Flasback to the 80s!

Yup, welcome to the 80s! Everything was BIG! And strange, looking back, I can't believe my mom let me wear nougahide! I looked like a couch, with huge shoulder pads!

But the 80s for a wedding, well really it meant BIG as well. Lots of train, lots of veils, ruffles, tulle, sleeves, lots of crinoline, and just lots of shiney fabric. Brides wore hats with veils, and big hair, big curls, did I mention things were big?

Another big thing that happened in the 80s, was the BIG wedding of Princess Diana - that was when my love affair with weddings began. I remember waking up at 5AM and turning on my little Black and White television so quiet my parents couldn't hear and watching my princess marry her prince.

Dresses were big, flowers were beautiful long flowing layers of roses.

Lots of shiney fabric, almost to the point where you could see your reflection in the fabric.

And men, well, they look handsome, minus alllll that hair..
I think we've learned alot from our past, but first and foremost, I think we've all learned that marriage after all isn't about who can have a bigger wedding (literally or figuratively) it's about the marriage. The joining of two people lives forever and it doesn't matter what you wear, what your hair looks like (although it's fun to look back) it's about the love shared between two people and two very different lives, become one amazing life.

Flashback to the 70s!

The 70s when skirts got shorter and floral prints got bigger, what were we thinking! But then again, I am sure in 30 years our kids will be saying the same thing about us, "Mom, how did you let me wear THAT!" Goodness, I say that now! I looked back at my middle school year book for no apparent reason, and I don't know how I didn't spontaneously-combust with all that Aquanet in my hair! (but I digress)

Juliet caps were the in thing to wear as a headpiece. Women had longer sleeves on their dresses then the length on their skirts. Men started to look more like waiters, and less like pimps. People danced "the fever" - Good Times, Good Times!
I apologize I can't give photo credit to either of these, but I have a few things to point out. Check out the big shoulders and long sleeves, and the length of that skirt. And his "tie" or ruffle, super cool, no?

I love that they are cutting the top layer in the below picture (the cake could have just tipped right over), my parents did the same thing - I wonder why? And the flowers in the brides hair (or are those pins) I think they are just the start of what's to come!

Tomorrow, look for the 80's! Big hair, big flowers, big dresses! And break-dancing at a wedding... things that make you go hmmmmm....

Hippy Love- the 60s!

The 60's was full of love, love, love! And the weddings, real weddings, I am not talking about Hippie Weddings, but regular ole' weddings, were amazing, and absolutely showed the love surrounding the bride and groom.

The gown on the left was a Couture design from Calvin Klein - so beautiful! I think my mother has a photograph very similar to this on a staircase with the dress billowing behind her. Just a timeless pose.

In the next image, I just love the bobby socks with the flat Mary Jane shoes, so adorable, with the knee length bridesmaids dresses. And the dainty ribbon in their hair - is too cute! I do love the lace trim on the brides gown at the hem-line of her ballroom gown.

This next image, is the start of a tradition that spanned several decades, the HUGE veil, this reminds me of my veiling in the early 90s - BIG! Her ballroom dress was BIG, her headpiece was large in the front and hung low on her head. Her bouquet was on the larger size. You can see that the 60s was the start of the 80s - if that makes any sense.

I simply love this image! I love how the bridesmaids all have veils! And the groomsmen are wearing very large carnations, and the bridesmaids have the frilly tops, this is another trend that was welcomed into the 80s. (I think you can tell that the groom just wants the photographs to be done with so that he can get home and start consummating this marriage!)

Flashback: 50s

So this weekend, my husband on and I were watching the news, this is really nothing new or exciting. There was a short piece recognizing that it is the 75th anniversary of The Lone Ranger. And they showed a radio, as that is who we, as a people, used to get our entertainment. Not sitting staring blindly at a television. So much has changed, we have definitely come a long way.

This got me thinking. How far has the wedding industry come. I mean really come. We still have the same 5 F's principles - there still must be Food, and Flowers, and Photography, and a dress, and some form of entertainment...

This week we are going to flash back through time, each day taking on a new decade. Starting with the 1950's.

One thing that I think is important to remember is that one thing has NEVER changed - and that is that the promise of marriage is still here. We are still committing to one another through sickness and health - good times and bad. Marriage is and always will be a sacrament between two individuals that love each other, and that stands the test of any decade.

Men in the 1950's took their role to look distinguished and held it close. This gentleman in this photograph just looks like a million bucks, don't you agree. I love the top hat. Not very men can pull it off now-a-days without looking goofy, or like he's trying to much.

This shows that the sacrament of marriage just hasn't changed. It's still there, and has prevalent in the 50's as it is today.

We are definitely gone to a more simpler headpiece - tiara's or nothing or maybe a small clip with some embellishments, like pearls or crystals. But honestly, I can see some aspects of those dresses in today's dresses. Some use of lace, or again, something very simple.I think this dress stands the test of time - it's just as exquisite in it's brocade glory today, as it was in 1952! Don't you think?
Being a Wedding Consultant, I find it an honor that YOU have asked me to help you with your wedding day. This is a day that you'll remember forever, and I feel truly blessed to be helping you make your dreams come true. Thank you!