Photos courtesy of Arneda Metzler Crichton, whose mother is the bride pictured here
Expect a special announcement about my PA book tour next week!
Wordless Wednesday: Wedding Day Aprons
by MarianBeaman | Aug 28, 2019 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized | 74 comments
The theme for a bridal shower for a friend of mine was “That thing you can’t live without.” My gift for the bride-to-be was a stoneware cooking sheet. One of my friend’s gave her an apron – that’s the thing she couldn’t live without. I thought it was curious because I never use an apron and I had thought of them as something that belonged in the past – like the ones in these pictures. Apparently I was wrong.
Aprons have charm, but like you I thought aprons are a thing of the past. Apparently not!
By the way, I updated my preferences on your website. Maybe I will be alerted to your next post. Somehow I had fallen off the MailChimp list.
You are numero uno with a comment. Thanks, Arlene! 🙂
Are used to think aprons were old fashioned. But I have succumbed and wear one now. Especially when I have company for lunch on Sunday and I don’t feel like changing my clothes, I put on an apron and it takes care of worrying about getting my clothes dirty. I actually need to wash that apron frequently! It really helps collect dirt and greece, even on every day things like frying up hamburger.
Welcome, Gertrude! It’s easy to see that washing an apron is much less trouble than a whole dress. I have two aprons hanging in my laundry room: One fancy, a gift from a friend, and one sturdy like denim for real work. I wrote more about aprons in this post a while ago: https://marianbeaman.com/2017/11/01/real-men-wear-aprons/
Thanks for your comment. Do visit again! 🙂
Old fashioned or new-fangled, an apron is essential to me in the kitchen. I wouldn’t have a stitch of clothing without spot or stain without one! While I love to cook, removing stains from my favorite clothes is a sad affair to be avoided. What works for me is an apron with bib top, no pockets and ties long enough to wrap around and tie in the front!
Welcome, Connie! I like the idea of apron ties long enough to wrap around and tie in front! It feels snug and also reinforces the idea that you/I have a waistline! Thanks for stopping by with a comment today.
You are not alone. Since that event , I still don’t use an apron but I have discovered many friends who can’t live without them.
Fantastic photos, Marian!
Thanks, Jill!
Good morning, Marian! I’m with Arlene–I’ve never worn an apron either. These are great photos though. I’m looking forward to seeing your announcement next week. (You’re so organized. I never know what I’m going to post ahead of time.) 🙂
Seventy one years ago that was my mom on her wedding day. She’s in the photo above. I still have the apron that my servers used in my wedding day many years later. Plus two other aprons from weddings I was in. My grandmother had a huge full apron on all the time. Grayish material with deep pockets that always had a candy treat in them for us grandchildren. When she cooked my mom always wore her gingham aprons of various colors that had designs embroidered on with “x” cross stitched. Anybody remember such from the 50’s and 60’s? Today I have started wearing full aprons when cooking also. Seemed I was ruining too many clothes without an apron.
Thanks for your contribution to this post, Arnida. Apparently, it’s a hit!
In my memoir, I often refer to my mother’s half aprons, and my grandma’s full aprons, where she hid a hanky or sprigs of mint tea . . . maybe a few beans. 🙂
Amazing, Merril! You can still cook and bake up a storm without an apron. (Insert wry face here!)
You don’t need to denigrate yourself about being organized, or not. Ultra-creatives, like poets, should operate any way that works, my view. 🙂
I wasn’t really denigrating myself, just commenting. I’m actually very organized about some things. 🙂
Like writing test questions for ETS – or organizing encyclopedias. WOW!
😉
But thank you. 🙂
This takes me back, as you intended: I remember wedding aprons worn by servers, although weddings at our Mennonite church were not as plain as in your photos. I still have a fancy one from someone’s wedding–in pretty limp shape.
I still wear aprons if I’m fixing food for guests that might be messy and wearing a good dress or outfit–usually I take it off before company comes. I think all of my daughters have aprons and even wear them from time to time. This also makes me think of the Mennonite Girls Can Cook bloggers and authors who made aprons an icon for their brand: http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/
These are not my apron photos, Melodie, but were sent in by a blog follower.
Thanks for the link to the Mennonite Girls Can Cook website. Yes, these cooks are all wearing aprons, part of their “brand,” I assume.
I hope you had a wonderful, cool vacation. Probably you’ll catch us up in an upcoming blog post.
I miss aprons! Not the utilitarian bib style we have today, but the fancy embroidered, patterned and ruffled waist tie aprons popular in the 1950s & 1960s. As a child I was fascinated by them.
I know you like old things, trivets, for example. Do you wear a fancy apron sometimes, Lynn?
Very Downton Abbey! I think I would be more likely to wear the apron than be the bride in a photo liking this. I can’t enlarge photo, so I can’t see faces well. Is that you?
Because these images are so steeped in Mennonite culture that I failed to see the Downton Abbey aspect. Yes, these women, like “downstairs” in Downton Abbey were thinking about service with a capital “S.” Women in the photo posted here thought it was an honor to be asked to serve their friend, the bride in this way. That’s why some of them look a little happy.
By comparison, I was a fancy bride; https://marianbeaman.com/2013/06/08/wedding-on-the-cheap/
I can see how it would have been an honour to serve for a good friend. And yes, you were far more sophisticated and you look so very happy! That’s a great picture!
Thank you, Fatima!
Great photos! I remember making an apron for a project when I was a kid. I wore it once. Never wore it or another again.
I wonder if you made your apron in Home Ec class. I remember making a duster, blue with pink flowers as I recall. Dolls are more like you, L. Marie!
What interesting photos. Aprons seem so old-fashioned yet charming to me.
Oh my, those aprons! My mom made one when she was a young girl, with buttonhole stitching. My sister had it framed and it now hangs in the Mennonite Heritage Gallery here in Winnipeg. The women of her time would have laughed themselves silly to think of one of their aprons hanging in a museum. “They are made to be used” would be their reply. When I was younger Mom always made me put on an apron and I hated it, but I still have one in my stove drawer and actually use it occasionally!
Your family through the generations has valued heirlooms, but I’m not surprised that they’d think an apron is not for “show,” but to be used. I like to wear a denim bib apron when I make spaghetti sauce. Tomato stain is hard to get out.
The Mennonite Heritage Gallery is fortunate to have your aprons, and whatever else you have donated, Elfrieda!
When nieces and I emptied the kitchen cabinets after my MIL Pat passed on at 93 in Iowa, we came across a flat box. Inside were half and long vintage aprons that she saved from her mother and MIL. The girls, in their 20s, were delighted to choose and take all of them. So sweet to remember this now.
Sweet story, Ginny. Thanks for sharing here!
Dear Marian,
I wanted to tell you that my daughter’s wedding was a success! She was married under the giant redwoods in Sonoma County accompanied with a string trio. It was quite heavenly! She wanted to include some of the old traditions of her Mennonite and Polish families. I had told her about the aprons and Phyllis Sauder found two pictures of herself and her waitresses with their aprons. My sister, Kathy Brainerd wrote up a little story about the tradition and these are the pictures of my daughter Katrina giving them to her attendants at the rehearsal dinner. It was really fun for her to share this Mennonite tradition California style! Hopefully you can see the pictures.
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Thanks for all this too, Geni! I did see the wedding celebration on your Facebook page. Now I’ll go back and look specifically for aprons. Unfortunately, WordPress doesn’t allow photos (even from my end). Only URLs show up. You are passing on a rich heritage, some from the Longeneckers too! 🙂
I have seen pictures like these in Mother’s scrapbooks. It was considered an honor to be asked to serve as a waitress in a friend’s wedding. I think your gift was the apron. Right?
I’m not in this photo; these aprons are probably of an older vintage.
However, I have several posts adorned with aprons. This one has gotten more views than almost any other one I’ve posted. I can’t figure out why: https://marianbeaman.com/2017/11/01/real-men-wear-aprons/
Sometime ago you mentioned that the post featuring your daughter’s wedding was highly viewed, which is understandable. But aprons? People on the hunt for nostalgia maybe? Or perhaps because aprons suggest service, not submission or servitude like prayer veilings. 🙂
I meant “your” to mean “one’s” gift. 🙂
As for the popularity of the post, it might just mean that you found a topic few other people have written about??
Okay, that makes sense! Thank you, Shirley.
You might have found a gold mine! We are related, are we not? Do you know how? I remember your Aunt Fanny who lived down the road in Rheems.
“Aunt Fannie” is actually my Grandma on my Dad’s side. We are both descended from Ulrich Longenecker, my ancestry from Levi Longenecker (p. 23 in your mother’s book Pitchforks and Pitchpipes) and yours from Christian Longenecker (p. 35 in the book.My memoir contains a family “tree” which may clarify all this 🙂
I love aprons! My grandmothers, aunts and my mother always worked in them from morning to after supper. I remember as a child getting tangled in the whole apron with the arm holes. My daughter inherited mostly the whole aprons from her Lancaster County Aunt Kathy Brainerd and loves to wear them still to this day. I think she wears them for nostalgia sake, remembering her grandma Esther Longenecker Hiestand, but they are also very practical!
I can just visualize your getting tangled up perhaps in your grandmother Kathryn’s apron!
Yes, they are practical. It’s heart-warming to hear that your daughter finds comfort and charm in aprons of old. It must feel like touching her past!
Lovely photo, Marian. I wear aprons but nothing as fancy as those in the photo. It reminds me of my grandmothers—one German and one Italian—who always had aprons on. They were always in the kitchen cooking amazing meals for us! Good memories.
Now I realize why I think of you as a steel magnolia. Steel (work-ethnic, persistence) for the German side, magnolia for the Italian (romantic, beautiful) side. I know these are stereotypes, but they seem to fit here. Thanks, Kathy!
I am honored by your steel magnolia thoughts, Marian😊
I still wear an apron when I’m cooking or baking as I don’t want to make my clothes dirty. I am messy when I get into cooking. I wear ones that cover all of my front though. I love the nostalgic pictures.
Yes, Darlene, why wear an apron unless it covers all the splatters. Ha!
Marian — Len and I each have our own bib-style bistro apron. His is blue and white stripes, mine is red and white stripes. You won’t catch us in the kitchen without them.
I approve this comment, Laurie and Len – wholeheartedly! 😀
Really neat photo, and it stresses even more the aspect of “plain” for Mennonite woman. There is NOTHING fancy about the bride’s attire, nor her apron. I’m with many of your other commenters. I don’t wear an apron. Strangely (but sweetly) a friend who lives on the other coast just sent me a Christmas apron. I think because she knows I love to make Christmas cookies with grandkids. It’s fancy, and it will be worn in December! 🙂
The women in this photo are probably twenty years older than I and didn’t challenge the dress code. As my book ends, I am a fancy bride. But know that! 😀
Of course, you’ll wear that Christmas apron. You’ll put the grands even more into the Christmas mood for cookie baking. It seems as though your friend is in the holiday mood already. Wow!
And I’m complaining that they have candy corn in the stores already… 😖😏
No worries . . . Gramsy’s/Nana’s/Mimi’s/Molly’s make their own rules. I stand by that statement as a Nana!
<3
Loved this! And can’t wait to hear all about PA tour! 🙂
It’s coming down the road FAST! Now I’m thinking I’d better order more BOOKS! Thanks for keeping track of my doings! And you helped pave the way, Debby! 🙂
You go girl!!! If you run out of books, take orders, names, addresses! 🙂
:=)
I wish you the best on your book tour! I want a book! (Signed would be nice). Is there an easy way to get one? Maybe Kathy could pick one up on your tour to Lancaster. Let us know the details. Go and Sell books!!!
Geni, the best way for you to get an autographed book would be for Kathy to come to one of my venues in and around Lititz. I’m keeping this under wraps as a public post until Wednesday, but I’ll be at Landis Homes on Monday, September 23 from 7-8:30 pm and at Aaron’s Bookstore in Lititz (Main Streeet), September 24, from 6:45-8:00 pm. Thanks for your good wishes, Geni. You are a great publicist for me! 🙂
Oooooh I’m in good company then for never having worn an apron! Although sometimes I wish I did … lovely photo Marian
It’s good to hear from you, Susan. You are a gracious hostess, and that’s all that matters, apron or not! 🙂
I love them!
Thank you so much, Fiona!
I have only , in the last few years , been ‘seen’ in an apron and that’s only because they have become ‘cool’ but It has to be with a bib , never without. I would consider it derogatory ‘ keep the little woman in the kitchen syndrome ‘ 😂 crazy woman . Now I wear one with hogs on , my friend bought it me actually…it’s so cute
My mum used to wear those aprons that went around the waist but with frills on . Yuk !
My sister has recently purchased a pattern of amazing aprons from Japan , she wears them to do all her wonderful crafts . She said she’d make me one , I must get on to her about that one , thanks for reminding me 🤭 Love the photo .
Cherryx
Oh my goodness, an apron with hogs on: oink oink! Why don’t you post it on Facebook sometime. I know I’d LIKE it, maybe even LOVE it! I’d like to see your sister’s apron from Japan. IMAGINE!
My mother wore a half apron, and it was sorta pretty. But on me the part that gets messed up it above the waist, the top part.
You’re always entertaining. Thanks you, Cherry!
Great photos of the past, Marian. I rarely cook and I certainly never wear an apron. My husband doesn’t either and he’s the cook in this household. Actually, the only time I wear an apron is when I help my sister-in-law with a catering job. She always wears them when at work and has plenty for her helpers. Nice to wipe your hands off in between handling different foods and in between washing your hands. 🙂
Now I’m picturing you with a sister who wears an apron. Ha!
I don’t wear an apron either. It’s way, way too hot in Florida for extra layers. Sometimes I wear an apron “for show,” like when I cook or bake with the grandkids.
You know I don’t/can’t get notifications of your posts, so when I see you post here or notice you on Facebook, I know it’s time to check what’s going on with Mark and Liesbet. So, over to “Roaming About!” 😀
Great photos–and I can’t imagine wearing a white apron other than for dressing up. My grandma wore them for cooking. I like my apron with hot chili peppers covering a dark background, but only wear it when I’m doing lots of cooking. Since this is rare now, the apron(s) stay on their hook on the cellar side of the stairs leading from my kitchen to the basement. And you remind me of the 1/2 bushel of tomatoes in a basket in my kitchen. I need to scald and peel them, either to freeze for soup or to make a sauce. I’ll be so glad I did in the winter. I know just where to get that apron.
I smell the aroma of those tomatoes you’ll freeze, Elaine. And your description calls up the fragrant aroma in Mother’s kitchen long ago. She and I planted 3 acres of tomatoes, hoed the plants, and harvested them for the Heinz company, but Mom was the only one who used her wooden mallet on the colander at home to turn some into soup and sauce.
My multi-colored apron hangs in the laundry room, on a hook, for making spaghetti sauce. It’s so speckled with the color red that “pops” from the stove top probably wouldn’t even show up. Yes, I too, know where to find that apron. 🙂
I own several aprons but have never worn any. This pic is beautiful though.
Welcome, and thanks for visiting my blog. Now I will visit yours! 🙂
Marian, when my mother worked after my father’s death, her job was in the school cafeteria in our neighborhood. She had always loved aprons but this required an absolutely clean one each day, any color or print she chose. Mom pulled out her sewing machine and got busy. When I was packing up her things to move her to OR, I couldn’t believe I counted 40 plus aprons, some from my childhood and some I’d never seen. The interesting thing about her move was the only thing she ever asked about was where were her aprons. She asked so many times I began to worry that perhaps I hadn’t gotten them after all. But they were safe and sound when boxes were unpacked.
This is the best story about aprons I’ve heard. I can imagine a blog post about this. (I’m curious!) You certainly prove the truth that there are stories everywhere. Thank you so much, Sherrey!