Something old, something new as 100 kirk brides’ dresses go on show
ONE hundred “brides” filled a historic church at the weekend as wedding dresses from those who married there over past decades went on display.
Styles of dresses dating back to the 1950s were on show at St Michael’s Parish Church in Linlithgow reflecting the changing fashions in bridal wear, after an appeal to bridesofthepastbroughta flood of responses.
One section of the exhibition was dedicated to families of brides – grandmothers, mothers, daughters and aunts - who all married in the 13th century kirk, as well as a christening gown made from a wedding dress, a tradition in years past.
Photographs of the brides on their big day were displayed next to the dresses as well as pictures of brides who no longer have their dresses – often cut up and the material used again in more thrifty days of the past.
The exhibition was organised by the church fellowship and member Margaret Johnston said the idea came about as they were musing on just how many brides had passed through the church over the years. .”
Her own wedding dress from 1984 was included among those were fitted on to 100 mannequins created by volunteers out of old broom handles, foil plates and bin liners.
Among the brides featured in the family section were mother and daughter Elizabeth Dewar and Wanda Black.
Elizabeth, nee Stobie, who was married on October 6, 1965, when she was nearly 23, said: “My dress wasn’t really what I set out for. I thought I would have chosen something more lacy but as soon as I saw it I loved it.
“It has heavy brocade, with long sleeves, it’s tight at the waist and fairly simple at the front with a long train. It was from Jenners, I can’t remember how much it was but it was less than £100, I remember that.”