BRIDAL gowns from 30 “big” days across the years will be on display in at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Gainford, as part of a Festival of Wedding Dresses next month.
Dresses from across the decades and the globe will be on show as part of the event which is a “celebration of the weddings that have taken place in the church” .
It is not the first time so many wedding dresses have graced the aisles of St Mary’s at one time. Parishioners ran a similar event 14 years ago and it was so popular, they decided to do it again.
The fashion of wearing white bridal gowns was made popular in 1840 when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert and she wore a white dress trimmed with Honiton lace.
However, as well as swathes of white silk, taffeta and tulle there will be several distinctly different dresses on show including an intricately hand embroidered traditional south China “Qungua” belonging to St Mary’s own vicar, Revd Eileen Harrop.
Revd Harrop wore the vibrant two-piece bridal costume on her wedding day 34 years ago. The red silk dress was intricately hand embroidered and features images of Phoenix and Dragon, symbols of female and male coming together in union.
She said: “The festival is a celebration of the weddings that have taken place here and the people who live here and how the stories intertwine and marry us all together as a community.”
It is also hoped another traditional dress can be couriered in time for the festival. The dress, which belongs to Revd Harrop’s sister, will have to wing its way from Singapore and if it reaches UK shores in time, will be ferried from up from London by friends who will be visiting the area specifically for the festival.
Revd Harrop added: “I have been trying to persuade my sister to send her dress and I hope it gets here.
“It is different to mine and features batik (silk painting traditional to Malaysia) and embroidery.”
In addition to Revd Harrop’s dress, a number of parishioners have dusted down their bridal finery for the day, including villager Carol Layton’s empire line, taffeta dress.
Mrs Layton was married at St Mary’s and she said she was surprised at how pristine the silk had remained after 51 years in storage.
Alongside the dress she will be recreating the wedding bouquet she carried, made from flowers in her garden. She added: “I have had to wash it (the dress) a few times, but it’s lasted surprisingly well.”
Another colourful dress which will be included in the festival is that of Teesdale’s MP Helen Goodman, who offered her green outfit for display and organisers are looking forward to getting a first glimpse.
Church warden Sue Taylor said her own dress won’t be included within the festival as she had attempted to turn it into an evening dress.
“We have been inundated with offers of dresses from people in the parish.
“I think the oldest is probably about 100 years, but I’m not sure. There is also one that was worn in November last year so there are many different styles.”
Such has been the enthusiasm with residents offering dresses for the display Mrs Taylor says they are in need of mannequins or tailors’ dummies so the dresses can be displayed at their best.
Anyone who could loan a mannequin can contact Mrs Taylor on 01325 730379.
Alongside the dresses there will be narratives on who wore them and when and where possible photographs from the actual wedding days.
An exhibition of photographs from history group member Lucia Luck will provide visitors with an interesting glimpse into celebrity weddings.
In addition to all this there will be a fascinator display.
The two day Festival of Wedding Dresses kicks off with a preview party on Friday, July 5, at 7pm, when there will be a Prosecco reception with a supper of meat, quiches, salads and desserts. There will be live music throughout the evening courtesy of an 11-year-old apprentice organist.
Anyone unable to attend the preview has plenty of time to view the festival.
On Saturday, July 6, the doors will be open from 10.30am until 4.30pm. On Sunday, July 7, when there will be a wedding-themed service, the doors it will be open from 1pm until 4.30pm.
Tickets cost £5 per person and can be purchased by ringing 01325 730379.
