Silk Taffeta and Silk Blonde Lace Wedding Ensemble, Mid 19th Century

This wedding ensemble from circa 1841 - 1843 was crafted in the United State of America and was made from silk taffeta and blonde lace. Elizabeth Tyler, daughter of President John Tyler and First Lady Letitia Christian Tyler, married William Waller in an intimate White House ceremony on January 31, 1842. Though no exact details of Elizabeth’s wedding gown remain, this ensemble depicts the style of the decade, with sloping shoulders, an elongated, small waist, full skirt, and an exposed neckline. The blonde lace, silk, and restrained style is reminiscent of the few words illustrating Elizabeth Tyler's gown on the day of her nuptials.