The ideal of the 'white wedding' dates from Victorian times. A young woman dressed in white with her head covered by a veil remained a powerful symbol of modesty and purity for over a century. Even in the 1960s when many traditional social mores were being challenged -- particularly in relation to women -- the ideal persisted, undoubtedly inspired by lavish royal weddings including Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier in 1956 and Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon in 1960. This collection provides a particularly interesting insight into 1960s Australian weddings as it includes pieces from most of the wedding party as well as from the trousseau. Furthermore, as the bride's mother (Zelma Steeper) had trained in tailoring at Emily McPherson College, Melbourne, all the garments were designed and made by her.

It is also significant that Beverly Silby has taken such care to preserve this collection of her clothing and accessories. As she writes: 'I am just an ordinary person with no claim to fame and certainly not to fortune of any monetary kind, but hope that someway this collection will give some idea of the clothes that people such as myself have worn through their life. It is a form of social history, and I felt that it was worthy of recording.'

Beverley Silby's mother, Zelma Steeper, had trained in dressmaking and tailoring at Emily McPherson college, Melbourne. This collection of receipts, notebooks and sketches reveals she was also the driving force behind the wedding's arrangement and organisation. Indeed, Beverly Silby admits she had little say in the choice of materials, designs for the wedding party or organisation of the day.

Beverly Silby (born 1940) grew up in Victoria and attended teacher's college, taking up her first posting in rural Victoria. There she met her future husband, Gilbert Silby, and after a twelve month engagement they married on an unseasonally hot day, the 29th February, 1964. Beverly's mother was determined to make all her wedding clothes and was devastated when she and Gil decided to get married a year earlier than originally planned as this meant she would not be able to make her underwear. Nonetheless, Mrs Steeper made not only the wedding dress but also the matron of honour and two bridesmaids' dresses, her own outfit, lingerie for the wedding night and a trousseau for the honeymoon.

Box for wedding cake, receipts (14), notebooks (2) and sketches (4) of designs for wedding dress and bridesmaid's dresses, tin / paper, used by Beverly Silby, various makers, Frankston, Victoria, Australia, 1963-1964

Small, empty, silver coloured, rectangular tin box, embossed with design of wedding bells, for wedding cake; in a small cardboard box, cream colour with floral pattern in pink, with card printed 'With Best Wishes', name space blank

Design sketches, four pages, of bride's and bridesmaid dresses, and two of design detail of embroidery.

One sheet listing 'Accounts for Trousseau' lists cost of wedding dress fabric and trimmings, cost of fabric for negligee and night dresses.

Invoice and receipt from 'Methodist Ladies Friendly Circle' for (pounds) 120: 6s, for wedding catering and evening reception.

Receipt from 'R Daley', photographer of Mornington, (pounds) 7: 14s, photography and printing of wedding photographs.

Three receipts from 'The Myer Emporium Ltd', Melbourne for dress fabric.

Two receipts from 'Georges', Melbourne for dress fabric.

One receipt from 'Cyril J Preston Pty Ltd', Melbourne for trimmings.

One receipt from 'Job Warehouse', Melbourne for fabrics and trimmings.

Receipt and paper clipping for engagement notice in the 'Sun News Pictorial' , 22 March 1963 for Gilbert, elder son of Mr and Mrs C E Silby, 'Carramar', Darnum.

Two invoices and one receipt from 'The Warragul Gazette' for engagement and wedding notices.

Mother's ruled memo book with grey cover, contains list of presents, other lists and accounts, guest lists. Inscribed on front in purple 'Elizabeth Steeper'.

Spiral bound Spira Notebook with yellow cover, including acceptances list, costs, and other wedding calculations.

Made: Australia; 1963


Used: Silby, Beverly; Frankston, Victoria; 1963

2005/241/2

1963