Each week during the Here Comes the Bride exhibit, the history of one of the dresses will be featured on the website and social media. Visit these dresses and more in person from June 2 and extended through October 7, 2023, at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center. Exhibit hours will be listed below the article.
This dress was worn by Della Mae Schoo (b. 1943) for her wedding to Michael C. Paluska (1940-2013) on June 13, 1962 at St. Mary’s Church in Aurora.
Della’s short-sleeved dress features an embroidered outline design of leaves and abstract flowers, filled in with sparkly beads and sequins. The wide bell skirt has a short train, and the dress features an oversized bow at the lower back. On her wedding day, a tiara headpiece with shoulder-length veil completed the princess look.
Both bride and groom were East Siders. Della was a 1961 graduate of East Aurora High School; Michael a 1958 graduate of Marmion Academy. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974; however, both parties went on to find lifelong love with other partners.
Della donated this dress and the dress from her second marriage to the Aurora Historical Society in 2005. Next week, we’ll feature Della’s 1976 dress from that second marriage.
