Bridal Party, Rhode Island 1904

The bridal party was photographed outside of the bride’s home in Usquepaugh, Rhode Island on June 8, 1904. The bride and her attendants wear dresses in the S-shape silhouette with narrow waists confined by corsets. Their bodices have a monobosom effect, which was very fashionable in 1904. Brides typically wore white for their weddings ever since Queen Victoria wore a white gown when she married Albert in 1840. The groom and his men wear morning coats, stiff-fronted dress shirts, white waistcoats, and white ties. Each has a boutonnière pinned to the left lapel. This was the correct look for a daytime wedding.

From left to right the men pictured are: Albert Webster, Henry Howard, Clifford Woodmansee (groom), and Fred Webster. From left to right the women are: Minnie Webster, Clara Webster, Lena Webster Woodmansee (bride), and Etta Tillinghast.

A photograph of the bride, a younger Lena, is included in this collection. (URI 1960.03.04)

Photograph mounted on black cardboard, 1904