Date: 1768
Ribbed cream silk with embroidered multi-coloured flowers.
Provenance: gift of Miss Catherine Bull, 1987
Museum No. OLNCN.2194

Hannah Palmer of Bedford wore this wedding dress when she married the Rev. William Bull of Newport Pagnell in June 1768.

For most of the 18th century France had set the standard in fashion, which England copied to a greater or lesser degree. Under the influence of Rococo the plain satins of the early 18th century gave way to smaller, delicate silk designs - some, such as this, decorated with flowers of remarkable botanical fidelity.

The surface of the dress was also broken up with frills and ruffles, to give a feeling of playfulness. This was often augmented by the wearing of head-dresses made of lace, flowers and feathers.