Mum's Wedding: Rhondda, South Wales

My mother was married by special license in December 1940. My father, a shopkeeper, was 'called up' so the wedding was scheduled 2 days before he left for Andover.
The white satin dress was bought from a local dress store. The owner's daughter had recently married so my mother borrowed the veil and crown, a bonus since funds and coupons were scarce. The veil was very long and embroidered with flowers and the crown looked very regal. Mam's sister and Dad's sister were bridesmaids and their dresses were made by a neighbour. The fabric was bought on the 'black market' as the family did not have enough coupons.
The wedding photograph is, inevitably, sepia coloured. Recently I asked Mam what colour the bridesmaids wore. She could not remember! I joked that they must have been sepia! Fortunately one of the bridesmaids was still alive and she confirmed that they were pink and lilac.
The wedding photograph includes the bride and groom, both fathers, best man (the groom's brother) and the two bridesmaids.
The photograph is a wonderfully happy record of the wartime wedding but it must also have been a sad time knowing that Dad was about to go to war.
The cake was acquired from the bakery, a special deal since my father was 'in the trade'!
Nan (my grandmother) had made ham sandwiches to be eaten at the reception which was held at the bride's home.
To this date Mam is still alive, but sadly Dad passed away a few years ago. Mam, of course, still wears the gold wedding ring bought for £1.19.11 pence.

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