Vigo County Historical Society

War couples rushed weddings

There was "a rush to wed" during the World War II years. It has been reported that the sale of wedding rings rose 300 percent during the first three months of 1942. Often there was very little time to plan the ceremony.

The wedding of Second Lt. Tom Venable and Helen Botts in 1943 was typical. He recalled, "Helen and I had been going together since high school. I asked her to marry me before I left for overseas and she said ‘yes.’ I got a leave at the last minute, and we were married at the First Christian Church in Bowling Green, Ky."

A navigator on a B-24 bomber in the Army Air Force, Venable took part in many missions over Europe and was shot down over Germany. He and Helen did not get to begin their civilian life until June 1945.

Like many other World War II couples, they had to store their wedding gifts until that time. This time lapse didn’t keep merchants from directing advertising to the wedding market.

Checking the issues of the Terre Haute Tribune published during the war years, one finds numerous bridal advertisements.

Martin’s Photo Shop suggested, "Wedding photographs are always a necessity; memories fade, but photographs live forever." "Let the Bon Ton bake the cake" was a familiar phrase. Stovers Flower Shop, Henley Bros. Florists and Cowan Bros. & Co. advertised bridal bouquets.

E.J. Rogers Inc. at Sixth Street and Wabash Avenue offered a three-diamond engagement ring and a five-diamond wedding band set ($87.50).

The selection of gifts was endless despite wartime shortages. "Gifts for the bride" at Paitson Bros. Hardware Co. at 12th Street and Wabash Avenue included Donald Duck cookie jars ($1.95).

Hillman’s at 612 Wabash Ave. suggested an Imperial Candlewick crystal mayonnaise dish ($1.25), a Fiesta juice set with pitcher and six tumblers ($1.00), and Fostoria goblets in the American pattern (40 cents each). Stahl’s China Store at 26 S. Fourth St. advertised gold band stemware (12 1/2 cents each).

The 1990s find couples such as the Venables celebrating their golden anniversaries and finding items identical to their wedding gifts for sale in antique shops at "collectible" prices. The value of their wedding gifts has grown, just as marriage becomes more precious with each passing year.