Biltmore Celebrates Fashionable Romance - Wedding Gowns in Film

Hello, there! Thank you for your kind response to my last post! It is so

nice knowing that you are still reading along and that we are still friends;

despite the fact that I do not update my blog nearly as often as I used to!

Like so many, this post is also long overdue but comes to you now courtesy

of your fellow reader and my friend Andrea, who asked via her comment

on my last post if I had any more photos of our visit to Biltmore during

their Fashionable Romance, Wedding Gowns in Film exhibit. And...

As luck would have it, I do! In fact, I loved this exhibit so much

that we attended twice! So just for you and Andrea, of course...

Sit back, get comfy and walk with me through my beloved Biltmore

as we discover Fashionable Romance and Wedding Gowns in film!

As with all my Biltmore posts, I will do my best to take you through

my photos in the order you would see the house on a tour of your own...

As you can see, Biltmore was decked out for a wedding in grand style;

evoking the magical air of love and romance that no doubt filled every

corner of this splendid home on the wedding day of George and Edith's

only child, Corneila on her wedding day back on April 29, 1924!

The winter garden was equally as beautifully decorated as the foyer...

With the exception of our visits to Biltmore at Christmas, I

must say that the winter garden never looked more lovely!

Just around the corner from the winter garden to the right...

Is the billiards room with its elevated bench seat on this side of the

room, which gives those watching an eye-level view of the table!

Just through the billiards room is the dining hall, where we finally

get our first look at gowns and costumes from the film, The Duchess!

But before we look at the gowns in this room closer... Look up!

Way up!

Honestly... Have you ever seen a more graceful,
dramatic and beautiful display of Spring flowers?

I loved these arrangements from every corner of this grand room!

Not to be outdone by the spectacular arial

décor was this display over near the hearth...

The Gown and wedding suit worn by Keira Knightley

and Ralph Fiennes, also from the film The Duchess!

Off the dining hall is the more intimate dining room used by the Vanderbilt

family and where we find costumes from the 1995 film, Sense and Sensibility...

Where proud Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself

falling in love with a woman beneath his class... Sigh.

I have been a huge fan of Colin Firth and Alan Rickman ever since!

Nominated for Best Costume Design, indeed!

Just between us... I lingered here for a while...

Just outside the dining room is the sitting room overlooking the majestic

blue ridge mountains and where we find these gowns from Howard's End!

Don't hold it against me but I have yet to see that film!

I do not even have a good excuse to offer... After all, it is my favorite genre; which,

is anything set in Edwardian England involving families hung up on their class!

Nevertheless, the film is now on my list!

Coming down the tapestry hall on our way to Mr. Vanderbilt's

library, we found costumes from the film, Wallis and Edward...

Like the film, a bit underwhelming for me...

However, the room that never underwhelms me is this library!

It is honestly my favorite room in the house!

And, where we find the gown worn by Helena

Bonham Carter in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein!

This gown belongs in this room!

But if you asked me which gown was my favorite...

It is without a doubt this one from Bertie and Elizabeth!

It's breathtaking in its simplicity and elegance...

From every angle!

At the top of the stairs on the second floor we see gowns from...

Pride and Prejudice!

Another of my most favorite films

and this was my favorite wedding suit!

Another film I have never seen is Emma...

But again, another incredible wedding

gown. This one worn by Gwyneth Paltrow!

Beautiful!

And, he's not bad either!

I love how most wedding dresses seem to

be even prettier when viewed from behind

No gowns featured in Mr. Vanderbilt's bedroom; however, I thought you might

like to see it anyway... Side note: I am hoping to live long enough for Biltmore to

finally offer a tour that includes Mr. V's personal bathroom. I am a huge fan of old

bathrooms and kitchens... So seeing the round marble tub, with its claw feet that

we can only see in that mirror strategically positioned there is high on my list!

I thought I might get to see it during the tour offered during

Food Blog Forum. But no such luck. Anyway, you have

to admit... This is quite the handsome bedroom!

Here in Mrs. Vanderbilt's bedroom we

find two lovely gowns from the film Hamlet...

First, this striking purple dress...

And there, this gorgeous wedding gown!

Between their bedrooms is the area where Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt

met for breakfast and where Mrs. Vanderbilt wrote menus, invitations

and other correspondence to the many guests entertained at Biltmore

It is also where we find another portrait of her and costumes from

the film, Out of Africa featuring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford!

I cannot remember one of these plaques that did not mention

a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design!

It is so easy to see why!

This is another room where Mrs. Vanderbilt spent a great deal of time. It is in this

room where her daughter was born and where Mrs. Vanderbilt could sit in the small,

enclosed balcony overlooking the expansive lawn and fountain at Biltmore's entrance

Just down the hall from the nursery is the music room and where we

find gowns from the 1988 film, The Deceivers. Another film I missed!

Also in the music room is this pair of costumes and if you look

closely at the plaque, you will see a very young Hugh Bonneville, whom

we all know from Notting Hill (Bernie) and of course, Downton Abbey!

Speaking of Downton Abbey, I have a little secret to tell you at the

end of this post I believe you are both going to love and hate me for!

Hate me because I have neglected to tell you before

now... And, love me for finally getting around to it!

But mostly, I hope you will love me!

No gowns to share with you from the basement gym...

Or the swimming pool...

But there was this one from the film, Tess in the gift shop!

Which is sadly where our tour ends. I do hope you enjoyed  your

excursion into Biltmore's Fashionable Romance exhibit! Now, about

that secret I have to share with you. It is about another exhibit we

attended last year... It was so exciting, we went three times. Ready?

Squeeeeee!

I know what you are thinking...

But, yes! Just prior to its conclusion, Biltmore hosted what was most

correctly described as an exhibit of The Exquisite Costumes from the hit

Masterpiece series, Downton Abbey. So, here is a glimpse of a gown

worn by the Countess of Grantham, Cora Crawley (née Levinson)

I leave you now reluctantly; however, also on the promise that there

will be a post for you about this amazing exhibit and our recent cruise

adventure to Alaska soon. Until then... Thank you for spending this

time with me. And, please... Do let me know what you think!

If you are planning a visit to Biltmore and/or Asheville and want to

see more highlights from our visits there, just click on any of the bolded

words Biltmore in this post. And, if you have questions... Just let me know!