IF ROYAL weddings have taught us anything it's that we love to admire wedding dresses.
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Which is why to celebrate Queanbeyan's 175th birthday the local museum will exhibit 25 bridal and bridesmaid gowns to pay homage to the brides of yesteryear, a time well before the term ''bridezilla'' was coined.
The exhibition The Way We Wore features gowns worn by Queanbeyan brides and bridesmaids from the 1880s to the 2000s.
''The wide historical span of these gowns is amazing. We are extremely grateful to the families of Queanbeyan for their willingness to loan them for this special occasion,'' curator Gillian Kelly said.
One of the most historic gowns going on show is a delicate, silver gown originally owned by Valerie Smith. ''My mother made it for me for my wedding day, the day I married the town clerk of Queanbeyan at Christ Church,'' Mrs Smith said.
The lifelong Queanbeyan resident said the handmade dress had been sitting in her wardrobe for 57 years before she was approached by Ms Kelly to bring it out and reminisce over it.
As well as Mrs Smith's gown, there will also be four generations of her family's dresses on display.
Mrs Smith said brides and weddings had changed dramatically since her trip down the aisle in 1956.
''I think the biggest difference these days is that they wear strapless dresses and that brides pay for their own reception.''
■ The Way We Wore will run at The Q Exhibition Space until April 27.