Something singed

SIR – I smiled on reading your report (January 5) about the vicar who has started fining brides who arrive late.

For my own wedding, I made a satin dress with a full-length guipure lace coat. On my wedding day, my father and bridesmaids where helping me with the dress when we smelt burning: Dad was standing too close to the electric fire and the coat was alight.

After a moment of panic, we put out the fire. By a fluke, all the burnt lace was where a side seam would have been so I cut out a long thin triangle, cobbled the sides together with white crotchet cotton, and smothered the area in talcum powder.

Despite the near disaster, I arrived at the church two minutes early – just ahead of my groom. No one noticed anything amiss. I remind him of this when he grumbles at my tardiness. Daphne Clarke

Richmond, North Yorkshire