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A lot of our vintage submissions mirror the budget concerns that many of our offbeat brides have today. But once in a while we see a vintage photo that has a certain air of luxury. One such case is this Australian wedding from 1917. Kathleen and Oswald are sporting lovely outfits including his gloves and her huge bouquet and amazing veil. I also love Kathleen's Mary Janes. Apparently the ankle-length dress was fashionable well into the next decades, so we can safely assume she was pretty fashion-forward.
And check out the backdrop! I wonder if it's tapestry or a painting.
Here is what Laura had to say about her great-grandparents:
This is the only photo I have of my great-grandparents' weddings, as the rest were destroyed in a car fire. My grandmother's parents' wedding took place in 1917. They were married at her parents' property out west in New South Wales, Australia. While my grandmother wants me to remain vague about certain details, her father had his own property by this time. Judging from the finery of the dress, it seems to me that while the dress itself was of a fashionable length, there was no shortage of veil material to make the beautiful veil she wears. Kathleen and Oswald's wedding was in July (the middle of the Australian winter) and I would assume they had a fairly happy marriage, as they had four sons and two daughters, the youngest being my grandma.
Do you have vintage wedding photos hidden away? Email me! Try to include as much info as you know about the photo, plus your Tribe or personal URL, if you have one.
About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
Beautiful! The background is most likely a painted drop cloth knowing photography of that era.
really wonderful photo – I have to think it’s these amazing vintage shots that fuel the “deadpan expression” desires of some current photographers.
thanks for sharing your family story – and now I am burning with curiosity about the details your gran wants you to remain vague about!
It was quite common to have your wedding photos taken in a studio back then, we have a few like that in our family. I wonder where out west? my mums family are from Wiradjuri country which is western NSW.
That’s really cool to know. I couldn’t imagine it was a tapestry. Thanks! 🙂
Sarah, they were from Walgett, and they were graziers. 🙂 My grandma wanted me to remain vague about location, etc, cause of the whole “internet thing” (she’s not too tech-savvy, lol.)
I have a selection of similar photos from my extended (read step) family. They are quite funny because we are talking Chinese marrying into Caucasian families. There is always one really ticked off looking relative in every photo. Really, really ticked off looking. Great facial expressions.
The gentleman looks so familiar for some reason… and so distinguished!