Model Brides Reveal Canton Wedding History

Bill Lawton and Carole Florence of Plymouth celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary at a fashion show featuring historic wedding dresses. Carole's dress was modeled by their 17-year-old daughter, Rebecca. The Lawtons' two younger daughters, Catherine, 14 and Eleanor, 12, also walked the runway at Village Theater at Cherry Hill.

The Canton Historical Society's fundraiser Sunday at Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Something Old, Something New: A Century of Wedding Gowns drew about 100 people, mostly women, — at least twice as many as last year's evening gown show, said Liz Carlson, president of the historical society. She was clearly delighted with Sunday's turnout.

"What I'm hearing from people is, just joy. It made people happy," she said. "Maybe some bought tickets out of a sense of duty, but they went away so happy."

Proceeds from the $15 admission will support the historical society's textile preservation program.

Cindy Forman of Plymouth said she read about the event in the newspaper. Pat Landorf of Canton attended with friend Leatha Stonestreet, also of Canton. Stonestreet suggested the show after seeing a flyer. Each women said she loved the show and would come to another one.

The oldest dress, a brown silk worn in 1888, was donated by Mary Hauk, whose family helped found the township.

Dana Anderson of Canton helped organize the show and modeled three dresses. Her favorite, she said, is the last dress she modeled: the Mystery Dress — so called because it has belonged to the Canton Historical Society for years, but no one knows who donated it.

Phyllis Redfern loaned her wedding dress, which she wore in 1977. Sami King, 14, of Canton, modeled the dress. Redfern said her granddaughter Jessica Krone, 13, of Canton, may wear it for her wedding someday.

Chris Jack was one of several women who modeled her own dress and veil. Jack's 1994 gown got an assist from daughter Danielle Jack, 7, who helped manage the train after the show.

"The bustle broke when I was dancing at our reception and I never got it fixed," Chris Jack explained with a grin and a shrug. "Maybe someday."

Rebekah Martin, of Northville, modeled her grandmother's dress, a flowing 1946 gown, and two other dresses, but didn't end up wearing her mother's dress on the runway, though it was also in the show.

Her mother, Cathy Martin, a Canton resident, and Cathy's sister, Georgia Shimizu, who came to the show from her Illinois home, were more interested in their mother's gown and how to fix the aging tulle embellishment.

Carlson spent time after the show discussing options with the women. She couldn't resist teasing Rebekah. After explaining how to find new but matching tulle and how to remove the old tulle and make a pattern, Carlson, her eyes twinkling, said, "Now, no pressure, Rebekah" which elicited laughter from all present.

Indigo Hair Salon volunteered to help style the models' hair; Michigan Philharmonic String Quartet played as guests arrived; and refreshments were donated by Just Baked Cupcakes; Cookie Crumbs & Sweet Delights Bakery; Meijer; Kroger and Gordon Food Services.

Garrick Chandler volunteered to photograph the show. The images will be posted online later this week, he said, with a link on the Canton Historical Society's Facebook page. Carlson said the next show may feature bridesmaid dresses, with a prize for the woman who has the most. There will be no prize for the ugliest bridesmaid dress, she said, "because every dress is beautiful in its own way."