Seeing Double

Basil, Jill, Grandpa & Nanna

A post war double wedding

Perhaps we can all agree that our experiences over the past year have tested us. Tested our resolve, ability to adjust and perhaps challenged what we want from our lives and relationships moving forward. 

Speaking to many Brides over the past year there have been some who have wanted to lean into the simplicity of a small and intimate wedding and embrace the parameters in which we can legally have a ceremony and reception. There are also those who have continued to postpone their weddings for a time that will allow for a larger scale celebration with fewer restrictions. I can totally understand both points of view. It made me think about those in my life who have had unusual weddings and gone onto have long and happy marriages. 

I have a few examples ; my own Dad who eloped and also my Nanna and Grandpa...

I’m so lucky to have these example within my family. My Grandparents; Tom & Valerie have been such a positive example to me over the years of how, with love and determination you can really enjoy life. Sadly my grandfather Tom passed away several years ago, my Nanna now living over 6 hours away from me so we don’t see one another anywhere near as much as I would like. I like to think we share the same sense of humour which keeps us connected!

I asked my Nanna, Valerie, to share with me the story of her wedding to my Grandpa & I think for those of you wedding planning right now it might serve as beautiful reminder that maybe your wedding won’t be exactly how you planned it, but it might still be wonderful and memorable for all the right reasons.

My Nanna was one of 4 sisters, born to Stanley & Vera. I’m reliably told she was very “sought after”! More on that another time!! She was happily engaged to my Grandfather Tom around the same time as her sister Jill and her fiancé Basil. My great grandfather suggested a double wedding for economics! He was one of the original buyers at Selfridges! Both couples were marrying post war, whilst rationing was still in force. So, they decided if that was the best option then they might as-well go for it.

A local seamstress was hired to make the identical wedding gowns that my Nanna and her sister Jill wore on the day as well as the bridesmaid gowns for my Great Aunt Rosemary & Dulcie. Instead of the traditional bouquet, both Brides carried prayer books, ribbons and a few handpicked flowers.

The two couples married on 30th August 1952 Wellington Somerset at St Johns Church. 

When the vicar was asking for their responses  he nearly married my Nanna to Basil! Grandpa Tom had to call out “no no no !” He got it right in the end. It was later discovered that the vicar had been a prisoner of war in Japan and suffered thereafter and a double wedding (even unusual in that day & age) was a lot of pressure at the time. 

They went on to have a reception at The  Squirrel Hotel ,Wellington, celebrating with tea and cakes.

They went on their honeymoon to Newquay. Stopping early on their drive down to rid themselves of confetti and also later at the hotel they put Grandpa’s dressingown on the floor and stood to empty more into a matchbox to throw away!

As my Nanna relayed her story of her special day and sent me the pictures I could see how wonderful and special their wedding day was. It was a lesson to me to see that maybe things don’t have to be “done” the way we all think. For any Brides reading her story who are in the thick of it with wondering what to do over the coming months perhaps this lovely story can serve as an example of how the goal is a successful marriage, not just a wedding day. 

My grandparents went on to forge a long and very happy marriage filled with love. I never once sniffed an ounce of anything other that respect for one another. They worked hard together as a team to create a life they dreamed of, my Grandfathers quiet determination and talent as an architect and my Nanna, a wonderful mother, friend and artistic also, which has absolutely been passed on through the generations. 

Thank you to my Nanna, Valerie, for sharing this story with me. Some images below of the Happy Day in 1952 X