Women enjoy Tampa bridal gown showcase
A showcase of bridal gowns worn through the years was the featured event during the May 17 Tampa Ladies Altar Society mother-daughter-guest event.
The evening's theme was "Times Remembered." Guests received invitations to the event in early May. Fifty-eight women and girls attended.
The Tampa Senior Center was decorated to resemble an elegant wedding reception from years ago. Tables decorations included original wedding pictures of the women whose gowns were modeled.
After enjoying a salad supper, the women were treated to wedding cake during the short meeting.
During the bridal gown showcase, 18 wedding gowns — representing every decade of the 20th century except the first two — were modeled by eight high school and junior high daughters of members.
Dressed in white, five-year-old Monica Jirak, granddaughter of Mary Jirak, marched down the runway sprinkling rose petals to prepare for the brides' appearance. The girls were radiant as they entered the hall, dressed as brides from yesteryear.
Cheri Bentz was master of ceremonies. She told the story of each gown as the models took turns marching down the aisle between rows of curious onlookers.
Most of the gowns belonged to Altar Society members. A look of pride and reminiscence of a time long ago glowed on the face of each woman whose cherished dress, taken from an old trunk or cedar chest, was being shared again before the eyes of friends.
Not only a show of bridal fashion through the centuries, the show was a history of customs and traditions through the years — the story of a little Marion County town which became a diamond in the Dustbowl.
The script described a clean, wholesome place in the Dirty 30s, a fertile field for raising families in the 1940s and 1950s, and a haven of relative peace and quiet for those seeking solace in the crazy 1960s and 1970s. Tampa offered a place of firm stability in an age of constant change and technology in the 1980s and 1990s. Tampa was and is a great town along the Santa Fe Trail to stop and stay for a lifetime — which is exactly what most of these women did.
The gowns varied from elegant simplicity to detailed elegance. The stories surrounding the wedding varied in like fashion. One bride planned and carried out every detail of her wedding, including ordering and sending out invitations, in just 10 days.
Another bride remembered receiving only $14 as combined wedding gifts when the Depression brought hard times to the area.
Three of the gowns were made by the brides themselves. The Czech weddings were most elaborate, and today the tradition of serving hot dogs and buns during the wedding dance continues.
Two of the 16 gowns were carried, rather than modeled, to prevent damaging the fragile fabric.
Marie Jirak helped with appropriate hair styles and makeup and Cecilia Rhiza assisted the girls with accessories and other details before each model entered the main hall. As they entered, the story of each gown was told in detail.
Dress models were Andrea Kleiber, Alisha Barney, Kristine Jirak, Raschelle Jirak, Chelsey Tajchman, Julie Rziha, Gloria Belton, and Amy Hajek.
Virginia Bentz and Mary Jirak were in charge of the event. The night was a beautiful legacy for future Tampa brides.
