Embark on a century-long journey, tracing the evolution of the wedding industry from 1920 to 2020. Witness the transformation of traditions, the rise of new trends, and the influence of societal changes on this timeless institution.
The 1920s
The average cost of a wedding in the 1920s was $400, around $5,000 today
- Famous weddings included Cornelia Vanderbilt to John Cecil in 1924 and the Biltmore House wedding in 1924
- Boasting a guest list of 500 for the ceremony and 2,500+ for the reception
The 1960s
The advent of the 747 jumbo jets brought affordable options for honeymooners looking for romantic destinations around the world
The 1990s
Wedding culture reigned supreme during the 90s.
- Digital photography made wedding photos even easier to get and brought about unique styles that weren’t available before. Elopements and intimate ceremonies grew in popularity. Online wedding registries were born.
The 2010s
Wedding websites became the norm
- Custom wedding venues saw an exponential increase
- Technological advancements made cinematic wedding videos accessible to more people
- Teaser videos to share with your social media following became popular
- The popularization of wedding blogs and social media led to yet another boom in the wedding industry
The 1940s
With the start of World War II, the number of weddings spiked significantly
- This lead to the popularity of the groom’s wedding ring which was used as a symbol connecting the couple while they were separated
- Diamonds rose in popularity thanks to the De Beers “A Diamond is Forever” campaign
- The DIY wedding went mainstream again with brides using household items to create their bridal look
The Next 100 Years in Weddings
The rest of the story is being written by wedding professionals like you – and as we’ve seen so far, love will prevail.
1950s
Post-World War II, photography was revolutionized by portable cameras with flash
- Elizabeth Taylor’s character in Father of the Bride, Grace Kelly’s royal wedding, and countless others brought the sweetheart neckline to its zenith
- Sweetheart dresses transitioned into strapless evening gowns with a short jacket
The 1980s
During this decade, the personal video camera was popularized, which lead to the mainstream use of wedding videography
- The wedding cake nearly doubled in size and became a centerpiece of the wedding day itself
- Live bands and entertainment grew more mainstream at wedding receptions
The 1920s
Society weddings and technological advances ushered in a celebrity culture that had everyday brides wanting to create the looks they were seeing publicized.
- The wedding registry was popularized by the Marshall Fields department store (now Macy’s).
- Other department stores realized marketing to brides was a lucrative investment soon developed bridal departments and gift registry departments.
The 1930s
The Great Depression hit in the 1930s, leading to the invention of rayon – a much more cost-effective fabric for wedding dresses.
- First bridal magazine was launched, and many brides opted for the vintage tradition of wearing their best dress on the big day.
2000s
Weddings moved from churches to country clubs, hotel ballrooms, and other non-religious venues
- Writing your own vows became popular
- The wedding industry began to grow with the dot com boom with new companies like Honeyfund
- Social media brought about the popular wedding dance craze
