A bondage bridal fair featuring rubber wedding dresses risks “damaging” the sanctity of marriage, a priest has claimed.
Hundreds of blushing brides-to-be are set to descend on Brighton for the fetish-themed Quaint, Queer or Weird Wedding Spectacular on Sunday.
According to organisers, the show’s must-sees will include a fetish trio parading in wedding dresses and a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired bridal corset designed by a firm called Angels Carrying Savage Weapons.
But Father Ray Blake, a Catholic priest at St Mary Magdalen Church in Upper North Street, Brighton, labelled the 18 plus event as “bizarre”.
He said: “Sexual fantasies belong in the bedroom, not at the wedding altar.
“Marriage is ultimately about building a stable environment for the procreation of children.
“It’s supposed to be about partnership, but this event seems to be designed for the fulfilment of individuals.
“From a Catholic point of view, marriage is sacred and I think dressing up in fantasy outfits risks damaging that.”
The show, themed Bygone to Bondage, will be hosted by Dawn Gracie, the self-styled Ring Mistress of Ceremonies.
Guests will be transported to the event through a “Narnia- inspired entrance”, with free alcoholic shots handed out on |the door.
But the fair’s organiser, Lesley Taylor, claimed she herself was a regular churchgoer and said many of Father Blake’s views were “spot on”.
She said: “I’m married, I’ve taken those vows and they are very important to me.
“I’m not encouraging people to turn up at the altar in bondage gear, but I am saying there are options out there.
“I agree with a lot of what he says but I feel there is a growing desire for weddings where people want to be individual. I think Brighton can handle it.”
Doors open on Sunday at 10.30am until 4.30pm at Proud Cabaret, St George’s Street, Brighton. Tickets are £5 on the door.
For more information visit www.quaintqueerweird.com.
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