Atlantic City Weddings

Date: June 12, 1954 Ceremony: & Reception: First Baptist Church, Moorestown, NJ Reception: First Presbyterian Church, Moorestown, NJ Photographer: Howard Shivers, Sr. Colors: Peach & Aqua

How We Met: We met when we sat next to each other in 10th Grade Geometry. Lucia became friends with Jean and Bill was already friends with Howard. Jean and Howard had been going together since 8th Grade. They urged us to get together. Our first date was a Sadie Hawkin's Day Dance (Girl asks boy.) the fall of 1949. Our first real date was the Junior Prom, May 27th, 1950. We went steady from then on.
What were some of your first dates? Friday night dances after basketball games and other dances which were held almost weekly during the school year. Drive-in movies were big in those days and we often double dated with our friends Howard and Jean. We also did attend some Phillies and A's games.

How were weddings different in the fifties? Weddings weren't as elaborate as they are today. We didn't have a band or DJ or a limo. We had a simple reception with maybe sandwiches and punch at The Presbyterian Church after the ceremony. Whenever we have a chance to go to the Presbyterian Church we always take a look in the room where we had our reception. (Lifelong friends, Howard and Jean, are pictured to the right of the bride) Favorite Songs from when you were dating: (They Tried to Tell Us We're) "Too Young" by Nat King Cole Any songs by Doris Day or Eddie Fisher
The Wedding Gown At the time of my wedding, I remember my parents thinking that $80 was a lot of money to spend on a wedding dress. Cake: View Cake Detail In 1954 the median age at first marriage was 23 for men, 20.3 for women. In 2003 the median age was 27.1 for men and 25.3 for women.

In 1954...

Prices:
Gas: 21 cents / gallon
Average Income: $3,960
Average Home Price: $22,000
Stamps: 3 cents
Grape Nuts Cereal: 19 cents
Loaf of Bread: 17 Cents

#1 TV Show in 1954:
I Love Lucy

Other Popular TV Shows:
You Bet Your Life
Dragnet
The Milton Berle Show

Popular Slang:
Swell, Golly

1954 Best Picture:
On The Waterfront

Was there ever a time in your marriage when you had a really bad argument/fight/disagreement and how did you resolve it? We have honestly never had any really bad arguments or fights. Most of our disagreements were over silly things, and were usually resolved the same day or the next day.

Many couples who have divorced say they never argued, even about taking out the garbage. Do you think a certain amount of disagreement can be healthy for a marriage? Every couple has minor spats, some even serious. We don't think we've ever disagreed on really important things.

With divorce rates at an all-time high, what tips can you give young couples starting out about making a marriage last a lifetime? Always keep the channels of communication open. Honestly share feelings, good or bad, about things. Find things you enjoy doing together. Get away when possible as a family to break the routines of everyday life.

Honeymoon: We took a train to New York and spent one night in a nice hotel before going to Bermuda. Most Memorable or Best Part of Your Wedding Day Coming down the aisle; seeing each other. Our train ride to New York City. Jean & Howard drove us to the train station in Trenton.
Making 50+ years of marriage look easy! Congratulations!

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