I need help planning a mild version of a 1940's style wedding. I am having a problem figuring out what type of wedding dress I should be looking for. Any advice?
I think dresses back then had heavy shoulder pads in them. Sort of like what Joan Crawford used to wear. You might do a search on the internet. There are tons of vintage gowns advertised on the internet.
Are you trying to be historically accurate? I'm not sure what brides wore in the 1940's, but I know what dancers whore: dresses with tea-length circle skirts and all sorts of fun hats. Speaking of dancers, what are you plans for your first dance? I'd suggest a song from the Swing Era. Here are some suggestions:
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole
Our Love is Here to Stay - Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
At Last - Etta James
Here's another fun idea: for table decorations, rent some small, antique items and scatter them around your centerpieces. Check out your local vitage store and ask them how much it would cost to borrow some things for your big night such as lipstick holders, perfume sprayers, cigarette holders, gloves, and pens.
I am also doing a 1940's themed wedding. There are two great books I've found to be very helpful. One is Your Vintage Wedding by Nancy Eaton. The other is Vintage Wedding by Daniela Turudich.
We had an authentic 1940s wedding last November. We are swing dancers and both love the era, and so our wedding was a great reflection of us!
I think the most important theme elements to include are accurate attire and music. Both of these pieces really help to set the tone of the wedding, and make the total look complete!
I wore a two-piece vintage gown--a 1940s redingote (overcoat) that I purchased online, and an early 1950s underdress that I found in a local vintage shop. The underdress was tea-length, and was perfect for swing dancing! I wore a headpiece from 1948, seamed stockings and 1950s satin pumps. My bridesmaids wore reproduction gowns made from vintage-y fabric, and the guys wore 1930s-style, double-breasted tuxedos.
If you are still looking for a gown, check out these websites (vintage dresses can be hard to find, as they tend to be on the small side, and many are to fragile to withstand much wear): www.evadress.com, www.dancingdaughters.com, www.revampvintage.com, and www.silkpoppy.com. These companies specialzied in vintage reproductions, and would be happy to design a 1940s wedding gown!
As for music, we played 1930s-50s tunes, along with some modern swing and rockabilly. We also had the DJ teach a 20-minute swing dance lesson at the beginning of the reception, which turned out great!
You can view our photographs at this link: http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=retrogirl
Hi amanda I really wish I could see you photos but I can't find it on the knot, is it off of the site now? would you mind telling me how to find them or e-mailing me a few
Thanx alot
My photos are no longer on The Knot, though if you'd like I can email you a few. I actually wrote a series of vintage wedding planning articles, which can be found here:
Http://www.porthalcyon.com/features/200406/vintagewedding01.shtml
Wow that was a great article, I am not getting married, I'm acually planning a 40'd b-day party so I was more interested in decor,cake, favors but I've noticed tons of people on this site with questions about the wedding dress so I hope they check that out, it's got tons of info.
If you wouldn't mind sending me some of your photos I would really appreciate it!!!
Cristinamcilwrick@shaw.ca
Thanks again
I have a wedding dress that was worn by my friends grandmother in 1946.It is beautiful ivory silk with long train.Has been cleaned and is MINT condition.If anyone would like to see it please email me.Thanks
