Saturday, January 4, 2014

Engagements and Wedding Dresses

 

Many of you know my son, Tony, because of his blog Tony's Nutrition Tips.  And if you've been reading my blog for awhile then you know about Tony's struggle with weight and how he lost 85 pounds, got healthy and fit, and started dating the girl he had wanted to date since he first met her in 5th grade.  If you've never read Tony's story, go check it out.
 
Anyway, I am so pleased and thrilled to announce that Tony and Alex recently got engaged.  We are so happy for them, and excited to welcome Alex into our family.  She's beautiful and sweet and she's good for Tony.  Having Alex in his life is the best thing that ever happened to him. 
 
 
 
They aren't planning on getting married for about 2 years yet.  Alex needs to finish nursing school next year and Tony has a little over a year and a half left before he finishes his degree in Dietetics. 
 
 
In the meantime, we have plenty of time to start planning a wedding, and almost immediately talk turned to wedding dresses.  I still have my wedding dress.  We got married in 1985 and after the wedding I had my dress cleaned and I placed it in a box and stuffed it in the crawlspace in the attic.  I also boxed up my wedding hat - who else got married in the 80's and wore a hat and not a veil?    The crawlspace is probably not the best place for such a treasure, but that's where it's sat for 28 years. 
 
Just for fun I went upstairs and pulled all the crap out of the crawlspace and dug out the boxes with my dress and hat.  Everything is in surprisingly good shape, very clean, just extremely wrinkled.  I brought it downstairs and told Alex to go try it on.  Aren't they cute?
 
 
 
So just for kicks I decided to try my dress on too - just to see if I could.....
 

And it still fits!  I can even button it.   It's a little snug but not bad for 28 years....

 
Ok, so here is what I'm thinking.  The thing I really loved about my dress was the peek-a-boo lace window panel on the train.  You can see it just to the left of my feet.  I thought maybe I'd somehow cut out the panel and frame it with one of our wedding photos.  Then I wanted to take the rest of the dress and make 2 wedding purses out of the satin and lace.  One purse for Alex and put another one away for Chablis for when her time comes.  Chablis also mentioned that she's like to take a small piece of my dress and save it to pin inside her wedding dress someday.  Or maybe I should make wedding pillows?   I was also toying with the idea of making Tony a handkerchief.  There's a lot of material there and a lot of possibilities and I have no problem with cutting up my dress to make keepsakes.  I don't know.  I'm looking for suggestions.  What do you think?    

26 comments:

  1. Congrats to everyone! This will be an exciting time! Your dress is beautiful. How great it didn't "shrink" in 28 years ;). I had a cousin get married '87, and she wore a hat too. I don't think I could cut up my dress, but then again it is nice to make such special keepsakes like you mentioned. Keep us posted.

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    1. Thanks Diane. I'll have a twinge of hesitation before the first cut I think, but once I start I'll be glad I did it.

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  2. I think it is a great idea...that is if you can cut it up without any regrets!! I have two wedding dresses in the attic!! You could make a hanky for Chablis to put in her garter for her something old! I know I couldn't fit into my first wedding dress in 1981. Hopefully I could fit in the most recent on (1997) I think I have finally lost weight and should be the same size or smaller for then...now you have me thinking...why am I keeping these? Jess is married already so maybe it's time to clean out my attic too!!!!! Have fun Kim.....Google it and see if you can find any more suggestion!....like maybe a Mother of the brides dress if you have it dyed to the color you like!!

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  3. Use some of the fabric and lace to make a baby christening hat for those future babies you hope will come along

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  4. Good grief you are AMAZING!!!!! I can't even tell you how many sizes bigger I've gotten in 28 years! Freaking amazing. I love the idea of making purses, and a small applique for inside Chablis' dress. There is enough fabric to make a whole christening gown, and that would be a lovely tradition if you like the idea. What happy, exciting times for you all!

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    1. Yes, I like the christening gown idea a lot. Thanks Gail!

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  5. Congrats to Tony and Alex! I read Tony's post about his amazing weight lost journey. That took a lot of determination and hard work but he looks great! Loved your wedding dress. I married in 1974 and I wore a hat too! My hat and wedding dress are boxed away too. We have no children to pass it down to unfortunately. I loved my wedding dress. It was on the cover of a bridal magazine and I was so fortunate to find it in my hometown's only bridal store. I paid $450 for it. A fortune back then. I like your idea of making bridal purses out of your wedding dress. And luckily you to fit into your gown after 28 years. Most of us can't do that. I spent most of my life thin but my love of sweet and not being as active caught up with me. But I'm working on losing the extra weight and slowly am having some success. Enjoyed your post Kim. It was fun and loved seeing your son, Tony, so happy!

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    1. Thank you Sandy. I am so happy for Tony because he has really made a huge difference in his own life. That's why he's going to school to become a dietitian - he wants to help others who are going through what he did for years.

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  6. Congrats to your son and his fiancee! That's funny, I got married in 1985 too. I didn't have a hat though, just a veil attached to a headpiece. And my dress was cleaned and put in a box too, but I haven't opened it since! I know for sure I wouldn't fit in my wedding dress, so that's great you still can.

    I like your idea of using pieces of your wedding dress for your kids weddings. I'm not as creative as you, but maybe by the time my daughter gets married I can do something special for her with mine.

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    1. Thanks Linda - I only hope I can actually make something that's going to look good. What I see in my head and what actually gets made are sometimes 2 different things. LOL.

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  7. Awesome that you can fit into it. I have lost 12 pounds in the last few months and feel so great. Don't know what the heck I was waiting for.

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  8. I love your ideas, Kim! I've also heard of making a baby's christening gown out of wedding dresses. I was living in England when I got married and sent my bouquet to a company who pressed it and my husband's boutonniere and then framed them in a beautiful oval gilt frame on a background piece of my wedding dress satin (I designed my own dress and had leftover fabric).

    Congrats to Alex and Tony...they are just too cute together! Wishing them many blessings. xoxoxo

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    1. Thank you Carey. I love your idea with the bouquet and boutonniere.

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  9. Congrats to your handsome son and (almost) DIL. I went over and read Tony' story (thanks for sharing the link) and was honestly taken aback. You've every right to be so incredibly proud of that young man, Kim!

    Oh!, and you look amazing in the wedding dress! That must've been a fun afternoon. :)

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    1. Thank you Myra. I could not be more proud of this young man and what he has accomplished. God has special plans for him and his life.

      And yes, we had a riot trying on the dress. Alex was genuinely touched that I let her try it on.

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  10. Congrats to Tony and Alex! I am so happy for them and know they are a sweet couple! And look how cute you look in your wedding dress. You have not changed at all....you look so young and you are so tiny! I like your ideas for your dress. I know it will be hard to cut it though but it would be nice for both of your kids to have something made from it! How special! Take care...hope you are still feeling good! Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Diane - Yes, I think the first cut of the dress will be the hardest, but really, what am I saving it for??

      Feel better sweetie!

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  11. I think all of the ideas are absolutely wonderful!! Good for you, Kim!! fitting into your dress! Wow!!
    How fun to plan for a wedding.
    Big hugs to you.
    Debbie
    xo

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    1. Hi Debbie- How are you doing?? Are you getting snow up by you? We've gotten hit this weekend. xo

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    2. Woo Wee Mama! Congrats on still fitting into your wedding dress. Rambob is the same size as he was when he graduated high school 35+ years ago. Me? Let's just change the subject ;) Soooo congrats to Tony and ALex. That's so awesome

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  12. Congrats Tony! and such great ideas for the dress! I like the purse ideas.

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