Real 1950s wedding: A June bride in Iowa, 1954

The bride's striking lace headpiece

These beautiful photographs are of the wedding of William Franz and Beverly Hoff. They married in the June of 1954 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA.

Ms. Hoff’s amazing gown featured a three tiered full skirt of net and machine embroidered lace, with a bold scalloped edge. The same lace was used in her fitted short-sleeved bodice. Ms. Hoff’s deep v-neckline and her sleeves use the scalloped lace edging to beautiful effect.

The bride continues this scalloped lace feature in her choice of a lace headpiece with corded and beaded scalloped edge. Her two-tiered, elbow-length veil falls from gathers at the back. A pair of fingerless lace arms finish the look.

Ms.Hoff’s unusual bouquet looks stunning in her photographs. I believe it includes white stephanotis and roses, but it is the cascade of white ribbons that catch the light. Especially wonderful in the photograph of Ms. Hoff’s wedding kiss.

All photographs  © Mark Franz

More real 1950s weddings

The bride and her mother, showing the full line of her gown © Mark Franz

The wedding party - the gowns of Ms. Hoff's bridesmaids also use the scalloped edge feature, this time in satin

Cutting the cake © Mark Franz

Wedding kiss © Mark Franz