Wearing White and Eating Cake, Brides Turns 75

In 75 years worth of Brides magazine, the main characters — husband and wife — have remained the same. She wears white, he dons a tux and they eat cake.

But just about everything else about the weddings and the way they've been covered in the Conde Nast publication has evolved."Exchanging vows in front of family and friends, with a toast to the newlyweds and breaking bread with the people gathered, and receiving gifts are all done to give people a good start," says Brides editor-in-chief Millie Martini Bratten. "Those things don't change, it's how they're realized that's changed."

If you were a bride in 1934 when the magazine launched, you were quite concerned with how to set up a home and how to cook a steak to his liking. In the late '60s, you wanted guidance about wedding-night sex. Today's bride likely already has lived on her own — and probably knows more than a little about the birds and bees — but she still wants some help in learning how to plan the perfect party.

"The magazine is realistic about how people's lives are today, but still the focus is how to have a successful wedding and start a healthy marriage," says Bratten.

Two pieces of advice that have been consistent over the years: Make sure your guests have enough to eat and be polite.

Other advice in the magazine, which has a special retrospective issue out this month, has changed with the times. A look back:

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1930s: Pared-Down Parties

Even in hard economic times, people wanted to spend on their weddings. "They didn't plan or choose to fall in love, but they certainly were going to celebrate in some way," says Bratten.

The party, ranging from punch and cake to a four-course meal, was often at home. In preparation for their big day, the magazine advised women to give up smoking from time to time.

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1940s: Rations on Passion

During World War II, weddings were done on a much smaller scale and sometimes planned at the last minute if the man was on a short military furlough. Brides suggested women shop at sample sales and send telegrams instead of formal invitations.