The women in my family have worn the same veil for many generations. My great-great-great grandmother wore it, and so on. Only one woman in the history of the family hasn't worn it, and she ended up being the black sheep that no one likes. The veil lives in a box in various garages in between weddings. It is so dirty and old and beige now and does not go with my white dress at all! It's also so old that if you look at it funny it might fall apart. The worst part is that it has beige lace all around the border - my wedding style is NO frill and NO lace because that's who I've been my whole life. Basically, it would make me ecstatic if this veil vanished... am I being completely selfish and off base? It sounds selfish even typing it, but I really hate that veil, and my grandmother may disown me if I don't wear it!
Oh my gosh....that's amazing! My family doesn't have any real traditions like that so I'm impressed it's been handed down all these years. Would it be possible to have the veil delicately cleaned by a professional fabric restorer? I've seen vintage wedding gowns restored to their original beauty and it's amazing what can be done. Maybe it'll return to it's original white/ivory color? Also, perhaps consider wearing the cleaned veil only for the ceremony, take one formal photograph with it on, then remove it for the rest of the photographs and reception? You can even put a small line in the program about it, to explain to your fiance's family why you're wearing a really mis-matched veil. Chances are, they'll think it's beautiful and connect more with your family. If all else fails, you can magically "forget" it on the wedding day. Good luck!!
That tradition sounds wonderful, but I can understand how it may also throw off your vision. Is there away you can put another veil on top of the old veil? Another option may be to some how incorporate the veil into your decor.
It is amazing how many generations have worn the veil! But I also do understand that it doesn't match the style of your wedding. I say wear the veil for the ceremony (it makes your day unique), but make sure to take lots of pictures without it before and after.
I love the idea of incorporating the veil either into your outfit in some other way, or into the decor. Because it's a beautiful tradition, but ultimately this is your wedding, and you should feel beautiful - and like *you* - on your day. I had a mildly similar situation at my wedding last year. My mother gave me an old jade pendant (one of those plain donut shaped pieces) from my grandmother. She didn't specify that it had to be that pendant, but she did want me to wear a jade necklace on my wedding day (for luck - we're Chinese). I didn't want to wear something so simple and generic-looking, but I went jade-jewelry shopping, and everything was totally not my style (dragons and buddhas, for one!). So, I decided to buy some jade beads and make my own necklace. It turned out to be unique and totally me, and I managed to incorporate my grandmother's pendant (you can see the necklace in our pictures). Anyway, I found a way to please my family but still be myself. Good luck!!!
We too have a family tradition like this, however it is a pair of very very very old pearl earrings which went out of style after the first wedding they were at. They have three large pearls with a chucky yellow gold setting. I don't wear and don't like yellow gold and the chunkyiness of these earrings are just so amazing (not in a good way)... It's funny how these traditions are both fabulous to have and a curse to have to try and deal with when the items themselves clash with who you are as an individual as opposed to what family you belong to. I'll wear them and I bet you will follow tradition as well. Good luck!!
To create a new account with a different email,click here
Congratulations!
Your WeddingWire account was created successfully and you have been signed in.
A confirmation email has been sent to you. You will need to confirm your account in order to sign back in to your WeddingWire account.
Check your spam folder if you do not see the confirmation email in your inbox. If you have not received an email within 1 hour please email us at support@weddingwire.com.
Special Offers Select the offers you would like to receive:
This Item is Inappropriate
