Mother-Daughter Moment: A Wedding Dress That’s Something Borrowed and Something New

I hate to admit it but: I hate going to weddings. I know it’s really selfish of me- it’s supposed to be about the couple getting married (although it’s often about the bride.) I always remind myself that I’m there to support the couple, but I can’t help but feel insignificant and like no one would notice if I wasn’t there. For these reasons, I’m making it my mission to not only focus on style and incorporating Jason’s and my personalities and story into our wedding- I want to make sure every person that attends feels important and knows that he or she has played an integral role in our lives and relationship. Jason and I have different ideas planned for different people. Jason’s dad is going to be his best man, and of course, I’m having a daddy-daughter dance (although I have something extra-special planned for this that my dad doesn’t know about! One word: loopplabs.) Today I came up with a great way to include Jason’s mom (which I can’t say anything about because she reads my blog !) and the perfect way to include my mom.

My mom has been pushing her wedding dress on me since the day she found out Jas and I were engaged. Although she looked beautiful in her 1970′s long-sleeved lace gown, I’ve always dreamed of a simple chiffon strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline. Even though I’ve refused multiple times, my mom keeps trying to coerce me into deconstructing her dress to incorporate into mine. I honestly wouldn’t feel right taking apart her dress- no matter how much sentimental value it would add to mine. Today I stumbled upon a photoshoot by Annika of AE Pictures Inc on The Wedding Chicks that made a light bulb go off on how to make my room feel special without desecrating her wedding dress.

My mom has this beautiful light sage green mascot (or cocktail) dress in the material identical to the image above, a few shades darker. This dress is invaluable to me. I was the little girl who, starting at age 3, tried on all of the beautiful clothes and shoes in my mother’s closet; I dug through her jewelry box like I was hunting for treasure. I thought it was my little secret, but she easily recognized my early love for fashion. She introduced me to the family cedar chest, and pulled out a perfectly preserved long, sage green tulle gown- exactly the color of my eyes. She let me try on this vintage treasure, and we had a mini “fashion shoot”. Because I was only 3, the photos depict me setting in the dress at the top of a stairwell at my Godmother’s house, the layers of tulle cascading down the steps. My look was completed with layers of my mom’s antique off-white pearls, a gold bow in my blond, shoulder-length hair, and the biggest grin. Needless to say, this was an unforgettable mother-daughter moment. To pay homage to this indelible moment, I plan on incorporating a layer of the sage crinoline underneath my a-line dress! (I also want the sparkly gold shoes above- they remind me of my bow!)

Not only did this image give me a great idea to honor my mom, the images from the rest of the photoshoot are providing great inspiration for my wedding decor!

My decor scheme will have a rustic, vintage feel and include lots of white lace, antique mercury glass, shades of green, and pewter and gold metallics. This is a big change from my former pink-and-gold-centered scheme, but I think this will be much for fitting for my fiance and me (we share green as a favorite color!) and more appropriate for the time of year our wedding- September.

What do you think of my wedding concept and new theme inspiration?

Credit:

Photography: Annika of AE Pictures Inc.

Floral Designer and Event Stylist: Aimee Lomeli Designs

Location: Pring Hill Farm, Petaluma CA

Dress: Vintage

Images: via The Wedding Chicks