A froth of wedding dresses drew the crowds to a Harpenden church last weekend - and there was more to the exhibition than just showing how fashions have changed.

For each of the 30-plus wedding dresses from 1930 to 2009 on display at St Mary’s Church in Kinsbourne Green was accompanied by a photo from the wedding at which they were worn and the stories behind them.

And on Sunday 10 couples renewed their wedding vows in a ceremony in the middle of the display of dresses and the accompanying flower festival.

Associate vicar, the Rev Becky Leach, said: “We are only a small church and it was lovely. The reason we held it was because we had just had National Marriage Week and Valentine’s Day.”

The exhibition was the brainchild of parishioner Shirley Barber who came up with the idea last year. With her large team of helpers, she persuaded people to lend their wedding dresses and tell the stories that went with them.

Becky added: “I was surprised that so many people had their wedding dresses but it turned out very well.”