Reminiscing about old times

Posted by Emma Sibbles at 10:00 on 7 May 2008

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Last night, inspired by the sudden death of a close family friend, my mum and I dug out some old home movies to reminisce. We dug out the wrong tape though and instead found ourselves gripped by the wedding of my maternal grandparents. Shot on old cine film with no sound it was such a strange experience. People I had never met or seen in motion were suddenly there in their finery, smoking, joking, eating cake and having a laugh. It was very surreal.

But best of all was the fashion. Both my grandparents were society photographers and my grandmother's father as well, so the whole village had turned out to watch them wed. One of the most surprising things was how dressed up people who weren't even invited, but were watching from the street, had got. Hats, beautiful coat-dresses, gorgeous shoes and handbags. The lot.

It filled me with inspiration. I've got two weddings next month and I haven't much of a clue what to wear for either, hoping inspiration will strike me soon.

The inspiration came mainly from my maternal great-grandmother, lovingly referred to as Nanna Pippin (after her dog), a character I'd never even seen a photograph of. But suddenly here she was rocking a corsage on her hat a good 50 years before SJP. She had a great little dress on with a matching jacket but best of all was the overall look of mischief. Mothers of the bride can look stressed and strained on such a big day but here she was comfortably larking about on film with her mates.

So rather than stressing about what to wear I am going to wear something appropriate (not white) and something I can relax and have fun in, after all it's a celebration first and foremost.

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