Bridal studio backing exhibition showcasing 130 years of weddings

An exhibition celebrating more than 130 years of weddings at a coastal church has received support from a bridal company.
The Revd. Canon Adrian Hughes at Saint George's Church in Cullercoats.
Picture by Jane ColtmanThe Revd. Canon Adrian Hughes at Saint George's Church in Cullercoats.
Picture by Jane Coltman
The Revd. Canon Adrian Hughes at Saint George's Church in Cullercoats. Picture by Jane Coltman

St George’s Church, in Cullercoats, is looking for former brides to provide ‘something borrowed’ as part of its ‘Walking down the aisle – 130 years of weddings at St George’s’ project.

Over the last few months, the church has been calling on couples who married there to send in photographs of their big day.

Wendy Coles.Wendy Coles.
Wendy Coles.
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The photos will be displayed in the Grade 1-listed church, decade by decade, to form the centrepiece of a ‘wedding showcase’ weekend, from April 30 to May 2.

Now the organisers have teamed-up with Monkseaton-based bridal studio Wendy Coles to arrange for new and old wedding gowns to also be displayed.

Owner Wendy Coles, who said: “When I heard about the project, I was eager to help in any way I could.

“The vicar, Father Adrian suggested I came and displayed gowns that are popular with brides in 2016.

Wendy Coles.Wendy Coles.
Wendy Coles.
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“I thought it would be a lovely idea to also ask former brides, or their families, if we could borrow their dresses, hopefully spanning back over the decades, to show the different eras of bridal fashion.

Canon Adrian Hughes, vicar of St George’s Church, added: “I am delighted that Wendy Coles is joining in with the weekend. The wedding dress exhibition will add another fascinating element to our project.

“I must thank Wendy for her support – as well as the other businesses that are coming along to help, too.

“We are also still appealing to those who married at St George’s – or their relatives – to send in photos of their big day. We’ve had a great response so far – we received almost 100 photos and they’ve come from as far away as America and Australia – but we’d love to display even more.”

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Over the three-day event, the church will be open from 11am to 4pm and refreshments will be on sale in the parish hall.

Wedding registers will be open so people can search for a record or their own wedding or those of their families.

During the Sunday service, the church is inviting any couple, who wish to do so, to renew their vows. The service starts at 9.30am and a glass of prosecco will be served afterwards in the parish hall.

Tynemouth photographers Buckley & Brough, Cullercoats florist Thoughts of You and Whitley Bay’s Lottie McPhee’s Cupcakes will also be there.

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If you have a wedding dress with a special story attached, please call (0191) 252 1817 or email [email protected]

Photos can also be sent to this email address or via post to Reverend Adrian Hughes, The Vicarage, Beverley Gardens, Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear, NE30 4NS.

Those sending photos are asked to also include the names of the people in them and the date of when it was taken and their address if they would like them returning.