The story of Rose’s wedding dress
When you dream of your wedding dress, did you ever think you could find the perfect dress in a charity shop? Kim, one of our brilliant retail volunteers at St Wilfrid’s Hospice, shares the story of how her daughter, Rose, found her dream wedding dress at St Wilfrid’s charity shops.
Rose’s Wedding Dress
“I was told that there was a wedding area being set up upstairs at St Wilfrid’s shop in Terminus Road, and as a volunteer at the Chidham shop, I was fascinated to see what was there! Rose, my daughter thought it would be fun to try a few on, especially as she had no idea what she was looking for.
There were so many! We found three totally different styles to try on. Two were obviously not her; but the third ‘felt right’ and she said made her ‘happy’. However, we left it and went to our ‘proper’ bridal boutique appointments.
One dress there stood out as a favourite, but Rose wanted another look at the St Wilfrid’s dress, which she thought would make a great wedding story, and she felt was just as suitable as the other.
When we examined the dress there was minor damage to the hem, BUT under six petticoats was a blue embroidered rose. Rose turned to me and said, ‘Mum, it’s my dress’.
We had a seamstress mend the hem, remodel the bodice, which was too big, and add matching removable sleeves for a church wedding, so that on the day the dress was perfect. Rose took enormous pleasure telling the guests where her dress came from and was able to enjoy herself without the fear of damaging a very expensive frock.
We would recommend having a look, think outside the box, reuse, recycle, and know your purchase is helping to fund a good cause, plus look amazing on your wedding day”.
