‘Here Comes the Bride’: new wedding fashion exhibit to launch at Wellington County Museum and Archives

ABOYNE - The Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) is launching a new exhibit: Here Comes the Bride – 150 Years of Wedding Fashions.

The exhibit runs at the WCMA from July 9 to Nov. 6.

“It’s been an exhibit I’ve wanted to do for many, many years,” said museum curator Hailey Johnston.

She noted wedding dresses are one of the most offered donation items, so having the opportunity to put many on display is  exciting.

The exhibit will not only include wedding dresses, but groom’s clothing, wedding gifts and photographs, among other items.

The exhibit will feature a timeline section, lining a wedding dress up from almost every decade, from the 1860s to the 1990s.

One of the oldest items will be a wedding dress first worn in 1838, in Scotland, by Margaret Cockburn, and then worn by her daughter, Rachel Sommerville, in Puslinch in 1869 for her wedding.

Johnston mentioned the collection will feature some beautiful old items, but the museum is also interested in newer donations.

The exhibit will contain items from weddings held a few years ago, with the newest outfits from  2019.

People often don’t think to donate modern items, but they are an important feature in collections, said Johnston, adding they like to call them “yesterday’s history.”

“Everyone’s lives are of interest to us,” she said.

The museum will be hosting a wedding attire fashion show on Sept. 11. Whether participating in the show or just attending, event-goers will be encouraged to wear past wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses or other wedding attire.

Additional details, including how to register to be part of the show, will become available closer to the date.