A vicar's wife from Chester is mounting an exhibition to celebrate marriage and weddings.

Margaret Thomas, wife of Rev Ian Thomas, rector of St Mary’s Church in Eccleston, has collected wedding dressed  from the village to celebrate National Marriage Week (February 7-14).

Margaret, who married in St David’s Cathedral in Wales in 1974, said: “The dresses  and accessories are all from the parishioners and date back to 1930. The styles are varied and interesting but typify the decade in which they were worn.

“There are distinctive differences in the styles.  The one from the 1930s is what you would expect from that time with lace and chiffon but unusually it is grey and short.  The bride chose grey because she was in mourning for her mother.

“The 1970s dresses are simple gowns and the ones from the 1980s are very much what you might describe as ‘Lady Di’ dresses.”

Margaret added: “This is such a lovely thing to do as it has brought back so many happy memories for our brides!” 

Margaret’s own wedding dress will be included in the exhibition.

She said: “My dress was quite plain - similar to Princess Anne’s, high-necked.

“The church at St Mary’s lends itself to such an appropriate exhibition which I know will be enjoyed by everyone who comes to see it.”

Margaret would like to thank Abakhan Fabrics Mostyn, Uniformity Clothing Co in Handbridge and Save The Children charity shop in Chester, for the loan of mannequins for the display of gowns and to the many individuals who have also given mannequins and tailors dummies to be used in the exhibition.

The exhibition will be at St Mary’s Church in Eccleston and profits from the £2.50 entrance free will be split between that church and St Mary’s in Pulford.  Times: Wednesday, February 12- Friday, 14, 10.30am- 4pm and Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, 2-4pm.