Vintage style is incredibly popular right now — everyone wants a beautiful piece of history in their homes, their wardrobe and their weddings. That’s why we decided to reach out the Blue Earth County Historical Society. They were nice enough to pull some vintage wedding dresses that have been donated over the years by families in the community. Not only did they have the actual dresses (dating all the way back to 1919), they also had the newspaper wedding announcements to go with them.
These wedding dresses are the real deal, and we hope their stories inspire something wonderful for your vintage wedding theme.
Wedding Date: November 27, 1919
Newspaper Announcement Highlights: “Miss Elizabeth Leonard and Mr. Peter A. Lorentz, both popular young people of this city were united in marriage at nine-fifteen o’clock this morning at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic church…The bride wore a beautiful gown of white charmeuse trimmed with silver lace and wore a veil in cap effect caught in place with pearls. Her bouquet was of white marcissus and she also wore a beautiful string of pearls, the gift of the groom…Following the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride’s parents to the members of the bridal party. At one o’clock a reception was held and a wedding dinner served. The rooms were prettily decorated in pink carnations and white chrysanthemums…The couple received many beautiful and expensive wedding gifts from their large circle of friends and acquaintances. The bride’s going away suit was of brown velour heavily embroidered with which she wore hat and accessories to match.”
Wedding Date: November 24, 1921
Newspaper Announcement Highlights: “On Thanksgiving evening, November 24th, at seven o’clock in the St. John’s Lutheran church, occurred a pretty wedding when Miss Martha P. Sternitzke and Mr. Paul E. Fischer were joined in happy wedlock…The bride wore a gown of white messaline, trimmed with pearls and silk lace and wore a veil caught up with a band of pearls. She carried a shower bouquet of brides roses…After the ceremony the guests and wedding party went to the bride’s home where a bountiful four-course supper was served. The rooms were prettily decorated in green, red and white…Miss Sternitzke is a pretty and charming young lady who will prove an efficient helper to the young man she has chosen for her life companion. Mr. August Fischer is a capable, upright young man of excellent habits…Last Sunday evening a party was held at the Arnold Graf home by those who had serenaded Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fischer at the Sternitzke home on Thanksgiving night. The occasion was much enjoyed with games, music and social entertainment and a generous luncheon was served at midnight.”
Wedding Date: October 8, 1930
Wedding Announcement Highlights: “A very pretty wedding was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edd Roberts in Cambria township at eight o’clock Wednesday evening, October 8, when their oldest daughter, Miss Edith Roberts, became the bride of Ellis Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Jones…The bride was charming in a gown of ivory white satin and carried an arm bouquet of Ophelia roses…Following the ceremony, a two-course wedding supper was served to about 75 guests in the dining room, which was decorated in varied colors of autumn leaves.”
Wedding Date: June 27, 1930
Wedding Announcement Highlights: “The marriage of Miss Helen Lauretta Kleve, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Kleve Sr. of Mankato, and Mr. Peter Sanger, also of Mankato, took place at SS. Peter and Paul’s church at 9 o’clock…The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, was attired in white satin made in princess style. Her gown was cut with three uneven flounces of rose point lace, ankle length, caught with orange blossoms at either side. Her only ornament was a five-strand string of pearls, a gift of the groom. She carried a shower of bouquet of calla lilies, white roses and lilies of the valley tied with satin streamers. Following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast was served…At one o’clock a four course luncheon was served. Nut cups and table decorations were carried out in a color scheme of peach and green. Peach candles and a three-tiered wedding cake with a miniature bride and groom formed the center piece.”
Wedding Date: October 28, 1947
This was believed to be a second marriage, hence the non-traditional wedding dress and lack of newspaper announcement. We absolutely love the style of this dress and how indicative it is of the fashion at that time.
Wedding Date: June 30, 1963
Wedding Announcement Highlights: “Shirley Evans Miller, daughter of Mrs. David R. Evans Sr., was united in marriage with E. Winston Grundmeier, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Grundmeier on June 30 at St. John’s Episcopal church. Maid of honor was the daughter of the bride. The brother of the bride gave his sister in marriage. The reception followed the service in the church parlors.” [This announcement consisted mainly of the names of the wedding party, which we decided to omit.]
Wedding Date: October 2, 1976
Colleen Ann Campbell and David Edward Roder were married October 2 at the home of the bride’s parents in rural Lake Crystal. Reception was held at the place of the ceremony.” [This announcement also consisted mainly of the names of the wedding party, which we decided to omit.]
The wedding gowns and newspaper announcements featured in this post are all from the same area in Southern Minnesota, which means they may reflect larger trends of the period but are also subject to the area’s unique traditions and customs. None-the-less, we found each dress to be gorgeous and each announcement to be extremely interesting. We hope you have enjoyed them as much as we have.
A big thank you to our friends at the Blue Earth County Historical Society in Mankato, Minnesota. We appreciate your efforts and the service you provide for our community.
