Fourteenth: Missing Mom
One of my great passions is working with vintage bridal accessories. My ideas are endless when I see beautiful old pieces. I love to recreate them or design them into something fresh and new. Often what fuels my passion is the story behind the piece itself.
Shannon Post sharing the memories of her mother's wedding day with Headpiece.com
Megan Dreher came to Headpiece.com with the hope of using her mom's veil on her wedding day. Her mother's veil had never been preserved and was quite discolored. The netting was brittle and had many tiny holes throughout.
“I always knew that I wanted to incorporate something of my mom’s into my wedding day.”
Patricia "Patti" Dreher, passed away at twenty nine years old when Megan was just two.
Megan's mom married in March of 1975. Her dad gave her away in a bell-sleeved gown which is fashionable today. I am a lover of good old fashioned wedding millinery. Juliet caps have a romantic flair and are currently being requested by my clients. I consider Patti's wedding fashion to be timeless.
JIm and Patti Dreher toasting on their wedding day.
"It was never my intention to use her headpiece, as it was really not my style. However, when I showed the headpiece to you... I remember you told me how beautiful you thought it was and that you could update it for me," said Megan.
““I desperately wanted to wear something from my mom’s wedding. I entrusted you with the piece.””
"I was blown away with the result. The detail of the beading, lace, and crystal was beyond anything I had imagined. Immediately the headpiece became my most favorite and treasured accessory on my wedding day."
The intricate beading and stone work we added to Patti's juliet cap transformed it into something really special.
“I felt amazing! It was absolutely beautiful...and of course, brought tears to my eyes knowing that I was wearing the same headpiece she had worn on her wedding day.”
Many brides have stood out throughout my career, and certain photos are unforgettable to me. This depiction is one of them. I loved this bride. I loved this design project. I never met her grandmother, but I think I loved her too.
"My Nana was my maternal grandmother. She was very special to me, as she and my grandfather helped my father raise my brother and I after my mom passed. I remember taking this picture like it was yesterday, and I knew I would treasure it forever," said Megan.
Shannon Post is one of the reasons I love to go to work every day. My designs are a part of me. Then they become a part of someone else.
Shannon came to Headpiece.com with a heartfelt request to include her mother's wedding gown in her wedding day. I will never forget our first meeting. Shannon came in with her friend Lauren. She brought the lace train from her mother's handmade wedding gown and asked me if we could create something from it. She tearfully said, "I'm so sorry. My mom was supposed to be here with me." Shannon's mom had passed away after a courageous battle with cancer just six weeks before her visit to Headpiece.com.
Shannon and her mom dancing at a family wedding in October 2016
A beautiful Mother's Day selfie taken in 2015
Together, Shannon and her mom, Jackie, chose the most beautiful wedding gown!
Jacqueline Bakker and Rich Post were married on September 27th, 1975 at St. Anthony's Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
I get quite emotional when I see this photo of Shannon and her mom's lace wedding gown train. My love for garment design often brings me to imaginary places. With heirloom garments, I look at the fabrics, the technique of construction, the coloring, and breathe in the vintage scent. I write the story in my mind of how I think it was originally worn. Often designing a vintage garment into something new is difficult for me. I don't want to change the history of its wear. I overcome this feeling by picturing the joy of the next chapter.
This lace train was in pristine condition. I pinned it to my dress form and admired its beauty!
After our consultation, Shannon decided to use her mom's wedding gown train to design her bridal veil.
The lace was cut precisely and pinned to perfectly mirror the pattern on each side of the veil.
When I use a vintage headpiece or veil for design, I save every scrap of history to return to the client. Nothing gets thrown out.
Few of my client's know that I do my design work on an old metal Singer sewing machine. It is the machine I learned to sew on at age nine. Yes, there are more efficient sewing machines, but none share our history.
“I hope you find a way to show me that you are here. ”
"The veil was the only thing I hadn't seen yet. We designed it. It was like a surprise. I was at a red light on Valley Road and read your text---Veil is ready!"
"I was driving at the normal speed. There were no bumps. My mom's Mass card was in my visor and fell into my lap. It had never fallen or moved before."
“Thank you Mom. I needed that!”
Wedding Photography by George Street Photography
"I felt her there. I knew I didn't have to worry about anything. I knew she would make my day perfect because a huge part was missing."
"I thought I would be an emotional wreck. I was so happy. I didn't cry once. It was the happiest day of my life!"
Shannon's veil is striking! The story of her wedding veil will now become a part of her family history.
I love this picture of Shannon and her dad. I wonder what they were thinking.
Often we see photos of the bride and groom under the veil. This one is different. This day they were wrapped in the veil of a mother's love.
I would like to thank Megan and Shannon for sharing their stories. I am sure it wasn't easy to do. In the words of Shannon's friend Lauren, "Oh Shannon, she would have loved to see this. She would be so honored." ---Thank you both for the honor!
Next month on the Fourteenth:
Lace Lovers