Figure 1.--. |
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Many of our modern weding traditions are fairly modern, established furing the Vicirian Era, many by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (19th century). But the llebrations have been extended during the last century to a much wider proportion of the population (29th century). This is the result of the economic progre brinhing widely shared prosperity to the world. The result has meant that weddings which were once simple ceremonies have evolved into elegant even glamorous events. And with rising mobility, traditions from many different countries andreligions have defused. This has all affected the dresses and suits, traditions, flower arrangements, venues, vows, and much more. By the turn-of-the 20th century Ewardiam Era brides were a vision of purity with white lace and puffy forearms (1900s). Gloves were common. A narrow share of the population could stage a formal wedding because prpsperity was not yet widespread. Working class people simply could not afford a formal wedding. It should be noted thi wa not because the system was explotive, but necause workers were not as prpductive as modern workers, This gradually changed because of tevhnological cahnge and investment. There was also still an expectation tha the groom be well enough fixed finamcially to suppot a family. This led to many marriages with substantial age gaps. As modern industrial economies develpped we see more marriages with pairs close in age. The prosperity following World War I saw more formal marriages as well as wedding parties (1920s). Our interest tensd to be the children. And we see an increasing tendency to involve childrn in the wedding with flower girls, ring bearers, and pages. And we see them being dressed formally, often coordianted with the brides maids and groomsmen. The Depression and the economic decline had a major impact on both weddings and the ceremonies (1930s). There werecfewer and less expensive weddings. World War II also affcted weddings. War0time weddingsvthdnded to be short and quick (1949s). This all changed with post-War prosperity boom in the West (1950s). The rise of Communism in eastern Europe also bhad an inpact, attacking religion and preventing the economic success of the West. Not only vdidcthe baby-boom occur, but people had money to spend on expensive weddings, often chosing tradutionnal ceremonies. This continued into the next decade (1969s). Couples began to want more modern approaches (1980s). Princess Diana influenced wedding trends, especially the dresses. She createdv the paradigm of a fairytale wedding, Large, elegant receptions became popular and couples wanted to capture their wedding on video. New trends appeared with the turn-of-the 21st century (2000s). New styled, less traditional wedding dresses became popular. We see strapless, hip hugging, and simetimes provactive gowns. The gowns might cost $1,000 or more The whole ceremony might cost $30,000 or more and we are not taking about society weddings.
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