Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” The age-old tradition of bridal showers has evolved over the years, but one thing remains timeless – capturing the memories through photos.
These snapshots serve as a window into the past, showcasing not only fashion, decor and customs but also the bond between friends, family, and the bride-to-be.
So grab your cup of tea and get ready to travel back in time with us as we delve into this captivating world.
“Casey at her shower, April 1951. Source: Etsy-LightSilverAndPaper
Vintage Inn Note: My Wedding anniversary is coming up on April 28th, so I hope you excuse my nostalgia as I share a “vintage wedding” themed post this week.
Scroll to the end to see a couple of bridal shower photos from my own party in 2012.
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Vintage Bridal Shower Photos 1940s-1960s
Brief History Of The Bridal Shower
A bridal shower is a party thrown in honor of a bride-to-be, and it’s generally held anywhere from a few months to a few weeks before the wedding. Family members and friends gather to celebrate the bride ahead of her nuptials, play games, give advice, and gift her the essentials she’ll need to start married life.
The origin of the bridal shower dates back to 16th-century Holland, when a young girl’s father refused to provide a dowry for a marriage he disapproved of. The town got together and offered small gifts to help her start her home without the dowry money (Source).
Source: eBay
May 12th, 1949 at DePasquale’s Restaurant, Hartford, CT for Alice Wood’s bridal shower (the one with the corsage in the middle). Attending…EVERY STYLISH WOMAN IN CONNETICUT! Oh my gosh, I love this photo. So many great 1940s hats, 1940s hairstyles, dresses.
Source: eBay
September 1958-Cutting the Bridal Shower cake while wearing a giant corsage and a pretty string of pearls.
Source: Etsy-therescuedphoto
Receiving an electric alarm clock in the 1940’s was a great gift to have, as our young soon to be bride will soon discover. 1940s vintage photo.
Source: Etsy-LightSilverAndPaper
Eula and La Doris McClaney (philanthropist) posing with Charles Williams at a wedding shower, Los Angeles, 1960 in fantastic 1960s fashions.
Who was Charles Williams? He was a renowned Los Angeles-based African American photographer, who was at the forefront of photography in Los Angeles during the 1930s and 1940s (Read his full story here).
Highlights:
- 1947, Williams co-founded the California School of Photography in the heart of the African-American community
- He photographed African Americans in entertainment, politics, sports, and civil rights, including Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr.’s many visits to Southern California
- Cavalcade of Jazz provide an excellent example of Williams’ photographs of entertainers.
- During the 1948, annual Cavalcade of Jazz at Wrigley Field in LA, Williams captured images of some of the biggest stars of the Swing and emerging Bebop eras of Jazz, including the first integrated all-female big dance band, The International Sweethearts of Rhythm; singer, songwriter, and actor Frankie Laine; and Bebop creator, Dizzy Gillespie.
Source: CSUN
So many fun things to look at in this 1950s photo. First up, our matching twins in their adorable dresses taking up most of this photo. The streamers from the shelf behind our pretty bride to be, are super fun and our table is well stocked with gifts. Our bride is one lucky gal!
Source: eBay
November 1969. Our curly haired bride to be Janice poses with her cake and a cute bride doll in front of a family portrait and floral curtains. Congrats Janice!
Source: eBay
Another photo to enjoy that features wonderful 1950s fashions and hairstyles, this time from 1953 (and a special mention to the purse in the forefront of the image. Awesome!).
Source: eBay
The next images from October 1955, are a collection for sale on eBay and they showcase a rip roaring fun 1950s Bridal Shower. LOVE the barkcloth curtains in the dining room and all our guests AND bride look so stylish.
I love a couple things about this final image in the series. 1. Our laughing bride. She is so happy. 2. The AWESOME Mid-Century shadow box with mirror above the mantel. I have wanted one of those for years and it still alludes me (because they are so darn exepensive). The one in the image is fun!
Jello Mold & bride doll unite! 1960s vintage photo of the bridal shower food table.
Source: eBay
Nothing says, welcome to be being a future housewife like a rolling pin. A 1940s photo.
Side note: Looking for 1940s hairstyle inspiration? This photo is fantastic for that (I must learn how to do the style on the women on the left, one in. Love it.).
Source: eBay
July 1964. A 1960s vintage photo of our future bride opening up pretty underwear while a friend with a big 1960s hairstyle looks on. I am going to assume that the photo on the table is our future groom. Also what a fun lampshade!
Source: eBay
Our last photos is another collection for sale on eBay that features not only the bridal shower but ALSO the wedding (15 images in total). There are too many photos to share on here, but here is a sample of what is in the photo album from 1955.
September 1955. Here is our lovely bride to be opening gifts in a living room filled with family portraits and a bit of streamers to make it truly a party. Love the umbrella to represent that it’s a “shower”.
Source: eBay
Cheers! What a fun photo of our future bride with some of her friends posing with their drinks at the home bar. A fun look into how people would decorate this space.
Further Reading: A Look Back At Life In 1940s-1960s Drinking Establishments & Home Bars
Posing with the guests and cutting the cake. Cute look for our bride to be (great belt that is paired with that gingham skirt).
October 1955-THE WEDDING! Our beautiful bride opted for a pencil dress style for her 1950s wedding dress. I think it suites her for what appears to be more casual wedding day. What a handsome groom.
Source: eBay
I hope all our brides had a wonderful life and I hope all of you enjoyed this fun post. I just LOVED putting this one together, because it took me down memory lane for my own bridal shower (details below). Also, if you enjoyed this post as much as I did there will be a part 2 in the future because there was so many photos, I just could not share them all.
Here is my 2012 bridal shower with the theme being “The naughty & nice housewife”. It was a great day!
This was also at the early days of my journey into the world of vintage fashion and vintage hair. I had no clue what I really wanted for my wedding look (this was my trial style. Click the link below to see how I actually ended up looking), but I do love my vintage 1940s dress I’m wearing.
Further Reading: Overview of my 1940s / 1950s Swing Dancing Wedding
Further Reading: Collection of Vintage Wedding Posts from the 1920s-1960s (Archived)
Vintage Wedding Dress Shopping: I have created a collection of Vintage Wedding Dresses on Etsy that is perfect for one’s upcoming wedding (updated monthly).
Thanks for dropping by!
Liz
