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Weddings Dresses, Heterosexual Civil Partnerships, 'Bridezillas'

A celebration of wedding dresses at a new exhibition at the V&A in London; two brides share their plans for their wedding day; and why it does not always go all right on the night.

A celebration of wedding dresses at a new exhibition at the V&A in London. It traces the development of the fashionable white dress and its interpretation by leading designers over the last two centuries. Calls for Civil Partnerships to be available to heterosexual couples. Are opposite sex couples being discriminated against or would opening this relatively new institution be a threat to the sanctity of marriage? Why do weddings remain so popular, despite the high divorce rate? A wedding planner and agony aunt and author of The English Marriage; Tales of Love, Money and Adultery reveal all. Plus brides-to-be Petra and Rosie tell us about their plans for their big day and listeners share their experience of things not quite going to plan on what they'd hoped would be the "best day of their life".

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58 minutes

Last on

Mon 26 May 2014 10:00

Civil Partnerships

Civil partnerships for same sex couples have existed since 2005 and earlier this year same sex marriages became legal. There are now calls for heterosexual couples to also be allowed to have civil partnerships. So are opposite sex couples being discriminated against or would opening this relatively new institution be a threat to the sanctity of marriage? Jane speaks to Rebecca Steinfeld and Charlie Keidan a couple who have already announced their forthcoming civil partnership in the hope the law will change. Tim Loughton MP explains why he thinks civil partnerships should be accessible to all. 

Brides-to-Be

Two brides-to-be discuss tendencies toward ‘bridezilla’ behaviour, and why, despite high rates of divorce, many women continue to harbour the notion of their ideal wedding day.  How do they respond to recent research from Interflora suggesting that many women start planning their wedding from the age of 13 and more than half of single women have already planned their wedding before they have found a groom? And how much of traditional marriage ceremonies will they be including in their forthcoming special day?

Wedding Dresses Exhibition

A new exhibition opened at the V&A at the beginning of this month - Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 - tracing the development of the fashionable white wedding dress and its interpretation by leading couturiers and designers, offering a panorama of fashion over the last two centuries. The exhibition is displayed chronologically over two floors and features over 80 of the most romantic, glamorous and extravagant wedding outfits from the V&A’s collection. The curator Edwina Ehrman accompanies Jane around the display.

Why do we marry?

Why do we marry? Was there always such a fuss and so much time and money spent? Why do weddings remain so popular despite the high divorce rate?  The numbers have fallen but the ONS says it is expected 42% of couples will permanently separate. What are the main stresses couples face in planning that special day? Jane is joined by author of The English Marriage: Tales of Love, Money and Adultery, Maureen Waller and wedding planner/ agony aunt, Sarah Haywood.

Listener Wedding Stories

We asked listeners to write in with their wedding day experiences and here are Cath, Terry, and Lynne telling us their stories of marrying Tom, Christine, and Bill.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jane Garvey
Producer Kirsty Starkey
Interviewed Guest Rebecca Steinfeld
Interviewed Guest Charles Keidan
Interviewed Guest Petra Fried
Interviewed Guest Rosie Swash
Interviewed Guest Maureen Waller
Interviewed Guest Sarah Haywood

Broadcast

  • Mon 26 May 2014 10:00

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