Around 20 local ladies will model a unique collection of vintage wedding gowns in a parade to raise money for the RSPCA Inverell Volunteer Branch on Saturday.
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More than 50 gowns and bridesmaid dresses will hit the runway throughout the afternoon, ranging in age from the 1930s to the present day.
The collection of never seen before, and may never be seen again, vintage gowns belong to avid collector Gail Harris, a dear friend of RSPCA Inverell Volunteer Branch treasurer Allison Lane.
The first wedding gown parade fundraiser was successfully held in 2017 and attendees raised around $3,000 for the local RSPCA branch.
This Saturday (February 29), everyone is invited to attend the Wedding Gown Parade at the RSM auditorium starting at 1.30pm.
Allison said the event made for a wonderful mother-daughter afternoon, or a unique moment to share between future, and past, brides. Tickets are available to purchase at the RSM Club for $25 each, a light afternoon tea will be provided.
"Gail always wanted to do something with the dresses to show them off because they are so beautiful so I thought of the parade idea.
"The last one, in 2017, was a vintage wedding parade. We often spoke about doing it again but this year we said if we don't do it again now, we'll never get around to doing it," Allison said.
Gail has been busy altering and repairing the vintage gowns in preparation for the runway on Saturday, in between picking up a few more for the collection.
Thistle Flowers will be working their magic on the important bouquets to suits the gowns, giving the models a real-wedding day feel.
"We picked one up a couple of weeks ago and it's over 100 years old; just amazing. The oldest in the parade was made in 1930."
Each gown has it's own story to tell and many have not been out of the cupboard since being worn on the owners' wedding days.
There will be raffle tickets for a Magnolia raffle and a hand-made quilt by Gail's sister being sold to further raise money. Laura from Craze Dance Academy will have her little ballerina's ready to perform during the half time break.
Steve Coleman, the RSPCA NSW chief executive, will also attend the afternoon and local RSPCA volunteers will be busy helping to run the event.
"As we don't have carers, we just can't get them, unfortunately we can't save animals from the pound.
"Because of that, we invest a lot of money into desexing, microchipping and vaccination programs which are supported each year by Inverell Shire Council and the NSW RSPCA Auxiliary.
"Both the local vet clinics support the program as well. We will be hosting a another program this year. We also give help to people who can't afford to desex their pets and we help out in emergency situations."
If you would like to attend the parade, pick up a ticket from the RSM Club.