My Grandparents' Wedding, 1914

 

My paternal grandfather was born on this day in 1885. As I have been pursuing genealogy earnestly over the last few years, I have filled in many blanks in my Ahnentafel; however, many are still awaiting discovery on my grandfather's father's side. Most of the oldtimers who might have had answers for me are long gone, including my own father.

My grandparents married in January 1914 and saw their 50th wedding anniversary plus two. The witnesses pictured here are my grandfather's sister and my grandmother's brother.

One of my cousins generously shared a copy of their wedding certificate with me. It is in German--the small community where my grandparents were born was settled by German/Alsatian immigrants. I have a prayer book in German that had belonged to my grandfather's maternal aunt, from whom I got my middle name of Ann.

I'm already looking forward to the release of the 1940 census, which will happen in 2012. Many more answers will unfold for the genealogical community when that treasure trove is made public.

Needlefelted Magnolias

Needlefelted Magnolias, originally uploaded by confections.

I just finished this custom order of needlefelted magnolia boutonnieres for an August wedding. The petals are made of Dorset down wool and yearling mohair from a local San Diego County shepherdess, the stamens of Rambouillet wool, and the leaves of domestic and merino wool that I blended with Bombyx morii silk.

Vintage Family Wedding Reception, 1982

Vintage Family Wedding Reception, 1982, originally uploaded by confections.

My husband and I got married in December of 1981 in California. The following May my parents held a small family wedding reception for us at their home in Pennsylvania. The lilacs were in bloom and everything was exquisite.

Five years after this occasion, my youngest sister tied the knot, and our whole family created her handmade wedding. For all the details, see this article that I wrote for the Storque News on Etsy.com.