn, was photographed on The Princess Couch.

Notice Jessica in my high school prom dress.

Ten years later, my parents moved from their big house into a house two doors down . . . from me. You might think that’s too close for comfort, but I didn’t mind because both The Princess Couch and the elaborate curio cabinet ended up in my living room.

Since then, Jillian and Janae have held dress-up bashes of their own.

Now it’s 2012 and bridal portrait time.

Naturally, the Denman clan wanted pictures on The Princess Couch.

So Jessica got dressed-up again. This time in her wedding gown, veil, and great-grandmother’s pearls. The three princesses and I piled in the mini van along with the photographer. (Madalyn, from Madalyn Belle Photography)

The Princess Couch, on the other hand, was strapped in the back of Granddaddy’s old red pick-up. Our short parade proceeded to several locations around town where we jumped out, snapped pictures, then loaded up again. We were sort of a lacy, A.D.D., furniture-laden fiasco.

But it was worth it.

The pictures are stunning. I’d love to show them to you, but tradition dictates the bride not be seen until The Day. However, this post isn’t about the bride, it’s about the couch.

So I’ll give you a peek. (Don’t tell Jessica)

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