When Florence McClain accepted Lloyd Wright’s proposal of marriage on April 23, 1933 (see this post), it set in motion a flurry of activity that culminated in a “garden wedding” on the McClain farm in Tallman on July 9. There was lattice to paint, stand up and train plants onto. There was an organ to paint (I think it was an organ, anyway). And of course dresses to make and suits to acquire. Somehow it all came together, in spite of bank closures in the interim.
The wedding party lines up on a white runner lined with fern fronds and flowers, even as guests are still arriving. From left, Arthur McClain (bride’s father), Florence McClain (bride), Shirley McClain (flower girl), Anna Wright (maid of honor), bridesmaids Shirley Briggs and Dorothy Holmes. The groomsmen in front are Harold and John Wright. I can’t identify any of the guests lined up on the right.Another photo of nearly the same scene.Bernard McClain sitting at the organ (I think organ, not piano) he painted white for the occasion.The wedding ceremony in progress. From the left, the wedding party: John Wright, Harold Wright, Irvine Wright (best man), Lloyd Wright (groom), Florence McClain (bride), Anna Wright (maid of honor), Shirley Briggs, Dorothy Holmes. The minister is Rev. Gerald Norton, of Lebanon First Baptist Church. It looks to me like the ladies in the rocking chairs are Minnie Wright (groom’s mother) on the left, and Sarah Hammell (bride’s grandmother) on the right. I assume the balding head to the left of Minnie is John Wright (groom’s father).Another view of the ceremony in progress. One can just make out John Hammell (without his trademark hat!) to the right of Sarah in this photo and the one below.And another.
Corrections of my identifications are welcome, as are identifications of others in the photos.
More photos from the wedding in tomorrow’s post, and still more after that.
7 thoughts on ““The” Wedding, July 9, 1933 (Part 1)”
What great views of this special occasion! Quoting from my dad’s autobiography – “I played the music on the beautiful walnut finish reed organ I had picked up from Aunt Leota. I partially dismantled it and painted it with white enamel, with gold glitter trim – a la theatre organs of that day!”
What lovely pictures! I’d never seen the processional ones before. What a lot of prep work it must have been. The middle groomsman looks like U. Earl to me….and my guess is the 3rd groomsman as John. I think we all agree the best man is Irvine. Wonder who took the pictures. I thought mom had said that U. Barney played a pump organ? Love the rocking chairs for the parents and grandparents. Wish we could just enter that picture and talk to some who were there!!
I don’t remember ever seeing these pictures before; they are great! You are doing very well on the identifications; can’t improve on them!
Precious pictures!
Uncle Bernard is not very photogenic; he was really much handsomer than they show.
What great views of this special occasion! Quoting from my dad’s autobiography – “I played the music on the beautiful walnut finish reed organ I had picked up from Aunt Leota. I partially dismantled it and painted it with white enamel, with gold glitter trim – a la theatre organs of that day!”
Thank you so much for this, Judy.
What lovely pictures! I’d never seen the processional ones before. What a lot of prep work it must have been. The middle groomsman looks like U. Earl to me….and my guess is the 3rd groomsman as John. I think we all agree the best man is Irvine. Wonder who took the pictures. I thought mom had said that U. Barney played a pump organ? Love the rocking chairs for the parents and grandparents. Wish we could just enter that picture and talk to some who were there!!
I don’t remember ever seeing these pictures before; they are great! You are doing very well on the identifications; can’t improve on them!
Precious pictures!
Uncle Bernard is not very photogenic; he was really much handsomer than they show.
Here is the wedding write-up from the Albany Democrat-Herald, July 13, 1933:
And here is the wedding write-up from the Salem Statesman-Journal, July 14, 1933:
Oh my! Such amazing write ups! What fun to read!