3 Ways You Can Use Your Custom Wedding Dress to Honor a Loved One

Did you know that you can use the design of your wedding dress to honor someone you love? By choosing to go custom, your gown can convey the importance of someone in your life who may have passed before your wedding day. 

Many brides choose to save a chair at their wedding and reception with a photo of someone they wish could be present at their wedding. Some also create prayers, show slideshows or even wear a gown passed down in their family. I have a wedding dress from the late 1800s given to me by my mother in law and I’ve even incorporated the fabric or lace from a loved one’s wedding dress in my DreamBride’s wedding gown, but did you know there is an even more simple way to honor them? 

Before getting engaged, I knew I wanted to honor my 3-day-old son, Hillkiah, who passed away in 2012. I shared with my now husband my feelings and he agreed that it made sense and we settled on our wedding colors as a way to pay tribute to him. My engagement ring is an aquamarine stone with diamond accents, making it a unique part of our love story but I also wanted to wear a baby/sky blue wedding gown. 

After designing 5 gowns, one of which was a sky blue mikado mermaid gown, I decided the last gown I designed would be the perfect way to honor my son. I created an off-white off-the-shoulder ballgown with lace appliques, beading, sequins, and a skirt lined with baby blue tulle with scattered Swarovski crystals. My gown was perfect and like nothing I had ever seen, making it uniquely me. 

So now that you know what I did, here are three more ideas for honoring someone with the design of your wedding dress:

1. Use their design as inspiration for your wedding dress. Did your grandma wear a tea-length wedding dress? Let’s work together on designing your inspired replica. At your reception, share a photo of your grandmother in the original so all your guests know who you got your style from. 
2. Did someone in your life have a favorite color? Have me design a custom gown in that same color or add beading to your gown in the same color. 
3. Still have the veil your favorite Aunt wore on her big day? I can use some of the fabric from it for your gown, making a sash or an overlay depending on how it’s held up over the years. Alternatively, we can use the lace or beads from the veil on your gown or your own veil. 

Do you have someone you’d like to honor on your big day? Let me know in the comments! 

Have an idea for your dream wedding dress and need help bringing it to life? Let’s get started with your sketch! Click here to purchase your sketch.