“Throughout history and continuing in areas of the world today, the occasion of a wedding provided a showcase for a woman’s needlework skills. The beautifully handcrafted wedding attire and trousseau items all illustrated not only her ‘artistic prowess,’ but her place in the community as well. And more than just beautiful needlework, wedding garments have always embodied the ‘spirit and substance’ of the lineage of women, reflecting the heart of the community.

In our modern culture, a wedding still calls forth the creative nature of a woman—be it the mother, the bride, or both—to present herself as an artist to the world. The aesthetics she chooses for her wedding are showcased like an art gallery presentation: the gown, the flowers, the place, the ambiance. But it’s really her heart that’s on display.”