• LIFE

See Photos From Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s Wedding Day

2 minute read

Humphrey Bogart met Lauren Bacall while filming To Have and Have Not, a 1944 film loosely adapted from the eponymous Ernest Hemingway novel. The two began an affair; Bogart was still married to Mayo Methot, his third wife, at the time. By February of 1945, Bogart had called off his marriage and was preparing to wed Bacall—which he did just a few months later, on May 21, 1945. Following the fête, LIFE announced their union as follows:

Actress Lauren Bacall (“The Look”), born 20 years ago as Betty Joan Perske, was married last week to Actor Humphrey Bogart (“The Leer”), 46, in the hallway of Novelist Louis Bromfield’s 20-room farmhouse near Mansfield, Ohio. It was her first marriage, Bogart’s fourth. The ceremony was performed by Municipal Judge H.H. Shettler who read a service which he said contained a little of everything. Before taking the vows, Bogart drank a Martini, muttered, ‘Oh, baby,’ to his bride. After the ceremony he kissed his bride and she gasped, “Oh, goody!” Deeply sun-tanned, she was wearing a doeskin beige dress. Seven sheriffs kept the crowds away.

“Oh, baby” and “oh, goody” would remain married until his death from cancer in 1957.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizabethRonk.

Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfeld.
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfield.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfeld.
Bogart and Bacall cut the wedding cake.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
BOGART/BACALL WEDDING
Caption from LIFE. Lauren Bacall feeds wedding cake to her tough-guy groom, Humphrey Bogart, after their marriage ceremony in Ohio.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfeld.
Bacall tosses her bouquet to an eager crowd.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfeld.
Bogart gives his bride a kiss on the cheek.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfeld.
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall share a sneaky moment on their wedding day.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Newlywed actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attending wedding reception at the home of novelist Louis Bromfeld.
Newlyweds smile for the camera.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Novelist Louis Bromfield (L) with Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and their guests at their wedding.
Novelist Louis Bromfield (L) with Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and their guests at their wedding.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com