1938 Gangster-themed wedding

[hangglidegirl]

We have been given the opportunity to design wedding flowers for a 1938-era Gangster-themed wedding. Think Bonnie and Clyde... I 'm very excited about this adventure and looking forward to hearing what kind of suggestions you would offer the bride and groom if this opportunity were to come your way...

The bride is wearing a period dress in ivory and the groom will be period dressed also. The reception is a speak-easy party held in a fully refurbished 30's ballroom. The bride and groom have requested that we incorporate violin cases in the reception table decor. How fun will this be?!?

Do any of you have information on the wedding bouquet styles from this period? Bride would like to keep everything authentic if possible.

Looking forward to your reponses!

Joe - check the filing cabinets - do the old wedding orders go back that far?!

 

[vikki]

I have no idea if this link will work, it is so long, but they had great 1930's photos. I did notice they were really all large bouquets!! This wedding sounds like it will be so much fun for you to do. I hope you show us all the photo's when it is done!!

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu.fd8...chelle/Pages/Vintage%20Weddings/1930/1930.htm

 

[oaf]

you lucky devil!!!!

We have been given the opportunity to design wedding flowers for a 1938-era Gangster-themed wedding. Think Bonnie and Clyde... I 'm very excited about this adventure and looking forward to hearing what kind of suggestions you would offer the bride and groom if this opportunity were to come your way...

The bride is wearing a period dress in ivory and the groom will be period dressed also. The reception is a speak-easy party held in a fully refurbished 30's ballroom. The bride and groom have requested that we incorporate violin cases in the reception table decor. How fun will this be?!?

Do any of you have information on the wedding bouquet styles from this period? Bride would like to keep everything authentic if possible.

Looking forward to your reponses!

Joe - check the filing cabinets - do the old wedding orders go back that far?!

Wow im drooling!!!,a chance to shine and have some fun...corrr,i can almost feel your excitement from this side of the pond...
If its to be kept authentic though,does that mean no alcohol ?, was it still prohibition?l

 

[Joe Mioux]

We have been given the opportunity to design wedding flowers for a 1938-era Gangster-themed wedding. Think Bonnie and Clyde... I 'm very excited about this adventure and looking forward to hearing what kind of suggestions you would offer the bride and groom if this opportunity were to come your way...

The bride is wearing a period dress in ivory and the groom will be period dressed also. The reception is a speak-easy party held in a fully refurbished 30's ballroom. The bride and groom have requested that we incorporate violin cases in the reception table decor. How fun will this be?!?

Do any of you have information on the wedding bouquet styles from this period? Bride would like to keep everything authentic if possible.

Looking forward to your reponses!

Joe - check the filing cabinets - do the old wedding orders go back that far?!

no wedding orders, just a wedding selection guide.

 

[CHERYL BAKIN]

Barb:
This is from my old AFS wedding design manual........
If you consider this year to be POST Despression, then:
"America was booming again, enjoying great prosperity. Bouquets became fuller and more cascading. Often the ribbon streamers had a pair of rings tied into them. the rings were symbolic of eternal love. The repeal of prohibition, the discovery of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, etc had Americans "in the swing". Many brides even dared to reveal their ankles in waltz length dresses."

The bouquet pictured with this description is a full tear drop cascase, with ribbon streamers & love knots in the ribbons, and little (about 2") rings of ivy tied into the ribbons. The bouquet features all wite carnations, with montecasino and white alstromeria.


Hats, with very short veils were in then, and short dresses (slinky look), and lots & lots of feathers!!

Hope this helps,

Cheryl

 

[Joe Mioux]

here are a couple of scans from the book, with one exception. the first image is a bride we did probably back in the late 1940's.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Joe, that book is a treasure! So very interesting to see the styles of years past - more blog material for you :>

tracy

 

[RWK]

Oh How Fun.......Several great ideas come to mind already. You could get toy tommy guns from a toy store and incorporate those into the violin cases. You could do part of the head table where the Bride and Groom will be like a 1930's style car.....or make the car part of a photo area.

As far as flowers - If you can get or borrow a copy from a fellow florist in your area.....Florist's Review offered a few years ago a book - The Centennial History of the American Florist or something like that.....PLENTY of old wedding pictures including some great pictures of shower bouquets.

You can get the book on Amazon I think.

 

[Joe Mioux]

Joe, that book is a treasure! So very interesting to see the styles of years past - more blog material for you :>

tracy

I can post some more if there is any interest.

Blobs, we don't need no stinkin blobs!

Joe

 

[RWK]

I looked on Amazon and yes indeed, I found 7 copies available (used) of the book by Florist's Review "A Centennial History of the American Florist" ranging from just under 60 bucks to over a hundred bucks. I ordered one copy just a little while ago.

 

[Biscotti]

Here are some pictures of my Uncles and Aunts. They date in the early to mid 30s

 

[Carol Bice]

here are a couple of scans from the book, with one exception. the first image is a bride we did probably back in the late 1940's.

Those really are impressive. I can't believe you have kept these photos all these years. Thanks for sharing.
CArol Bice

 

[hangglidegirl]

Thank you all very much for your postings. The bridal bouquet photos have helped a bunch. To further pick your brains - any creatuve ideas for the reception designs? :idear: Joe, if there are any ideas in your design guide that you can scan and email, I would be very grateful!

RKW - thanks for the reminder about that book. I actually own it and forgot about it. :redface2: There is good info in there for all periods.

Thanks again to my FC buddies!

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

I can post some more if there is any interest.

Blobs, we don't need no stinkin blobs!

Joe

OR
You could post them in the image gallery - then they'd be viewable by the public...... Personally, I'd love to see those old guides, wherever you post them.

 

[Joe Mioux]

OR
You could post them in the image gallery - then they'd be viewable by the public...... Personally, I'd love to see those old guides, wherever you post them.

There are some pretty cool designs in that book. One of my favorites is an Easter Lily bridal bouquet.

I also have a bunch of B&W's of weddings we did in the 50's. We used to have the photographer give us copies.

I will see what I can do with them. The next couple weeks I am pretty busy. Tomorrow the first load of Easter lilies go. I hope to move 2000 by next Sunday.

Joe

 

[TexasFlowerGuy]

1938 Gangster Looking.....

Here ya go.... The key is to get the right car...need a gangsta style car. This is "Memphis Ruby" she is a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker. This was taken two years ago at the valet parking of the Anatole hotel.

All the best....

 

[TexasFlowerGuy]

one more thing...get the right camera.

I think the black and whites probably get the idea across better.

 

[Posh Weddings]

I would love to see more!

 

[Joe Mioux]

here are a few more pictures....

 

[JoeyW]

A few years ago I was privileged to get to see my husband's grandmother's wedding flower receipt AND pictures of her and her wedding party. I know it was the early 30s. She and her bridesmaids carried giant fan shaped bouquets of glads. I mean giant with huge ribbons and streamers hanging down. She had about 6 attendants plus her and the groomsman.

Her bouquet was $3.50 and the total cost of the wedding flowers was $50.00.

From the looks of the pictures and the attire, it was a fairly large affair for the times.

I wish I had that receipt. It was amazing to me.