George Boyle
There is a long-standing tradition of brides wearing their mother's wedding dress on their special day. However, this is not always the case, as some brides may prefer a more modern style or the dress may not fit. Some brides choose to repurpose their mother's wedding dress, either by altering it to fit their style or using the fabric for accessories or decorations. In some cases, mothers may also choose to wear their own mother's wedding dress or a modified version of it to their daughter's wedding. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, wearing and repurposing mother's wedding dresses is a sentimental way to incorporate family traditions into a wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brides wearing their mother's wedding dress | It happens, but it's not very common |
| Reasons for wearing mother's dress | Sentimental value, financial reasons, lack of other options |
| Reasons for not wearing mother's dress | Style, size, colour, condition, pressure from mother |
| Alternatives to wearing the dress | Using the fabric for accessories, decor, or a flower girl/christening gown |
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What You'll Learn
Brides who wore their mother's wedding dress
There are several brides who chose to wear their mother's wedding dress on their special day. Here are some of their stories:
Dawn Markley
Dawn Markley wore her mother's wedding dress from 1987 to tie the knot in 2018. She always wanted to wear her mother's dress since she was a little girl. She got the dress altered a bit to make it hers. She said that getting to wear her mother's dress was her favourite part of her wedding day.
Erica Peterson
Erica Peterson wore her mother's wedding dress from 1981 for her wedding in 2018. She initially lacked the vision to see beyond the high neckline and puffy, lacy sleeves. However, she soon came around to the idea and had a friend alter the dress by dropping the neckline, making the sleeves fitted, and lowering the back opening.
Erica Anderson
Erica Anderson wore her mother's wedding dress from the 60s for her wedding in 2015. She had originally planned for a beach wedding but changed the venue to a backyard gathering. The original dress she planned to wear would not have arrived in time for the new arrangements, so she tried on her mother's dress, which fit her perfectly with only slight alterations.
While some brides dream of wearing their mother's wedding dress, others prefer to have their own dress. Some brides have also chosen to incorporate elements of their mother's dress into their own, such as using the lace from their mother's gown for their dress and the ring bearer's pillow.
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Brides who altered their mother's wedding dress
While some brides choose to wear their mother's wedding dress as is, others opt for alterations to make it more suited to their style and personality. Here are the stories of some brides who altered their mother's wedding dress for their special day:
Erica Peterson
Erica wore her mother's wedding dress from 1981 for her own wedding in 2018. She initially lacked the vision to see beyond the high neckline and puffy, lacy sleeves. However, she eventually sketched out some modifications, which included dropping the neckline, fitting the sleeves, and lowering the back opening. The alterations transformed the dress into a style that Erica felt comfortable in while still honouring her mother's original gown.
Barbara and Andrea Pollard
Andrea wore her mother Barbara's wedding dress, which had been preserved for over 30 years. It took almost a year of planning and design to repurpose the dress for Andrea's wedding. While the exact alterations are not mentioned, it is clear that Barbara's dress was significantly modified to suit Andrea's taste and the current fashion trends.
Dawn Markley
Dawn wore her mother's wedding dress from 1987 for her wedding in 2018. While the dress fit her perfectly, she had it altered slightly to make it feel like her own. The specific changes she made are not mentioned, but they likely added a modern twist to the original design.
Erica Anderson
Erica wore her mother's wedding dress from the 1960s for her backyard wedding in 2015. The dress required only slight alterations to fit her perfectly. The simple modifications allowed Erica to incorporate her mother's dress into her wedding while also reflecting her unique style.
Hannah Bloom
Hannah did not wear her mother-in-law Nel Bloom's wedding dress from 1992 as her wedding gown. Instead, she altered it into a mini dress for her wedding welcome party. Hannah kept the intricate details of the original dress while transforming it into a more modern style. She also preserved the train and mid-section of the original dress so that Nel could make it into a skirt to wear on anniversaries.
These stories showcase how brides can creatively alter their mother's wedding dress to make it their own. Whether it's through significant modifications or slight tweaks, these brides found ways to incorporate sentimentality and personal style into their wedding attire.
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Brides who didn't wear their mother's wedding dress
While some brides choose to wear their mother's wedding dress, there are several reasons why others decide not to. One of the most common reasons is style-related. Brides-to-be may feel that their mother's dress is not fashionable or does not align with their personal style. For instance, one bride mentioned that she knew she would "never" wear her mother's dress because it did not fit her style. Similarly, another bride stated that she wanted a big ball gown for her wedding, which was different from her mother's dress style.
Another reason brides opt not to wear their mother's wedding dress is size-related. Some brides may find that their mother's dress does not fit them, or they may not be the same size as their mother, making alterations challenging. In addition, some brides may prefer to have a unique dress made specifically for them, especially if their mother's dress is outdated or requires extensive modifications.
In some cases, brides may choose not to wear their mother's wedding dress due to sentimental reasons. For example, a bride may want to create new memories with a dress of their own or may have a sister or another family member whose dress holds more sentimental value. Additionally, some brides may opt for a non-traditional outfit, such as a pant suit, a high-waisted skirt with a crop top, or a non-white dress, which differs from their mother's wedding dress.
Lastly, practicality may play a role in the decision. Some brides may feel that preserving or storing their mother's wedding dress for future use is impractical or unnecessary, especially if they are unsure their future daughter would want to wear it. Instead, they may choose to sell or donate the dress or have a baby's christening gown made from it.
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Brides who repurposed their mother's wedding dress
Many brides choose to repurpose their mother's wedding dress as a way to incorporate family traditions into their special day. While some brides wear the exact look their mothers wore, others opt for modifications to modernise the dress or turn it into something else entirely.
Brides who wore their mother's wedding dress with modifications
Dacia Di Gerolamo-Toth wore her mother Leis Di Gerolamo's 1994 wedding dress to her rehearsal dinner. She had the dress shortened, the waistline raised, and the sleeves adjusted to suit her petite frame. Similarly, Erica Peterson wore her mother's 1981 wedding dress in 2018 after modifying the neckline, sleeves, and back to make it more suitable to her style.
Some brides opt to repurpose their mother's wedding dress into something other than a wedding dress. For example, a bride could use the fabric to create accessories such as a bridal bouquet wrap, a ring bearer pillow, a wedding dress patch, or a clutch to hold during the reception. Alternatively, the fabric could be used to create a bridal robe or a flower girl's dress.
Brides who wore their mother's wedding dress without modifications
Some brides have been able to wear their mother's wedding dress without making any modifications. For example, Dawn Markley wore her mother's wedding dress from 1987 for her wedding in 2018. The dress had been preserved for over 30 years and fit her perfectly. Similarly, Erica Anderson wore her mother's wedding dress from the 1960s for her backyard wedding in 2015. The dress required only slight alterations to fit her perfectly.
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Brides who wore their grandmother's wedding dress
There are many brides who have chosen to wear their grandmother's wedding dress on their big day. This choice can be a very special way to honour family history and create a unique connection between the bride and her grandmother.
One such bride is Tafelski, who wore her grandmother's wedding dress from 1961. The dress featured a scalloped neckline, long sleeves, and a lace-edged skirt. Tafelski paired the dress with a tiara and a simple veil, creating a timeless and elegant look. Tafelski's mother also wore this dress for her wedding, making Tafelski the third generation to wear it. She shared that her family was happy and proud that she incorporated such a special piece of family history into her wedding day.
Another bride, Erica Anderson, wore her mother's wedding dress from the 1960s for her wedding in 2015. Anderson's dress required only minor alterations to fit her perfectly. She shared that it was special to have her father walk her down the aisle in the same dress that her mother wore when they married.
Nicole Diaz is another example of a bride who wore her grandmother's wedding dress. For her 2017 wedding, Diaz wore a dress handmade by her grandmother, who was a seamstress. The dress was altered slightly from its original design, with the high neckline removed for a more modern look.
Christina Moffet is also worth mentioning. She wore her grandmother's dress from 1956 and shared that it "felt exactly right" as soon as she put it on.
These brides showcase how wearing a grandmother's wedding dress can be a meaningful and unique choice for a bride. It allows them to connect with their family's history and create new memories with a dress that holds sentimental value.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some brides choose to wear their mother's wedding dress as a way to honour their family and include them in their special day. However, it is not a very common practice.
Many brides are discouraged from wearing their mother's wedding dress due to differences in style, size, and the condition of the dress.
There are many ways to repurpose your mother's wedding dress and include it in your wedding. You can use the fabric to create accessories, such as a veil, a clutch, or a handkerchief for your mother. You can also use the fabric as part of your altar décor or to create rosettes for your hair or gown.
Depending on the condition and fit of the dress, you may be able to make small alterations such as shortening the length or removing the sleeves. For more significant changes, a skilled seamstress can transform the gown into a unique dress for your wedding or other pre-wedding events.
If you want to incorporate your mother's wedding dress into your wedding but don't want to wear it yourself, consider using it for your flower girl's outfit. You can also pass down the dress to future generations, as some brides have worn their grandmother's wedding dress with minor alterations.
