This is Wayne State University's description of the bride: "This dress was worn by Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward for her wedding in 1918. It was an exquisite, expensive gown. It remains in remarkably good condition. The overskirt feels like rayon, which may help to explain the excellent condition of the piece. Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward was born 1897 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families. Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico. Her mother, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield, continued to look after her family's estate as well as becoming an accomplished sculptress. Her father was Thomas Parks Bradfield, a graduate of University of Michigan and a lawyer."
All images from digital.library.wayne.edu-digitalcollections-item?id=wayne-EM02_2004_9_1. The Wayne State page for this is here. When you click on this link, you will see the message “Page Not Found”. Look above the message and click on the word “COLLECTIONS”. Find “Digital Dress Collection” and click on that. Click on “Browse Items in this Collection” just below the picture on that page. You should find this on the fourth page. OR, to save time, type in the words "1918 Virginia Palmer Bradfield wedding dress” in the search bar at the top of the page. WARNING: Not all of the images appear without distracting pixellation.
Also posted to the Designed by Lucile Albumette here.
The USA was in the war by 1918 when this wedding dress was made for an upper class Michigan wedding. The Wayne State description, "Square neck wedding dress of lace, metallic embroidery and faille. Empire style bodice composed entirely of lace, very sheer net sleeves, metallic embroidery. Sprig of artificial orange blossoms at right side bodice seam. Silk ribbon around waist seam. Underskirt of light peach silk satin, rows of lace at hem with metallic embroidery. Overskirt is off-white faille gathered up at hip and scalloped and ruffled all the way around. Embroidered with abstract orange blossoms. Machine sewn, but with much handwork."
Keywords: 1918, Lucy Duff Gordon as designer, bows, Lucy Duff Gordon, Lucile, Lucy Sutherland, Lady Duff Gordon, American, over-bodice, square neckline, bows, bodice, Empire waistline, under-bodice, strap sleeves, rosettes, over-skirt, midi-length skirt, under-skirt, maxi-length sleeves, floral bodice ornament