1945: This uniform was worn by Mrs Betty Ives of Bathurst when she married in 1945.
1935: Pure silk wedding gown with a slim fitting dress falling into a beautiful long train forming three scalloped edging with bows embroidered into each scallop. The dress was worn in 1935. It was worn on the night by the President of the Women's Auxiliary, Mrs Janny Toohey.
1945: Army uniform consisting of skirt, blouse, jacket, tie and hat and made in 1942 of pure wool. This uniform was worn by Mrs Betty Ives of Bathurst when she married in 1945. Betty Ives is the Patron of the Bathurst RSL Women's Auxiliary and worn with pride and emotion on the night by the President of the Bathurst RSL Women's Auxiliary, Mrs Janny Toohey.
1949: A lovely chantilly lace dress, with fitted top to the hips, falling into a gathered skirt and short lace sleeves. Joyce Cranston wore this dress in 1949 when she married Viv Cranston. The dress was worn on the night by Joyce's granddaughter, Jade.
1956: A beautiful sleeveless dress of soft georgette with a lace top, with long chantilly lace sleeves.
1960s: Heavy satin dress with round neckline, long sleeves and straight skirt. The dress belonged to Jenny Carah. The dress was worn on the night by Sarah Stroud.
1967: Satin dress with a scooped neckline, and straight skirt. Elaine Egan wore this dress when she was married on August 5, 1967. the dress was worn by Ashleigh Fulton on the night.
1968: Sleeveless, straight-fitting dress made of guipure lace. A white velvet jacket was worn over the top of the dress, with covered buttons down the front and falling into a long train at the back of the jacket. Robin married Mervyn Tobin on June 1, 1968 and dress was worn by Robyn's granddaughter, Sarah.
1972: A straight crimplene dress trimmed with guipure lace. A lace coat with hood was worn over the dress. Barbie Meehan wore this dress when she married Keith in 1972 and was worn by Dorothy Campbell at the function. The bridesmaid's dress was worn by Jessica Elliott.
1970s: Long, straight shantung sleeveless dress. A long blue shantung coat was worn over the dress when leaving the reception. The dress was worn by Jocelyn Barcham, when she married Keith in Albury. Worn at the function by Monique Jones.
1970s: Long, straight shantung sleeveless dress. A long blue shantung coat was worn over the dress when leaving the reception. The dress was worn by Jocelyn Barcham, when she married Keith in Albury. Worn at the function by Monique Jones.
1970s: Soft satin dress with V neckline trimmed with lace. The veil was held in place by a satin band.
1970s: Shantung dress with fitted bodice and straight skirt to the mid calf and then two bands or material cut on teh bias and then falling into an A line skirt to the floor. A hood was attached to the dress. The dress was worn by Dianne at her wedding and worn on the night by Monique Jones.
1976: White satin dress with pin tucks and satin covered buttons down the front of the bodice. This dress was worn by Lynne Boole on her wedding day and worn at the function by Ashleigh Fulton.
1970s: Satin dress with pearl buttons down the back of the dress with a large bow attached to the back of the waist. A very pale pink veil was worn by the bride. The dress was worn by Christine Bootham on her wedding day and worn at the function by Nargaya McDonald.
1970s: White, georgette dress has an unusual neckline. The dress falls in three layers with the top layer caught up at the front by lace flowers and pearls. The train also has lace flowers and pearls attached.
1980s: This dressed was on lend from St Vincent de Pauls in Keppel Street for the function and was worn on the night by Shirley White.
1986: White taffeta dress with a double frill V neckline and a full gathered skirt. A small hat and long veil was worn. The dress was worn by Michelle on her wedding day in Mildura in 1986. The dress was worn by Monique Jones.
1993: Silk taffeta dress with guipure lace and pearl bodice. A large bow was attached to the waist at the back of the dress. This dress was worn by Anna Thomas when she was married on November 27, 1993. And was worn at the function by Jessica Elliott.
1990s: Cream silk medieval dress with gold rimming and laced down the front with gold trim. This dress was worn by Denise Toohey on her wedding Day.
1996: Satin and gold embroidered princess-style long dress with long sleeves. The long detachable train was pleated and attached to the waist with a pleated band of flat bows and roses from the centre of the front of the dress. The dress was worn by Kerryl at her marriage in the 1990s and was worn at the show by her cousin, Jessica Elliott.
1996: Soft cream satin dress, short puffed sleeves with frill and gold lace trim. Melissa Elliott wore this dress on October 12, 1996 when she married Wade at St Michael and Johns Cathedral. The dress was worn on the night by Ashleigh Fulton.
1990s: White crepe and georgette sleeveless dress with large cowl neckline.
2003: White satin strapless dress embroidered with crystals across the top. The back of the dress had crystal buttons and a small fishtail type train. This dress was worn by Deanne Wade when she married Gary on March 1, 2003 at Perthville Uniting Church. Worn at the show by Ashleigh Fulton.
2003: Heavy satin skirt and top. The back of the top had pearl buttons down the centre. The dress was worn at the marriage of Belinda and worn at the show by her niece, Montanna McDonald.
2003: Satin dress with an overlay of fine tulle trimmed with gold lace. The veil fell from the back of teh head and was trimmed with gold lace. Melissa Johnson wore this dress on her wedding day and also wore it on the night.
2010: A beautiful dove grey satin strapless dress with silver lace and beading on the bodice, which had a dropped waistline. Worn by Kerryl Tobin at her wedding and worn on the night by her cousin Tiarna Elliott.
2011: Cream shantung strapless dress with lace and beaded embroidery down the front of the bodice. The bodice was laced up the back with ribbon. Belinda Jefferies wore this dress on October 16, 2011. It was worn at the function by by her niece Tiarna Elliott.
2012: Off-white satin strapless dress with heavy lace and beading on the front of the bodice. The gathered skirt had a dropped V at the front and back of the waist and trimmed with crystals. The bodice was laced up the back with ribbon. Zenae Grundy wore the dress on November 25, 2012 when she married Matthew in a garden wedding at Mount Panorama and was worn at the function by her sister, Amber.
2012: Satin and georgette sleeveless dress with V neckline front and back. Worn by Jessica Elliott.
Wedding dresses through the years function.
Wedding dresses through the years function.
Wedding dresses through the years function.
Wedding dresses through the years function.
Wedding dresses through the years function.
Some of the dresses on display during the function.
FROM flowing silk and gorgeous lace to princess dresses and army uniforms, almost 80 years of bridal fashion was on display at the RSL Women's Auxiliary's Brides Through The Years function.
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Dresses dating back to 1935 were modelled for the captivated crowd of around 140 people in the RSL auditorium.The idea for the bridal fashion parade came from the auxiliary's secretary, Elaine Egan.
"It was an idea I had, I had seen it done about 40 years ago," she said.
"People couldn't believe that we had so many different dresses. The oldest dress we had was from 1935, which was a pure silk dress and it was so light."
The function raised money for the RSL Welfare and Benevolent Institution and Defence Care.
But the auxiliary is also hoping events like this will help attract new members to the auxiliary.
"We only have about 12 members at the moment, so we would like to see some new members, especially some younger members," Mrs Egan said.
"We do a lot of things, we go to the nursing homes, we do meals on wheels and we are involved in the raffles at the RSL.
"We are hoping to put on a few more functions, which would encourage people to come along.
"Anyone is welcome."
The RSL Women's Auxiliary meets the second Monday night of the month, 7pm, in the RSL boardroom.
