Rhiannon Hendricks
Tom Thumb Weddings are a tradition that began in the 19th century, inspired by the wedding of Gen. Tom Thumb (real name Charles Stratton) and fellow circus performer Lavinia Warren. In these weddings, children dress up in miniature versions of wedding attire and play-act the roles of the bride, groom, officiant, and other wedding guests. These performances were often used as fundraisers for churches and schools and were a popular form of entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While the tradition has evolved over time, it continues to be practised in some communities today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The tradition began with the real Mr. Thumb, a short-statured performer in P.T. Barnum's circus. |
| Namesake | Gen. Tom Thumb, the stage name of Charles Stratton (1838-1883). |
| Format | Stage performances in which young children replicate the wedding ceremony, playing the roles of the bride, groom, officiant, wedding party, and guests. |
| Costumes | Children dress up in miniature versions of grown-up wedding attire and formalwear. |
| Beards and moustaches | Boys playing fathers and grandfathers wear stick-on beards and moustaches. |
| Aims | Fundraisers for churches and schools; entertainment; a crash course in etiquette and promises. |
| Locations | Schools, churches, community events, baby parades. |
| Participants | Up to 100 children. |
| Peak popularity | 1920s and 1930s. |
| Modern iterations | Negotiation of terms focuses on snacks, video games, and parental rewards. |
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What You'll Learn
Tom Thumb Wedding history
The Tom Thumb Wedding tradition is inspired by the 1863 wedding of Charles Stratton, aka General Tom Thumb, and Lavinia Warren, two circus performers with dwarfism. The wedding, which took place at Grace Church in Manhattan, received extensive media coverage and generated a lot of public interest, with the streets outside the church filled with onlookers. The couple even received a blessing from President Abraham Lincoln at the White House after their wedding.
General Tom Thumb was the stage name given to Charles Stratton by circus pioneer P. T. Barnum, for whom he worked. Stratton was born in 1838 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to parents of average height. He grew and developed normally for the first six months of his life but stopped growing after that, reaching a height of just over three feet as an adult. Barnum taught him how to sing, dance, mime, and impersonate famous people, and they toured the US and Europe together, with Stratton performing for royalty and achieving international fame.
The Tom Thumb Wedding tradition began a few years after Stratton and Warren's wedding, with the first known mention of a Tom Thumb wedding taking place in 1900. These were stage performances in which young children would replicate the 1863 ceremony, playing the roles of the bride, groom, officiant, wedding party, and guests, all dressed in miniature versions of adult wedding attire. The boys playing the fathers and grandfathers often wore stick-on mustaches and beards. These performances were often held as fundraisers for churches and schools and were popular community events that drew large crowds. They also served as a way to teach children about religious and moral values and adult behaviour and conduct.
The popularity of Tom Thumb Weddings peaked in the 1920s and 1930s, and they continued to be performed into the 20th century, with some variations and different titles, such as "The Marriage of the Tots" and "The Marriage of the Midgets." Today, they are remembered as a unique and whimsical part of American cultural history.
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How to organise a Tom Thumb Wedding
Tom Thumb Weddings are stage performances in which young children replicate the 1863 wedding of Charles Stratton (Gen. Tom Thumb) and Lavinia Warren. Children dress up in miniature versions of grown-up wedding attire and play-act the parts of the bride, groom, officiant, bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, grandparents, and guests. These performances were popular fundraisers for schools and churches in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
To organise a Tom Thumb Wedding, you'll need to assemble a cast of children to play the various roles. You'll also need to create or source costumes, including bridal gowns, tuxedos, and formalwear for the children. You may also want to include miniature versions of wedding accessories such as veils, bouquets, and boutonnieres.
In addition to the cast and costumes, you'll need to choose a venue, preferably a church or community space, and promote the event to your local community. You may also want to create a programme or brochure for the event, outlining the details of the performance and providing information about the cast and crew.
Finally, you'll need to rehearse the performance with the children to ensure they are comfortable with their roles and the flow of the ceremony. This may include teaching them about wedding traditions and etiquette, as these performances were often seen as a crash course in manners for children.
While Tom Thumb Weddings may seem like a quaint tradition, it's important to approach the concept with sensitivity and avoid reinforcing infantilizing or outdated gender stereotypes. Today, the scripts can be updated to focus on friendship and more modern elements like video games and snacks.
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Tom Thumb Wedding outfits
Tom Thumb Weddings are a type of pageant or play in which children act out a marriage ceremony. They originated in the 19th century as a nod to the wedding of celebrity little people Charles Stratton (aka "General Tom Thumb") and Lavinia Warren in 1863. The children in these performances wear miniature versions of adult wedding attire and formalwear.
For girls playing the role of the bride, a popular outfit choice is a silk gown with a long train. Boys playing the role of fathers or grandfathers might wear stick-on mustaches and beards to complete their look.
In the original Tom Thumb Wedding of 1863, the bride and groom were dressed in lavish wedding attire. The bride, Lavinia Warren, wore a silk gown with a long train, and her hair was styled in a fashionable updo. The groom, Charles Stratton, wore a military-style uniform, complete with a hat and sash. Their wedding attire was widely promoted and sold as souvenirs by P.T. Barnum, their employer and promoter.
In modern times, Tom Thumb Weddings are often held as fundraisers for schools and churches, with children dressing up in their best outfits to play the various roles in the wedding party.
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Tom Thumb Wedding vows
Tom Thumb weddings are a tradition dating back to the 19th century, inspired by the wedding of General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton) and Lavinia Warren in 1863. These weddings are performed by children who dress up in miniature versions of adult wedding attire and play different roles such as the bride, groom, officiant, and guests. The vows in a Tom Thumb wedding are often lighthearted and humorous, and here are some ideas for vows that capture the spirit of these whimsical ceremonies:
Example 1:
"I, [name], take you, [name], to be my partner in adventure, just like Tom Thumb. I promise to always support and encourage you, even when we face challenges that seem bigger than us. I will love and cherish you, as long as we both shall remain each other's biggest fans and best friends."
Example 2:
"We, [name] and [name], come together today to seal our friendship with a promise. Just as Tom Thumb outwitted his adversaries, we promise to face life's challenges together with courage and a sense of fun. We will always find reasons to smile, even in the smallest moments, and bring joy to each other's lives."
Example 3:
"I, [name], take you, [name], to be my partner in this grand adventure we call life. I promise to love and care for you, and to always see the beauty in the little things. I will be your companion through thick and thin, as long as we both shall remain true to ourselves and each other."
Example 4:
"We, [name] and [name], join hands today to pledge our friendship and love. Inspired by the story of Tom Thumb, we promise to face our fears and embrace life's surprises. We will create our own kind of magic together, and always find reasons to laugh and celebrate, no matter how small the occasion."
These vows capture the playful and whimsical nature of Tom Thumb weddings while also emphasizing the importance of friendship, love, and shared experiences. They are designed to be age-appropriate and entertaining for both the participants and the audience.
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Tom Thumb Wedding locations
Tom Thumb Weddings, inspired by the 1863 wedding of General Tom Thumb (Charles Sherwood Stratton) and Lavinia Warren, are pageant-style plays in which children act out a marriage ceremony. These plays originated in the 19th century and have been performed for over a hundred years, often as fundraisers for churches and schools.
Mattoon, Illinois
In April 1912, a Tom Thumb Wedding was performed in Mattoon, Illinois. It featured a cast of one hundred children, including the bride in white silk and the groom and groomsmen in full evening dress. The "guests" included family members from across the country, as well as notable figures such as Mr. and Mrs. Taft and a group of suffragettes from England.
Decatur, Illinois
In June 1912, rehearsals for a Tom Thumb Wedding were held in Decatur, Illinois, for the Presbyterian Church.
Bonaparte, Iowa
In December 1911, a five-page typewritten play, "The Marriage of Miss Midget" by Electa Chase and M. Burnworth, was copyrighted in Bonaparte, Iowa. The play envisioned a full wedding retinue, with a recommended cast of 40 to 50 children.
Kansas City, Missouri
In 1914, M. Burnworth copyrighted a twelve-page play, "Marriage of the Midgets; or, the Tom Thumb Wedding," which was printed in Kansas City, Missouri. This play was significantly longer than previous versions and did not bear Electa Chase's name.
Jacksonville, Florida
In the early 1900s, a Tom Thumb Wedding was performed in Jacksonville, Florida, under the title, "The Marriage of the Tots." This caused some controversy, as Baker's Plays claimed that this infringed on their copyright for the Tom Thumb Wedding script.
Crystal Springs, Mississippi
A Tom Thumb Wedding was held in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, featuring fancy dress, generous parties, and age-appropriate vows.
Annual Story Book Parade, Alhambra, California
In the 1930s, a Tom Thumb Wedding was part of the Annual Story Book Parade in Alhambra, California.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not common to wear a wedding ring on the thumb. In Western cultures, the wedding ring finger is designated as the fourth finger on the left hand. However, wearing a ring on the thumb is seen more as a fashion statement these days.
Wearing a ring on the thumb is believed to symbolise willpower, self-assertion, courage, confidence, power and influence.
In some cultures, the right index finger is reserved for wedding rings. For example, in traditional Jewish ceremonies, the wedding ring is placed on the right index finger during the ceremony, and the bride has the option to move it to the left hand ring finger afterward. In Hindu tradition, the groom wears his wedding ring on his right index finger, and the bride wears hers on her left index finger.
Ultimately, the decision of which finger to wear a wedding ring on comes down to personal preference and comfort. Some people may choose to wear their wedding ring on a different finger if they have an active lifestyle or a job that requires manual labour.
