Luke and Frances’ Wedding – 1947
Mom and Dad’s wedding at St. Patrick’s Church in Oakland, California on October 5, 1947. So very many times, when Nick and I were kids, we watched with mom and dad (and sometimes other company) this movie of mom and dad’s wedding, with mom and dad naming each person as he or she appeared on the screen. Those are such precious memories.
In this movie clip:
- Luke Buratovich and Frances Buratovich, née Kriletich
- Bridesmaids: Bina Card, Frances Sestanovich, Patsy Kriletich
- Groomsmen: Jack Card, Matt Kriletich, Andy Viscovich
- Nikola Kriletich (Father of the bride)
- Ned and Mary Buratovich (Father and mother of the groom)
- SO MANY family members that it might take me a while to get them all listed here. I have to query those who were there (not too many left) to get the names of everyone.
Note: Unlike other clips in this series, Dad was not the photographer. Instead, Rose Batistich captured the wedding scenes with her camera, then gave the movie camera to my dad, who inherited this film clip.
This video was first posted to Facebook on October 5, 2017 (It would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.) It received hundreds of “likes” and almost a hundred comments. The entire comment thread from that post has been reprinted here:
- Ned BuratovichTonight, I sat on the couch with my mom and we watched the movie of their wedding, which I had posted online. Mom kept remarking how young everyone looked and how pretty she was (she was). Almost all of those people have passed, some very long ago. All we have is memories now, so poignant to be able to share those sitting next to my 96 year old mom.You can watch it too, if you’d like: https://nedburatovich.com/luke-frances-wedding-1947/ just for the cars and the clothing.Oct 6, 2017, 4:05 AM
- Tracy WilloughbyWhat an awesome movie! How wonderful to have that.Oct 6, 2017, 4:48 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, Tracy, it is indeed a treasure.Oct 6, 2017, 5:03 AM
- Madhukar BhaiyaI really enjoyed watching this. Your Mother reminds me so much of my own. They could have been sisters!Oct 6, 2017, 4:52 AM
- Ned BuratovichMadhukar, thank you, that is sweet of you to say.Oct 6, 2017, 4:59 AM
- Helen MapleI smiled throughout this wonderful movie. So much happiness!Oct 6, 2017, 5:18 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, Helen, it strikes me every time I watch it, how happy everyone is.Oct 6, 2017, 5:19 AM
- Karen WatsonThis is wonderful and yes it reminds me of early pictures of my mom and dad – everybody smoking! Thank you for sharing Ned!Oct 6, 2017, 12:08 PM
- Robert RopeLove it. Love the clothes, the cars, the smiles. I’d like to be dropped somewhere on the corner, that time & place.Oct 6, 2017, 3:02 PM
- Ned BuratovichRobert Rope Me too, but at least I can re-visit it in this old home movie.Oct 6, 2017, 3:03 PM
- Renee BeeBoo Millermy God, that’s a beautiful video !Oct 8, 2017, 1:58 AM
- Camille EcckerWhat a handsome couple, Ned. 🙏. Thank you for sharing! 🙏Oct 6, 2017, 4:06 AM
- Dawn McEver SageA beautiful couple for sure♥♥♥Oct 6, 2017, 4:09 AM
- Mindy ChelnerLovely now I know where you got the good looks ❤️Oct 6, 2017, 4:10 AM
- Francis MoriartyExactly my thinking!Oct 6, 2017, 8:11 PM
- Valentina Janjuš PlitvicaAmazing❣️Oct 6, 2017, 4:23 AM
- Jan GrzybowskiHow lucky are you to have your mom around still but you know that. ☺Oct 6, 2017, 4:32 AM
- Madelyne PieperI remember both your parents. Your mom is still as beautiful. What a real treasure to have their wedding video.Oct 6, 2017, 4:35 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, Madelyne, it is indeed a treasure to have these old movies. I recently digitized my dad’s home movies. I have quite a few of our bi-annual outdoor dance festivals from St. Bernards. As soon as I get them online, I will let you know.Oct 6, 2017, 4:39 AM
- Madelyne PieperI have a disc with the bi-annual dance festivals also. I’m too stupid to figure out how to post them though….. Years are: 1959-61-63-65.Oct 6, 2017, 4:42 AM
- Ray PagueEarly color……they are a lovely coupleOct 6, 2017, 4:39 AM
- Ned BuratovichKodak film and labs.Oct 6, 2017, 4:42 AM
- L’Heure BleueThey aren’t just good looking, they look radiantly happy. What a fabulous photo.Oct 6, 2017, 4:45 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, they were genuinely happy. If you watch a bit of the video, you will see that everyone is happy. I think that’s because mom and dad came from the same close-knit immigrant community. Everyone knew them and was happy for them to be together.Oct 6, 2017, 4:57 AM
- Biba MaleticBeautiful photo of the happy couple .. judging by the the names may I ask if they were from one of the Yugoslavias republics . I am Croatian and we have a lot of last names ending with the “ich”Malet – ichOct 6, 2017, 4:52 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, Biba, from the Dalmatian coast. My mom from the island of Korčula and my dad’s family from the island of Hvar.Oct 6, 2017, 4:58 AM
- Biba MaleticNed Buratovich .. Beautiful coast of Adriatic and all the islands are very charming old towns .Oct 6, 2017, 5:00 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, I agree. The first time I visited Korčula was in 1968, the last time was 2008.Oct 6, 2017, 5:02 AM
- Keita NobiloVery special!Oct 6, 2017, 5:01 AM
- Andra Johnson70 years later and your mom has the same beautiful smile.Oct 6, 2017, 5:15 AM
- Ned BuratovichIf you watch the video, you will see your dad as one of the groomsmen. Yes, mom always had a beautiful smile.Oct 6, 2017, 5:16 AM
- Andra JohnsonI spotted him! He was so very young.Oct 7, 2017, 5:41 AM
- Catherine WelshWhat a wonderful film to be able to share with your dear mother. Thanks for sharing with us. Just lovely!Oct 6, 2017, 5:24 AM
- Ned BuratovichTruly, a blessed moment in time, that bridged time for both of us.Oct 6, 2017, 5:26 AM
- Branka Bogojevic HarrisLove it, what a beautiful happy smiles they both had. Tell your mana .. da je bila prelepa mlada ❤️Oct 6, 2017, 5:39 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, she was a beautiful young woman, I will tell her that, Branka.Oct 6, 2017, 5:40 AM
- Branka Bogojevic HarrisI meant bride….. mlada also mean bride😁😘Oct 6, 2017, 6:09 AM
- Branka Bogojevic HarrisAnd of course she was beautiful young woman and also she is beatiful too ❤️Oct 6, 2017, 6:12 AM
- Ned BuratovichAha, I did not know of “mlada” as bride.Oct 6, 2017, 6:20 AM
- Branka Bogojevic HarrisThere you go, depends how you use it… I said she was beautiful bride.Oct 6, 2017, 6:23 AM
- Ned BuratovichIndeed, she was.Oct 6, 2017, 6:23 AM
- Ned BuratovichBranka, I just now read your comment to my mom and she smiled and laughed.Oct 7, 2017, 11:45 PM
- Branka Bogojevic HarrisThat’s great, thanks😂😚😎😃😄Oct 8, 2017, 1:51 AM
- Fran HustonNed, so beautiful. Both with so much warmth and happiness. I didn’t get the wedding video?Oct 6, 2017, 5:49 AM
- Ned BuratovichFran, here is the wedding video:https://nedburatovich.com/luke-frances-wedding-1947/Oct 6, 2017, 6:21 AM
- Jane Juanita O’LearyWow! What a great film! Thanks for sharing it with us. God bless you and your Mom and family.Oct 6, 2017, 5:55 AM
- Ned BuratovichThank you, Jane, it captures the feeling of an era, I think.Oct 6, 2017, 5:56 AM
- Jane Juanita O’LearyThat’s a wonderful way to describe it Ned. Such optimism and hope! Makes me nostalgic. No wonder I love seeing movies from the 40’s and 50’s.Oct 6, 2017, 6:05 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, there certainly was a classic style consciousness.Oct 6, 2017, 6:07 AM
- Ned BuratovichTheir wedding dance:Oct 6, 2017, 6:08 AM
- Cherie MuerthThey look so in love!Oct 6, 2017, 6:30 AM
- Jane Juanita O’LearyIsn’t it rare to have home movies from that far back?Oct 6, 2017, 6:09 AM
- Michele JurichThanks for sharing this treasure. All the best to you and your beautiful mother!Oct 6, 2017, 6:17 AM
- Cherie MuerthMy mom is 96 also.Oct 6, 2017, 6:30 AM
- Mark DuncanWoW….what an awesome experience that you get to have my friend! What a blessing! 🙏🏾Oct 6, 2017, 7:51 AM
- Suzy ArnhartTheir groomsman, Andy Viscovich, was the superintendent of Oakland Public Schools for many years. My mother was his assistant throughout those years.What a beautiful wedding and such lovely people (and HATS)!Oct 6, 2017, 8:14 AM
- Barbara TimkoThe Adriatic coast is one of the most beautiful in the worldOct 6, 2017, 8:38 AM
- Jeanne DeFlorioGreat film truly enjoyed watchingOct 6, 2017, 8:57 AM
- Julia VersauLovely. Thanks for sharing!Oct 6, 2017, 9:10 AM
- Lyn HamertonYou are lucky friend still have mom and dadOct 6, 2017, 10:33 AM
- Cathy Ann Granrath MaropoulosVery cool! ♥️Oct 6, 2017, 10:35 AM
- Margaret ThorntonGreat video! Wish I had some from back then. It is a rare gem.Oct 6, 2017, 11:40 AM
- Dawn Story BurkeHow wonderful Ned !! Thanks for sharing !! What a happy handsome couple !! ❤️😍🙂 My Mum & Pa would have been married 70 years on Sept. 4 ! They did get 66 years together ! 🙂Oct 6, 2017, 11:41 AM
- Edward GoodlingNuff said this song says it about all,,,,,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-TE_Ys4iwMOct 6, 2017, 12:10 PM
- Lenora WinettWhat an awesome Memory!!!!!! Your Parents look so happy and soooo much in love. Thank you for sharing.Oct 6, 2017, 12:52 PM
- Ginny McDonaldThank you for sharing. It was beautiful. When Dad passed away last November my parents had been married 55 years. I wish I had their wedding but I will watch you parents again. It was amazing.Oct 6, 2017, 12:52 PM
- Bob AmatoWhat a beautiful pic.Oct 6, 2017, 1:31 PM
- Christine Kates70, wow! My parents were married for 60, I thought that was a long time!Oct 6, 2017, 1:31 PM
- Lourdes AmaliaLovely, everyone looks so elegant for the wedding. ThanksOct 6, 2017, 1:37 PM
- Jessica BarrilleauxSo sweet. Say hello to her for me… and yes tell her I said she was very beautifulOct 6, 2017, 3:08 PM
- Anne BlanchardBeautiful!Oct 6, 2017, 3:26 PM
- Aubrey Terra BurkeHow precious Dear Ned Buratovich!! Thank you so much for sharing this with me, I enjoyed watching it very very much!! ❤❤Oct 6, 2017, 4:58 PM
- Pam Alawine KellerThis was so beautiful ! Beautiful piece of history and I loved the old cars and how people dressed back then. People had so much more class back then. They were beautiful and you could see all the love between them. Thanks for sharing 💕Oct 6, 2017, 5:04 PM
- Jackie Sponsler KochHow lovely! ❤️Oct 6, 2017, 5:25 PM
- Indra RavaThank you ! 😀Oct 6, 2017, 5:32 PM
- Indra RavaThank you, Ned ! 😀Oct 6, 2017, 5:33 PM
- Indra RavaThank you , Ned. Amazing !Oct 6, 2017, 5:35 PM
- Mark MillerI also have video/film of my folks’ wedding and I have a similar response of joy and sorrow when seeing faces of those that are now gone. Still, we are the lucky ones to have access to such imagery and the feelings that they evoke. Good for you.Oct 6, 2017, 6:22 PM
- Nancy Mulliganbeautiful photo Ned…..love moms vail…they had beautiful wedding gowns back in the day….xoxoOct 6, 2017, 8:15 PM
- Marilynn DiGiorgioWhat a treasure to have this home movie! Fun to watch.Oct 6, 2017, 8:20 PM
- Josh RotstenNice and kind looking Parents. I am sorry they are not around anymore… I miss my parents… They were wonderful… You also have a lot of friends which is nice to see… WoW… Up to now 193 comments… If I am lucky I get 2 or 3… 🙁Oct 6, 2017, 8:42 PM
- Gordon GarbAwesome!Oct 7, 2017, 1:57 AM
- Mudd LavoieHow amazing that you have photos and film of your parents’ wedding. And what a beautiful wedding it was… WOW. To be able to share these moments with your mom who’s now 96 is the most precious gift. I don’t even have a photo of my parents’ wedding, which took place in 1948, at 7:00 in the morning, with only my aunt and uncle attending. So you are blessed! ❤️ ❤️Oct 8, 2017, 12:49 PM
- Katherine GullettBoth very cute and so young!Oct 9, 2017, 7:44 PM
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