A special license was obtained from the Archbishop of Canterbury or his office in Doctor’s Commons in London. The fee for this license was about £5. A special license lifted the time and place restrictions, but all other requirements were the same. The names of the applicants had to be included and risk of nullification existed if these names were altered in any way. As with the banns and regular license, the special license was good for three months.

Brides seldom bought a new gown for their wedding, they opted for their best dress instead.

It was Queen Victoria who made the white wedding dress popular. Not only did white symbolize purity and virginity, but they believed it to also ward off evil spirits. Another tradition to confuse malicious, no good spirits, was the custom of bridesmaids. Brides began surrounding themselves with other finely dressed women in order to keep the evil spirits at bay.