Before and After: Redoing my mom's 80's dress

I got engaged late December 2014, and started talking with her right after that. She had a lot of other stuff going on, and even had surgery on her hand in the middle of it, so it took her the full 6 months to do it. But she absolutely could have gotten it down in a few weeks if it was the ONLY thing she was working on, and if I was around her during the process. I lived 4 hours from her so I was only able to try it on a few times when I went back to my hometown during the engagement for her to make any adjustments.

ETA: You have over a year away, but I would start on it right away. You never know what kind of issues you will run in to

It looks amazing!! Almost makes me want to find someone to redo my mom's totally 80s dress I love love love how the back turned out.

Incredible ~~ you did an AMAZING job!

That is just so amazing - I love it! Everyone in my family was teeny when they got married so this was not a possibility for me, but it is so cool.

Wow!! Your dress turned out amazing!! I love that you took a chance and went with it!! Again, gorgeous!

I've told you many times, but I'm in love with this dress. I looks so beautiful on you and I love how you made sure to use every single part of the dress in some way.

Omg. the back of your dress is S T U N N I N G !!!

What a great job of redesigning a special dress! You looked beautiful in it.

Since I was marrying an antique dealer (in 1987), I wanted an antique or vintage gown. I found a 1940s gown at a vintage clothing shop ($75). Owner loaned me a tea-length crinoline for under it. It was almost a perfect fit, only had to be taken in a little. And I had the train cut off and the whole thing shortened to tea length (for an afternoon garden wedding). Alterations $25. I don't remember how much the dry cleaning was, but they lost some of the beading. A co-worker of mine found another seamstress who had a supply of vintage seed pearls and crystals and she fixed it 2 days before the wedding. Total for everything was probably less than $150.

@Nancy T - That's awesome that you did a vintage dress! And at such a great price

It is absolutely gorgeous, she did an awesome job. You looked beautiful in it.

Wow! this is awesome! it really turned out great. that's special.

Great job, just wow. you're lucky you mom's dress was in suck great condition.

Absolutely stunning!!

@FFW (just noticed you changed your name?) the dress was intact, but VERY dirty! I found a very good cleaners

The transformation is amazing! The dress turned out so well, I love the lace detail on the back.

I almost wore a veil like you mom did. I like the look of the veils with the poof in the back

you're right about finding a good seamstress- I think this is true no matter what!

you look great in the dress

Lol that veil was way too..... 80s for me

She actually still has the veil. But it's in horrible condition. And there's no way I would have worn it lol

Damn that dress looks good!

This is so cool! It turned out beautifully! I thought about doing something with my mom's dress since it had sleeves too, and a lot of material to work with.

@Chantel it's totally doable!