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 through August 12, 2023, at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center. Exhibit hours will be listed below the article.
This dress was worn by Helen E. Darr (1923-2016) for her wedding to Donald J. Weiler (1923-2001) on April 12, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aurora. Both bride and groom were 1941 graduates of East Aurora High School.
Helen’s dress is a long-sleeved, ivory satin affair with a full train, with a yoke (upper portion around neck and shoulders) made of floral-patterned lace. Her tiara headpiece, decorated with beads and rhinestones, was attached to a long, draping tulle veil with lace border. She wore a pearl necklace and carried a bouquet of white roses, along with a white handkerchief with lace border.
The couple raised seven children – four boys and three girls. Donald, a World War II Navy veteran, worked for 17 years at Lyon Metal, followed by 30 years at Aurora Metals. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Marywood Fire Department. Helen was a homemaker with extensive community involvement. She was a 60-year member of Annunciation Church, received the Girl Scout Lifetime Achievement Award for her 50-plus years in Girl Scouts, and was an avid Cubs fan.
Helen donated her wedding dress, headpiece, veil, and handkerchief to the Aurora Historical Society in 2002.
