Today, I was taking some time to clean and organize at home. For years my Grandmother would keep the sports section of the newspaper for me and my parents would periodically hold on to newspapers from important dates in history. So, as I was going through some old newspapers today, I ran across a bunch dealing with Nixon leaving office but also into the front page section of Tricia Nixon’s White House wedding June 13th, 1971.
Check out some of those facts!
Tricia’s Trousseau: (Had to look up Trousseau)
Apparently a Trousseau is the clothes, household linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage. Who knew, not me. But there goes another $200.
The Food: The Nicon Buffet
What no caviar I have to have my caviar and foie gras right? Nope the White House said keep it within budget No Caviar for you! They estimate $10 per person so they dropped another $4000 here even though the article said $3200. So that’s almost $28,000 just for food and no foie gras, darn.
The Minster:
Rev Edward Latch the House Chaplain for the House of Representative had not charged for a wedding in 45 years, but he would gladly accept a gift don’t ya know.
Well that’s not all the cost of course but wasn’t it a fun look back in time and prices?
As the article states Tricia Nixon’s wedding costs were $19,000 in 1971 dollars and would be almost $131,000 today! WOW! The White House insisted this was a normal wedding. I really need to raise my prices if $131,000 is the new normal?
Invitations:
Tricia used 400 (6.25x8.75”) gold embossed cards $310 or $2170 today. Ouch. The cost just for the coat-of-arms only $45 such a simple add on right.
Wedding Cake:
7 feet 9 inches high! 350 lbs of cake! only $1000 back then or $6800 today!
The Wedding Dress: What did Tricia say Yes to?
Nobody knows but the range is from $200-1200? That’s pretty reasonable compared to the cake!
Bridal Party Dresses:
Apparently the White House bought the dresses for the ladies at an estimated cost of $240 for 4 dresses. Why did the White House buy them? Comment below if you know.
Plants and Trees: Who needs Johnny Appleseed when you have a wedding?
Donations came in from six states. Even JFK Roses should have been their but are the roses Republican or Democrat? I guess we will never know since the tea rose plants didn’t end up at the wedding. All in all $9000 in donations to make the White House a flower and tree filled wedding venue.
Photography!
3rd generation photographer Richard Winburn was Tricia’s photographer. He would talk about his cost so they estimate $85 OK, I guess I won’t change my prices. Since that is less than $600 in today’s money. Interesting wouldn’t you say? Since he didn’t say I bet he charged or received more.
Special Music:
No DJ for this party, instead it was Bil “Just Plain Bill” -the partyman Harrington and his 15-piece orchestra for only shall we say $3000-$5000 but he wouldn’t say.