I am proud to live in Massachusetts. Proud to live in the first state to ensure equal marriage rights for ALL citizens of the Commonwealth. (Oh, and of course, we sell wedding invitations too. There is that.)
It makes sense, then, that it took me so long to put a simple window together. For the past six months, I have been combing antique shops, visiting garage sales, sorting through piles, and searching for visions of marriage as embodied in vintage wedding photos.
In some ways, this project made me sad. These photos are lives forgotten, left for a stranger to purchase. At the same time, I believe we are giving these memories new life. Since the window went up yesterday, countless passers-by have stopped, looking carefully at each photo, remembering parents, grandparents, or family stories.
At the time of these photos, even though they span generations, not every loving couple could marry each other and so I have included some photos that are not wedding pictures, but in my mind, could be the portraits of equally loving and committed couples who, I’m glad to say, could marry here and now.
I have favorites, of course. The best man, in his Navy or Coast Guard uniform, with a smile that let’s me know he was going to be the life of the party.
I love the shy grins of some brides, and the exhuberent smiles of others. The youth of some couples and maturity of some others. I love that some couples were having their movie star moments.
I am happy to share these moments in time with you. Hope you enjoy them.
