Vintage Brides: 1920s

Weddings in the 1920s were a world away from the previous stuffy Victorian weddings and Edwardian weddings. It was a time of great prosperity in the UK and USA alike, where the parties never stopped and the alcohol ran, somewhat illegally, wild. Hemlines were rising, business was booming and jazz was playing. Life was one big party. What an era to get married!
Here are some ideas on how to add a touch of the twenties to your wedding:

The dress
Fashion in the twenties was changing radically. Dresses were lighter, hemlines were higher and waists were lower. The emphasis was on creating a flat, boy-ish silhouette, as opposed to the curves of the corsetted eras. This was the notorious “Flapper” style- allowing more flexibility for the dances of the era such as Charleston. Women were liberated- it was now acceptable to cut their hair, smoke and show their ankles.
Wedding fashion followed suit. The bride in this photo is wearing a dress just below the knee with a dropped waist and sequined skirt.
This was the height of fashion in the 1920s. Notice how the drape of the fabric eliminates her curves to leave her with the fashionably straight body.
She is wearing a headpiece typical of the era which complimented the hair that women could now wear short, in bobs and waves.
Jenny Packham designs many dresses with 1920s influences. The gown at the start of this article is one example that is particularly reminiscent of the Flapper girls.

It is similar in many ways to the 1920′s dress above: the dropped waist and sequins give it an authentic feel whereas the ultra short skirt adds a modern twist- this is not a dress for the shy bride!
As for accessories, the world’s most famous hat maker (milliner) Louis Mariette sells a wide range of stunning headpieces perfect for that 1920s touch. This is just one of his dramatic pieces:

The Reception
1920s parties and the speakeasy go hand in hand. Alcohol was prohibited in America during this period, so people began running establishments to sell alcohol illegally. These were the speakeasy. Today they have a rather exciting and glamorous reputation so use this as a starting point for a reception theme.
Tables could be named after 1920s slang: baby and doll for a sweet mood, or how about gangster slang: Fall guy and moll, for example. See this list of slang words and phrases.
For favours, decorate mini bottles of gin with a feather. Glue a label to the bottle with the name of the guest to double up as a nameplace.
As for entertainment, a jazz band would fit the bill perfectly. You could even hire somebody to teach your guests the Charleston and get them all up on the dance floor. Or how about setting up a casino at the venue? You could even use your own personalised money so that children can join in.
Celebrity Weddings
3rd December 1926 was the date of film director giant Alfred Hitchcock’s wedding to Alma Reville.
She wore a simple white dress, just past knee-length reflecting the fashion for shorter dresses. A white fur stole sat around her shoulders to keep her stylishly warm in the winter chill. Accessories were kept simple: short white gloves, small beaded purse and elegant court shoes.
Wedding Traditions
For the first time in years, weddings began to become more informal. They were now fun, carefree events as opposed to the social show-offs of before.
Weddings were planned solely with the young in mind. In fact, many brides refused to be given away by their father as a sign of new-found independence and liberation (after all, women could now vote!).
Overall, the roaring twenties were a time of great prosperity and lavish parties. It was a time dominated by the young generation, with glamorous crime and romance around every corner. People lived, and spent their money, as if there was no tomorrow. A great atmosphere to adopt at your wedding!