WEDDING DRESSES AT WILBERFORCE HOUSE From Hull City Council Press Office

An exhibition of wedding dresses from the last two centuries is to be held at Wilberforce House Museum, Hull until 30th May 2004.

The Big Day features a selection of stunning wedding dresses dating back to 1800, offering a fascinating insight into the changes in bridal fashion over the years. The oldest dress in the exhibition is a deep rose brocade silk dress with cream stripes, worn with a pair of yellow pointed shoes, and is in sharp contrast to the style of dress favoured by modern brides. Other highlights include two dresses made by Madame Clapham, at her well-respected Kingston Square salon over 100 years ago.

A modest two-piece green suit from the 1940s shows how brides often had to make do under strict rationing, whilst a homemade dress from the early 1970s was styled to look like Princess Annes bridal gown. Also on display are wedding accessories, including veils and shoes. Special features are two rare, Regency period male and female dolls, with the man on bended knee offering a proposal of marriage and an 1849 Etiquette of Marriage book, offering guidance and advice to a new bride.

Any brides-to-be, as well as girls dreaming of their big day, can also take advantage of an interactive wedding planner, which offers visitors the chance to design their own wedding day! A wedding dress familiar to millions of television period drama enthusiasts will also feature in the exhibition from 29th March until 23rd May 2004. The exquisite dress, worn by Jennifer Ehles Elizabeth Bennett, for her own marriage to Colin Firths Mr Darcy, in the much loved 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, will be displayed alongside dresses from other TV and film productions.

Clare Parsons, Assistant Keeper of Social History, said A wedding dress is one of the most important items of clothing many a woman may ever have and this exhibition shows how tastes and styles have changed over the years. Brian Hayton, Head of Cultural Services, added, Wilberforce House Museum has a lovely collection of wedding dresses so it is wonderful to have the opportunity to display them once again.

The exhibition is on display on the ground floor of Wilberforce House Museum, 25 High Street, Hull. Admission is free and the opening times are Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm and Sunday from 1.30pm until 4.30pm. Photographs copyright  2003, and courtesy of Wilberforce House Museum. Links Wilberforce House Website Location Map.

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