This wedding took place in 1931 in Cardiff, Wales. Sadly the bride
died in 1934, probably during childbirth.
In this 1931 wedding photograph, the bride's bouquet was made from locally grown fresh
orchids provided by the bride's father who grew them in his
greenhouse. The bridesmaids' dresses have skirts cut just like
that worn by the bride in the top photo and all show the same swing flare and sway.
In both images the drop waists suggest that 1920's
fashion styles are still more important to the ordinary women than the
styles we associate with the later 1930s and Wallis Simpson who epitomised
the era. By 1930 the
waist had generally risen to its normal position and the bride
followed this new fashion.
The bride's
headdress is an extravagant almost Tudor affair and shows it
developing volume after 20 years of close mob cap veiling styles
popular from c1913.
Right - This old 1930s wedding photo is from Kathleen and is
of James Paton and (Mary) Veronica Standen. This photo was taken on May 23,
1931 in Gorton, Manchester, England.
Note how the bride's wedding dress has lengthened and is the truly fashionable ankle length
of 1931. The shoes however are still the Mary Jane style that had been in
favour for many years.
One very nice touch is the bride holding a prayer book rather than carrying
a floral bouquet.
This ensemble shows a move away
from 1920s styling. The longer fuller skirt with the bodice on
the waist is firmly set in the newer fashion for 1930s wedding dresses.
Features that you see in later decades are not present in this 1931 wedding photography, for example, the bride is not wearing earrings, neither does she appear to be 'painted' with make-up.
Pretty accessories like Veronica's headdress are very striking, with the veil substantially shorter than many 1920s veils. You can see in the photo below the detailed work that went into sewing the
pearls.
This photo shows the fashion history of an everyday Church wedding of 1931.
Although this a 1930s wedding dress, the bride's dress still has a 1920's look. Apart from the use of bias cut fabric in the skirt and sleeves which create rolling drape, this dress is not that
representative of 1930s fashions. The bride wears ankle strapped Mary
Jane style shoes. The brimmed felt hat is very typically late 20s.
The wedding photo features Irene's parents. Irene is a site visitor.
The wedding group photo was taken at a really old church called St. Paul's
Church in Jarrow which was where St. Bede studied with the Monks.
The Venerable
Bede was born in 673 near Sunderland, and at age 7 commenced a Benedictine
education. This education was at St. Benet Biscop at Wearmouth Abbey and later at Jarrow
(Tyne).
Modest and humble, he spent the whole of his life as a monk.
He never
travelled away from the locale, although he was in tune with the world and
in 735 wrote an appealing
letter suggesting reform ideas to halt the troubles of the Church in Northumbria.
His erudite works for which he is remembered were dependant on the superior
libraries of St. Benet Biscop. Bede wrote on many subjects including
the Scriptures, poetry, mathematics and timekeeping. Bede is famous
for his unbiased historical viewpoint and writings, especially
'Ecclesiastical History of the English People'. The latter historical
work has been a source of guidance for the progress of Christianity in early
Britain.
According to St. Cuthbert, who documented Bede's death,
Bede died just after he had dictated the last sentence of his translation of
St. John's Gospel. 50 years after his death in 735 he was declared a Saint
and his body moved from Jarrow to rest at Durham Cathedral and it lies in
the Galilee Chapel.
Celebrity Weddings in 1931
Margaret Sullavan and Henry Fonda (Only lasted 3 months!)
For more information about Wedding Photos click below:-
*
Old photos can be useful when tracing family members and narrowing down
search dates. These photo pages may help you put an era to your
undated images.
If you have old wedding photos please send them to me and if suitable I will
add them to this pictorial section of social history.
OLD WEDDING PHOTOS
For superb Victorian or Edwardian re-enactment costumes in USA, try the reproduction costume range at:
Fashion-Era.com looks at women's costume and fashion history and analyses the mood of an era. Changes in technology, leisure, work, cultural and moral values. Homelife and politics also
contribute to lifestyle trends, which in turn influence the clothes we wear. These are the changes that make any era of society special in relation to the study of the costume of a period.
Fashion-Era.com can take no responsibility for any information on the site which may cause you error, loss or costs incurred from use of the information and links either directly or
indirectly. This site is owned, designed, written and developed by Pauline Weston Thomas and Guy Thomas. This site is designed to be viewed in 1024 X 768 or higher.
Before you write to me for costume/fashion help or information please, please consult the extensive sitemap which lists all our pages. If you still cannot find the answer after searching the site, then before you email me, please consider if you are prepared to make a donation to the website.
Donations Reader's donations help this site flourish, in particular donations encourage me to write more articles on fashion history as well as current trends. PayPal
allows anyone with a credit card to donate easily and securely. You may donate any sum you feel appropriate.
If you have any comments, or if you see any broken links, then please email with
details of the page url or problem
