My mom’s dress came from the Lorraine Shop in Mankato. You’ll see my mom’s name, Arlene, written on the box cover.
I HAD HOPES, when the boxed vintage wedding dresses were stashed into the back of the van for the 120-mile trip from Vesta to Faribault, that one would fit my newly-engaged daughter.
My Aunt Marilyn’s bridal gown was shipped from New York to the Lorraine Shop in Mankato for 77 cents in 1961.
She’d asked that I bring them—her grandma’s and her Great Aunt Marilyn’s bridal gowns—back for her to try on.
The bodice of Aunt Marilyn’s dress with the slim waist.
But, alas, no matter that my daughter is tiny, she was not slim enough to be buttoned into Marilyn’s 1961 bridal gown. Besides, she thought the skirt too pouffy.
Just like the back of my aunt’s dress, my mom’s bridal gown closes with a long row of buttons.
And, although my mother’s 1954 dress was not quite as narrow, the fit was still too snug for comfort on my 27-year-old. But mostly, the bodice lace was itchy and comfort counts on your wedding day.
My parents, Vern and Arlene, on their September 25, 1954, wedding day.
So the bride-to-be has moved to Plan B, scheduling an appointment at Andrea’s Vintage Bridal in south Minneapolis. I am delighted with my daughter’s first shopping choice. I can easily envision my girl wearing something from a bygone era. It fits her down-to-earth style and personality.
Several times she’s expressed her desire to find a gown different from the norm and, most definitely, not a strapless one. I’m totally with her on that. At way too many weddings, I’ve watched brides tug at their strapless bodices to keep everything up and in place.
No matter what dress she eventually chooses, I am confident it will be the right choice for her. Not me. Not her sister. But her, my darling precious bride-to-be eldest daughter.
SHARE YOUR WEDDING dress story with us, or tips on how and where to find the “perfect” bridal gown. And, if you have a vintage bridal dress…
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I loved the wedding dress blog and it reminded me so much of the book Magic Room by Jeffrey Zaslow. The hunt for “the perfect dress” is a emotional journey and a process that takes time. Enjoy the ride!
Thank you, Sue. I’m not a shopper, meaning I hope the search does not take too long. But I expect I will enjoy this as I’m not the one trying on.
Audrey – Beautiful Post and here’s to your daughter finding her dress. Sue – have to agree that the Magic Room was a great read. Happy Monday:)
Thanks. Looks like I have another book to add to my reading list.
I think I had about every emotion going when I read that book.
Alright, now you really have me curious about that book.
Or she could have one of the dresses redesigned to fit her style and body. There is a new show on TLC called “something borrowed, something blue” that does that. See link below. They are looking for brides who want their family heirlooms to be redesigned. Does she want to be on TV?
http://m.tlc.com/tv/something-borrowed-something-new/videos/something-borrowed-something-new?page=0
I’ll pass this along to my daughter, but I can’t really see her wanting to be on TV. But then I’ve been wrong before…
It’s too bad neither of the heirloom gowns suited, but a vintage gown will be a lovely choice if she finds one that works. My daughter was a bridesmaid last week and the bride added straps to her strapless gown which made it much prettier (and more practical). I’m with you, I’m not a fan of the strapless trend. I think it’s hard for most girls to look good in strapless.
That was a considerate bride to add straps. I’m confident my daughter will find a dress that’s just right for her, whether vintage or new.
So sweet that you r daughter first wanted to try on some vintage dresses that belonged to her family. I think ladies were just so itty bitty back then. I couldnt have even fit my leg through my mom’s waist on her dress ( ok, maybe that’s a little exagerrated) My daughter tried on my dress which fit her, but it was way too dorky, I dont blame her but it was the style back then 🙂 Hope your daughter find just the perfect dress… for her 🙂
She did try on my dress, too. But like yours, it just was not a good style. I agree and wonder why I chose it 31 years ago.
After spending a couple of decades in the bridal business, I can testify that such shopping is extremely emotional and, unfortunately, can become downright hostile in some cases! The phrase “the devil’s in the details” really applies. Modifying/customizing a dress is something I did quite a lot (the dress “sales” can result in a fab buy and leave plenty of $$ to do the make-over). Enjoy the ride!! The best to you on YOUR search for that “perfect” dress, too!!! Hugs, D
Thanks, Doreen. I will certainly try to enjoy the experience and hope for the best (and quick) results.
One thing I have found (also) is that when a question is posed/input asked for That is a moment to tread carefully! Super amount of tact is required! Even if you have that “special” relationship with the bride somehow these moments are peculiarly “charged”! Just speaking from experience……again.
Thanks for this extra bit of advice. I will most assuredly remember that.
Not to belabor the point, but……..some type of weird “thing” happens, sometimes, on these shopping forays! Hugs, and thank you so much for the sweet b’day greeting…..I treasure you friendship more than I can express!! Uber hugs, D
Ah, Doreen, you have started my day off in the most splendid of ways.
:->
Great stories here about the search for the perfect wedding dress. I wore my mother in law’s dress which was simply beautiful. I probably would have made my own (with help from my mom) if my mother in law had not offered. It was a lovely ivory color when I wore it and fit without any alterations. NOT that I could get into it today but I did bring it back to Iowa with me after Dad died. It was such a wonderful thing that she did for me to offer for me to wear it. That made me really feel like part of the family. I can’t wait to hear how the shopping trip goes—-I am positive she will find the perfect dress!!!
What a wonderful gift from your mother-in-law. And that it fit without alterations made the choice even better. I doubt any of us would fit into our bridal gowns. Not me.
I was trying to find my maternal grandma’s dress for my daughter to try, but could not locate it at my mom’s house. Hmmmm, may need to check with my siblings. Also, I had thought of my mother-in-law’s dress for my daughter. But it was taken apart some 15 years or so ago and remade into a flower girl’s dress. I recall being asked if my girls would be interested in the dress someday, but asked and they weren’t. They may think differently today and it may not have fit. What is done cannot be undone.
Great advice, Jocelyn.
Also, thanks for the details on Grandma Betty’s dress. Sounds like it would not have been a good match for what Amber wants. And if it didn’t fit you, I expect it would not have fit her either as you both are tiny. Good that it could be reused as a flower girl dress. Kiera was so cute in her pretty dress.
I tried Grandma Helbling’s dress when I was shopping 8 years ago. You can assure Amber she probably wouldn’t have worn it as it was very heavy satin, strapless dress. There was a lace jacketthat was too narrow for my shoulders.
I believe Kiera wore it for Kristina’s wedding.
Hopefully, Amber can find a dress in a timely fashion with limited stress. It’s so easy to get caught up in the wedding planning fairytale concocted by the wedding industry. Planning for the marriage is so much more important that planning for the wedding, which is only one day. Marc and Amber have the support of friends and family which is critical for a long, loving marriage. Congrats to them!
-Joc
I know your daughter lives in Wisconsin. So here is another option for her. Vera’s House of Bridal in Madison, Wisconsin (voted the best place to buy a wedding gown in Wisconsin for the past 6 years) is offering Vera’s vintage bridal collection at their Janesville clearance center. See link for location and hours. Vintage is definitely the hot wedding trend for 2013. I hope she finds the dress of her dreams!
http://www.verasbridals.com/sub.php?Page=Text&PT=ContactUs
Yes, you are right that I have a daughter living in Wisconsin. But she is not the daughter who is getting married; she lives in Minneapolis. Thanks for the tip, though. Vera’s sounds like a great place, if only it was closer.
I did finally track down my maternal grandmother’s wedding dress, at my aunt’s house in Arkansas. My aunt sent photos and my daughter thinks it may work. Now…how to get the dress from Arkansas to Minnesota so she can try it on. Anyone from Minnesota heading to northwestern Arkansas and back anytime soon? I am serious, dear readers.