Wedding History - Weddings From The 1950's

( Originally Published 1954 )

The thing that marks weddings of this decade is the return of dignity. Elaborate church services have come back into vogue. The utmost in correct formal attire is expected not only of the bride, but o€ the groom and his ushers. It is not uncommon for people of moderate circumstances to rent all the wedding costumes. But rented or owned, these are worn proudly and form a cherished picture by all who view the affair. The formal reception line is now restored to favor; gifts are now properly displayed and gay tuneful music provides opportunity for dancing. There is very little crude horseplay as the pair leave for the standard automobile honeymoon-a handful of rice perhaps and ribbons wishing godspeed. Many, brides are looking up old family pictures or dresses, so that their wedding can be in some respects a repeat of great grandmother's.

As for wedding music, that also continues traditional. Besides Lohengrin and Mendelssohn, and favorites like "O Promise Me" as shown herein, many other musical selections can and will be used. Here is a list of those heard fairly recently at some ceremony or the reception thereafter:

March from Aida (Verdi) or The Prophet (Meyerbeer), Ave Maria (Gounod), Liebestram (Liszt), Liebeslod from Tristan and Isolde (Wagner), The Lord Is My Shepherd (Horatio Parker), I Love You Truly (C. J. Bond), At Dawning (Cadman), Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life (V. Herbert); Serenade (Schubert), Valse Bluette (Drego), Chanson Bohemienne (Bode), and Spririg Song (Mendelssohn).

One of today's wedding accessories is the Bridal Secretary. She is the employee of the shop where the bridal outfit is bought and her services are free. There are now, over. 600 of these competent advisers as to what is correct usage; where to set a wedding and how to get all the details attended to properly. These arbiters of wedding fashions and etiquette report that grooms want their brides to have all the frills; and more than is usually conceded, they have helped set the dignified tone that marks today's events. They will even tell you the kind of make-up that offsets unflattering church lighting, and at the ceremony give you a list of "things I mustn't forget . . . Don't try to remember your name, however. You'll soon have a new one."