1940s Theme Wedding: Love, Jazz, And War

Close your eyes and imagine it's 1942. America's at war and you and the love of your life must get married before he ships off in two days. If you think this is as romantic as it gets, then maybe you should consider a 1940's theme wedding.

Theme weddings are more popular than ever. Brides desire to have a wedding that stands out from others and can be remembered for its originality. Women want their wedding day to be special and different. Theme weddings allow that to happen.

One of the most romantic periods of time in American history was the 1940's era. With the country at war and most of our men enlisted, women could do nothing but sit at home waiting for their return. The entire period boasted of hopeless love. A 1940's wedding theme captures the essence of that hopeless and loyal love.

For a 1940's theme wedding, brides should go for a tailored look when choosing the wedding attire. Many brides in the 1940's didn't wear traditional dresses, but instead opted for the suit dress. Brides can have a 1940's wedding however and still wear a wedding dress. To keep the look of the period however, brides should look for vintage dresses.

One thing a 1940's bride should not go without is her hat and veil combo. Hats were very popular for women at this time. Veils were usually very short and attached to the hat. Men wore their military formals or zoot suits. Stripes are great for men in a 1940's theme wedding. Paired with shiny leather shoes, the striped suits will allow the men to blend right into the era.

Hair in this era was simple and elegant. Brides wanting a 1940's theme wedding can draw inspiration from stars of the period such as Veronica Lake or Lauren Bacall, who exuded class and confidence. Soft waves with the sides pinned back were a great style of the 1940's. A simple flower stuck behind one ear of each attendant would also add a great touch. Makeup for a 1940's theme wedding should be muted and natural except for the lips. Lips were bright and usually a shade of red, drawing attention to the mouth.

Music was a huge part of the 1940's. Without the recreational choices we have today, music and dances were wildly popular. Many women met their future husbands dancing the night away. Swing music was a hit and any wedding with a 1940 party theme should certainly have a swing band at the reception.

For an added 1940's theme wedding touch, the bride and groom could take swing lessons before the wedding so they could fully participate. Another idea would be to hire a swing instructor to give a quick lesson to guests during the reception. Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular artists of the time. The couple could even choose to have their first dance to his hit, “And The Way You Look Tonight”.

Decorations for a 1940's theme wedding should be understated. Many of the weddings during this time were planned in a few days, and to truly capture the era, the bride should not go overboard. It was a very patriotic period in America with WWII raging and in coordination brides can choose to have patriotic decorations. Red and white flowers are a great way to add patriotism to floral arrangements.

Carnations or roses would work well for a 1940's theme wedding. The American flag can be displayed or a flag pattern can be used for ribbons on arrangements. Little flags with names place at the base can be used for seating cards at the reception.

Another choice for decorating a 1940's theme wedding ceremony and/or reception is the swing theme. To capture the swing theme through decorations, brides should focus on music. Place card holders could include small trumpets or saxophones. There should be an abundance of musical notes scattered in many varieties on walls and tables. Cut outs of piano keys are another great thing you can use to capture the mood. Black, white, and gold are great colors to highlight the music.

A 1940's theme wedding can be full of romance and fun. Focusing on simplicity and the loyal love of the era, the wedding ceremony and reception decoration will be remembered by the couple and guests forever. It is a beautiful and easy way to create a magical and original experience for those that love and appreciate the beauty of a 1940's wedding theme.