Something Old, Something New: 150 Years of Wedding Fashions & Traditions

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Nancy Sutcliffe throws her bouquet from the front porch of her home, Hearthside, to awaiting guests at her reception held there in 1954.  Traditions such as throwing bouquets, rice, and garters are just a few of the familiar traditions that are less frequently part of weddings today.

Weddings are Tradition!  And at Hearthside House Museum, this exhibit showcases how weddings have evolved every decade over a 150 year period from the 1850s - 2000.

The 2025 Season for the museum kicks off with the wedding exhibit on Sunday, March 23rd between 1-4 pm.  It is open on specific dates in March and April:  March 23, March 30, April 5, April 13, and April 26.  

Fifty dresses are on display with springtime decorations adorning each of the mantles and serves as a colorful backdrop in each room throughout two floors of the house.  Discover how the fashions have changed and can be identified with each decade, as well as how receptions, photography, and honeymoon destinations all follow similar trends each era.  Also included on exhibit are elaborate antique wedding certificates, photographs, where traditions came from, superstitions for the wedding, and more.

Included on the display are treasured dresses that were worn by different generations of the same family, as well as different dresses worn by mother and daughter or granddaughter years later.   In some cases there are back stories as to who wore the dresses on display.  One of the dresses being shown was worn by a member of the Kennedy family in the 1960s, along with her gown worn to the inaugural ball of president-elect John F. Kennedy and the invitation that went along with it.

Tours are self-guided but docents host each room and are dressed up for the occasion as well in period attire.

On Saturday, April 26th there will be a separate special morning event taking place from 11-12:30 at the nearby Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse, 374 Great Road, the oldest continuously operating Quaker meetinghouse in the state from 1704.  A double wedding recommitment ceremony will occur with two couples whose grandparents got married at this meetinghouse in 1913.  It will be conducted in Quaker fashion with the bride and groom officiating at their ceremony and all guests signing the wedding certificate at the conclusion of the service.   Refreshments will follow.  A separate registration is required in advance.  The exhibit will open at Hearthside at 1 pm and will be concluding that day.

Tickets for the exhibit may be purchased in advance through the website and reserve time slot, as it is staggered admissions to avoid crowding.  Admissions also at the door.