F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre’s Wedding

It is the Month of April and what better way to celebrate love and jewelry than to look back on some Famous Historical April Weddings. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring our top favorite weddings that have made history. Today, we dive into the love story of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre.

 

THEIR WEDDING

On April 3rd, 1920, American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald married the first American flapper Zelda Sayre.

Flappers of the 1920s were young women known for their energetic freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous, immoral or downright dangerous. Now considered the first generation of independent American women, flappers pushed barriers in economic, political and sexual freedom for women. – History.com 

The famous couple exchanged vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre on their wedding day.
F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre on their wedding day. (Image Source: Pinterest).

THEIR LOVE STORY

Lieutenant F. Scott Fitzgerald met Southern socialite Zelda Sayre while stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, he fell in love with the Charleston-dancing beauty right away. F. Scott Fitzgerald dedicated his first novel titled This Side of Paradise to Zelda Sayre. Once published, F. Scott Fitzgerald had saved enough money to marry his beloved soulmate, Zelda Sayre. To show his affection, he rewrote the novel’s main character, Rosalind Connage, to be more like Zelda Sayre herself. He also persuaded his publishers to push up the release date of the novel, which became an instant bestseller, in order to gather enough funds to marry her sooner. With the novel’s success, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre married on April 3rd, 1920, in an intimate ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, with just eight guests in attendance.

F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s love story is the subject of two books and a film known as The Great Gatsby. (Image Source: Archive Photos).

 

A LOVE LETTER FROM ZELDA FITZGERALD TO HER HUSBAND, F. SCOTT FITZGERALD: 

I look down the tracks and see you coming-and out of every haze and mist your darling rumpled trousers are hurrying to me-Without you, dearest dearest I couldn’t see or hear or feel or think-or live-I love you so and I’m never in all our lives going to let us be apart another night. It’s like begging for mercy of a storm or killing Beauty or growing old, without you. I want to kiss you so-and in the back where your dear hair starts and your chest-I love you-and I can’t tell you how much-To think that I’ll die without your knowing-Goofo, you’ve got to try [to] feel how much I do-how inanimate I am when you’re gone-I can’t even hate these damnable people-Nobody’s got a right to live but us-and they’re dirtying up our world and I can’t hate them because I want you so-Come Quick-Come Quick to me-Lover, Lover, Darling-Your Wife. (Sourced from Martha Stewart).

 

THE WEDDING RING

We were unable to source Zelda Sayre’s original engagement ring which was gifted to her by F. Scott Fitzgerald. However, research says the ring was passed down to F. Scott Fitzgerald from his mother, Mollie McQuillan Fitzgerald. To get an idea of what the couple’s engagement ring looked like, we sourced a replica designed and made for English supermodel, Kate Moss. The diamond encrusted vintage engagement ring was a custom creation inspired by sketches of the ring F. Scott Fitzgerald gave to his wife Zelda Sayre.

Kate Moss's Zelda Sayre inspired vintage engagement ring.
Kate Moss’s Zelda Sayre inspired vintage engagement ring. (Image Source: Mario Testino at Vogue).

SHOP VINTAGE ENGAGEMENT RINGS

1. James Allen

18K White Gold Beaded Filigree Cathedral Kite-Set Engagement Ring. Fine beaded filigree scrolls form a stunning cathedral the sharp edge shank that rises to meet a kite set center stone. A perfect mix between modern and vintage.

Filigree Cathedral Kite-Set Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold at James Allen.
Filigree Cathedral Kite-Set Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold at James Allen.

 

2. Blue Nile 

Inspired by vintage jewelry, this sophisticated 14k yellow gold ring features a milgrain halo with pavé-set diamonds that frame a beautiful round-cut emerald. This piece will sure to be treasured for years to come.

Emerald and Diamond Halo Vintage-Inspired Milgrain Ring in 14k Yellow Gold at Blue Nile.
Emerald and Diamond Halo Vintage-Inspired Milgrain Ring in 14k Yellow Gold at Blue Nile.

 

3. Adiamor

This vintage-inspired engagement setting accommodates a round center diamond, bezel set in a milgrain lined diamond halo.

Vintage Inspired Octagon Halo Engagement Setting at Adiamor.
Vintage Inspired Octagon Halo Engagement Setting at Adiamor.

4. Whiteflash

From the Seasons of Love Collection, this engagement ring has a graduating shank of micro pavé diamonds and milgrain detail supporting an asscher cut center stone. A stunning mix of modern meets vintage.

Platinum A. Jaffe Seasons of Love Diamond Wedding Set at Whiteflash.
Platinum A. Jaffe Seasons of Love Diamond Wedding Set at Whiteflash.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre embodied the Roaring Twenties’ wild and glitzy romance, as well as their generation’s rebellious romance. Endless parties, daring style, and glamour characterized the period, which was fuelled by an economic boom that resulted in a rejection of social mores and a cultural awakening. A love story very much relevant in today’s ever-changing generation.

Next week we’ll be taking a closer look at the Famous Historical April Wedding of Actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco. Are there any famous weddings that stood out to you? Click the comments button below and let us know. 

Written by Bianca Mac Donald 

Scroll to Top