Marriages in the South are deeply rooted in tradition. Many people chose to be married at their parents’ home or their family church with close family members in attendance. Something old – something new – something borrowed – something blue – and the beginning of a loving family.
Noah and Ruth (Hunnicutt) Derrick were married in April of 1954 at the home of Noah’s mother. They fell in love and married. Their love continued with the births of three daughters, Debra, Rose, and Cathy…who also fell in love and married. Both Noah and Ruth have now left us, but because of their love, there are now three daughters, four grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren on this earth.
Unfortunately, this photograph was the only image my customer had of her parents’ wedding day – unlike today’s weddings with professional photographers, professional videographers, guests with their cell phones, Uncle Joe (who just got a new-fangled camera), all jockeying to capture the best shot of the day!
When Noah and Ruth were married many years ago there were only a few family members present – and one photograph. The picture was damaged during the move to their first home. The children loved looking at the old photograph of their parents and perhaps were responsible for a few of the creases. Over the years the print became torn and wrinkled.
After many hours of removing cracks, lines, stains, etc., the print was almost as good as new. Looking at the restored print, my client was very excited to recognize the picture sitting on the shelf behind the bride as her great grandparents.
Do you have images of your perfect wedding day? Please share them in the comments. I wish I had a picture of my husband during our wedding when he burst out laughing in the sanctuary. He was laughing because the ivy in my bouquet was moving…I was looking for the closest exit! Fortunately we went through with the day and have laughed every day – for almost 37 years!
When you handle old family photographs, have a clean space to view them and please wash your hands! The images can be handled without gloves if your hands are clean and lotion free….otherwise, get out the clean cotton gloves. Fingerprints can cause permanent stains on photographs and negatives. Some of the tintypes that I have restored also contain a perfect fingerprint of the photographer.
Please do not keep important pictures in drawers. Put them in an acid free album and store away from heat, draft, and light.