Gowns Weddings Traditions 1850 To 1930 Yesterday World: Unveiling the Romance and Elegance

Weddings are timeless celebrations that bring together two souls in love, and throughout history, they have been enriched with unique traditions and charming bridal gowns. In this article, we take you back to a bygone era – the years between 1850 and 1930 – to explore the enchanting world of gown wedding traditions.

The Evolution of Bridal Fashion

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, bride fashion underwent a remarkable transformation, reflecting the period's societal norms and cultural values. From modest Victorian gowns to glamorous Art Deco styles, each decade had its distinctive charm.

1850-60: The Romantic Victorian Era

Yesterday's Bride: Gowns, Weddings, & Traditions 1850 to 1930 (Yesterday's World)

by S. Robert (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6355 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	172 pages

FREE

Victorian-era weddings were marked by romantic sentiments, and the bridal gowns, often made in soft shades like ivory and pale pastels, were adorned with intricate lace, frills, and floral motifs. The elegant silhouette with a fitted bodice, full skirt, and sweeping trains became the epitome of Victorian romance.

1860-70: The Civil War's Impact

The Civil War era influenced bridal fashion, introducing simpler designs and conserving materials. Many brides opted for more practical wedding dresses, often made from repurposed fabrics and adorned with subtle trims and ribbons. Pastel colors prevailed, and dresses were typically modest in style and length.

1870-80: The Bustle Era

The late 1800s marked the era of the bustle, a fashionable accessory shaping the silhouette by adding volume to the back of the dress. Wedding gowns embraced this trend, with extravagant trains and voluminous skirts. Necklines became slightly lower, showcasing delicate embroidery and lace details.

1880-90: The Rise of the Princess Gown

Princess-style wedding gowns, characterized by tightly fitted bodices and full skirts, gained popularity during the late 19th century. Fabrics like satin and silk were commonly used, and ornate embellishments, such as beadwork and embroidery, adorned the dresses. High collars and long sleeves added elegance to the ensemble.

1890-1900: The Edwardian Aesthetic

At the turn of the century, Edwardian-era weddings were all about luxury and elegance. Gowns featured layers of fabric, including lace, tulle, and chiffon, creating a soft and ethereal look. The hourglass silhouette, with a pigeon-front bodice and a flowing skirt, emerged as a distinguishing feature of this era.

1900-10: The Rise of Simplicity

As the Edwardian era progressed, bridal fashion witnessed a shift towards simplicity. Empire waistlines and columnar silhouettes gained popularity, accentuated with delicate lacework and ribbon trims. The use of vibrant colors and floral patterns also became increasingly fashionable.

1910-20: The Flapper Era

The roaring twenties brought about a revolution in wedding fashion, thanks to the rise of flapper culture. Shorter hemlines, dropped waistlines, and loose-fitting silhouettes emerged as the style of the decade. Art Deco-inspired designs, featuring geometric patterns and embellishments, added a touch of glamour to gowns.

1920-30: The Jazz Age Extravaganza

The Jazz Age was known for its opulence and flamboyance, reflected in the wedding gowns of the time. Bias-cut dresses with luxurious fabrics like silk satin and velvet gained popularity. Embellishments like sequins, pearls, and feathers adorned the gowns, exuding elegance and sophistication.

Tying the Knot: Wedding Traditions

Aside from the ever-changing bridal fashion, weddings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were accompanied by a myriad of traditions that added a touch of enchantment to the special day.

1. Veiling the Bride

A traditional practice that dates back centuries, veiling the bride was believed to protect her from evil spirits. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the bridal veil took on various forms, from delicate lace mantillas to elaborate tulle creations, creating an air of mystery and romance.

2. Something Old, Something New...

The well-known adage "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" has its roots in Victorian-era superstitions. Brides would wear or carry something old to symbolize continuity, something new to represent optimism, something borrowed to bring good luck, and something blue to ward off evil spirits.

3. The Trousseau Tea

In the late 19th century, the bride's family would host a Trousseau Tea, a lavish event to showcase the bride's trousseau – a collection of clothing, accessories, and household items she gathered before marriage. This gathering was an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate the bride's upcoming journey.

4. Throwing Rice

In many cultures, including the Western tradition, throwing rice at newlyweds as they exited the ceremony is considered lucky. It symbolizes fertility and prosperity and is believed to ward off any evil spirits trying to interfere with the couple's happiness.

Preserving the Memories

Weddings during the 1850-1930 period were undoubtedly filled with love, joy, and romance. Although the photographs may have aged and the gowns worn in those moments are no longer preserved, their spirit lives on.

Today, vintage-inspired wedding themes and gowns are a popular choice for couples looking to recreate the elegance and romance of yesteryears. By incorporating elements from the past, such as lace detailing, cascading trains, and delicate embroidery, modern weddings pay homage to the timeless traditions of a bygone era.

So, whether you are a bride-to-be seeking inspiration or a history enthusiast fascinated by the past, the gowns and wedding traditions of 1850-1930 provide a glimpse into a mesmerizing world of elegance, romance, and timeless love stories.

Yesterday's Bride: Gowns, Weddings, & Traditions 1850 to 1930 (Yesterday's World)

by S. Robert (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6355 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	172 pages

FREE

Yesterday’s Bride is the ultimate wedding theme book for any bride who is planning a wedding, choosing or designing her gown, selecting flowers with special meanings, writing her own vows, and deciding on which wedding practices, customs, and traditions she may wish to include in her ceremony and reception; this book has it all.
The 80 full-page photographs in Yesterday’s Bride will give you a glimpse of bridal gowns from 1858 through the 1930’s. Each photo is accompanied by detailed descriptions of the vintage wedding gowns worn by the bride as well as descriptions of bridesmaid’s dresses including the wide variety of veils and trains from which to choose. Along with each photograph you will also find a discussion of wedding traditions, practices, and superstitions with their origins from the Pre-Dynastic Egyptian Period (3500 – 3050 BC), through the ancient Greeks and Romans, up to some relatively modern practices. You will discover the reasons and roots of Western wedding traditions from elaborate veils to the seemingly unimportant boutonniere on the groom’s lapel. You will understand how social mores, economy, and even war have influenced fashion in general and bridal fashion specifically. Many of the traditions in Yesterday’s Bride may be new to you and you may wish to include them when planning a ceremony and celebration that will be as unique for your guests as it will be for you.
Flowers, which are so essential in the planning of a wedding, should not be chosen arbitrarily or by color and beauty alone. Each flower has special meanings, which are discussed in detail throughout the book. In addition to flowers there are many beautiful green or flowering herbs and even leaves with symbolism appropriate for a couple beginning a new life together. What flower indicates fidelity, passion, beauty or everlasting love? What leave symbolizes wealth or victory? What herb denotes remembrance, luck, or desire? Why not select flowers with meanings that are personally important or those that import a bright future? Incorporating these flowers, ferns, herbs, and leaves in your bouquets and center pieces will add a special meaning to your important day. Yesterday’s Bride will supply you with wedding flower ideas and wedding photograph ideas.
In Yesterday’s Bride landmarks in the battle for the enfranchisement of women are correlated with photographs of brides during the corresponding time in history. It is interesting to note the parallels in the evolution of the women’s suffrage movement and the style of clothing worn by women: from the binding, often deadly corsets of the oppressive 19th Century to the sheer, nude look of the liberating 1920s when women had their first taste of national political inclusion. It could be said that women’s fashion recapitulates equality, or the contrary
From bride by capture to bride by choice Yesterday’s Bride traces the history of the wedding and its traditions throughout recorded time. The photos, text and quotes by the famous about brides, wives, and weddings will prove to be a valued source of reference for the bride-to-be in planning her wedding, writing her ceremony, selecting flowers, or choosing, even designing, her own gown.