Figure 1.-- Here we see an unidentifief middle-class wedding in England during the 1940s. As no one is wearing a uniform, we would guess it is the late 40s.

Marriage in England became involved in religious controversies. A major wedding law for a century was the The Civil Marriage Act (1653). The Puritans under Cromwell pushed it through Parliament. The Act required a civil ceremony before a justice of the peace after presentation of the certificate from the parish register which showed thst "banns" had been published. Age was a major concern. If either partner was under 21 years of age, parental consent was required. The wedding ceremony influenced by the Purtitan ethic was a simple formula to be repeated by the man and woman. This was accompanied by hand fastening. Wedding rings were strictly forbidden as too ostentous. A century later, mahor changes were mase as aesult of the Hardwicke Act (1753). It required weddings, except formembers of the royal family, to be performed only after publication of "banns" or issuance of a license. They had to be conducted only during the morning hours (8:00 to 12:00). The couple had to use an Anglican Church or chapel where the service was conducted by an Anglican clergyman. Two or more witnesses were needed and a register hadc to be kept . Parental consent was required if the "banns" had not been published. Many modern wedding traditions originated in England during the Victorian era. This is certainly the case in the United states. This is a rather interesting phenomenon as politically throughout the 19thb century, Ameroca was often at odds with Britain. Despite this, America was culturally and economically closely tied to Britain. As far as we can tell, the roles for children (ring boy, flower girl, and pages) are all of English origins during the Victoirian era. We believe that England also affected weddings on the Continent, but here, long established national traditions are more prominant. We do not yet have much information about English weddings at the this time.

Historical Background

Marriage in England became involved in the religious controversies that rolled England for several centuries beginning with the Reformation (16th centuty). A major wedding law for a century was the The Civil Marriage Act (1653). The Puritans under Cromwell pushed it through Parliament. The Act required a civil ceremony before a justice of the peace after presentation of the certificate from the parish register which showed thst "banns" had been published. Age was a major concern. If either partner was under 21 years of age, parental consent was required. The wedding ceremony influenced by the Purtitan ethic was a simple formula to be repeated by the man and woman. This was accompanied by hand fastening. Wedding rings were strictly forbidden as too ostentous. A century later, mahor changes were mase as aesult of the Hardwicke Act (1753). It required weddings, except formembers of the royal family, to be performed only after publication of "banns" or issuance of a license. They had to be conducted only during the morning hours (8:00 to 12:00). The couple had to use an Anglican Church or chapel where the service was conducted by an Anglican clergyman. Two or more witnesses were needed and a register hadc to be kept . Parental consent was required if the "banns" had not been published. The Catholic Church, in the Council of Trent, restated its position that marriage was one of the seven sacraments and therefore could not be dissolved. Up until the early 1990's, it was very difficult to get married in Great Britain. If one wishes to marry in England or Wales, the couple must do so in a church which has a register, (which is like a special license), and they can do so only in the district (shire) where one of the couple resideed. All Church of England parishes (Anglican) are automatically registered, regardless of their size. No blood tests or counseling was required.

Victorian Traditions

Many important wedding traditions originated in Europe, especially England, during the Victorian era. They were a major influence on American weddings and have come to be common in many other countries around the world. Infortunately, while photography was invented (1839) about the same time as the Victorian era began (1837), we do not have early images of weddings. Photography was at first largely confined to the studio. So we do not get a lot of image portraits during the early- and mid-Victorian era. Thus as wedding traditiins were being established, we do not at first see images. We finally begin to see wedding portraits, but only in the late-Victorian era. There might be mention in newspapers and magazines, but only witn photography can wedings be repoted in detail. Publications had illustrations, but they had to be based on enravings unil the turn-of-the 20th century when the half-tone process was developed for actually printing photographs.

Religion

Marriages are strongly associated with religion. Thus weddings in England are strongly influenced by religious traditions and the various religiins practiced in England. The country was Catholic since the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (7th century). The Jews were expelled (14th century). The Refotmation was unintenionally introduced by Henry VIII (16th century). The Anglican Church of England was established at that time, but this was contested by the Catholic Church. Quenn Mary attempted to return the country to Catholocism. The Stewart Dynasty took a more complex approach to religion, but Charles II converted to Catholcism on his deathbed and Jemes II was openly Catholic. With the defeat of James, the suppression of Catholics became more severe. Protestant disenters also challenged the Anglocan Church leading to many different Protestant denominations. Greater religious freedom was achieve (19th century. Emigrants from Soutn Asia brough Islam to Britain (20th centuty). Many religions are active in modern England. The Church of England (Anglicans) isthe established state church. Other relogions include: Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Congregationalist, Unitarian, Society of Friends, Islam, and Judaism.

Wedding Traditions

Many modern wedding traditions commonly practed in the United States originated in England. Here there are both earlly and Victorian traditions. Marriages in pre-industrial Britain traditionally occurred in the autumn. This was because the harvest was in. There was mnot a lot to do on farms and food was plentiful. An traditional rhyme goes "Marry in September's shine, your living will be rich and fine." Another tradition was a decorative horseshoe which the bride carried on her wrist symbolizing good luck. That was a bit heavy so modern brides might be given light-weight jewlry versions produced specifically for weddings. during the Victorian era. This is certainly the case in the United states. This is a rather interesting phenomenon as politically throughout the 19th century, America was often at odds with Britain. Despite this, America was culturally and economically closely tied to Britain. The adoption of British Victorian wedding traditiins is testiment to this. As far as we can tell, the roles for children (ring boy, flower girl, and pages) are all of English origins during the Victoirian era. We believe that England also affected weddings on the Continent, but here, long established national traditions are more prominant.

Chronology

We do not yet have much information about specific English weddings over time. As weddings were special events, the participants dressed up for the event. This photographs from these weddings are a good indicator of formal dress styles. Here social class was a factor. Workig-class families, except the bride and grom, simply wire their best clothes. The more well to do would have fancier ceremonies and the children might have special costumes. After World War II with greater influence, even middle-class families might have formal weddings. We note Derek North who was a page boy in a society wedding about 1930.

Social Class

Social class of course had a major impact on weddings. High society weddings would involve vert formal outfits, including very expensive wedding dresses and especially styled outfits for the children participating in the ceremony. We nore a wide varietyy of outfits worn by the boys involved in formal high-society weddings. We note kilts, sailor suits, and variouss button-on outfits. Middle class and especially working-class families involved much more modest outfits. Some weddings still might involve outfits for the boys such as kilts or sailor suits or junior Eton suits. Often in more modest weddings, the boys might just wear their suits or in some cases just white shirts and ties. Short pants were common in the first half of the 20th century, but long pants became icreasingly common, especially after the 1960s, depending on the age of the boys.

High Society Weddings

High society through most of history made fashion. People liked to dress like the society leaders. And English society were very closely followed, especially in America. Photography made this possible for the general public. Society weddings could make big fashion news, especially high-society wedings. Of course few people could aford high society weddings, but they did influence what ordinary people could do on a small scale. The adults wore the peak of contemoprary fashion at the time. This of course changed as fashions changed. Children's fashions were a little different, especially members of the wedding party. For the boys this might mean such as ring bearers, flower girls, and pages. We see both contemprary influences as well as historical infliences like Kate Greenway styles, Scottish kilts, sailor suits, military uniforms or other influences. Girls outfits were less varied, in part because thev girls has smaller roles as part of the wedding party, baically flower girls or caring for the train of the bride's dress. The latter was a role the boys might also fill. Children just attending the weddings would like the adult attendees wear contemporary fashions.

Created: 6:21 AM 6/27/2008
Last updated: 6:52 PM 12/7/2023