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A 1948 Wedding

The Marriage of Ena & Ken at St. George’s Church, High St., Brentford, 5th June 1948

At the time rationing was still in force in Britain, which meant that wedding dress materials were hard to get and brides had to use all sorts of other materials for their dresses, including used parachute silk.

Ena was lucky enough to have an auntie, her mother’s middle sister Winnie, in America where material was in plentiful supply and a dress made by Winnie duly arrived, together with white satin shoes and long white gloves.

Ena’s mum made the bridesmaids’ dresses. Ken’s suit was bought at Burton’s (known as the 50 bob tailors) at Ealing and cost 50 bob or 50 shillings (about £2.50). Roy Richardson was wearing Ken’s de-mobilisation suit.

Lynn adds 'Ena's Mum's (Dorothy Langley - third from left in the photo above) fat tummy was me - born on the 9th July 1948, not very good for the wedding outfit!'

Despite the rationing, Ena’s parents some how managed to get a real wedding cake and the wedding breakfast comprised food donated by family and friends from their own rations.

Ena’s bouquet was of red roses and this came from the florist’s shop that was the first shop past the recreation ground that used to be on the corner of Murray Road, on the western side of South Ealing Road opposite the entrance to the cemetery.

Ena’s parents supplied the guests’ buttonholes, we guess from the same florists shop.

Ena and Ken remember that the Derby took place that day, Ena had backed a horse named My Love at one shilling each way and Ken had placed the bet for her. My Love won at 100/9, ridden by a French jockey whose name was something like Johnston.

Ena with her step father Frank Langley	Leaving St George's church

Guests at the wedding breakfast at Ena’s family home, 20 Chestnut Avenue, Brentford

Lynn and Ena have also provided a copy of the above photo with names added. Surnames: Boover, Delory, Edwards, Ennis, Goddard, Hardingham, Hedges, Holderness, Hutchinson, Langley, Lowe, Randall, Richardson, Rowe, Stone, Thomas, Thompson, Wright and Young.

Page published April 2011