A LOCAL community organisation has invited Riverlanders to view a slice of the region’s bridal gown history at an annual fundraising event this weekend.
The SACWA Riverland Evening Branch will hold its annual Brides through the Ages fundraiser at the Renmark Hotel function room on Sunday.
Branch president Julie Brand said the inclusion of local radio personality Matt Stephens as host was one of many new additions for this year’s event.
“We’re very excited to see all our planning come into being, and we’ve added to a lot of the things we were going to do last year,” Mrs Brand said.
“In the planning, people have come up with new ideas that will make it that touch more special, so it’s going to be pretty awesome.
“We’ve got an MC for the day, (and) we’ve collected even more dresses than we had on the list last year, including some from the 1800s.
“There’s possibly also going to be some multicultural garments included, which will really add some interest to the parade.”
Mrs Brand said more than 40 wedding dresses – collected from across South Australia and interstate – would be displayed.
“We have gowns from across the region, but we also have gowns coming from other areas of South Australia, and even some from over the border,” she said.
“Different ladies who promised their own have said their sister’s was beautiful and wanted that included as well.”
Mrs Brand said tickets for the event – which was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions – had nearly sold out.
“It’s going to be a very special event and something the community will really enjoy,” she said.
“(For) the hotel function room we’re hoping to sell 120 tickets, and we’ve only got about 20 left.
“It’s going to be a bigger event, and we’ll be able to raise more funds due to that.”
The SACWA Riverland Evening Branch’s Brides through the Ages fundraiser will be held this Sunday, at the Renmark Hotel function room, from 1pm to 4pm.
Tickets cost $40 per person, and include a silver service high tea, plus complimentary champagne and orange juice.
Further information can be found by visiting the group’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/rivergems/).