Firstly - apologies, Diana sent me this back in September and I missed it.
This is Diana's comment :
Many thanks to all who gave freely of their time to set up and be a part of the 2023 Wedding Dress Exhibition at St Mary’s Church Worlingworth.
The idea came when I was given my wedding dress by my mother about 4 years ago. It had lain in a bag in her loft for 3 decades. I then made my two daughters wedding dresses which sat in my wardrobe after their Big Days.
A pre Covid visit to NZ daughter included regular visits to the local Settlers Museum where they had a display of dresses including wedding dresses from the founding of Dunedin in 1840 to almost present day.
The two ideas came together and the idea was born.
Thanks to Val Swallow and Veronica Plowman from the PCC of St Mary’s who agreed to be part of the committee in order to make the idea happen for the weekend of 09/10 September 2023.
The church was buzzing with people for the 2 day event and the pictures tell some of the story.
Exhibitors had gone the extra mile and brought not only their dresses but wedding memorabilia and potted histories from their day; why they made or purchased their dress, why some dresses were worn more than once - sometimes 4 times and insights into history including the use of flat irons as a tool and parachute silk as a material.
There was much chat between people who had never met, as they realised on reading the exhibitors writings that they were connected in some previously unknown way.
Grandchildren were able to come and see their grandmothers dress, old friends were able to revisit a Worly village wedding, people were inspired with ideas. Teenagers could see what a telegram was!
A great turnout and we raised £1200 for our village church.
Diana Totten
Photos from the exhibition are here