Photography dates back to 1839, but it does not mean, that in your family there are photos of those times. According to Barbara Norfleet, the author of "Wedding" (Simon and Shooster 1979), not many people made official wedding snapshots during the first 30 years of the photo's existence. Separate people posed before or after the wedding, but not in their celebratory clothes. Certainly, there are also such photos and they are valuable and are claimed by the collectors.
By the end 1860s, more and more couples were photographed in their wedding attires or paid to the photographer to come to their house and take pictures of them. Some ladies ordered many images and distributed to their relatives and friends, as souvenirs. One woman signed the back of the wedding portrait like this, " With love to my dear Bittie. Gift on January, 14th, 1896. "
By 1880s, wedding albums became popular. Instead of focusing attention on the couple, the photographers began to involve the participants of a wedding celebration. Victorian couples received gifts before wedding and displayed them for the guests to see. You can find photos of these generous displays in albums of those times. These images are a vivid evidence of presents, rich couples received for weddings. Taking a closer look at them, you can find exhibits, which are still preserved in your family.
