Guest Post by Vicki Beeby
Welcome, Vicki. I think you're going to tell us about wartime wedding gowns, a subject you know lots about after writing your latest novel. It's over to you
Wartime
Wedding Gowns
What subject for a novel could be more heartwarming than a wedding, complete with springtime flowers and a beautiful dress? That’s what I thought when I was outlining ideas for my Bomber Girls books, and I was thrilled when my editor at Canelo agreed and commissioned the series. Of course, as soon as I started to write A Wedding for the Bomber Girls, I was faced with a major challenge – what was the bride, Pearl, going to wear to her wedding? The more I researched the matter, the more I saw how difficult clothes rationing made procuring a luxury one-off item like a wedding gown. I soon found that wartime brides who wanted to get married in a new dress would use their clothing coupons to make or buy a smart dress or suit that could be worn again. Those that wanted a traditional white wedding gown would usually have to borrow one from a friend or relative. But what options were open to brides unable to borrow a dress if they had set their hearts on a white wedding?
If they were able to get hold of used or surplus parachute silk, they would have plenty of material for a gown without using up any of their precious coupons. In fact, there are several cases of a bride using silk from the parachute that saved her fiancé’s life, which has to be the most romantic ever dress to get married in! There are also examples of well-to-do women buying up second-hand wedding dresses to either hire out or donate. Author Barbara Cartland famously advertised in The Lady for two wedding gowns which she then donated to brides. These gowns would be worn for the day and then returned so other brides could also use them. Over time, Barbara Cartland amassed a large pool of gowns, enabling many brides to have their dream wedding. As well as clothes rationing creating problems for brides, theatres and film studios also suffered – clothes rationing applied to theatrical costumes as much as to everyday clothing. To help, Gainsborough film studios compiled a catalogue of their entire costume collection and made it available to other film studios and theatres, enabling them to hire costumes for their productions. However, they had several bridal gowns in their catalogue, and brides started using the service to hire dresses. Imagine the thrill of being married in a gown that had been worn by a film star!
Another option for servicewomen was to marry in uniform, and many did. However, I immediately dismissed that idea for Pearl – planning the perfect wedding is how she distracts herself from the terrifying truth that her bomber pilot fiancé might not even survive long enough to make the wedding. So which option did I choose for Pearl’s gown? You’ll have to read A Wedding for the Bomber Girls to find out!
As wedding bells ring out, joy will be found amidst the tensions of war… At RAF Fenthorpe, instrument repairer Thea is helping her sister, Pearl, plan her wedding alongside fellow WAAF and maid of honour Jenny. A misfit amongst the women on the base, though, Thea is struggling to get others onboard. When Flight Sergeant Fitz makes a point of befriending and standing by her, sparks fly between the two. And when Fitz’s crew member, Jack, faces being stripped of his rank due to cowardice, Thea throws herself into seeking justice and support for him. Just as she begins to be accepted by her fellow WAAFs, a shadowy figure from her past has returned and is determined to ruin not just Thea, but also Pearl’s wedding. Will Thea's reputation be marred once more? And will she face this struggle alone…?
A page-turning and feel-good Second World War saga, for fans of Johanna Bell, Daisy Styles and Kate Thompson.
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Thank you, Vicki. I love the fact that some brides were able to have their dream white weddings with the help of Barbara Cartland. I knew first-hand about wedding dresses at the time being made from parachute silk. Although it was a few years after the war, my mum looked beautiful in hers. Your novel is already doing brilliantly and receiving super reviews. I wish you much continued success with it.
Thank you for reading. I'm sure you enjoyed Vicki's post as much as I did. Did any of your relatives have a wedding dress made from parachute silk? Did anyone hire one from someone famous? We'd love to hear. Thank you.
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