Alice Morrison wore this dress on May 11, 1871, when she was married at her parents' home, located at the southwest corner of Tennessee and Vermont Streets in Indianapolis.

The style of the skirt is typical of the late 1860s and early 1870s, when the fullness was gathered up in the back and a bustle was worn to support accentuated draping on the hips.

In the 1800s, it was common for brides to wear colorful dresses on their wedding day. The tradition often called for the bride to wear the wedding dress to various balls and receptions during the first year of her marriage.