45 Iconic Vintage Photos of Celebrity Weddings From the 1950s

Wedding Bells Were Ringing Throughout the Decade!

The 1950s were a decade of glamor, romance, and elegance in Hollywood, and celebrity weddings during this era were no exception. From the unforgettable union of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller to Elizabeth Taylor’s three “I Dos,” these stars’ weddings captivated the public’s imagination and set the standard for style and sophistication. Here, we look at some of the most iconic vintage photos of celebrity weddings from the 1950s.

Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton

This wedding was the joining of Hollywood royalty and a hotel heir. Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton’s wedding occurred on May 6th, 1950, at the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church.

Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton

It was a grand affair attended by many Hollywood celebrities of the time. The bride looked stunning in a beautiful white satin wedding gown with a 10-foot train and a lace veil. The ceremony was followed by a lavish reception at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, owned by Conrad’s family.

Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini

On May 24th, 1950, yesteryear legend Ingrid Bergman and director Robert Rossellini tied the knot. The two met during the shooting of the Italian movie Stromboli, which Rossellini directed and Bergman starred in.

Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini

The marriage was shrouded in scandal and prompted Bergman to return to Europe for a long time. The couple even had three children together during their tumultuous and publicly scrutinized relationship.

Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger

Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger were a popular Hollywood couple who married on December 20th, 1950. The wedding was held in Tucson, Arizona, and was a private ceremony attended by close family and friends. Jean wore a simple ivory gown, and Stewart wore a navy suit.

Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger

The couple had worked together in several films, including Adam and Evelyne and Young Bess. They were also known for their roles in successful movies such as Spartacus and Ben-Hur.

Bette Davis and Gary Merrill

Bette Davis and Gary Merrill’s marriage was a Hollywood love story that began with All About Eve, set in 1950. Bette played the lead role, and Gary was cast as her love interest.

Bette Davis and Gary Merrill

They fell in love during the filming, and their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life romance. They got married on July 28th, 1950. They worked on several films during their marriage, including The Catered Affair and Another Man’s Poison.

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were a Hollywood power couple in the 1950s and ’60s. They first met on the film set of Angels in the Outfield in 1951, and they married the following year. The couple went on to star in several films together, including Houdini and The Vikings.

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh

Their daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, also became a famous actress in her own right, known for her roles in films such as Halloween and True Lies.

Doris Day and Marty Melcher

Doris Day was one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, known for her bubbly personality and captivating performances. She married Marty Melcher, a film producer, in 1951. During their marriage, Melcher produced many of Day’s films, including The Pajama Game and Pillow Talk, which became some of her most iconic performances.

Doris Day and Marty Melcher

This was one Hollywood couple that managed to make their relationship work all the way to the very end, proving that love in the movie industry sometimes has a happy ending.

Roger Vadim and Brigitte Bardot

Roger Vadim and Brigitte Bardot’s marriage and relationship were among Hollywood’s most scandalous and tumultuous. The duo met when Bardot was relatively young. The actress caught the eye of the director after her debut in the French comedy Le Trou Normand (Crazy for Love).

Roger Vadim and Brigitte Bardot

The two married in 1952 when she turned 18. Vadim was a filmmaker and directed Bardot in several films, including And God Created Woman, which became a global sensation.

Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra

Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra’s wedding took place on November 7th, 1951, at a friend’s home in Philadelphia. It was a low-key affair, attended by only a few close friends and family members. They had worked together in the film The Killers and were known for their on-screen chemistry.

Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra

The actress donned a simple gray skirt suit for the wedding, while the famed rat pack member was in a traditional black tuxedo.

Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson

Musicians Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson had a loving and long-lasting relationship that spanned over three decades. They met in 1956 while performing at a concert in Canada, and they got married in London in 1959.

Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson

The groundbreaking couple passed on their musical prowess to their daughter, Dee Dee Bellson, who became a successful musician. Throughout their marriage, they performed together, supported each other’s careers, and were known for their loving and affectionate relationship.

Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding

Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Taylor and actor Michael Wilding’s marriage was Taylor’s second wedding. They met on the set of the movie The Conspirator and fell in love quickly. They married in London in 1952 in a much simpler wedding than Elizabeth’s previous one.

Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding

They had two sons together, Michael Jr. and Christopher. The Butterfield 8 actress continued to act in successful movies during their marriage, including Giant and Raintree County.

Joan Collins and Maxwell Reed

Joan Collins and Maxwell Reed’s marriage was a short-lived one. The duo got married when Joan was only 19 years old and had just begun her acting career. The British actor was the first of Collin’s five husbands.

Joan Collins and Maxwell Reed

The actress went on to become one of the most iconic people in her profession during her time, known for her roles in films like The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing and the TV series Dynasty.

Tony Bennett and Patricia Beech

Tony Bennett and Patricia Beech were married for 21 years. They met in the late 1940s when Tony was a struggling young singer and Patricia was a dancer in New York City. They fell in love and married in 1952 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Tony Bennett and Patricia Beech

Their marriage resulted in two children together. Tony became one of the most successful and iconic singers of his time, known for his timeless classics like “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Eunice Kennedy and Robert Sargent Shriver

Eunice Kennedy and Robert Sargent Shriver were married for over 56 years and serve as a prime example of a successful union. They met while attending the University of Chicago, where they both were students. They got married in 1953 and went on to have five children together.

Eunice Kennedy and Robert Sargent Shriver

Kennedy was a passionate advocate for people and Shriver was a politician. They were known for their strong commitment to public service and their deep love and devotion to each other.

Rita Hayworth and Dick Haymes

Rita Hayworth and Dick Haymes married each other at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in 1953. Dick was Rita’s fourth husband, and they met while working together on the film Down to Earth.

Rita Hayworth and Dick Haymes

Hayworth is known as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, with an illustrious career that included movies like Gilda and Cover Girl. Dick was a popular singer and actor known for his smooth baritone voice. They worked together on the film My Gal Sal.

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer’s marriage was a glamorous union between two highly talented individuals. The duo met while working on the Broadway play Ondine and fell in love. They married in Switzerland in 1954 and even had a son together.

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer

The iconic actress, known for her starring roles in classics like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, as well as her humanitarian work later in life, and the multitalented Ferrer’s partnership was creative and fruitful.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio

The marriage of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio was one of the most iconic celebrity romances ever. It had everything – glamor, drama, and a lot of star power! The two married on January 14th, 1954, at San Francisco City Hall.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio

Their marriage was highly publicized, with a large crowd of fans and media gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.

Kirk Douglas and Anne Buydens

Kirk Douglas and Anne Buydens were married on May 29th, 1954, in a small ceremony at the Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. The couple had met in Paris while Kirk was filming Act of Love, and they fell in love almost immediately.

Kirk Douglas and Anne Buydens

The legendary actors’ marriage lasted over 65 years and was an excellent and long-lasting union. The two were known for their deep love and devotion to each other.

Anne Bancroft and Mel Brooks

Anne Bancroft and Mel Brooks were married on August 5th, 1964, in a private ceremony in New York City. The couple had met on the set of a TV show, and they fell in love quickly.

Anne Bancroft and Mel Brooks

The Graduate actress and the legendary comedian were a constant source of support and love for each other throughout their marriage. Their love story has become one of Hollywood’s most enduring.

Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher

Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher were one of Hollywood’s most famous couples in the 1950s. They were married in 1955, and their marriage was highly publicized and celebrated by fans. Debbie was a beloved actress and singer known for her roles in movies like Singin’ in the Rain, while Eddie was a famous singer and entertainer.

Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher

However, while the two powerhouses had all the makings of a legendary Hollywood couple, their union met a painful end that shocked fans and the media. The duo are parents to actress Carrie Fisher, the original Princess Leia.

Clark Gable and Kay Williams

Clark Gable and Kay Williams had a tumultuous relationship that began in the late 1950s. Kay was a wealthy socialite and former model, and she and Clark had a passionate and sometimes volatile romance.

Clark Gable and Kay Williams

Despite the controversy surrounding their relationship, the Gone With the Wind actor remained with his fifth wife until the end. Their relationship remains a fascinating, and often controversial, part of Hollywood history.

Joan Crawford and Alfred Steele

Joan Crawford and Alfred Steele were married in 1955, and their union was a source of stability and happiness for both. Alfred was a successful executive at Pepsi-Cola, and he and Joan fell in love quickly.

Joan Crawford and Alfred Steele

Together, they navigated the complexities of Hollywood and the business world, and their relationship was marked by mutual respect and admiration. However, the marriage was cut short by Steele’s untimely passing. That said, their relationship still left its imprint as one to look up to.

Anita Ekberg and Anthony Steel

Anita Ekberg and Anthony Steel’s marriage was a whirlwind romance that took Hollywood by storm in the 1950s. Anita was a stunning actress known for her role in the classic film La Dolce Vita, while Anthony was a dashing British actor. Together, they were a glamorous and beloved couple known for their parties and adventures.

Anita Ekberg and Anthony Steel

However, their marriage was not without its challenges. Despite that, their relationship was a shining example of Hollywood romance, complete with passion, drama, and excitement.

Willie Mays and Margherite Wendell

Willie Mays and Margherite Wendell were a beloved couple that weathered the ups and downs of life together. Willie was a legendary baseball player known for his speed and skill on the field, while Marguerite was a supportive and loving wife.

Willie Mays and Margherite Wendell

They met in 1954 and were married the following year. Together, they had two children and remained committed to each other even as Willie’s fame and success grew.

Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe

On June 29th, 1956, Marilyn Monroe exchanged vows with playwright Arthur Miller. Unlike her previous marriage, this one followed a more traditional route. Marilyn wore a beautiful white sundress with a tulle veil.

Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe

The Hollywood star looked stunning as she tied the knot with Miller, who was already a well-known playwright at the time, having written works such as Death of a Salesman. Their wedding was a happy occasion, and Marilyn looked every inch the blushing bride as she embarked on this new chapter in her life.

Marlon Brando and Anna Kashfi

Marlon Brando and Anna Kashfi’s relationship was a wild ride that was just as dramatic as any Hollywood movie. The two met on the set of The Mountain in 1956, and Brando was immediately smitten with Kashfi’s fiery personality. They eloped in Mexico later that year, but their relationship was far from smooth sailing.

Marlon Brando and Anna Kashfi

Brando and Kashfi’s relationship was a rollercoaster of passion and intensity that kept fans on the edge of their seats despite the drama. It’s no wonder their love story is still talked about, to this day!

Bing Crosby and Kathryn Grant

In 1957, Bing Crosby tied the knot with actress Kathryn Grant, marking his second marriage. Despite a significant age difference of almost 30 years, the couple remained together for 20 years. Together, they formed a formidable duo and were often seen in public, charming fans and admirers with their elegant and sophisticated style.

Bing Crosby and Kathryn Grant

Despite the ups and downs of their long relationship, Bing and Kathryn remained committed to each other, proving that love knows no boundaries, including age.

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood were one of Hollywood’s most iconic and beloved couples of the 1950s. Their courtship was the stuff of fairytales, with Robert proposing to Natalie by placing a pearl and diamond ring in a glass of bubbly. They went on to star in multiple films, including The Silver Chalice and All the Fine Young Cannibals, showcasing their undeniable chemistry on screen.

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood

Though their first marriage ended in divorce in 1962, they reconciled 10 years later and remarried on a yacht in front of their family and friends.

Henry Fonda and Baroness Afdera Franchetti

Henry Fonda was one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and had three marriages behind him when he met Baroness Afdera Franchetti. Their whirlwind romance began when he traveled to Italy for a film and met her at a dinner party. Despite the language barrier, they fell deeply in love and married in 1957.

Henry Fonda and Baroness Afdera Franchetti

Fonda acted in iconic movies like The Grapes of Wrath, 12 Angry Men, and On Golden Pond, while Franchetti was a socialite and a noblewoman.

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman had one of Hollywood’s most beautiful marriages. The two actors met in 1953 while working on a Broadway production and married in 1958. They starred in multiple films, including The Long, Hot Summer and Rachel, Rachel.

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman

In a time when many Hollywood marriages were proving to be relatively short-lived, Woodward and Newman were known for their strong bond and commitment to each other, with a union that lasted more than five decades.

Sammy Davis, Jr. and Loray White

Sammy Davis, Jr. and Loray White tied the knot in style, surrounded by their Rat Pack friends, at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, a city where the group ruled the hearts of the people. The iconic entertainer had met Loray, who was a dancer, while performing in New York City.

Sammy Davis, Jr. and Loray White

They got married in 1958 and remained together until 1968. The couple had one daughter together, named Tracey Davis. Davis was known for her legendary performances on stage and screen.

Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay

Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay’s wedding was a Hollywood spectacle in 1958. The bride wore a low-cut pink gown with a matching heart-shaped veil and carried a bouquet of pink roses.

Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay

The wedding was held in Beverly Hills, where dozens of fans and paparazzi gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds. The reception was held at the famous Romanoff’s restaurant, where guests dined on caviar.

Rita Hayworth and James Hill

Rita Hayworth’s relationship with producer James Hill was her fifth marriage, and it was short. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony at Rita’s Beverly Hills home in 1958. Unfortunately, the marriage lasted only a few years, and they divorced in 1961.

Rita Hayworth and James Hill

Despite the end of their marriage, James Hill was instrumental in helping to revive Rita’s career by producing some of her successful films like Separate Tables and Fire Down Below.

Dorothy Dandridge and Jack Denison

Dorothy Dandridge and Jack Denison met at his restaurant, the Club Bali, where she often performed. The couple dated for three years before tying the knot in 1959. They had a lavish wedding ceremony in Los Angeles, with hundreds of guests in attendance.

Dorothy Dandridge and Jack Denison

Dandridge wore a beautiful satin gown with a beaded bodice and a long train, while Denison looked dapper in a white tuxedo.

Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher

Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher’s wedding was a highly-publicized event in 1959. Despite their relationship’s controversy, the couple exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony at the Temple Beth Shalom in Las Vegas.

Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher

Elizabeth wore a green silk hooded dress, designed by Helen Rose, while Eddie opted for a white suit. Many Hollywood stars, including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, attended the Sands Hotel’s reception.

Jacques Charrier and Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot tied the knot with French actor Jacques Charrier in a glamorous wedding ceremony in Deauville, France, in 1959. The couple had met while filming And God Created Woman and fell in love.

Jacques Charrier and Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte was only 24 years old and wore a stunning pink and white gingham dress. Their marriage was short-lived, but they had a son named Nicolas-Jacques during their time together.

Eva Gabor and Richard Brown

Eva Gabor, known for her role on the TV series Green Acres, tied the knot for the fourth time with Richard Brown. The couple’s wedding took place in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hotel.

Eva Gabor and Richard Brown

In the photos captured, the bride can be seen feeding cake to her new husband and his best man at the reception. Eva and Richard were married for six years, from 1956 to 1962.

Svetlana Beriosova and Mohammed Masud Raza Khan

British ballerina Svetlana Beriosova tied the knot with Mohammed Masud Raza Khan in a quiet ceremony at the registry office in London in 1959. The couple’s wedding was thrust into the public eye when they inadvertently notified the press of their impending nuptials after applying for a marriage license.

Svetlana Beriosova and Mohammed Masud Raza Khan

Despite the media attention, the two remained together and built a life together in the following years. The busy professionals balanced their dynamic careers with their commitment to each other.

David Attenborough and Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel

David Attenborough and Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel were married in 1950 in Kew Green, London. They met while studying at the University of Cambridge where they were introduced by a mutual friend. David’s career as a broadcaster took off while Jane focused on raising their two children and supporting her husband’s work.

David Attenborough and Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel

They remained married for over 47 years. Despite their busy lives, they always made time for each other and shared a deep love of nature and wildlife conservation.

Sidney Poitier and Juanita Hardy

In 1950, actor Sidney Poitier married model Juanita Hardy in an intimate ceremony in Tijuana, Mexico. The couple met in New York City, where Juanita worked as a model and Sidney started his acting career. Juanita would later become Sidney’s assistant and manage his career.

Sidney Poitier and Juanita Hardy

The couple had four daughters together before their marriage ended in divorce in 1965. Despite the dissolution of their marriage, Sidney and Juanita remained close friends and raised their children together.

John Steinbeck and Elaine Anderson

Acclaimed author John Steinbeck and Elaine Anderson, an aspiring actress, were married in 1950. They first met when Anderson was hired to play a minor role in a film adaptation of Steinbeck’s novel, The Red Pony.

John Steinbeck and Elaine Anderson

Despite the 12-year age difference between them, they fell in love and tied the knot in Los Angeles. Steinbeck dedicated his novel East of Eden to Anderson, and she inspired many of the female characters in his works.

Rocky Marciano and Barbara Cousins

On December 31st, 1950, boxing legend Rocky Marciano tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Barbara Cousins, in a small ceremony in Brockton, Massachusetts. The couple had met while Marciano was still a struggling fighter, and they had been together through thick and thin.

Rocky Marciano and Barbara Cousins

Despite fame and fortune as the world heavyweight champion, Marciano remained devoted to his wife and family. Their enduring love story continues to inspire fans of both boxing and romance.

Judy Garland and Sidney Luft

On June 8th, 1952, legendary performer Judy Garland tied the knot with producer Sidney Luft in Hollister, California. The wedding was intimate, with only a few close friends and family members present.

Judy Garland and Sidney Luft

The Wizard of Oz actress wore a beautiful off-the-shoulder dress with a long train, and Luft donned a fancy suit. The couple had a tumultuous relationship, but despite this, they stayed together for 13 years and had two children.

Clark Gable and Sylvia Ashley

The legendary Hollywood actor Clark Gable tied the knot for the fifth time with socialite Sylvia Ashley on April 21st, 1949. The couple’s nuptials were held in Yuma, Arizona, with a few family and friends in attendance.

Clark Gable and Sylvia Ashley

For Ashley, a British-born socialite, her marriage to Gable was her third. Gable and Ashley were known for their lavish lifestyle and love of travel, often jet-setting across the globe for vacations.

Roger Moore and Dorothy Squires

On July 6th, 1953, James Bond actor Roger Moore married Welsh singer Dorothy Squires in Jersey City. At the time of their wedding, Moore was 25 years old while Squires was 38. The couple had first met a year earlier when Squires was performing in London, and they quickly fell in love.

Roger Moore and Dorothy Squires

Their marriage was challenging due to the duo’s burgeoning careers and busy schedules. Despite these obstacles, Moore and Squires remained married for over a decade before divorcing in 1968.

Gregory Peck and Veronique Passani

On December 31st, 1955, actor Gregory Peck married philanthropist Veronique Passani in a small ceremony in Paris. The couple met several years earlier in Los Angeles when Passani was a journalist. They began dating and quickly fell in love, despite their significant age difference.

Gregory Peck and Veronique Passani

Their marriage was a happy and long one. Passani was often seen accompanying the Roman Holiday actor to his film premieres and other public appearances.