During my stay at my Mother’s house this weekend I spent a considerable amount of time pouring over old family wedding photos. My Mum has become something of a family archivist, tracing our family tree and looking after many precious family heirlooms. She has a sort of ‘rogue’s gallery’ on the first floor landing which is where most of these brides gaze down on us from.
I adore these wedding portraits. They’re such an amazing source of inspiration that I wanted to share them with you. Apologies if the quality is a little off, these are literally photographs of photographs as my scanner is hidden under a layer of dust in the attic somewhere.
This is my maternal Grandmother’s parents (so my Great Grandmother and Father). They married in the summer of 1931. Aren’t the maids outfits stunning?
My mum also has a newspaper cutting about the ceremony which perfectly describes the outfits and flowers you can see above. Can you picture the green satin and silver lace? I’d love lilies of the valley in my own bouquet (it was Grace Kelly’s bridal bloom too) but I fear it’s out of season for a January wedding.
This is my Grandfather’s parents who were married in 1924. Isn’t my Great Grandmother’s veil perfect? I really wish that had survived in somebodies attic somewhere. The bouquets look very unusual too, especially compared to the floral styles you see at contemporary weddings. 
This is probably my favourite. My maternal Grandparents married on January 1st 1955. If I could get my hands on it, I would wear my Gran’s dress without hesitation, it’s so beautiful. Unfortunately, a mad Aunt ‘borrowed’ it and dyed it brown. My mum recalls that it ended up in the children’s dressing-up box. A fashion tragedy if ever I heard one.
My own parents married in 1979. My mum paid £80 for her dress in a shop on the Kings Road in London. It’s actually a Mexican wedding dress and I think it suited her perfectly. Her veil was from Liberty, she told me she chose it because she didn’t liked the staff in Harrods. She’s also wearing her Mother’s pearls, her ‘something borrowed’. I love my mum’s bouquet, so simple and pretty.
My Dad looked like a Colombian drug dealer don’t you think!? Just look at those aviators! You can just see the bridesmaids in their Laura Ashley dresses here too. You gotta love a 70s wedding!
I really hope I can look as elegant as these brides on my big day. Which dress is your favourite… 20s, 30s, 50s or 70s?
Loveaudrey xxx
Your maternal grandmother looks like a movie star! Deffo my favourite.
She radiates beauty, style and class.
Although I like her style the best.. I must say for my tastes what Megan Fox wore on her beach wedding (i despise megan fox by the way lol) was for me the epitome of what I want!!
Oh Franky (I nearly called you Audrey then, hehe!), these pictures are fabulous 🙂
Another similarity – my Mum is also somewhat of a family archivist, she’s traced our family tree back, on all sides, so far – so far that I can’t even remember how far! We have some fabulous pictures, and I have my maternal and paternal grandparents wedding pictures in frames in my house, I adore them 🙂
I have to say, my personal favourite is the 1955, your maternal Grandparents, it just oozes elegance…you can most definitely pull this off, you will look ravishing as a bride I’m sure 🙂
Any thoughts as to your make up yet? xxx
Love your Grandmothers 50s dress. I had a winter wedding and definately recommend it. I loved my marabou shrug so much!
@Tali Thank you, I agree she looks like a movie star.
I can def imagine you in a dress like Megan Fox’s, gorgeous! Effortlessly glamorous but relaxed at the same time.
@Laura It sounds like our mums would get on as well as we do!! I love looking at all the old photos, its fascinating to see the family resemblance goes back years. I can see my sister in this pcture of our Gran for example.
I haven’t even started thinking about make-up yet, although I doubt I’ll go for the popular ‘natural’ bridal look. I’m more likey to go for red lippy than a safe pink, that’s for sure!! I think I have to find the dress 1st though, don’t you? And then everything else will hopefully fall into place!
xxx
Wow these pictures are all beautiful! I love the one of your grandfather’s parents especially.
dyed it brown?? oh my goodness!!!
I adore the hats in the second wedding photo! I love vintage wedding pics.
I adore the bridesmaids’ cloche hats in the 1920s wedding! But your grandmother’s 1950s wedding dress is just to die for.
xx Charlotte
@Jules It’s heavenly isn’t it! I’m really looking forward to our winter wedding, I’m glad yours was lovely!
@Rosario Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed them!
@LissyLou My sentiments exactly 😉
@Anonymous Girl They’re excellent aren’t they, very different from todays styles… don’t think I’ve seen any bridesmaids hats in wedding shops recently!
@Charlotte Isn’t it! I so wish it was still around!
xxx