A LARGE display of vintage wedding dresses in a Test Valley village will show the changes in bridal fashion over a 130-year period this bank holiday weekend. The free exhibition at St Leonard’s Church in Sherfield English includes around 40 dresses on loan from local brides, many of whom got married at the village church. The event is part of the celebrations to commemorate 120 years since the church was consecrated in 1904, which will include a special service by the Bishop of on September 15.
Clare Durham, the churchwarden, said: “There’s been a phenomenal response to this event. We expected maybe a dozen gowns but we currently have 45 and the number keeps growing. "What’s really lovely are the dresses that have been worn by more than one generation of women, and we are honoured to display a christening gown that was made from a wedding dress and has been worn by five of the original bride’s grandchildren.
” Alongside the dresses will be a display of photographs and other ephemera, plus a vintage 1960s ‘Going Away’ outfit and a Laura Ashley 21st birthday dress from the 1970s. More than one of the women whose dress will be on display has recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Ms Durham added: “There are so many wonderful stories tied up with the dresses on display, and ones that are important to the church as well as the couple being married.
"Our most recent dresses are from two sisters-in-law; the first was our last wedding before the 2020 .
