Late 30's early 40's wedding photos

[waingirl]

Hi, does anyone have any old wedding photo's? I am trying to get inspiration for my bridal bouquet and bridesmaid dresses. Thanks...

 

[Snookie]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! I just found a new site that looks promising. I'm having trouble getting it to load properly, but it says it has wedding pictures from the 30s and 40s. Hopefully it works for you!

http://www.fashion-era.com/1930s/1930s_fashions_in_old_photos.htm

 

[Miss Dottie]

PortHalcyon.com had an amazing series on vintage weddings and one of the sections was on vintage flowers.

Here's the link: http://www.porthalcyon.com/features/200411/vintagewedding004.shtml

There are some nice pictures there that are just stunning.

Actually the entire series on vintage weddings was incredible. Well written and full of great tips for anyone planning a wedding.

Good luck!

 

[Etienne]

Here is one of my parents, from 1945:

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[Etienne]

And these are my in-laws. I think the year was 1941:

 

[jitterbugdoll]

PortHalcyon.com had an amazing series on vintage weddings and one of the sections was on vintage flowers.

Here's the link: http://www.porthalcyon.com/features/...dding004.shtml

There are some nice pictures there that are just stunning.

Actually the entire series on vintage weddings was incredible. Well written and full of great tips for anyone planning a wedding.

Good luck!

That's the series I wrote

My favorite style for maids' bouquets:

Cuffed bouquets were a popular look for this era. You can substitute lemon leaves, ivy, or ferns for the fabric as well.

The shower bouquet began to fall out of favor in the 1940s (in favor of the nosegay, which complemented the princess gowns of the 1950s), but the "lover's knots" tied in the streamers have a romantic story behind them. The catcher of the bouquet was entitled to untie a lovers’ knot and the wish she made was said to come true.

Styles were often loose and greenery was used liberally.

The most popular flowers for weddings in the 1930s-40s include roses, carnations, lily of the valley, orchids, and ivy; wild flowers were a favorite oduring WWII (due to weddings being rushed). Colors of choice include whites, creams, and pastels--more brightly colored bouquets became popular in the late 1950s.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

For bridesmaid color palettes:

The 1930s palette shifted to brighter colors; once again combined with muted, grayed shades—think richer pinks and purples, or even soft chartreuse.
A 1940s bride would have picked a combination of rich colors and pastels; perhaps a deep blue, green, or bright rose would have struck her fancy. Aqua and fuchsia, or gold and rust, are both stunning 40s combinations.

Rainbow weddings, where each maid wore a different color, were also popular.

Style wise, bridesmaids wore, feminine, frilly gowns with puffed sleves, sweetheart necklines (very popular during this time), and decorations such as bows or ruffles. They were generally floor length, unless the wedding was informal. Fabrics depended on the time of year, and included chiffons, net, satin, crepe, brocade/jacquard, velvet, plisse, pique, and so forth, in both solids and patterns. Light, airy fabrics were reserved for spring and summer; heavier, richer fabrics for fall and winter.

Imagine this floor length, with the empire bodice in one fabric and the skirt in another:

 

[waingirl]

Thank you, these pictures are great!!

:eusa_clap

 

[jitterbugdoll]

A 1940s rainbow wedding

And for fun, an early 30s photo showing the maid in blue, and the flower girl (Shirley Temple) in yellow: