Cherished memories will be on display in an exhibition of wedding dresses at Williamstown’s Holy Trinity Anglican Church for Mother’s Day.
Organiser, Williamstown’s Barbara Phoenix, said she was inspired after taking a group of local women to Rippon Lea for an exhibition of gowns through the ages.
“I asked casually if any of them still had their wedding dresses,” she said.
“I was very surprised to hear many did, so ever since I’ve wanted to find a way to display them.”
The exhibition will be held on Mother’s Day weekend as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival.
“Our earliest dress is being loaned to us by the Williamstown Historical Society and was worn on January 1, 1900, and we have dresses from every decade from then until the present day,” Ms Phoenix said.
“I’ve been shocked by how many people have become so excited about getting their dresses into the exhibition.
“We’ve got dresses that were handmade during the ’40s after the war and after the Depression.
“Some of the dresses are not in great shape but it’s the fabrics and the textures that are really lovely.”
Visitors to the exhibition, from 2-5pm on May 13 and 14, will be able to take home a piece of wedding cake, and enjoy live music and refreshments.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 concession and free for children, with proceeds going to the Cancer Council.
