It's been a while since I rounded up fairytale wedding inspiration, so today I'm sharing some swoon-worthy images inspired by another of my favorite stories. The literary version of the Snow White story wasn't one I begged for as a child, but I've loved seeing modern interpretations, from Snow White and the Huntsman to Mary Margaret in Once Upon a Time that give Snow White more agency and power, and make her love story much more compelling. Today, I'm drawing on the Grimm brothers' original fairy tale to capture the innocent essence of the sweet princess.
Once upon a time in the middle of winter, when the flakes of snow were falling like feathers from the sky, the queen sat by her window sewing, and the frame of the window was made of black ebony. And whilst she was sewing and looking out of the window at the snow, she pricked her finger with the needle, and three drops of blood fell upon the snow. The red looked so pretty upon the white snow that she felt no pain, and she thought to herself, "Would that I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood of the window-frame." Soon after that she had a little daughter, who was as white as snow, and as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony; and she was therefore called Snow White.
As Snow White grew into womanhood, she grew more and more beautiful; and when the Queen asked her looking-glass —
"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, Who in this land is the fairest of all?"
it answered—-
"Thou art fairer than all who are here, Lady Queen."
But more beautiful still is Snow-white, as I ween."
When the Queen's huntsman had drawn his knife, and was about to pierce Snow-white's innocent heart, she began to weep, and said, "Ah dear huntsman, leave me my life! I will run away into the wild forest, and never come home again."
And as she was so beautiful the huntsman had pity on her and said, "Run away, then, you poor child." It seemed as if a stone had been rolled from his heart, but now the poor child was all alone in the great forest, and so terrified that she looked at every leaf of every tree, and did not know what to do. Then she began to run, and ran over sharp stones and through thorns, and the wild beasts ran past her, but did her no harm.
She ran as long as her feet would go until it was almost evening; then she saw a little cottage and went into it to rest herself. Everything in the cottage was small, but neater and cleaner than can be told. There was a table on which was a white cover, and seven little plates, and on each plate a little spoon, seven little knives and forks, and seven little mugs. Against the wall stood seven little beds side by side, and covered with snow-white counterpanes.
The princess was so hungry and thirsty that she ate some vegetables and bread from each plate and drank a drop of wine out of each mug, for she did not wish to take all from one only. Then, as she was so tired, she laid herself down on one of the little beds, said a prayer and went to sleep.
When it was morning Snow White awoke, and was frightened when she saw the seven dwarfs. But they were friendly and she stayed with them. In the mornings they went to the mountains and looked for copper and gold, in the evenings they came back, told wonderful stories, and were quite merry.
When the apple was ready the Queen painted her face, and dressed herself up as a country-woman, and so she went over the seven mountains to the seven dwarfs' cottage.
Snow White longed for the fine apple, and when she saw that the woman ate part of it she could resist no longer, and stretched out her hand and took the poisonous half.
It happened that a king's son came into the forest, and saw the beautiful Snow White in her repose. And with his kiss, she opened her eyes, sat up, and was full of joy. Snow White went with her prince, and their wedding was held with great show and splendour.
Which of these fairytale-inspired details is your favorite?
Let me know in the comments!
