Deborah Chan
The 1920s was a decade of change and development for weddings. From fashion and music to flowers and cakes, the weddings of the roaring twenties were bold, stylish, and brilliantly entertaining. The 1920s saw a shift in wedding flower trends, with brides embracing the era's fun and frivolous spirit in their floral choices. So, what flowers would you have seen at a 1920s wedding?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Calla lilies, daisies, roses, sweet peas, chrysanthemums, gladioli, carnations, anemones, scabiosa, patience roses, oregano, and heuchera leaves |
| Style | Large, long, dangling bouquets with long strands of greenery and ribbon |
| Bride's Age | 21 years old, on average |
| Groom's Age | 24 years old, on average |
| Day of the Week | Weekday |
| Time of Day | Afternoon |
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What You'll Learn
Brides wore flowers in their hair
Wedding celebrations in the 1920s were stylish and fun, with brides taking inspiration from the most popular looks of the time. Brides often accessorised with headdresses, veils, and cloche hats, a staple of 1920s fashion.
The bandeau, or headband, was a popular headpiece worn by flappers in the 1920s. The bridal version of the bandeau was often decorated with wax flowers, which were affordable and available all year round. The wax sparkled in the light like pearls. The bandeau was typically worn low, just above the front hairline or across the forehead. Bridesmaids might wear a simpler bandeau, a lightweight cloche hat, or ribbons and flowers in their hair.
The cloche, usually a hat, was another popular headpiece shape, and brides incorporated this shape into their wedding veils. The cloche bell-shaped wedding veil, like the Juliet cap, was perfect for fitting over the hairstyles of the 1920s. The Juliet cap veil was usually a large piece of chiffon fabric, with the gather of the fabric around the ears giving it a snug fit. Some brides wore a lace version of the Juliet cap.
While it is difficult to find trends in flower fashions, brides in the 1920s wore full-length gowns, longer sleeves, and simple satin materials. They decorated their hats and veils with floral headpieces. Popular flowers included chrysanthemums, roses, lilies, gladioli, and carnations, and garden-grown flowers like daisies, sweet peas, and clematis.
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Bouquets were large and long
The 1920s were a time of change and progression, and this was reflected in the wedding bouquets of the time. As skirts became shorter, bouquets became larger and longer, with trailing streamers of ribbon and long strands of fern and other foliage. These long strands of ribbon were sometimes adorned with small flowers or bows.
Bouquets of the 1920s were often a lush, flowing arrangement of flowers and greenery. Common flowers included roses, lilies, daisies, and sweet peas, with ferns and other foliage. Calla lilies were also popular, as were local, common varieties. The bouquets were often large and long, with an almost floor-length quality.
The 1920s saw a move away from the structured, formal bouquets of previous decades. The new style was more relaxed and natural, with a focus on long, flowing lines. This style of bouquet was often referred to as a cascade bouquet, a style that remained popular throughout the 1910s and 1920s.
The large, long bouquets of the 1920s were a reflection of the fashion of the time, which was also more relaxed and natural. The shorter skirts and lower waistlines of bridal gowns meant that a longer, larger bouquet provided a beautiful contrast. The bouquets were often finished with satin ribbons, adding a touch of elegance and glamour.
Overall, the 1920s wedding bouquet was a bold and elegant statement, a beautiful accompaniment to the bridal gowns of the time and a reflection of the changing fashion and social landscape.
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Calla lilies and daisies were popular
Wedding celebrations in the 1920s were chic, stylish, and fun. Brides in the 1920s were relatively young, with the average bride being around 21 years old. Calla lilies and daisies were popular flowers in the 1920s, with brides carrying large, elaborate, and flowing bouquets. These bouquets were often made of green foliage, with flowers tending to be common, local varieties.
The 1920s saw a shift in bridal fashion, with shorter skirts and larger, bolder bouquets. The bouquets were often decorated with long, floor-length strands of ribbon, sometimes with small bows or flowers attached. Brides also accessorized with headdresses, cloche hats, and veils. The roaring 20s was a time of opulence, but it was also an era of prohibition, which impacted weddings. Receptions were typically held at home, and flappers, in particular, spent less money on their rings and weddings, opting to allocate more resources toward honeymoons and homes.
The bridal bouquet has a rich history, dating back to ancient times. In ancient Rome, brides carried strong-smelling herbs to enhance fertility and ward off evil spirits. In medieval Europe, bouquets served a similar practical purpose, masking unpleasant odors while symbolizing the bride's purity and innocence. During the Victorian era, floriography, or the language of flowers, became popular, allowing brides to convey emotions and messages through their choice of blooms.
Calla lilies and daisies, with their simplicity and eco-chic appeal, were well-suited to the times and continue to be beloved choices for bridal bouquets today. While specific flower preferences may vary over time, the bridal bouquet remains a beloved wedding tradition, symbolizing love, hope, and new beginnings.
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Cascade bouquets were trendy
The 1920s were a time of fun and frivolity, and wedding fashion reflected this. Brides wanted to make a statement with their wedding flowers, and cascade bouquets were trendy. This style of bouquet was immensely popular during the 1920s, with many brides opting for an over-the-top waterfall of flowers and greenery.
Cascade bouquets, also known as waterfall bouquets, feature a stunning arrangement of flowers and foliage that spill downwards, creating a beautiful cascading effect. This style of bouquet is perfect for brides who want to make a statement and add a touch of drama to their wedding look. The 1920s version of this bouquet was bold and eye-catching, with a mix of flowers and greenery that created a sense of opulence and excess.
The flowers used in 1920s cascade bouquets varied, but some popular choices included calla lilies, daisies, roses, sweet peas, and clematis. These flowers were often complemented by flowing greenery, such as asparagus fern and maidenhair fern, to add to the lush and luxurious look of the bouquet. The long strands of greenery and trailing ribbons that were popular at the time also contributed to the cascading effect of these bouquets.
While the specific flowers and foliage may have varied, the overall style of the cascade bouquet remained consistent. This trend was a departure from the more structured and linear bouquets that became popular in the mid-twentieth century. The 1920s cascade bouquet embraced a more free-flowing and organic style, with an emphasis on abundance and extravagance.
The popularity of cascade bouquets in the 1920s can be attributed to the desire for bold and entertaining wedding celebrations. The roaring 20s were a time of change and excitement, and brides wanted their weddings to reflect the spirit of the time. The cascade bouquet, with its dramatic and elegant style, was a perfect choice for brides who wanted to make a statement and embrace the fun and frivolity of the era.
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Homemade cakes were common
Wedding cakes became more common in the 1920s, with the introduction of more affordable options. Homemade cakes were common, with traditional sponge cakes often being made at the bride's home and then iced by a professional confectioner. These cakes were typically decorated with white icing and natural flowers, such as orange blossoms or lilies of the valley. In some cases, cakes were covered with almond paste and smooth white icing, with the upper tiers supported by pillars. Art deco styling was also popular, with some couples opting for intricate designs inspired by the royal wedding cake of King George VI in 1923, which was 10 feet high and 800 pounds. This cake was decorated with cherubs, flowers, and iced figurines.
During the 1920s, wedding bouquets became larger and more elaborate, with trailing streamers of ribbon tied with lover's knots and greenery. Popular flowers included roses, lilies, orchids, chrysanthemums, gladioli, and carnations. Brides also incorporated feathers, such as peacock feathers, into their bouquets. These large bouquets complemented the shorter skirts that came into fashion during this decade.
In addition to flowers, brides in the 1920s accessorized with headdresses, veils, and cloche hats. Bridal gowns featured full-length gowns, longer sleeves, and simple satin materials. The waistlines and necklines dropped lower, and intricate details such as embroidery, beading, and other fine finishing touches were popular.
While homemade cakes were common, bakers also started producing wedding cakes during this time, making them more accessible and affordable for couples. These cakes often featured cake toppers made from materials such as porcelain, wood, or Bakelite. Simple decorations such as ribbons, bows, and flowers were also used. Fruit cakes iced with white royal icing were also in vogue, sometimes incorporating muscovado sugar, fine liquors, and premium fruits.
Overall, the 1920s was a stylish and entertaining era for weddings, with fashion, music, flowers, and cakes all designed to make a bold impression.
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Frequently asked questions
Weddings in the 1920s were stylish and fun. Brides were young, with an average age of 21, and their dresses reflected the popular styles of the time, including lower waistlines and intricate detailing.
Wedding bouquets in the 1920s were elaborate and flowing, featuring local varieties such as calla lilies, daisies, roses, sweet peas, and clematis.
Yes, chrysanthemums, lilies, gladioli, and carnations were also popular choices. Brides also often wore floral headpieces, incorporating flowers like orchids, anemones, scabiosa, patience roses, and heuchera leaves.
1920s wedding bouquets were known for their long, trailing streamers of ribbon tied with lovers' knots and greenery. They were also larger in size compared to previous decades, reflecting the shorter skirts that were in fashion at the time.
Yes, the Roaring Twenties was a time of unrestrained opulence, but it was also an era of prohibition. Weddings were typically held on weekdays in the afternoon, and receptions were often held at home due to restrictions on alcohol. Flapper brides, in particular, tended to spend less on their rings and wedding festivities, prioritising their honeymoons and starter homes instead.
