1950's theme wedding design

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petalandbean

petalandbean

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Dec 3, 2007
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ok, so we're doing a wedding that is a 1950's theme, black and white linens with a checkerboard dancefloor that's black and white as well.

the flowers are red and pink, accents of white...

any suggestions? any ideas? any pictures from previous work on an event with a similar theme?

thanks in advance!
 
I had a recent opportunity to design a 1938 gangster-themed wedding (which incidently was a BLAST!). There is a thread on here that helped me with lots of ideas. My suggestion is to search that thread (1938 gangster) for names of books and websites - they were very helpful. Also, check with Joe Mioux, who has a treasure trove of information in his historical wedding filing cabinets. Best of luck and have fun - we'll be looking for the photos!
 
I have a bunch of 8 x10 pictures of weddings we did back in the 1950's and some other books.

I will try to scan some pics. Let me know.

joe
 
florapro said:
Here are a few links to photos on flickr. The first one is a riot. May not be any help, but; intersting still. I think I have some wedding books from the late 40's if I can remeber where they are. I'll try to locate them.
Good Luck

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeandiva/69886151/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/striderv/2307969440/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovecoffeeyesido/1533363563/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ttumlin/126145421/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyhoney/2377499709/
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Thanks for sharing!
 
Can't post pictures because I don't know how...sorry....

but...from the PFD Wedding Design Manual (AFS): I found the following in the history of bridal bouquets:

"In the 1950's, glamellias were considered impressive and luxurious. Composite flowers, made from several gladioli florets, were hand-wired and taped. They were considered a tribute to the professional designers who created them. Ofen several glamellias were joined together to create a bouquet or a cascade. These types of bouquets were featured heavily in bridal magazines.

Nylon net was invented in the 1950's and was used to create bouncy two and three tier bridal veils."

Pictured with this description is a crescent shaped cascade, with 6 glamellias of varying sizes, and framed with lemon leaf. No hanging greens or grasses -- very 'clean" sophisticated look.

Also, hats (with large wide brims) were coming into fashion....and were often decorated with flowers for the MOB MOG, and other important people in the wedding.

Hope this helps! Post pictures please.....!
Cheryl
 
CHERYL BAKIN said:
Can't post pictures because I don't know how...sorry....

but...from the PFD Wedding Design Manual (AFS): I found the following in the history of bridal bouquets:

"In the 1950's, glamellias were considered impressive and luxurious. Composite flowers, made from several gladioli florets, were hand-wired and taped. They were considered a tribute to the professional designers who created them. Ofen several glamellias were joined together to create a bouquet or a cascade. These types of bouquets were featured heavily in bridal magazines.

Nylon net was invented in the 1950's and was used to create bouncy two and three tier bridal veils."

Pictured with this description is a crescent shaped cascade, with 6 glamellias of varying sizes, and framed with lemon leaf. No hanging greens or grasses -- very 'clean" sophisticated look.

Also, hats (with large wide brims) were coming into fashion....and were often decorated with flowers for the MOB MOG, and other important people in the wedding.

Hope this helps! Post pictures please.....!
Cheryl
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The only time I have "hairpinned' flowers (glammelias) was in design school.

That is a lost art, that needs to ressurected in modern design.

joe
 
oh my gosh, I wouldn't even know where to begin! I was taught how to "feather" carnations once. Good grief! What a chore. I think back in the "olden days" designers really had to have mad skills! Before the days of oasis, and spray bars, and all the stuff we take for granted! My first boss, who was about 8000 years old would tell me about the ways they used to design, amazing!

Good luck Petal and bean, glamellias is WAY out of my league!! But I like to say the word Glamellis, 'cause it's almost like glamor! :)
 
CHERYL BAKIN said:
Can't post pictures because I don't know how...sorry....

but...from the PFD Wedding Design Manual (AFS): I found the following in the history of bridal bouquets:

"In the 1950's, glamellias were considered impressive and luxurious. Composite flowers, made from several gladioli florets, were hand-wired and taped. They were considered a tribute to the professional designers who created them. Ofen several glamellias were joined together to create a bouquet or a cascade. These types of bouquets were featured heavily in bridal magazines.

Nylon net was invented in the 1950's and was used to create bouncy two and three tier bridal veils."

Pictured with this description is a crescent shaped cascade, with 6 glamellias of varying sizes, and framed with lemon leaf. No hanging greens or grasses -- very 'clean" sophisticated look.

Also, hats (with large wide brims) were coming into fashion....and were often decorated with flowers for the MOB MOG, and other important people in the wedding.

Hope this helps! Post pictures please.....!
Cheryl
Click to expand...

Oh Cheryl you bring me back to school and the AFS book:flowerfac
oh those glamellias!!!! Did a wedding once all gardenias in that crescent shape but that may be a little too clean for the 50's

Dunno, tophats/brim hats as centre pieces on the table with the pink flowers coming out through black/white sticks/willow/ting??alternate black and white colours to the tables?
Use florapro's pictures as inspiration.:thumbsup
 
When you mentioned the colors and the checkered floor, I thought of the little milkshakes done with carnations and a straw in the fluted vase, 50's diner, milkshakes, vintage cars, sock hop, vinyl records, pony tails, etc.
 
Petal:
Did some more digging, and some of it can be seen in the photos posted previously.

The brides dresses were really full (think at least 3 crinolines) & big. Not a lot of long trains, though. Veils were usually at least mid-back (fingertip) or were very short (touching the shoulders.)

Bridesmaids generally wore knee-length dresses -- what we know as cocktail length dresses.

Bridal flowers that were popular, besides the glamellias, were: large cat. orchids and lilly of the valley, and roses. YOu have to remember that shipping techniques were very primative -- so most flowers used in wedding were grown very close to where they were used.

In W. Pa. we had the good fortune to have lots of Mums, Roses, Callas , Lily and snapdragon growers, among other flowers. The pictures of the times reflect all of these wonderful blossoms and many more.

Ribbons were HUGE on bouquets (think # 40 -- satin).
Love Knots, tied in the dangling ribbons were a neat addition.

Many brides carried their flowers on a prayer book, or a bible, with the ribbons knotted, and hanging down. Steph. was often used in the love knots.

Hope this helps......

cheryl

My Mom tells me that the war had just ended, so things like Nylon and silk, etc were in very short supply. People "made do" with what they could get -- and did very well, I might add.
 
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