Weddings have always been a celebration of love, family, and commitment. They bring people together and mark the beginning of a new chapter. They’re a time-honoured tradition that has been cherished for centuries.
If you love weddings, the history of Toronto, or both, then you’ll love this collection of old wedding photographs from 1908-1957. These images offer a glimpse into the past, allowing us to see how weddings were celebrated in a bygone era.
1908 – Wedding party, Lakefield
The photographs are all from the Toronto area and show brides and grooms, bridesmaids, family members, and guests at weddings.
The vintage attire and hairstyles worn by the wedding parties immediately transport us back in time. The brides are decked out in stunning gowns with intricate lace details, long trains, and beautiful veils. The grooms are dapper in classic black tuxedos, top hats, and tails. It is also interesting to see all the military weddings that were in the collection, with the men in uniform.
We can also see how the venues and reception decor have changed over time. The weddings were traditionally held in churches or chapels followed by receptions at separate venues such as restaurants or halls. The ornate and towering wedding cakes, a centrepiece of every reception, were a testament to the skill and creativity of the bakers.
1913 – Bridal couple leaving St. Paul’s Church
Looking at the old photographs, it’s clear that the love and joy evident on the faces of the happy couples and their guests, is a tradition that transcends time. While some of the wedding traditions and customs may have changed, the fundamental importance of the love and support from family and friends will always be there.
This collection of vintage wedding photographs provides an incredible look into what the celebrations of love looked like in Toronto, almost one hundred years ago. It’s a timeless and heartwarming tribute to marriages past, each one capturing a moment in history that will always be cherished.
1913 – Guests at Booth-Croft wedding, St. Paul’s Church1916 – Colonel W.A. Bishop and Burden wedding1919 – Crowd at wedding of W.A. Bishop to Miss Burden of Eaton family1923 – 1927 – Unidentified wedding party copy1923 – 1927 – Unidentified wedding party1924 – Banting wedding, bride and groom coming out1925 – Hay-Beck wedding, couple leaving St. Andrew’s Church1926 – Catto-Sheppard wedding, St. Simons Church1926 – Joshua Michael Williams and Rachel Adina Stephenson with their wedding party1926 – Wedding fashion parade at Ardwold1927 – Myrtle Young wedding, general group1928 – Coles, Ltd., wedding cake1928 – Graham-Burton wedding, bridal couple and attendants1928 – Hughes-McDougald wedding, bridesmaids1928 – Kirkpatrick-Burnham wedding, bride cutting cake, groom and Col. Kirkpatrick in background1928 – Kirkpatrick-Burnham wedding, bridesmaids1928 – Mitchell-Biffas wedding, Archbishop Alexander, bride, groom1928 – Mitchell-Biffas wedding, bride and best man1928 – Mitchell-Biffas wedding, bride and bridesmaids1928 – Trinity College wedding1928 – Warren-Smith wedding, 5 Rosedale Drive, general group1929 – Bob Smith [Globe, daughter] wedding, bride and groom, full figure1929 – Bob Smith Globe, daughter wedding, bridesmaid, best man, flower girls1929 – Gundy-Rykert wedding, bride with train1929 – Gundy-Rykert wedding, five bridesmaids1929 – Gundy-Rykert wedding, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Gundy1929 – Hees wedding, general group1929 – Oakville, Bensom-Baillie wedding, bride and bridesmaids1929 – Till military wedding, Knox College1929 – Virginia Gundy wedding, bridesmaids, Isobel Ross, Annie Gundy, Margaret Denton, Carolyn Gundy1929 – Virginia Gundy wedding, couple at house1929 – Virginia Gundy wedding, G.H. Ferguson arriving at house1930 – Group at Harris-Gillies wedding, Knox Chapel1930 – Miss Rowell wedding, Metropolitan Church, bride and groom leaving church1930 – Miss Rowell wedding, Metropolitan Church, bridesmaids group1930 – Weeks-Scott wedding, Eglinton Hunt1938 – Gord Walker’s wedding, St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside1939 – St. Simons Church, Aylan-Parker, Alexander wedding1940 – Stanley Barracks, Locke-Hollinger wedding1940? – Bride and man (father?) at Hatch wedding1940? – George Duthie wedding1941 – St. Andrews Choir, Guy-Gibbins wedding1941 – Stanley Barracks, Foley-Shaw wedding1941 – Yorkminister choir, Jones-Watson wedding1942 – 135 Admiral Road, Wammuton-Coulter wedding1942 – Old St. Andrews, Bond-Harris wedding1942 – Stanley Barracks, Jung-Orange wedding1944 – RCAF Divadale – Kennedy-Truscott wedding – guard1946 – J.E. Atkinson of the Toronto Star with granddaughter Joyce Hindmarsh1957 – Wedding photos of Stanley Ostas and Margaret Zessoff