Wedding dress and fashion history has sure changed a lot over the years, from corsets to beaded lace, and everything in between. If that much can change for wedding dress history in four years, what on earth could nuptials have looked like decades ago? Or a century ago?
1900s
Brides in the first decade of the 1900s wore corsets that whittled the waist and enhanced an hourglass shape while still remaining covered up
- Long sleeves, high necks and gloves added formality and modesty
- The colors in this pic look painterly because colorizing black and white photography was all the rage
2000s
Jamie Oliver and Jools Oliver’s wedding in 2000
- Sleek, clingy satins, cap sleeves, straight-across necklines, icy color palette, snakeskin boots, etc.
- Hello 2010s: Rustic barn, boho, garden, Italian villa, high-fashion, diamond-encrusted affairs
1910s
By the 1910s, one wedding activity we know and love today was just emerging in popularity: dancing!
- Higher hemlines on the bride’s and guests’ gowns made getting their groove on easier.
- Makeup was a non-negotiable today.
1960s London-inspired Mod style
Shortened hemlines, swingy A-line skirts, big hair, bubble veil, sideburns, and side-burns are all part of the ’60s bridal look, as are Mary Janes, flowery dresses, and big hair.
1930s
During the ’30s, the Great Depression ravaged the globe and wedding rates dropped significantly.
- For those who did get married, it was usually a humble affair featuring repurposed gowns and minimal decor.
- The couple featured in this photo likely came from money.
1980s
No one-not even the Kennedys-escaped the trends of 80s wedding dress history.
1940s
Many weddings were quick, elopement-style affairs, and brides wore white suiting.
- Nearly two-thirds of the grooms of this era were enlisted in the military, so most of them got married in their military formals.
1950s
Weddings returned to bastions of formality and glamour in the ’50s, as America emerged from WWII and celebrity obsession offered an exciting new pastime
- Tiaras, ball gowns, fabulous getaway cars and professional portraiture became a trendy part of wedding dress history
