Mixed Marriage: The Diary of a Portuguese Bride
Cadell, ElizabethSaturday April 15th. Today bought my wedding dress. Mother came up on an early train; met her at Waterloo and we toured the bridal departments. Found them surprisingly full; assumed other brides-to-be girls like myself, working in London and free only on Saturdays. Other mothers all looked up-from-the- country, like mine. Lassooed salesgirl, and by process of financial elimination arrived swiftly at final choice between satin (with train) and lace (without). I preferred the lace but Mother said very difficult to make it up into anything after the wedding, and style of satin more suited to my figure. Salesgirl tactfully withdrew while Mother and I argued it out, but returned to say sorry, mistake in price of satin, as she had unfortunately read the price tag upside down; price of dress not £19 but £61. Therefore bought lace, also long veil and small filigree tiara; studied myself in long glass as fitter fitted, and thought healthy glow inappropriate, as brides ought to look ethereal.