George Boyle
Tom Thumb Weddings are a tradition that began in the 19th century, inspired by the wedding of General Tom Thumb (real name Charles Stratton) and fellow circus performer Lavinia Warren. In these weddings, children dress up in miniature versions of adult wedding attire and act out the roles of the bride, groom, officiant, and guests. These performances were often used as fundraisers for churches and schools and were a popular form of entertainment for adults. Today, the tradition continues, with children negotiating terms around snacks and video games instead of gender roles and chores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Origin | 1890s |
| Inspiration | The wedding of Gen. Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton) and Lavinia Warren in 1863 |
| Purpose | Fundraising for churches and schools, entertainment, etiquette training |
| Participants | Children, often dressed in adult wedding attire |
| Location | Churches, community organizations, schools |
| Popularity | Peaked in the 1920s and 1930s |
| Legacy | Continued into the modern era with updated jokes and references |
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What You'll Learn
- History: Tom Thumb was a stage name for Charles Stratton, a circus performer
- Costumes: Children dress up in miniature wedding attire, including gowns and tuxedos
- Ceremony: The children replicate the marriage vows and ceremony of Tom Thumb
- Fundraising: Tom Thumb weddings were often held as fundraisers for churches and schools
- Locations: These weddings were popular in small towns and communities across America
History: Tom Thumb was a stage name for Charles Stratton, a circus performer
Tom Thumb Weddings are stage performances in which young children replicate the wedding of Charles Stratton, also known as General Tom Thumb, and Lavinia Warren. These performances were popular in America from the late 19th century through the first half of the 20th century, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s. They were often held as fundraisers for churches and schools, with children dressing up in miniature versions of grown-up wedding attire and formalwear.
Charles Sherwood Stratton, better known by his stage name General Tom Thumb, was an American with pituitary dwarfism who achieved international fame as a performer for circus pioneer P.T. Barnum in the mid-19th century. Barnum gave him the name "General Tom Thumb", inspired by the popular English fairy tale. Stratton was born in 1838 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to a carpenter and a waitress. Although he was a healthy baby, weighing over nine pounds, he had a faulty pituitary gland that stunted his growth. By the age of four, he was only 25 inches tall and would not grow much more.
In 1842, when Stratton was almost five years old, Barnum heard about him and contacted his parents. Barnum taught Stratton how to sing, dance, mime, and impersonate famous people, and soon they began touring the United States. Stratton's performances changed the perception of freak shows, making them one of the most favored forms of theatrical entertainment in the country. He became the first major attraction promoted by Barnum, and his command performance for Queen Victoria brought them both wealth and years of publicity.
Stratton's fame grew, and he even performed at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. It was during this time that he met Lavinia Warren, a 32-inch-high woman who had already achieved fame as a performer. They fell in love and married on February 10, 1863, at Grace Church in Manhattan. Their wedding received unprecedented media coverage and was attended by 2,000 guests, including President Lincoln, who received the couple at the White House.
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![Historic Framed Print, [Tom Thumb, 1838-1883, with wife in wedding costume], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41t8TkFm3eL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Costumes: Children dress up in miniature wedding attire, including gowns and tuxedos
Tom Thumb weddings are a type of wedding pageant where children dress up in miniature wedding attire and act out a marriage ceremony. The tradition began in the 19th century, inspired by the wedding of General Tom Thumb (born Charles Stratton) and Lavinia Warren, both of whom had dwarfism and were performers in P.T. Barnum's circus.
For a Tom Thumb wedding, children playing the bride and groom typically wear miniature versions of adult wedding attire. The bride often wears a white silk gown with a long train, and the groom and groomsmen don formal evening wear, including tuxedos or suits. In some cases, the children playing the bride and groom are referred to as \"Tom Thumb\" and \"Jennie June\" in the scripts.
The wedding party also includes attendants, flower girls, and ring bearers, who are usually younger children, also dressed in their best evening wear or miniature wedding attire. The boys playing fathers and grandfathers might wear stick-on mustaches and beards to complete their look.
The costumes for a Tom Thumb wedding are meant to be elaborate and miniature versions of grown-up wedding attire, adding to the whimsical and playful nature of these performances. These events were often fundraisers for churches and schools and provided an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the talents of their children.
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Ceremony: The children replicate the marriage vows and ceremony of Tom Thumb
For the ceremony, the children will replicate the marriage vows and ceremony of Tom Thumb, a popular character from Victorian times, known for his miniature weddings. Here is a step-by-step guide:
The stage should be set to resemble a miniature wedding chapel, with a small altar and pews or chairs for the guests. The bride and groom, played by children, will stand at the altar, with the officiant standing in front of them. The wedding party may include a miniature bridal party with a flower girl and ring bearer, as well as groomsmen and bridesmaids.
The ceremony can begin with the entrance of the bridal party, followed by the bride, who is escorted by her father or a stand-in. The music should be traditional wedding march music, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere. Once everyone is in place, the officiant, who can be another child or an adult, will begin the ceremony.
The vows and ceremony should follow the traditional format of a wedding, with a few fun twists. For instance, the vows can be modified to be more playful and lighthearted, reflecting the nature of a Tom Thumb wedding. For example, the vows might include promises to always share toys and treats and to never argue over who gets the biggest slice of cake!
The ring exchange is another important part of the ceremony. The rings should be appropriately sized for children and can even be made of plastic or other inexpensive materials. The happy couple can then exchange these rings, sealing their promise to love and honour each other in sickness and in health (or at least until the end of the school year!).
Finally, the officiant can pronounce them "husband and wife" (or "bride and groom"), and they can seal the deal with a kiss, a high-five, or even a fun secret handshake, adding a unique touch to their special day!
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Fundraising: Tom Thumb weddings were often held as fundraisers for churches and schools
Tom Thumb weddings have been a popular way to raise funds for churches and schools. The tradition began in the late 19th century, inspired by the wedding of General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton) and Lavinia Warren in 1863. Stratton, a short-statured performer, and Warren, a fellow little person, gained fame working for circus man P.T. Barnum. Their wedding received extensive media coverage and captured the public's imagination.
Soon, communities across America began hosting Tom Thumb weddings as fundraisers. These events involved young children dressing up and reenacting the wedding ceremony, assuming roles such as the bride, groom, officiant, wedding party, and guests. The pageants were often elaborate, with children donning miniature versions of adult wedding attire, complete with veils and trains, and even stick-on mustaches for boys playing fathers and grandfathers.
Churches and schools embraced Tom Thumb weddings as a way to engage their communities and raise funds for various causes. The events typically attracted large audiences who found the performances entertaining and endearing. The pageants were often advertised and promoted through brochures and local newspapers, helping to draw attention and support for the fundraisers.
The popularity of Tom Thumb weddings peaked in the 1920s and 1930s, with records showing they were held in numerous towns across the country. While the frequency of these events has diminished over time, some churches continue to hold them occasionally as fundraisers or community-building activities.
Organizing a Tom Thumb wedding requires planning and coordination. Choosing a suitable venue, such as a church hall or school gymnasium, is essential. Recruiting children to participate in the wedding party and assigning roles is a crucial step. Costumes and props, including miniature wedding attire and accessories, add to the charm of the performance. Publicizing the event through local channels and inviting the community to attend can help ensure a successful turnout and raise awareness for the cause.
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Locations: These weddings were popular in small towns and communities across America
Tom Thumb weddings were popular in small towns and communities across America, particularly in churches and community organisations during the 1890s. These weddings were often held as fundraisers for churches and schools. For example, in 1900, Lecca organised a Tom Thumb wedding at the Downey Avenue Christian Church, and another at the tabernacle in Bethany Park. In 1949, a Tom Thumb wedding was held at the Dryville Church as a fundraiser. Another was held at the Trinity Church to raise funds for their tower.
These weddings were also popular in small towns across the Pascack Valley, with records of weddings held in Emerson, Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, River Vale, and Westwood. They were also held in Kansas City, Joplin, Des Moines, Independence, Springfield, and 400 other towns.
Tom Thumb weddings were often the only show in town, drawing crowds in the thousands. They were a unique form of entertainment that brought the community together and provided an opportunity for children to dress up and play adult roles.
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Frequently asked questions
Tom Thumb Weddings are events in which young children dress up in miniature versions of wedding attire and formalwear and put on elaborate mock weddings for paying audiences. These weddings are named after Charles Stratton, also known as General Tom Thumb, a dwarf in P.T. Barnum's circus who married Lavinia Warren in 1863.
Tom Thumb Weddings started in the late 19th century as a nod to the wedding of General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren. They peaked in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s as fundraisers for churches and schools.
To put on a Tom Thumb Wedding, you will need actors, stage hands/directors, invitations, a stage/facility, a play, tickets, money collectors, and announcements. You can also have the children dress up in tuxedos and bridal gowns, with boys playing fathers and grandfathers wearing stick-on mustaches and beards.
