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So having an attack of insomnia, I found myself searching on you tube for cine film weddings as we still haven't decided on the music for our cine film style dvd and I found these incredible videos of weddings from the 1950's and 60's. They are so wonderful to see these weddings of a bygone era, it really is very moving!

This first one is just so sweet- had tears running down my cheeks! ( music didn't help tho!)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dje-wQxborw

And this one from Scotland, check out the opening shots of all their wedding gifts including a carpet sweeper!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_lMJqrgRqWU&feature=related

Made me think nothing much has changed much- men in morning suits, the cars, standing around drinking fizzy, confetti shots and bridesmaids in horrid dresses!!

Although I wouldn't say no to one of these dresses-
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lnB7qHN5yHw

Ain't they great?!

[Modified by: Lula_sweetpea on 07 October 2008 05:01:46 ]

Lula, you have just seriously made my day! I woke up thinking I really need to get back to my wedding research (after months of concentrating on other things). This is priceless source material! Thank you!

oh there just like a good old movie. The confetti in the first one was just such a lovely scene, there was nothing contrived about it, it was all just so genuine. And the music, well needless to say I had a little cry too!!
And see how all the guests wer given buttonholes but most of them didnt match, and canapés! I wish I was alive in the 50's and 60's!

Gorgeous! i absolutely love those bridesmaid dresses in the last one, i would be so happy if i could find something like those for my bestest ladies...
had a little cry at 1 and 2 - she looked so nervous at the start and so full of joy afterwards. Made me wonder if we ought to have a video too!

Drat! I can't get into youtube at work - well, I can using an external network connection but someone else is using it just now. Will have to wait until I get home to see the pretty pictures.

Ah shame, skip-it's right up your rue!

Also can you tel me who sings the second song on the first clip? Is it Jimmy Durante? Need yours and Mrs Lee's help with that!

Mrs Jessicad- aren't they fab? Glad they have inspired you, you were writing a book on weddings weren't you?

I love them so because we have this amazing footage of my grandparents wedding from 1939, it's only ten minutes long but it's in colour and is incredible to see them all young and newlywed! They were married for 68 years!

I still am, Lula, just very, very slowly. Actually, I'm giving a paper on war weddings in December, hence my new sense of purpose - I have done very little research at all but I 'wrote' the introduction in my head while shopping for dinner, so at least I know what questions I'm trying to answer. I'm really excited about it!

By the way, when in 1939 were your grandparents married? I can't tell you how much I would love to see that piece of footage! A wedding on the brink of war - fascinating as well as very moving! :/)

Just watched the first one - laughter and tears! Lula, the first two tracks are Jimmy Durante. What rotters not letting them get away on honeymoon

Ah thought it was- has such a unique voice! Love it!

Your book sounds brilliant- bet there is so much to write about.

My grandparents got married in december 1939 but in South Africa so it wasn't really affected by the war so much. It is still a very interesting story as they had gone there from England as my Grandfather coudn't find work because he was german. He got a teaching job and my granny followed him to the other side of the world a year later not knowing anyone- so brave! They had a small synagogue wedding and she wore the most beautiful blue suit and looked so adorable.

Oh have just thought though, my friend got married last year in her grandmother's wedding dress that had been worn by her, her sister and her friend during the 2nd WW. I think they worked in a textile factory so had been given some lovely material as usually it would have been rationed and were able to have a lace wedding dress.

I may be biased but the Scottish one looked more fun! And the dresses in the last one - eat your heart out CA brides

People just weren't used to ciné cameras. I was a "horseshoe" girl at a cousin's wedding so I went up with the horseshoe, handed it over then scarpered. I was called back for the photo opportunity. The next year I had the same role at her sister's wedding. I dutifully came forward with the horseshoe, proffered it but didn't let go as I was waiting for the picture to be taken. I got all confused as they were telling me to let it go - I didn't know they were using a ciné camera. I was only little!

Oh I forgot, the wedding dress in the second one is very like my Mum's - the same collar and buttons down the front. My Mum's was a two-piece, strapless dress and little jacket over it and it was tiny! I saved it when she moved into sheltered accommodation but I think my elder brother ditched it when she moved from there into a nursing home. Men, pah!

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!

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.