Funny Wedding Words of Advice for the Bride ~ 1942 Era
81A Wish for Your Wedding
This is the title of a little Hallmark booklet with blank pages inside that was utilized during a wedding shower for my husband's mother prior to her wedding.
This was long before my husband appeared as a bouncing baby bundle of joy on the scene.
The year was 1942 and both the soon-to-become bride and groom had graduated from Drake University College of Pharmacy in Des Moines, Iowa.
In fact...that is where these lovebirds met and where romance blossomed.
Who says that pouring over books and test tubes can't be romantic?
This short little 4 foot 10 1/2 inch cutie was one of few women students studying to become a pharmacist back in that era. In 1942 the pharmacy classes were predominately male oriented.
Times have certainly changed since then!
- Drake University - College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
- Average Pharmacist Salary Information plus Job, Career Education & Unemployment Help
National average Pharmacist salary range, job & career education, unemployment, benefits and job search advice for Pharmacist job seekers.
Becoming a pharmacist...
Today a good percentage of pharmacists (in fact, almost half) are women.
While there is still a slight pay disparity between men and women practicing the same exact profession (in favor of the men) the income is good and working conditions are generally in air conditioned or heated comfort inside of drug stores or large clinics or hospitals.
It is a very responsible job and in addition to dispensing medications, counseling of patients is an important aspect of what pharmacists regularly do.
1941 photo of a member of Lambda Kappa Sigma
Professional pharmacy organizations
There was a professional pharmacy sorority at Drake University of which my future mother-in-law was not only a member, but held the position of president one year. It was called Lambda Kappa Sigma.
The counter-part to that was the professional pharmacy fraternity ( Phi Delta Chi ) of which her future husband was also a member and who had also held the position of president one year.
An organization to which all pharmacy students automatically belonged was called the Mortar and Pestle. Back in 1941 it was the only organization of its kind with just 2 chapters. Lecturers from various drug houses would regularly address members on subjects relating to pharmacy and medicine.
Of the 30 members at Drake University, only 4 that year were women in the Mortar and Pestle club. A highlight for the 27 members who were able to attend was a trip to Eli Lilly drug house in Indianapolis, Indiana that particular year.
Eli Lilly drug company trip for soon-to-be pharmacists in 1942.
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa - Handwritten words of advice to the bride.
Wedding words of advice
OK...now we get to the gist of this hub...the marriage advice given to Emma prior to her nuptials.
A selection of the handwritten pages will be shared below ( copied in print form ) and gives a reference to the thinking back in 1942 when offering sage advice to new brides. Some of it is humorous and some of the advice would be as good and relevant today as it was back in the 1940's.
Be you own sweet self always and don't work too hard - remember your husband will love you just the same.
Aunt Mary
Dear Emma,
Count ten before an angry reply then you will continue being that happy cheerful little girl.
Mother
Positively never get up first in the morning.
Auntie Peg
Don't be afraid to admit your own mistakes. Making up is Lots of Fun.
Dolores
Never talk to the husband about former good times and boy friends - (Maybe this is not new advice.)
Coleen
Be sure your husband makes the fires (if you have any to make.)
Best Wishes Dora (fat Aunty)
Emma and her Grandma Beyer
Well wishes from her grandmother...
Streight from my heart to you
Speed all my thoughts and all my love.
And all good wishes added to,
For happiness for you and yours.
Grandma Beyer
And a second page of advice from this same grandmother...
Dear Emma Lu,
When Jack comes home be sure and have your self nice and clean and the Beef D. (dinner?) done to a turn like you had when I ate with you.
Grandma Beyer
Keep your own view points as a friendly little argument spices up life.
Maxine White
Dear Emma,
Always have a smile for Jack when he comes home.
Aunt Dina
Dear Emma,
Don't be to possessive and tie him to your apron strings, also don't henpeck.
Aunt Mildred
Emalou - Remember
It is a 50-50 partnership from now on.
Aunt Ada
Never forget to come to family reunions and keep everyone informed of all additions to the family.
Edith Ver Steegh
P.S. Remember that the Lord has pronounced a blessing on the "Home."
Newlywed photo of 1942
My husband's parents in 1942.
'Til Death Do Us Part'
This budding university romance between two pharmacy students culminated in marriage. But World War 2 was raging and after attending OCS (Officer's Candidate School) in Columbia, South Carolina, Jack was shipped off to England where he worked in a hospital setting.
My future husband had been conceived in South Carolina, was born and was 16 months old before his Dad returned from the war and saw him for the first time.
The very next day, Jack was killed in an auto accident! It was exactly 3 years to the day of their marriage!
My mother-in-law never remarried. The memories and pictures of their shared experiences, while short, remained with her always to warm her heart and remained frozen in time.
My husband's father in army officer uniform ( 1942 )
Hope you enjoyed this wedding advice for the bride from the 1942 era. Some of it is funny and some of it is sage. Do you agree?
Which of these is the best advice?
See results without voting
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- South Dakota Road Trip Vacation in the 1950's with Family Pictures
- German Turnverein Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin & my great-grandparents
- My sweet mother as a youngster...
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- Vintage Postcards showing Underwater Mermaids in Weeki Wachee, Florida
- My Grandmother - Boarded and Taught by Nuns in a Convent School - Early 1900's
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CommentsLoading...
Hello, again, Peggy!
I left a comment approximately 7 months ago regarding using your mother in law's photo for the Lambda Kappa Sigma Centennial History Book. I will begin submitting copy to the publisher in July. For your Mother in law's photo caption, how would you like her name to appear?
Thank you again for granting permission to use her photo!
Kind regards,
Diane
Hi KoffeeKlatchGals,
So nice to know that you enjoyed these old timey words of advice to a new bride. As you say...some things never change! Thanks for your comment.
Peggy W, wonderful words of wisdom, as true today as they were then. Love the pictures and family history.
Hi Stephanie,
As you said, much of the advice is timeless. Glad that you enjoyed this hub about advice to brides back in the 1942 era. Thanks for your comment and votes.
Hello daskittlez69,
Yes, stepping back in time is nice when the memories are good ones. Thanks for leaving a comment on this old timey wedding advice for the bride.
Hi Jessi10,
While it is sad that the boy who became my husband had to grow up without his father, his grandfather took over the role of the male influence in his life and he turned into a wonderful man. No...I'm not prejudiced! :)) Thanks for your comment.
Hi barbergirl28,
Glad that you enjoyed this hub...and yes, much of the wedding advice would still be as good today as it was back in 1942. Thanks for your comment.
What a great story, but a sad ending! I love the wedding advice from all the female relatives. 1942 was a long time ago, but much of the advice is timeless. Thanks for sharing this lovely story of your husband's parents. Voted up and beautiful!
That was an interesting hub. It is always nice to step back into time. Thanks
This is a great HUB! It very much reminds me of the notes and wedding gifts my grandmother received from her own mother, and other family members. The story was so moving. Its a tragedy what happened..
I have to say.. I wasn't realy expecting the ending. But I can see that the love those two shared is something to be modeled afterwards. While you still see that kind of love around - it just doesn't seem as strong in today's relationships. What a great hub... and I love the word's of advice. I think they are still something couples should strive for! :) Great hub and thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Hi Mark,
The ratio of female pharmacists to male are about equal these days but apparently some pay disparity still exists which is certainly not fair. Appreciate your comment. Thanks!
Lovely hub and so sad too. Your mother-in-law was remarkable and it is good to read about such women. I worked in a very progressive pharma company (comparable with Eli Lilly) for several years in the noughties and the ratio of female to male pharmacists is still way too low, as is the ratio in my own engineering area.
Hello Diane S.,
Congratulations on following in your family's footsteps with regard to profession. They must be proud and also happy for you. My husband thought about becoming a pharmacist until he hit organic chemistry which changed his mind. Ha! He switched to business and it suited him and served him well.
Yes, you have my permission to use that photo. If you can leave a link to this hub, it would be appreciated. If my mother-in-law was still alive, she would have really liked reading that LKS history book! Thanks for your comment.
Hello, Peggy!
Your story resonated with me deeply. My mother graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Pharnacy in 1941, the only woman in her class. I am a third generation graduate of UB Pharmacy, and a member of Lambda Kappa Sigma. I have been given the responsibility of writing the LKS Centennial History Book (1913-2013) and would love to have permission to use your mother in law's photo on the bus trip to Eli Lilly for possible inclusion in the book. Thank you so much for posting your family's story!
Hello giselenmendez,
Interesting that you also received similar wedding advice prior to your wedding. Yes...I wish that wars could be ended and that all peoples of the earth could spend more time in peace and harmony with one another. Thanks for your comment.
The notes of advice are so similar to the ones I've been given by my mother and grandmother on the day of my wedding! This Hub is a prove that such a big love will never end :) When you read about stories like this one you realize how pointless war could be, and how much happier we would all be without it. We all have the potential to love and be loved, it's important that we don't forget about that. Thank you for taking the time to share their story with us!
Hello cowtowngirl77,
Thanks for commenting on this hub about wedding advice for the bride. Glad that you have your own memories and pictures!
I also had great memories and pics. It was a nice time. good hub.
Hi Becky,
Like you, I thought that those hand written notes of advice for the bride were cute and endearing. Glad that you also liked them. Thanks for your comment.
This is such a sweet story. I love the personal notes and photos. Very heart-warming. Thanks for sharing
Hello brakel2,
Thanks for the compliment. It is nice to have pictures from the past especially when they relate to family.
Hi KoffeeKlatch Gals,
Glad that you liked these wedding words of advice for brides of the past. I thought that they were so cute and should be shared. Thanks for your comment.
What.a lovely hub and so well put together. The story is sad but poignant. You have all those lovely pictures and memories. I wish I had kept pics. You are a good writer. Keep up the good work.
What a beautiful look into the romantic past of a loving couple. How sad that it end all too soon. The notes of advice were priceless, they hold true for today. The pictures were perfect. Up and awesome.
Hello kerlynb,
These pictures do go back in years. Glad that you liked them. Like you, I thought that the wedding advice for brides back in the 1942 era was cute. Thanks for your comment.
Whoa! All these pictures in your hub just conjure images in my mind of times gone by. Neat. Thanks for sharing this hub about women's pieces of advice to ladies. Thanks for these wonderful, sepia pics as well. Just love them.
Hi Prasetio,
I am not in these pictures. The bride turned out to be my mother-in-law many years later. If she were still alive she would appreciate your compliments! :))
Sorry, I am late to know this hub. Wow...you are so beautiful and all your pictures were so fantastic. I never thought that you still have all these pictures. I believe you have beautiful memories in the past. I know that from the pictures. Your father's husband so handsome too. I am so happy to know this from you. Thanks for share this with us. Cheers..
Hi Ethel,
Happy to have been able to share these photos and story with you. Thanks for your comment.
Ecellent as always Peggy. Loved the photos thanks for sharing
Hello DilaraMawlaMonzur,
Nice that you found wedding advice for the bride back in the 1940's of interest. I got a kick out of reading the cute notes and recommendations also. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Cheryl,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub about wedding advice given to brides in 1942. Thanks for your comment.
It kept me captivated till I finished. Beautiful!
A very wonderful and inspiring tribute for your husbands parents. It is certain the family members adored the bride and groom with all the helpful advice given. I am touched by your hub page. I give you a huge applause for a very touching and lovely hub.
Hi SUSIE DUZY,
You must be referring to the wedding shower and advice for the soon to be bride. Am certain that she had a great time!
Oh, to go back to the good ole days.
Hi Billy,
When my husband's parents started their marriage they probably thought that they had a lifetime ahead of them. It was to be only 3 years and over half of that time they were separated due to World War 2. Their letters and photos kept them connected in spirit and love.
None of us knows how long we have in this life. We should relish each day as it comes and live each day in a fashion so that IF it is our last, the people that carry our memories can be proud and happy.
So tragic and having read part one prior to part 2 it reinforced the loss of life and sweet love. Peggy liked all the sage advice also.
Hi Truckstop Sally,
The fire making might have been literal back then? As to not getting up first...who knows? Am sure that words of advice for a bride would not include those 2 in today's world. Haha!
Be sure your husband makes the fires and Positively never get up first in the morning -- are my favorite words of advice. Not sure what they mean though. But I'll have fun thinking about them all day.
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for commenting on this story and wedding advice given in the 1942 era. It is a shame that my husband could not have grown up knowing his father except for stories told about him. At least he has that which is more than some people have.
This is a wonderful story and a nice tribute to your husband's parents. It is so sad his father died so young. I really enjoyed this hub.
Hi dahoglund,
Teachers or nurses...that was still the predominant thing to study when I was in school as a female. My mother-in-law was a bit of a trail blazer in her day and era.
Hello Happyboomernurse,
It is a rather touching story and one very close to home as that marriage brought about the birth of my husband. You are correct in that it was fortunate that she had a good education and became a pharmacist. Thanks for the votes and comment.
My sister got married in 1948. Close enough for these styles and such to look familiar to me.Most women who went to college back then went to be teachers, I think.
Aw, Peggy, I knew this was going to be a great hub as soon as I saw the 1942 era in the title, but I didn't realize it would tug at my heartstrings so much. You really made your husband's parents come to life and the advice your future mother-in-law got before her wedding was, for the most part, surprisingly still relevant and wise.
I also enjoyed reading about female pharmacy students back in the era when that was so rare. As fate had it, though, it turned out to be a good thing that your mother-in-law was capable of earning a living. It was so sad when her husband passed unexpectedly after surviving World War II.
Thanks for sharing their beautiful love story and photos of them on hub pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Am voting this up across the board!
Hi RTalloni,
So glad to hear that you enjoyed this. It was fun reading those notes made to advise the soon-to-be bride in 1942. Would have liked to have shown the booklet but it was copyrighted, so left that out. My mother-in-law had also kept a number of old wedding cards, birthday cards, etc. It is fun to see how cards have changed over the years.
Hello Baileybear,
If she was still alive, she would love hearing that! She always thought that her mother was the real beauty and seeing pictures of her when young...she was indeed just that. Thanks for the comment.
Hi marellen,
Yes she loved him. She was also in the car accident with him and was terribly injured and unable to work for some time. She and her toddler (my husband) moved back in with her parents and lived there for several years. Fortunately the baby was at home with his grandparents when the accident happened. My husband's grandfather became his "father" image.
So glad you shared their story with us. She was very beautiful!
More of us need to share family stories that are related to historical moments in time. Good job!
A very attractive woman.
Peggy....What a nice tribute to a nice couple. It was unfortunate that his life was cut so short but she must of terribly loved him to not have remarried.
Hi Rochelle,
His years were certainly cut short but he lived his life well. He left behind a legacy of which his family could be proud.
A wonderful story. Beautiful, sweet and tragic. Thanks for sharing. She had a great smile. Jack missed so much.
Peggy W Hub Author 4 weeks ago
Hi Diane,
Her name was Emma Lucille Beyer back then prior to her marriage. Her nickname was Emalou which she was called for most of her life. Emma Beyer would probably suffice if the middle name makes the attribution too long.
I think that she would be very pleased to be a part of the Lambda Kappa Sigma Centennial History Book if she was still alive. Will let her son (my husband) know. Thanks!