Grandma In Tears After Seeing Her Wedding Dress Altered To Chic Co-Ord By Granddaughter, A Discussion Online Ensues
As the days fly by, the seasons change, we can’t deny the fact that times are changing. Fashions are coming in and out of style à la revolving door, with trends that were dominating 20 years ago coming around again.
This TikToker wanted to move with the times and decided to alter her 3rd-generation heirloom wedding dress fundamentally. Grandma seems to have loved the alterations, but netizens have grabbed each other by the throat and fallen into the mud to wrestle about this woman’s dress.
More info: TikTok
This TikToker had her grandmom’s and mom’s wedding dress redesigned, turning it into a chic two-piece for her wedding rehearsal
Image credits: @brittanyltibbs
Her grandmom was shocked upon seeing it, shouting “oh my god,” and “no way,” upon seeing it, but quickly broke into tears, embracing the bride
Image credits: @brittanyltibbs
In the rest of the video Brittany showed off how she altered the dress and how it looked on her grandmom and mom
Image credits: @brittanyltibbs
Watch the original video here:
@brittanyltibbs3rd generation wedding dress turned into a rehersal dress🤍✨♬ A Thousand Years (Instrumental Version) – Wedding Music Experts & Instrumental Love Songs & Cover Classics
Wedding dress alteration is a whole process, with them being refreshed, reinforced, and modernized according to the bride’s tastes
This woman has taken the vintage dress worn by her mom and grandmom and altered it from a traditional wedding gown to a trendy and chic two-piece co-ord.
Grandma was shocked, involuntarily shouting out “oh my God,” and mouthing “no way” in disbelief afterwards. But it seems that this was a good kind of surprise, with them warmly embracing, grandma having burst into tears.
Not everyone agreed with the alteration, with some peeps online commenting that the dress is beautiful and whatnot, but that they couldn’t ever do that, with others making slightly more inflamed comments.
The topic of wedding dress alteration is important for every bride-to-be. To ensure that it fits as best as it can and looks beautiful in every way, it likely has to be altered at least once, whether it’s an off-the-rack or a tailor-made dress, which still has to be perfected after the first fitting.
According to Brides, every dress has to be altered, because even if it’s pricey, it won’t look much better than a gown the tenth of its cost if it’s not properly fitted to the bride’s body.
Furthermore, these fittings are so important that you shouldn’t forget to budget for them, as they may set you back anywhere from $50 to $1000, taking a significant amount of time, as long as an hour or more for the first fitting.
But “what if I’ve got a vintage heirloom and am wondering whether and how to alter it” you say? We’re here to help with some pointers from real masters for you to read up on.
To get some expert opinions about altering wedding dresses, Bored Panda reached out to The Bridal Finery, an Orlando bridal shop specializing in custom designer wedding dresses, and their Operations Coordinator, Brittany Bergeron, graciously answered our questions.
According to Brittany, altering a family heirloom heirloom dress is an exceptional way to incorporate and pay tribute to the amazing women in a bride’s life on her wedding day. Altering an heirloom is a great way to personalize it, making it original and modern yet still retaining the sentiment.
“In my opinion, altering an heirloom gown to your preference is the perfect way to bring in your “something old” instead of the alternative; the gown stowed away untouched and unseen for years to come.”
Consulting the previous wearers should be up to the bride. If they know that they appreciate the modern looks, the surprise they’d get would be something else. Conversely, if they’re a bit on the conservative side, it’s best to ask – you wouldn’t want them to feel overlooked because you didn’t consult with them on this.
Image credits: @brittanyltibbs
According to Brittany, there are many ways to alter a wedding dress, with typical alterations including taking in, hem, and bustle.
Brides can expect to pay around $1000 for these alterations, potentially more or less, depending on their location and how many changes and fittings the gown requires.
“The pro of these alterations is that they are very standard! These are the classic tailoring needs for wedding dresses that most bridal seamstresses can do in their sleep.”
There are pretty much no cons to these alterations, especially if you already love your wedding dress.
“Other types of wedding dress alterations include custom changes. This is where alterations get pricey,” Brittany continues.
Custom changes that are popular with brides are adding sleeves, changing necklines, moving zippers, adding lace appliques, and even major changes like making their trains detachable.
It’s at this point that research about your seamstress becomes critical. Brides must make sure that the seamstress has the dexterity for these changes.
Custom alterations make a wedding dress original and unique, but there are downsides like the increased price and the risk of your seamstress not having the skills to tailor the dress in the perfect way you’d want.
When you’re ready to begin looking into wedding dress alteration, “it’s a process from start to finish,” Brittany explains.
“I would start by searching “Wedding Dress Seamstress” or “Wedding Dress Alterations” in your area.”
This is important as not all seamstresses have the skills of altering wedding dresses or certain fabrics. The best seamstresses, in this case, are dressmakers or ones who have extended experience with pattern making and beaded/lace gowns.
After that, you should narrow your search by looking at the reviews, hopefully with client responses and pictures of the seamstress’s work.
When you find a seamstress that seems suitable – look at their website if they have one. They should have about pages with their experience, credentials, previous work, and testimonials.
Lastly, Brittany provides a list of questions that you should ask your seamstress to give you some peace of mind and make sure that the seamstress is right for you.
- “Have you altered a gown by ____ designer before?”
- “What percentage of your business is bridal alterations?” This is assuming they do
- other alterations as well.
- “What’s the average price of your wedding dress alterations: hem, bustle, taking in?”
- “Do you offer custom changes such as adding sleeves, replacing mesh, closing in a
- neckline, etc?”
- “Do you have experience with altering beaded and lace gowns?”
- “Do you have experience in altering vintage fabrics and gowns?”
- “How long before the wedding do you like to start alterations?”
If you’ve got any more questions, you’re likely to find answers to them in The Bridal Finery’s Alterations guide (including some tips for your wedding day!).
The original TikTok collected over 11 million views, with 2 million likes and upwards of 3000 comments. Commenters were split on the dress, with some saying that it looks amazing and others saying that it’s worthless now. What are your thoughts? Perhaps you had your own wedding dress redesigned? Let the world know in the comments.
The community was divided on the alterations, with some saying that they would love to do something like this and the other half saying “never ever”
I think my only problem is that she turned something Classically beautiful into something that is limitly trendy. Most likely no one will wear it after her.
Yeah, nothing against alteration to make it look a bit more modern, or even reusing the fabric. That has been the way of dresses for centuries before fabric became cheap. Better than rotting in a wardrobe bever to be worn again. But there is no way that dress can be used again as a dress after it has been cut into a super short two piece. End of the line. Sorry potential fourth generation.
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Ok she turned that beautiful dress into something that screams one of those unhinged Britney spinning around videos.
She ruined the dress, it was lovely before, now it looks like she bought it from Shein.
I couldn’t put my finger on it but you're absolutely right. It does look like a Shein set.
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Turned it from beautiful and classy and elegant to.. honestly quite ugly and cheap looking. Such a shame.
It's a hideous alteration! Those weird puffy sleeves and a mini skirt look stupid now, let alone being able to hand it down. Short-sighted and tacky
She should've left the dress as is, maybe losing the detachable train, and worn it for the wedding and worn something else for the rehearsal. The belly baring top and miniskirt look cheap and trashy.
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Why though? I get she technically owns it now, but did she ask her grandma if she'd be okay with the dress being altered? And in my opinion it just looks kinda cheap now
If I'd said yes to altering it, I would not have meant that. I think it says volumes that she altered it for the rehearsal and not the wedding. I think she was trying to incorporate a dress she didn't at all like (maybe she was being pressured to wear it) but she didn't do so in a respectful way. It's a shame. She could have made it strapless and knee length for the rehearsal and it would have been classic and at least remained wearable. But she went with fast fashion so someday her daughter will have a nice handkerchief.
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I'd like to make friends. I'm Josh and it's nice to meet you all. How's everyone? 😊
To each his own, but that's a terrible alteration. Something vintage and classy turned mildly trendy and flashy. I hate it.
I thought the grandma was crying because it was so hideous. Im glad it had a happier ending
I think the proportions are off. If the top had been shorter and the skirt kept long, it would have been much more flattering.
I think it's terrible that she cut the dress like that, it looks so cheap now. I could never have done that to my grandmother's dress. I wouldn't have changed a thing except to make it fit my body. The original dress was gorgeous. I would have been ashamed to alter it into something like that
The photos make it look like it was a long sleeve when grandma wore it. I can't tell if that's the gloves, or if her mom altered it first. I think it would have looked better if she altered it to be off the shoulder and maybe made the neckline less dramatic of a heart shape.
I think she should have discussed it with the original owners of the dress before doing this. That's a relatively simple pattern; it would not have been difficult for her to custom order a dress like that without using a family heirloom. Seems like the mum and granny weren't really pleased, but put on a brave face for the bride as to not cause conflict.
I collect 1950s skirts and dresses and it breaks my heart when they have been altered to make them shorter in the 60s and 70s. Sometimes it is well done, but most of the time the cut doesn't fit the pattern, the bust design or the sleeves, and you can jusy tell it wasn't made that way in the first place.
If she was given that dress, it's her right to alter it, but it's insensitive and disrespectful to alter it so aggressively without asking the previous owner. Plus, that original dress was GORGEOUS, I'd wear it to my wedding. What she turned it into didn't look good at all. Like others said, it's trendy and there's not enough material to make further changes. Nobody will get this dress after her. She was in her right to do this, but it was an inconsiderate choice and bad fashion taste too.
I think it's a sweet thing. I get y other people would say otherwise and I personally think that creating the dress to be ur own while using is makes the dress grow and change with the family and shows the personal touches from each generation making it *theirs* while also being a family heirloom
I like that she altered it it is beautiful but I also like the one from before I mean its beautiful
My mom had been saving her wedding dress for me when I got married. She got married in the 90s and loved her dress. I would have altered the sleeves a bit but otherwise it was beautiful (she was also a size 2 and I am...not so that would have needed adjustment as well). Well, I never even got the chance to wear or even alter it for my wedding as it was stolen a few years a go when my parent's house was robbed. She was heartbroken :(
I think my only problem is that she turned something Classically beautiful into something that is limitly trendy. Most likely no one will wear it after her.
Yeah, nothing against alteration to make it look a bit more modern, or even reusing the fabric. That has been the way of dresses for centuries before fabric became cheap. Better than rotting in a wardrobe bever to be worn again. But there is no way that dress can be used again as a dress after it has been cut into a super short two piece. End of the line. Sorry potential fourth generation.
Load More Replies... Ok she turned that beautiful dress into something that screams one of those unhinged Britney spinning around videos.
She ruined the dress, it was lovely before, now it looks like she bought it from Shein.
I couldn’t put my finger on it but you're absolutely right. It does look like a Shein set.
Load More Replies... Turned it from beautiful and classy and elegant to.. honestly quite ugly and cheap looking. Such a shame.
It's a hideous alteration! Those weird puffy sleeves and a mini skirt look stupid now, let alone being able to hand it down. Short-sighted and tacky
She should've left the dress as is, maybe losing the detachable train, and worn it for the wedding and worn something else for the rehearsal. The belly baring top and miniskirt look cheap and trashy.
Load More Replies... Why though? I get she technically owns it now, but did she ask her grandma if she'd be okay with the dress being altered? And in my opinion it just looks kinda cheap now
If I'd said yes to altering it, I would not have meant that. I think it says volumes that she altered it for the rehearsal and not the wedding. I think she was trying to incorporate a dress she didn't at all like (maybe she was being pressured to wear it) but she didn't do so in a respectful way. It's a shame. She could have made it strapless and knee length for the rehearsal and it would have been classic and at least remained wearable. But she went with fast fashion so someday her daughter will have a nice handkerchief.
Load More Replies... I'd like to make friends. I'm Josh and it's nice to meet you all. How's everyone? 😊
To each his own, but that's a terrible alteration. Something vintage and classy turned mildly trendy and flashy. I hate it.
I thought the grandma was crying because it was so hideous. Im glad it had a happier ending
I think the proportions are off. If the top had been shorter and the skirt kept long, it would have been much more flattering.
I think it's terrible that she cut the dress like that, it looks so cheap now. I could never have done that to my grandmother's dress. I wouldn't have changed a thing except to make it fit my body. The original dress was gorgeous. I would have been ashamed to alter it into something like that
The photos make it look like it was a long sleeve when grandma wore it. I can't tell if that's the gloves, or if her mom altered it first. I think it would have looked better if she altered it to be off the shoulder and maybe made the neckline less dramatic of a heart shape.
I think she should have discussed it with the original owners of the dress before doing this. That's a relatively simple pattern; it would not have been difficult for her to custom order a dress like that without using a family heirloom. Seems like the mum and granny weren't really pleased, but put on a brave face for the bride as to not cause conflict.
I collect 1950s skirts and dresses and it breaks my heart when they have been altered to make them shorter in the 60s and 70s. Sometimes it is well done, but most of the time the cut doesn't fit the pattern, the bust design or the sleeves, and you can jusy tell it wasn't made that way in the first place.
If she was given that dress, it's her right to alter it, but it's insensitive and disrespectful to alter it so aggressively without asking the previous owner. Plus, that original dress was GORGEOUS, I'd wear it to my wedding. What she turned it into didn't look good at all. Like others said, it's trendy and there's not enough material to make further changes. Nobody will get this dress after her. She was in her right to do this, but it was an inconsiderate choice and bad fashion taste too.
I think it's a sweet thing. I get y other people would say otherwise and I personally think that creating the dress to be ur own while using is makes the dress grow and change with the family and shows the personal touches from each generation making it *theirs* while also being a family heirloom
I like that she altered it it is beautiful but I also like the one from before I mean its beautiful
My mom had been saving her wedding dress for me when I got married. She got married in the 90s and loved her dress. I would have altered the sleeves a bit but otherwise it was beautiful (she was also a size 2 and I am...not so that would have needed adjustment as well). Well, I never even got the chance to wear or even alter it for my wedding as it was stolen a few years a go when my parent's house was robbed. She was heartbroken :(
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