War Stories

War disrupts almost every aspect of day-to-day life, and this includes weddings. The consequences of armed conflict are different for each war, but there are common themes throughout. Men and and women are often forced to plan their weddings at the last minute, or supplies needed for the celebration may be in short supply. The gowns featured in this section of the exhibition include brides from The Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Some of the gowns feature innovative uses of textiles, while others present the unique stories of brides and their soldier grooms.