What lovely videos, the dresses in the last - swoon!
I know somewhere there is a video from my grandparents wedding, they were married towards the end of the war I believe. I've got a photo somewhere which I really must scan to show you all, there are air raid wardens in the groupshots - complete with their hats!

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Ooh, bennic, would you? One of the things I'm really interested in is the influence of army uniform on wedding attire - women who married in their auxiliary uniforms in war time, or chose not to, what guests wore, how morning suit survived as formal wear, etc. Your grandparents' photo sounds amazing!

Lula, thanks for the story. What a brave decision your grandmother made. Were both your grandparents Jewish? Sorry for all the questions - I'm just in the research zone and this is all fascinating to me. Do tell me to go away if you prefer!

And yes, there is masses of material - one of the biggest issues I've had so far has been how to cut it down to a reasonable size. My father-in-law has actually come up with a brilliant idea: if the general history sells well, use the research to write advice books on how to have a vintage wedding from different eras (so one on the Victorian wedding, one on the 1920s wedding, one on the 1960s wedding etc.). It could keep me happily employed for years to come.

I'll head to the cupboard now! I think I've got more than just my grandparents wedding photos too.

I don't know if it would help further, but if you wanted to ask my Nan anything, send me a list of questions and I can ask away, she's a cracking lady for 88!

Just got back from the depths of the cupboard! Turns out my grandparents were married in 1941.

Got the photo in front of me now. I count 4 wardens in the photos, and a distinct lack of young 'soldier age' men. There are some obvious teenagers in attendance, the rest of the men are probably 40+ and lots of women in glorious hats. Not to mention a few small children and a baby being held up at in the 2nd row!

For some comparison, I've also got a photo of my Grandmothers brother's wedding circa 1950's.

I've also got a photo of my Grandmothers sisters wedding - a much simpler affair, but at the same church as my Grandmother married. I do wonder if this wedding was post war, I'll have to call and ask. In this group shot outside the church there are really only older women and men in attendance.

I'll take them into work on Thursday and scan them in.

Wonderful retro footage! I've always loved that rendition of "Memories are Made of This" too. I remember when I was a "horseshoe girl" too and had the opposite experience because I was expecting moving pictures since my aunt, a documentary film-maker was one of the guests. However, she'd taken a day off, so to speak, and my somewhat overdone performing to camera was entirely pointless!

In the first clip I was also reminded that at least one guest would wear one of those mangy fur capes regardless of the season!

Jessica - please can you write your 'how to have a 60's wedding' in the next few days please?

Lula - what a great find, I did some 60's research, lovely that 50/40 years on we're all swooning over them.

I love looking at my grandparents and great grandparents wedding photo's - my grandparents got married in 1936 at either the ritz or the savoy in london not sure which but me thinks that must have cost a fair few shillings!!

Lula what a feast of romantic swoonsome lovliness,
how I long for their hand span waists and their frocks.
What a treat, after seeing so many tacky wedding videos I was put off to the extent of not having one.
Why was I so blind?
When Mr.Lee and I celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary we shall not have such gems.... they capture far more than any photograph.
We must talk about our wonderful day more often, we must not forget x

Finally, I have scanned the pics.

Firstly, my Grandmother/Grandfathers Wedding in 1941

And secondly, her sisters wedding, date still to be confirmed, but it took place at the same church.

What I love in this second picture is the lady coughing, another with some sort of fox draped over her shoulder, and the gentleman on the far right with the eye patch.

enjoy!

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Bennic, those are fabulous! Thank you so much! I love the difference between the elaborate dresses and flowers of the first one and the restrained suit and corsages of the second one. Can I speculate that rationing had begun to bite?

Also interesting that neither groom is in uniform, but you are right about the dearth of young men (and indeed women in the the second photograph!)

OMG! These videos are soooooo lovely. Am having a quiet blub.....I wonder if people will be watching ours years from now??