Wedding Photography is not new.

At the Watertown, N.Y. library I discovered the book Weddings by Barbara Norfleet. Published in 1979 it contained wedding photos, an overview of weddings from the 1800's into the 1970's, and interviews with photographers who had been doing these kinds of shots over multiple generations. It addressed some of my misconceptions.

Weddings have been extravagant affairs for over 100 years. Brides wore white before Queen Victoria. Large numbers in the wedding parties were not unusual.

Pictures included detail and table shots. There were the bouquet toss and the garter toss.The move from studio cameras to "candid" cameras allowed "getting ready" shots.

Speed Graphic 4 by 5 cameras and the handy 35 mm camera led to relaxed, candid shots. If a family member, the bride, or the groom got caught with eyes closed or not facing the camera, oh, well. No Photoshop magic here.

Finally, the photographers interviewed bemoaned the fact that amateurs were threatening their careers since the new cameras were so easy to get and use.Their income was going down. Except for Photoshop and digital cameras, things have not changed much.