Wedding Dresses

There is a black and white photo of my sarogate, Bay Area grandma and grandpa, E and Papa J, that used to stand on their TV cabinet: it is of their wedding day. E is wearing a classic 1950's knee-length dress, Papa J in a tux, and they are walking down the aisle out of the church. If I am remembering correctly, E's dress has lace detail and a ribbon, underskirts fluffing it out. Since I saw this photograph for the first time, I have wanted a light, classic knee-length wedding dress to walk down the aisle in.

I have had visions of other dresses too: long, sweepy satin numbers with dipping open backs; slender sleeve-less dresses that flow from my hips, floral detail here, ribbon embellishment there; a halter top to call back to Greta Garbo and Marlena Deitrich. But still, it's the knee-length dress that comes back to me.

Classic in all forms, with little kitten heels, a smile from a black and white photograph.