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It’s Time To Get Silly – National Mad Hatter Day (Alice In Wonderland)
October 6 is a day to get silly. Why? It’s National Mad Hatter Day, a day to celebrate the Hatter, an eccentric milliner for whom time is forever stuck at a tea party with his friends the March Hare and Dormouse in Lewis Carroll’s classic book Alice in Wonderland.
Why October 6th, you wonder?
This date was selected based on the original drawing by John Tenniel of the Hatter in the book Alice in Wonderland. Take a close look at his hat. You’ll see a piece of paper with “In This Style 10/6” written on it. This is actually a price tag – 10 shillings and 6 pence.
How to Celebrate?
• Read Alice in Wonderland
• Watch the movies based on the novel
• Wear a hat the whole day
• Host an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party[ctt template=”1″ link=”rYfq1″ via=”yes” nofollow=”yes”]”We’re All Mad Here!”[/ctt]
• Read riddles to each other
• Write your own riddles – they can be real, or nonsensical like the Hatter’s (“Why is a raven like a writing desk?”)
• Be silly
Are you a fan of Lewis Carroll’s famous work who’s planning a wedding? Here are some fun Alice in Wonderland wedding ideas:
• Of course you can incorporate your Alice in Wonderland theme into any color scheme, but red, black, and white are popular Alice in Wonderland colors.
• Direct guests to the ceremony and reception areas with fun signage (“down the rabbit hole,” “turn around,” “this way”).
• Don’t forget playing cards. You can use cards that match your color scheme, or use a deck of Alice in Wonderland cards.
• Forget about plain vases. Use teapots and tea cups.
• Dance the night away on a black and white checkerboard dance floor.
• Place “Eat Me” and “Drink Me” signs and tags on the bar and food tables.
• White rabbits, time pieces, and hearts are a must.
Here are some décor pics from an Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding we had the pleasure of planning and designing.
A Mad Hatter Hat Atop The Gift Card Box
Custom “We’re All Mad Here!” Cake Topper and Wedding Cake with Clock Faces (Cake by The Cakery)
Sweetheart Table “Just Married” Swag Made Out of Pages from Alice In Wonderland, with Cheshire Cat Smiles, and Butterflies (a nod to the caterpillar after his transformation)
“Who Are You?” Mirrored Guest Book Sign
Groom’s Pocket Watch and Key Boutonniere (designed and created by the bride)
Photo credit (groom’s boutonniere): Prima Vista Photography
Did You Know…
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- …that even though this holiday is called Mad Hatter Day and that the Hatter is commonly known as the Mad Hatter, Lewis Carroll never refers to the character as the Mad Hatter? He refers to him simply as The Hatter.
- The origin of the phrase, it’s believed, is that hatters really did go mad. In Victorian England, chemicals used by hatmakers included mercurous nitrate. Prolonged exposure caused mercury poisoning, and was referred to as Mad Hatter Disease and Mad Hatter Syndrome.
- “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” The Hatter asks this of Alice. But when Alice gave up and asked him what the answer was, his reply was, “I haven’t the slightest idea.” He didn’t know because, as Lewis Carroll admitted, there was no answer.
Have fun and BE SILLY!
What do you think of our Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding décor?
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Need planning help or looking for unique ideas for your wedding? Contact me at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or at 937-235-2586 or 937-581-3647!