This special exhibit presents selections from the collections of Union Station/Kansas City Museum. The exhibit includes eight bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses from notable Kansas Citians of yesteryear, as well as 20 historical wedding portraits from the renowned Strauss-Peyton society photography studio. The collection is installed in the C-Level galleries adjacent to “Diana: A Celebration” at Union Station Kansas City.

On May 1, 2011, you're invited to An English Tea With Friends, where you’ll enjoy an authentic English tea along with private tours of these stunning dress galleries. This is a family event at a great value, and seating is limited. Learn more and register here. >>

1905 Wedding Suit & Hat

Made of wool, velvet, chiffon, silk

Susie Mary Herbst wore this three piece wedding suit at her marriage to George W. Snyder, Jr. in Topeka, Kan. on February 22, 1905. The outfit consists of an ivory wool broadcloth jacket with velvet cuffs and lace trim, a matching wool pleated skirt, and a chiffon blouse, which was known during this era as a waist. The outfit was topped by a hat of chiffon. The dress was gifted to the Museum in 1960. View more images of the dresses >>

1933 Wedding Dress, Slip & Veil
Made of silk and tulle

Josephine Reid wore this Hattie Carnegie original at her wedding to Charles Stubbs, III, in Kansas City, Mo. The dress is a bias-cut white satin gown with a long train and net, and with a matching cap with veil. The unlined dress comes with a slip of the same fabric. Mrs. Stubbs donated her dress, along with her wedding shoes and gloves (not shown) in 1964.

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1945 Wedding Dress & Veil
Made of silk and cotton

Janet Wilkinson wore this white dotted Swiss cotton dress over a white silk slip at her wedding to Cliff Sharp on July 1, 1945 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Mo. The dress, purchased at Marshall Field & Company, includes short puffed sleeves, a fitted bodice with Sweetheart neckline and net insert, a slight train and ruffled skirt at the hem.

Gifted to the Union Station/Kansas City Museum collection in 2002. 

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1952 Wedding Dress & Hat
Made of rayon crepe

Mrs. Matilda Thomas wore this non-traditional wedding dress at her wedding to Charles Thomas in 1952. The dress is made of rayon crepe and is by Nat Tuman of New York, a company that specialized in petite clothing for women. A matching hat of wool felt and trimmed in white velvet flowers with short veil completes the outfit. View more images of the dresses >>

1967 Wedding Dress & Veil

1967 Bridesmaid’s Dress & Hat
Made of silk, tulle, plastic, cotton, glass and nylon

Lucinda Heinz wore this white satin gown at her wedding to James Kemme on December 26, 1967 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo. The dress is a heavy white satin gown with an empire waist, bell sleeves and a rounded neckline. The dress is decorated with faux pearl and glass beads and trimmed in peau d’ange lace. The veil is an illusion veil of silk tulle which falls from a cluster of lace petals trimmed with clear beads, iridescent crystals and sequins and faux pearls. The bridesmaids wore dresses of silk aqua blue and matching pill box hats with short veils. The bride’s niece, Debra Vaughn, wore this bridesmaid’s dress. View more images of the dresses >>

1974 Wedding Dress & Veil
Made of silk, acetate, metal and plastic

Debra Vaughn wore this organza wedding dress at her wedding to James Lynn Hill at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, Mo. on May 24, 1974. The dress is an organza wedding dress with an empire waist, decorated with embroidered daisies. View more images of the dresses >>

1984 Wedding Dress & Hat
Made of silk, metal and straw

This pink silk faille wedding dress was designed by the bride, Elizabeth Kirsch and fashion designer Kitty Sondern and was worn at Kirsch’s wedding to Douglas Arnold Drake on May 12, 1984, in the herb garden at the Wornall House in Kansas City, Mo. The pink silk faille wedding dress has pink lace sleeves, peplum and an overskirt. The same lace also forms a band on the matching straw hat. View more images of the dresses >>