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.
Was this beaded silk flapper-style dress with lace trim really a wedding dress, worn in a church by Ione Weltin (1902-1979) at her wedding to Marvin F. Ploger (1898-1982)? The Aurora Beacon-News of Sunday, December 28, 1924 (Courtesy of Aurora Public Library staff) tells the story:
“One of the prettiest of the holiday weddings was that of Miss Ione Bernice Weltin and Marvin Ploger. . . The ceremony took place Christmas day at 6 o’clock at Our Lady of Good Counsel church, the Rev. Leon Linden performing the ceremony in the presence of a large number of friends, just as the Angelus was ringing.”
“The bride wore a handsome gown of gold beaded georgette, over gold colored satin, with a hat of gold lace. She carried a bouquet of sunburst roses. She wore gold slippers and hose.”
Ione was a 1920 graduate of East Aurora High School, and completed her education at DeKalb Normal School (teachers’ college), now NIU. At the time of her marriage, she was in her third year of teaching at Aurora’s Center School, where she specialized in music. She was also a choir member and organist at OLGC church. Husband Marvin, also an East High grad, was employed at Western United Gas & Electric Company, but would go on to a career as a postal clerk.
Ione’s dress, accompanying lace scarf and gold stockings were donated to AHS by her daughter, Maureen Ploger Boedewig, in 1979.
