For this Spotlight post, I'm sharing more of the wedding day photos from my family tree photo collection.
These photos span the decades from 1920 to 1960, and show changing trends in wedding attire, particularly for the women. You can also get a sense of social class, whether they were well-off or less than affluent; and a sense of location, near a town or city where they could access a photographic studio or perhaps living in a small township with photos taken by other family members in the front or back yard.
1920s
 |
| Photo shared by omeb1 on Ancestry.com |
Elizabeth was 28 years old and Keith was 23. When Elizabeth passed away, they had been married for over 50 years.
Elizabeth wore quite a plain wedding dress with very little adornment, and seemingly no veil either. It does appear that she is wearing a simple necklace and a quite large-faced watch.
Common Ancestor: (with Elizabeth) my 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns
 |
| Photo shared by helenmayne0 on Ancestry.com |
Alice was aged 22 and David was 28. They were married for just 26 years, as David died in 1947.
In contrast to her sister, Alice had a long, intricately decorated veil and held a beautiful bouquet. She also wore a simple necklace.
Common Ancestor: (with Alice) my 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns
 |
| Photo shared by my Uncle |
As you can see, there was no studio portrait taken that day. There was actually no studio for hundreds of miles, so the wedding day photos were taken in the back yard with a blanket on the ground and the climbing rose bushes as the background.
My grandmother's dress was quite simple, but she did wear rather an ornate wedding veil and carried a bouquet of flowers and ferns taken from the family's garden.
My grandfather looks very dapper is his suit with the waistcoat and starched white shirt. He is also wearing white gloves, which was a trend for grooms at the time. My eye is always drawn to that unusually shaped object hanging on my grandfather's waistcoat chain. I wonder if that was a wedding gift from my grandmother or perhaps my grandmother's family?
Eileen Roxena Maud Browning (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married twice.
This photo shows Eileen on her first wedding day, in 1921, when she married Richard Mills in Sydney, New South Wales. Eileen was 17 years old.
She word quite a simple dress with a large sash across the waistline. She also wore a watch.
Eileen and Richard appear to have divorced at some stage around 1930, as both went on to marry other people and lived into the early 1970s.
Common Ancestor: (with Eileen)
my 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns.
 |
| Photo shared by jillymac1 on Ancestry.com |
Alma was 23 years old and Eric was supposedly only 16. They were married for 52 years as Eric passed away in 1974.
Again, the wedding dress was quite plain. Alma wore a headdress with her veil and carried a stunning and quite enormous bouquet.
Common Ancestors: (with Alma) my 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.
Norah O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married Patrick Irish in 1924 at St. Patrick's Basilica in Montreal, Canada.
At the time, Nora was working as a teacher and was 25 years old. Patrick was aged 38. After their wedding in Canada, they returned to live in Nicholastown, County Kilkenny, in Ireland where their four children were born. Norah and Patrick were married for 21 years until Norah passed away in 1945, aged only 47.
Norah's wedding dress is simply stunning with that rather dramatic-looking panel that runs the length of her dress. What an eye-catching outfit.
Common Ancestors: my 3x great grandparents Patrick O'Donnell Daniel) and Margaret Rafter.
%20McCann%20and%20Katherine%20(Kitty)%20Fisher.jpg)
Charles Leslie McCann (my paternal 3rd cousin once removed), brother to Alma Grace Barrow McCann pictured above, married Katherine Patricia Fisher in 1925 in Nambour, Queensland.
Charles Leslie (known as Les) was 25 years old and Katherine (known as Kitty) was 22. Their marriage lasted for 47 years until Katherine became a widow in 1971.
Interestingly, Katherine did not choose the traditional white dress or veil. Perhaps this was a matter of affordability at the time.
Charles looks very smart in his suit.
Common Ancestors: (with Charles) my 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.
 |
| Photo shared by AllisonKing01 on Ancestry.com |
Whilst Myrtle's wedding dress is quite simple and plain, her wedding veil is stunning. Those shoes are quite lovely as well. Stanley has gone for the starched white shirt and white bow tie, and matching white gloves.
Their marriage lasted for 37 years as Myrtle became a widow with the passing of her husband in 1962.
Common Ancestors: (with Myrtle) my 2x great grandparents Adolphus Hukins and Mary Ann Farley.
 |
| Photo shared by my third cousin Doreen Power |
Norah Lonergan (my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married Edward James Elliott across the pond in the U.S.A. They married in 1927 when Norah was aged 25 and Edward was 31.
Their marriage took place at Long Island City, Queens, New York, lasting 47 years until Norah became a widow in 1974.
This is such a beautiful wedding portrait. My eyes are drawn to that stunning bouquet of roses and that long, long veil with its very pretty headpiece. I also adore the bridesmaid's bouquet of rose buds.
Common Ancestors: (with Norah) my 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.
 |
| Photo shared by atmese on Ancestry.com |
I found a newspaper article about Leila's wedding day and in it there is a detailed description of her beautiful wedding dress:
"The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a frock of ivory Chantilly lace over silver lame made with a draped bodice, and a long skirt featuring an uneven hemline trimmed with handmade silver flowers. Her veil of embroidered tulle over pink crepe de Chine was lent by Mrs. Claude Duncombe, and she carried a sheaf of orchids."
The same article also describes the gowns of the bridesmaids:
"There were two bridesmaids in attendance, the Misses Betty Atherton (sister of the bride) and Mary Shaw (sister of the groom), who were frocked alike in lavender georgette fashioned with petalled skirts, and in each petal there was a pink flat flower. They also wore large cream hats trimmed with lavender flowers, and they carried shower bouquets of pink roses." (Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday, 1 February 1929).
Leila and Frank were married for 24 years. Leila became a widow in 1953 with the passing of her husband Frank.
Common Ancestors: (with Frank) my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.
1930s
 |
| Photo shared by bluehills05 on Ancestry.com |
Their marriage lasted for 55 years when Harold became a widow in 1985.
Both the wedding dress and the bridesmaid's dress are quite short, at knee length. The bride's veil is once again, the thing that draws my attention.
Common Ancestors: (with Mabel) my paternal 2x great grandparents Patrick Cusack and Eliza Exton.
%20O'Donnell.jpg) |
| Photo shared by my third cousin Doreen Power |
Mary (Mae) O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) married James Warren McKenna in 1931 in Kings County, New York, U.S.A. Mary was 19 and James was 23.
This photo, showing Mary (Mae) on her own, is so lovely. Just look at that fabulous bouquet! The veil appears to be double-layered and edge by the most gorgeous lace.
The wedding dress itself is plain and understated so that the veil and bouquet take the spotlight.
Common Ancestors: (with Mary) my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.
 |
| Photo shared by Dorothy Smith on Ancestry.com |
My attention is drawn to the length of Reginald's trousers, as they do seem rather short! Lilian is wearing a typical early 1930s calf-length wedding dress with a lovely headdress and veil, and the standard white stockings and shoes.
Reginald and Lilian were married for 19 years, as Lilian became a widow in 1950.
Common Ancestors: (with Reginald) my paternal 3x great grandparents William Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns.
 |
| Photo shared by asm94563 on Ancestry.com |
The photo shows Rita in her simple white wedding dress, wearing a dainty flower-trimmed head piece and a long veil edged with embroidery.
Rita is carrying a stunning bouquet that seems to have lots of daisies and a few roses.
Rita's marriage lasted for only 18 years as she passed away in 1950.
Common Ancestors: (with Rita) my 3x great grandparents Michael Cusack and Mary Green.
 |
| Photo shared by MareeJoy1972 on Ancestry.com |
They married in Lismore, New South Wales, when John was 28 years old and Violet was 23.
I noticed Violet's wedding dress has puffs at the top of her long sleeves, and she does not appear to be wearing white stockings which seemed to be the usual choice for bride's wedding outfit at that time. Her bridal bouquet is simply gorgeous.
Common Ancestors: (with John) my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.
 |
| Photo shared by my second cousin Brigid O'Donnell |
The wedding day photo was taken outside the family home and Catherine wore a very elegant yet simple dress, while Nicholas wore a smart suit with a flower spray on the lapel. Catherine and Nicholas were married for 30 years, until Catherine died in 1964. Nicholas died two years later.
Common Ancestors: (with Catherine) my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.
Esme Isabel Aitkin (the wife of my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed), married Edwin Gilbert Shaw in 1935. She was 21 and he was 26.
They married in Bundaberg, Queensland and their marriage lasted for 48 years until the death of Edwin in 1983.
This amazing wedding dress seems to be so vastly different to the trends seen in the previous photos. It seems Esme was quite fashionable and up-to-date with her choice of wedding ensemble for her mid-1930s wedding day.
The dress is floor length and all lace. Esme is wearing elbow-length gloves and her veil appears to be embroidered all over, not just around the edges.
(Photos shared by Jo Cucchiaro)
The headpiece looks more tiara-like than the usual headband and it appears to be adorned with stones rather than the typical flowers.
Obviously the mid 1930s was the start of a new trend in wedding attire.
Common Ancestors: (with Esme's husband, Edwin)
my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.
 |
| Photo shared by David Shaw Gordon |
They married in Innisfail, Queensland and were married for 19 years as Margaret died in 1954.
An article printed in the Cairns Post dated Thursday, 8th of August, 1935, provides a description of Margaret's wedding dress and veil:
"The bride looked charming in a beautiful frock of magnolia satin which was made with long sleeves, and a slurred under bodice and small waistcoat effect fastened at the waist line with a diamante buckle.
The Honiton lace veil was lined with pale pink tulle, and was held in place by a coronet of orange bloom. White stain shoes, and an exquisite bouquet of Madonna lilies, white roses and maidenhair ferns, and tulle streamers completed a pretty picture."
Common Ancestors: (with Margaret) my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.
 |
| Photo shared by businefamily on Ancestry.com |
They were married for only 4 years, as Sydney died as a prisoner of war in Burma during WW2. I always get a little choked up when I see this photo as my second cousin and his wife look so very young and happy, not knowing what they were about to face in the coming four years.
Rheita's dress is the first one in my collection where the bride's dress has a train and she is carrying a lucky horseshoe with her bouquet. The dress itself appears to be quite plain apart from the bodice which has more detail on it.
Sydney looks very comfortable in his smart suit.
Common Ancestors: (with Sydney) my paternal 2x great grandparents Patrick Cusack and Eliza Exton.
1940s
 |
| Photo shared by rachelgoddard1 on Ancestry.com |
They were married for 31 years until Rita became a widow in 1973.
This photo reflects the wedding attire chosen by many during the Second World War years - ordinary dresses for the ladies and uniform for the men. Rita is wearing a smart and fashionable white dress with a hat and bag matching the colour of her bridesmaid's dress. Doesn't that look lovely?
 |
| Photo shared by Carol Chandler on Ancestry.com |
Cyril would have been about 27 and Muriel (known as Babs) would have been 41. It was Muriel's second marriage.
Cyril and Muriel were married for around 45 years, until Cyril passed away in 1989.
Common Ancestors: (with Cyril) my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.
 |
| Photo shared by mareecarpenter on Ancestry.com |
Emma married after the end of WW2, and she chose a glamorous all lace gown with a train of the same material. She wore a flower-adorned coronet and a long veil with embroidery all around the edging. Emma carried a small bouquet.
Common Ancestors: (with Emma) my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.
 |
| Photo shared by asm94563 on Ancestry.com |
Leila was 26, Douglas was 22, and they were married for 59 years. This is the first of the family tree wedding portraits where I find very colourful bridesmaid's dresses and interesting headwear. Leila's bridal dress is very very simple but looks so elegant.
Common Ancestors: (with Leila) my paternal 3x great grandparents Michael Cusack and Mary Green.
John Francis Tyler (my paternal 1st cousin once removed) wed Joan Margaret Barry in 1948 at Dulwich Hill in New South Wales.
John was 21 and Joan was 18. They were married for 44 years until John died in 1992.
I'd love to know what colour the bridesmaid's dresses were and I'm intrigued to see that the bridesmaid's headpieces also appear to have small veils. Was this a common thing?
Common Ancestors: (with John)
my paternal great grandparents Richard Brown and Ellen Cusack.
1950s
 |
| Photo shared by BrendaDeSantis73 on Ancestry.com |
Edward Francis O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) married Marilyn May Tain in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, U.S.A. in 1950.
I love the simplicity of this wedding day photo. They truly do look so happy as they cut the cake during their wedding reception. This is a simple family wedding. Nothing terribly lavish. I can spot sandwiches, coleslaw and cocktail onions on sticks for the wedding luncheon ... so 1950s!
The bride is wearing an elegant two-piece suit with a simple pill-box hat with a short veil, while the groom is dressed in a stylish striped suit.
Common Ancestors: (with Edward) my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.
 |
| Photo shared by philathh on Ancestry.com |
They were married for 32 years until Hilton became a widower in 1984.
I adore this photo ... the bike leaning on the front wall behind them, the formidable looking garden ornament beside them in amongst the overgrown lawn and those radiant smiling faces!
The bride is wearing quite a simple long white dress with a peculiar looking head piece / hat with a spotted veil.
Common Ancestors: (with Hilton) my paternal 2x great grandparents Henry Johnson Brown and Caroline Penelope Browning.
 |
| Photo shared by Mise2a on Ancestry.com |
The bride's dress is quite lovely with its lace sleeves and ribboned skirt. I'm not so sure I love the fingerless gloves worn by the women and the flower girl though.
Common Ancestors: (with Neville) my paternal 2x great grandparents Adolphus Hukins and Mary Ann Farley.
 |
| My photo |
 |
| Photo shared by my Uncle |
Marcella Therese O'Donnell (my maternal Aunt), my mother's sister, wed Geoffrey James Webber in 1960 at Bowen, Queensland.
Marcella was aged 25 and tragically the marriage only lasted seven months as Marcella passed away in 1961.
Both sisters wore similar wedding dresses - all-over lace, with a tight-fitting bodice, a collared neckline, full length sleeves and a full-circle skirt. Their veils were short and held in place with coronets. Margaret and Marcella carried small bouquets and satin-covered lucky horseshoes.
1960s
 |
| Photo shared by David Shaw Gordon on Ancestry.com |
They married in Mosman, New South Wales when Elizabeth was 25 and Kevin was 35. They were married for 55 years, until Elizabeth passed away in 2019.
Elizabeth's wedding dress is simplicity itself. The veil is beautifully embroidered and held in place by a simple band.
The bridesmaid's hat is a statement though!
Common Ancestors: (with Elizabeth) my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.
I'm joining Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022 Challenge.
This time I'm catching up with the prompt for Week 12 - ''Joined Together".
Oh Bernadette this is such an amazing collection of photos. It's hard to choose a favourite. I really like the first photo and also the one on Long Island. That is amazing. I'm a sucker for the 1930s. I just love the fashion. Well done on a great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly Alex. I also found it hard to pick a favourite and I simply fell in love with quite a number of them.
Delete