Tucked in amongst other forgotten papers and treasures I came across this little gem; a pocket guide on all things relating to weddings and the correct etiquette one must follow (according to the year 1945).
It’s evident that the front cover has been torn away which to me shows that the book was once very well used by its owner. It also has the appearance of being well-thumbed with certain pages marked for future reference.
Some of the content is still relevant today and is familiar to me but most of it is quite different and very particular. I guess society’s expectations played a big part in the lives of our ancestors and it seems weddings were no exception. Though, I can’t be sure whether guidelines such as these were strictly adhered to.
I’m not confident as to who actually owned this little book but I do have one clue as to who once had an occasion to use it. The following page contains an example of a ‘Response and Toast of Parents of Bridegroom’ although the word ‘groom’ is crossed out. The right page is further marked by a red pen and was even edited. As you can see, there is a note to thank Max (either my Grandma’s brother or brother-in-law). Given the wording (referencing the parents parting from their daughter), the name Max and the fact that the title was partly crossed out, the speech giver can only be one person; my Grandma’s father, Ernest Holt Flynn.
Which daughter he referred to (he had three) is unknown. Regardless, I can’t help but wonder whether he actually did give the above speech. Or whether he took the book along with him, just in case.
Finally, I leave you with one final page from this interesting booklet and a question; what examples of wedding etiquette from the past have you come across?
Finding Family 