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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: SteffanMaria Brown on Wednesday 22 March 17 23:11 GMT (UK)
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Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me identify the people in this photo. The bride and groom are called Winnie and David and the photographer is I think S J Allen, Pembroke. My grandfather was from Stackpole in Pembrokeshire so I think it might be his relatives. My grandfather's side are either John or Johns, it varies through the generations. His mothers maiden name was Coles, his sister married into the Canton family.
Kind regards
Maria
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Well here's one possibility:
David John marries Winifred H Hooper, 1951, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
1951, 1st quarter, Volume 8C, Page 964.
Not sure about the date of the photo but wondered if it could be around 1951.
sami
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Just cleaned a few spots off.....
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Thank you Sami, I will look into that match.
Thank you so much Handypandy for cleaning up my photo, it looks fabulous.
Maria
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Is that a triple wedding? :-\
All three couples look like brides and grooms, (though some only look about 12). ;) ;D
There is a brideless chap though. :'(
1951 looks very possible date wise.
Added: looking closer I note that only the middle couple are arm in arm so presumably the others are bridesmaids and groomsmen. :)
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You had me thinking then for it being a triple wedding, but as you say only the middle couple are arm in arm :) They do look very young though.
Maria
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I think it is a triple wedding, all three girls have veils, ive never seen bridesmaids wear veils.
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A few observations:
The girls dresses are very similar and appear to be a similar colour too. You would expect bridesmaids to wear plainer and possibly shorter dresses.
The bouquet in the centre is different and the other two are identical. I wonder why?
It is true that bridesmaids don't wear veils ..... it may be the lighting, but the headdresses and veils look larger on the girls on both sides. :-\
It could be worth checking for other marriages in the same year, quarter and with the same volume and page numbers.
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I think it MAY be earlier than 1951. My mother was married (in Australia) in 1942 and her bridesmaids definitely wore veils. In my mother's case the bridesmaid veils were shorter than the bride's and their dresses were coloured, which obviously can't be sure of here. It looks as though the two 'outer' girls' veils may be shorter than the girl in the centre.
Remember, whether 1951 or earlier, rationing was still in and clothing coupons hard to come by, so dresses for a wedding party were often a bit 'make-do', often acquired through borrowing. My mother's wedding dress was worn by three brides and the bridesmaids' dresses used again for another wedding.
Even the Queen was not exempt in 1947 - however not many brides had her gorgeous embroidery and the use of a diamond tiara.
(From Wikipedia)
On account of the austerity measures following the war, Princess Elizabeth had to use clothing ration coupons to pay for her dress. The government allowed her 200 extra ration coupons. She was given hundreds of clothing coupons by brides-to-be from all parts of the country to help her pay for her dress. She had to return the coupon gifts as it was illegal for her to use them though.
I think that this is one wedding couple and two sets of attendants.
Judith
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Judith, I am obviously wrong, i had never seen or heard of bridesmaids wearing veils, you learn something new every day. :)
Jenn
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Good to know that Judith. :)
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Perhaps it was only in Australia, starcat 8) ::) ??? ;D This link shows a bridesmaid with a veil from 1947
http://www.fashion-era.com/Weddings/1947_old_wedding_photos.htm
Judith
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The wedding you provided a link to was in Wales Judith. Thinking about it, I think I have seen small bridesmaid's veils - handkerchief size?
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Yes Ruskie - shows it was not just in Oz! My mum's bridesmaids' veils were shoulder length. Judith
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...........It could be worth checking for other marriages in the same year, quarter and with the same volume and page numbers.
I've been intrigued by this suggestion Ruskie, but how would you do it?
............The girls dresses are very similar and appear to be a similar colour too. You would expect bridesmaids to wear plainer and possibly shorter dresses.
I think the dresses, the veils, and the bouquets are identical on the two outside girls. Very fancy for bridesmaids.
sami
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I have restored a few photos on the restoration site where bridesmaids have worn veils, but of course I can't find any just now.
It was quite fashionable in the 1st half of the 20th century and very fashionable in Victorian times.
The following is from an article about wedding traditions - Bridesmaids were originally directed to dress just like the bride, and this, says Blank, was "intended to confuse evil spirits or those who wished to harm the bride so the bridesmaids wore veils,"