Love, American Style

Part of the reason I've been a little absent from the 'Bee is because this past week, I flew out of state to visit my grandmother. She is wonderfully recovered (although she has no recollection of her time in the hospital) and excited to come to the wedding! It was so nice to see her.

While I was there I was able to spend some time with my mom. I mentioned to her that I wanted to display some family pictures at the wedding, and we ended up going through some photo albums.

As a little girl, I considered it a magical thing to look through my mother's old albums. Mostly I liked seeing what she was like before I was born; it was always fascinating to me that she was a person, not just my mom. I felt like it made me know her better.

The wedding album was special because I didn't get to see it very often. She looked so beautiful and my dad looked so happy. I love the sense of history and seeing my family members all dressed up in their finest.  One of my favorites is this one of my grandfather helping Mom with her beautiful dress (purchased from JC Penney):

My mother's was one of the most formal weddings we've had in our family, and she was very involved in every detail. I think she planned it in four or five months. She was engaged longer than that, but she told my father he would have to wait until she finished her exams for college graduation. So, they got engaged in January of 197X (Mom doesn't want me to reveal the year!) and were married in September.

My mother vividly remembers all the details she spent so much time on. But here is the coolest -- she and her aunt (in green) made the bridesmaids dresses! They match her wedding gown a little bit. Check them out!

They are also showcasing the very latest in early 1970s hairstyles. I especially love the updos worn by my two aunts.

I hadn't seen this album since before I was planning a wedding, but now that I see it again I think the cake is fascinating. Mom says it was a "fountain cake." There was a fountain -- inside the cake! Apparently I really haven't been paying attention to cakes -- they still have these. Are any of you having one?

I know my fascination with this is not warranted -- I mean can you imagine our kids in 30 years? "Mom, why did all your cakes look like boxes stacked on top of each other?" Anyway, here it is:

They had a band, too, and Mom forgot to include them in the meal list for the caterers. She got a surprise bill after the wedding! Here's my parents' first dance:

The happy couple departs:

Now that I am going to have my own "wedding album," the photos take on a special significance. Of course, the sense of history is magnified now that several of the people in the photos, including my father, are no longer with us.

I believe strongly in the universality of weddings, and even though there were some different expectations, some different dynamics and definitely some different styles (bouffants! ruffled shirts! fountain cakes!), there is so much that is the same. My mom and I, always so close, are now sharing a similar experience, which is what makes the wedding albums so interesting to look at again.

If you have grown up seeing your parents' or a previous generation's wedding, how has it affected your wedding planning? Are there any things you'd like to repeat? Things you vow not to do?

Hmm. It seems I now have an incredible craving for cake.