Something old, something new
Mrs A. C. Heaton (aka Poppy Hinds) pictured with one of her creations
Future brides will find this exhibition inspiring as there is a large range of dress designs on show. Look further down this page for some examples.
You may also be interested to know that Smithills Hall is available to hire as a unique venue for your wedding
From 21st July to 3rd November
It is clear that a wedding dress is always more than just a dress. It is an object of great investment – both financially and emotionally. A girl’s wedding day is dreamt of and planned, and the dress is the essential feature.
This section shows wedding dresses featured in the exhibition. These were worn by real women and show the signs - some are stained, others frayed. Many have dirty hems from the ground they swept over on the one day they were worn. These are pieces of fashion history but are also pieces of history from the lives of their wearers.
The exhibition features a specially commissioned film about Bolton brides that will be shown in the gallery.
Mrs Redhead - a best dress wedding
A blue dot-pattern jacquard woven silk wedding dress worn in the first quarter of 1873
The Hinckley dress
The mauve colour of this dress suggests the bride was in mourning.
Cash’s Costume
Wedding outfit made by the costume department of Cash’s department store, Cork, Ireland
Wedding ensemble
This outfit was made in Bolton by the draper, milliner and costume maker, Benjamin Cole
Miss Whitaker’s wedding dress
This wedding dress was possibly made by Whitaker’s department store in Bolton.
Mrs Taylor’s wedding dress
Christina Taylor’s wedding dress from March 1957, made by Mrs Heaton.
Maureen Jones’ wedding dress
Wedding dress made by A. C. Heaton of Bolton for Maureen Jones
Rita Brierley’s wedding dress
Rita Neville and Geoffrey Brierley were married on 30th March 1963.
Two wedding dresses
Two dresses made by Mrs Heaton in 1961 and 1962 for Pamela Beattie
Diane Price’s wedding dress
A wedding dress made by Mrs. Heaton and worn by Diane Price.
Joan McGreevy’s wedding dress
Joan McGreevy was married on 23rd March 1968 and wore this wedding dress made by Mrs Heaton
