World War II was a global crisis unlike any other, reshaping daily life and forcing millions to adapt in extraordinary ways. Yet, even amid the devastation, couples across the world found ways to celebrate their love by getting married - proving that even in the darkest times, hope and joy could still shine through.
This year marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe, known as VE Day. To commemorate this anniversary, we're taking inspiration from the couples who showed incredible resilience and devotion by tying the knot during the most challenging of times. Here, we revisit the stories of wartime weddings - intimate, resourceful, and deeply moving moments of love against the odds.
Adapting the Dream Wedding
Today's weddings often involve meticulous planning and a sense of luxury, carefully selected venues, detailed menus, and picture-perfect styling. But during World War II, weddings were anything but straightforward.
Take, for example, the story of Elizabeth and her husband, shared by their daughter Heather Leybourn with the BBC. In 1941, Elizabeth had just been evacuated from London to Bletchington Park near Oxford, and as she wasn't considered domiciled in the parish, the couple couldn't marry in a church. Instead, they had a civil ceremony at Oxford Registry Office.
Only five guests were able to attend, having caught an early train from London at 4am due to the reduced wartime travel services. After the ceremony, the newlyweds enjoyed a modest meal at a local restaurant, limited by food rationing. Their wedding may not have been grand, but it was heartfelt and memorable - an enduring reminder that love doesn't need extravagance to be celebrated.
Establishing Priorities
Many wartime weddings took place in the face of immense uncertainty. Couples were separated by service duties, cities were bombed, and families were displaced. Yet, what mattered most was the opportunity to get married at all.
Audrey Stokes and Hugh Verity's story, preserved by the Imperial War Museum, illustrates just that. Hugh was granted an exceptionally rare 48 hours of continuous leave. Rather than wait, the couple seized the chance and planned their entire wedding in under a week. For them, the priority wasn't perfection - it was presence, commitment, and making the most of the time they had.
Make Do and Mend
Wartime scarcity meant that wedding attire was often improvised. While many grooms wore their military uniforms, brides had to get creative. The traditional white dress was frequently impractical or unavailable.
Eileen Stone's wedding to Leslie Speller is a perfect example. After the war, Eileen's dress was made from one of Leslie's old RAF parachutes. It was later transformed into a coat, and one of the parachute's drawstrings was even used to tie their wedding album together. It was a resourceful and symbolic way to mark the beginning of their life together.
Have Your Cake and Eat It
With rationing in full effect, wedding receptions were typically small and simple. Ingredients for cakes and meals were difficult to come by, so families pooled their resources to make the day special.
Charles and Muriel Vincent's wedding benefited from the skills of a friend who could bake cakes. But even then, it took the efforts of their family and friends collecting ration coupons to gather the necessary ingredients. This meant sacrifices from many, but it also made the occasion all the more meaningful. Their reception was modest, but it was filled with love and community spirit.
Lessons in Love and Resilience
Eighty years on, these stories continue to resonate. They remind us that weddings are about much more than flowers, feasts, or guest lists. At their heart, they are about love, commitment, and the choice to move forward together - no matter what the world throws your way.
The brave couples who married during World War II teach us that flexibility, creativity, and togetherness matter more than any aesthetic or tradition. Even in difficult times, a wedding can be joyful, heartfelt, and unforgettable. It's a powerful reminder that love, when nurtured, can thrive in any circumstance.