Wearing your mother's wedding dress can be a thing of dreams, or nightmares. Some wedding dresses do not age well and are often out of style. You (or your mom) may or may not want to alter the dress's original form, but you also may want a more modern wedding gown. If you are having a hard time deciding if you should wear your mom's wedding dress, answer these questions to help you decide.
What condition is the dress in?
If the wedding dress was your mother's or possibly even your grandmother's, the fabric may not be in the best shape. Even if a dress has been stored in perfect conditions, it is likely to have some discoloration. Fabric weakens over time, and the condition of the dress may not allow for it to be altered in any way. There will probably still be parts of the dress that can be used, but there is also a possibility that altering the dress can destroy it completely. Which brings us to the next question…
Do you want to keep the dress mostly original or completely alter it?
If the dress is still in great condition, you may decide you want to wear it as is. However, chances are you will want or need to make at least some alterations to the dress. Before making changes to the dress, you will want to make sure that your mom, grandmother, or whoever has primary possession of the dress, will be okay with those changes. If the dress is a family heirloom that is intended to be passed down for years, you may not want to totally alter the dress.
Are there any elements of the dress you could use without changing the whole thing?
If the dress can't be altered, whether that's due to condition or preference, you may be able to incorporate some of the elements from the dress into your wedding in another way. If the dress isn't in the best condition, you may be able to use some the fabric or beading to wrap your bouquet. Sew a patch from the dress into your own dress or add some of the lace to your own.
Does the dress fit your body shape, size, and personal style?
Let's face it, not all of us are built the same as our mom. In some cases, your mom's dress could still be altered to fit you, but sometimes there is only so much a seamstress can do. Your mom's dress may not fit your body shape properly, or it may just not fit your personal style. That's okay. See about wearing her veil or some of her jewelry instead.
In the end, the choice to wear your mother's dress lies with you. If you have dreamed of wearing your mom's gown since you were a little girl, find a way to make it work, and wear it! If you think it will be better for you to get a new dress, and then add in touches from your mom's gown, give it a try! Wear what makes you comfortable. You'll look gorgeous either way!
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