ALENCON LACE WEDDING GOWN

by Ginny
(Key West, FL)

It was fifty years ago, although it seems like yesterday! I was engaged to marry a handsome Navy Lieutenant in October, the day after my birthday.

I was working as an executive and doing some modeling in a suburban department store. The bridal department was next to the office. Every day I glanced at the white gowns on the mannequins and one day I saw it....the stunning white silk gown, plain with long sleeves, but with a bib of delicate Alencon lace down to the waist in the front and gathered in a V in the back. The mannequin wore a matching Alencon lace cap that went slightly down the forehead in a V.

I had to have that gown and thought it would be way beyond my budget, even with my employee discount. Surprise, surprise, the gown cost $110 without the discount! The photographs of my husband and I standing at the altar as we married, with our backs to the congregation, highlighted the beauty of the gathered lace at the back of the gown...perfect for this type of photo shot.

I now work in the catering/sales office of a tropical hotel where destination weddings take place, and the brides come in all shapes, sizes and outfits. I know the style today is sleeveless, topless, and shameless, but truthfully, my idea of a bride is a fairy princess in a full-skirted silk gown with lace, lace and more lace, just like me on my wedding day!!