I've had it in a box for years. Although I wore her dress, I did not wear the veil. I kept it safe though, thinking one day .....
It's really beautiful. Still.
The head piece is made out of my mother's christening cap and the bridal shop perfectly matched the lace to that in 1952. The newspaper account of my parents' wedding described the veil in detail as "a Juliet cap of Brussels lace to hold her matching lace veil of illlusion to her hair."
Happily, Maggie has decided to wear it, but without the cap. Like my mother's dress that I shortened for my day, we (gingerly) altered her veil for Maggie's day.
Beforehand, I asked Mom how she felt about me changing it. Practical woman that she is, "Why wouldn't you? Do whatever she wants. Give it another twirl!"
Fitting, that just like Mom, the veil gets another dance.
Oh my goodness. I don't know if it's the pollen or your post...but I suddenly have tears in my eyes! What a beautiful picture of your mother on her wedding day. And what a gift that veil is, Charlotte. It's beautiful. My best wishes for this upcoming wedding.... looking forward to the pictures!
Posted by: Linda Jo | April 12, 2011 at 11:58 AM
How typical of your Mom to make this wonderful comment. Can't wait to see the beautiful bride!
Posted by: barneypark | April 12, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Sweetest little story. I know Maggie will feel so special walking down the aisle in her grandmother's veil. What a beautiful legacy.
Posted by: Claudia Small | April 12, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Wow, what a beautiful bride & the veil is gorgeous. It's so special that it will be used again. Your home must be overflowing in excitement. Hugs.
Posted by: Troy Louise | April 12, 2011 at 03:00 PM
What a glorious photo and what a special legacy INDEED!! How special!!
Posted by: LindaSonia | April 12, 2011 at 03:36 PM
How about a picture of you in that dress? (I cant believe you shortened it!) Your mom was stunning.....they just don't make those like they used to...SO much classier than the cr*p they show on Say Yes to the Dress!
Posted by: Bernie | April 12, 2011 at 03:53 PM
The veil is so beautiful and your mom looking stunning in the dress and veil...as I know you must have looked stunning too in the dress and maggie will look equally stunning in the veil too...it not just the material things that make us look awesome, it's the love that is glowing through you gals on that special day for all to see...thank you for sharing it with us... ;O)
Posted by: Marlene | April 12, 2011 at 03:56 PM
This looks so much like the veil I got to wear in 1990 that was my mother in law's brought by her father from Europe during WWII. Beautiful.
Posted by: Carol | April 12, 2011 at 03:57 PM
thanks- the link in the first paragraph takes you to me on my wedding day - in her shortened dress, getting married at our house, with my sweet dad taking me down the steps/aisle. o, so long ago! sadly, the dress didnt survive the day - tent wedding on the driveway in the rain ruined the bottom of the dress. but the most fun night!
Posted by: charlotte | April 12, 2011 at 04:00 PM
How very special, Charlotte. Your Mother's veil is a true vintage beauty. Really looking forward to seeing wedding photos of Maggie wearing that beautiful veil.
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | April 12, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Beautiful veil. How special that it will be worn again!
Posted by: Janet Ghio | April 12, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Hello Charlotte,
Thanks for sharing the link to your wedding again. Love that post!
This veil is awesome! Can't wait to see the transformation...
The flowers embroidered on the veil look familiar...they remind me the ones you make with felt...love them!
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | April 12, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Such a beautiful veil.I can't wait to see the transformation.Just love your Mom's attitude.It will be such a special day.
Posted by: ginny | April 12, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Your mom is the best! I can just picture her saying that too! (Even though we have never met, the pics you have posted of her-- I'm sure she is still quite the firecracker!)
Posted by: Mary | April 12, 2011 at 08:24 PM
I had tears in my eyes like Linda Jo...that may be the sweetest thing I have read in a long time.
I am holding all of you in my heart through Saturday.
xoxo
Posted by: jone | April 12, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Oh my what a lovely picture of your Mom in a very beautiful dress and the veil....is just exquisite.
They did a great job shortening the dress for you, it looked perfect!
You should have a triptych made of the three of you.
Thank you for all of your updates, it is so thrilling to read. I am so happy for you and your family.
Posted by: Laura | April 13, 2011 at 09:30 AM
Beautiful, timeless dress and veil.
Loved this post!
Posted by: Dawn | April 13, 2011 at 09:58 AM
All is can say is *sigh* xox
Posted by: linda warlyn | April 13, 2011 at 04:28 PM
how wonderful your daughter will wear your mother's veil;restyled of course. my daughter is getting married in june and is wearing my mother's wedding dress. Such a poinant time of life made more special by daughters who appreciate their heritage. Joyous beyond words!
Gerri
Posted by: Gerri | April 13, 2011 at 08:09 PM
What a lovely touch - brought a little tear to my eye!
Posted by: Jeanelle | April 13, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Beautiful veil! It seems a lot of girls don't think as much about the veils any more. One lady I knew used her wedding dress to make her daughters blessing dress, and did something with it for her bapitism dress (we baptise when children are 8) and then they used some of the lace on the daughters wedding dress some how. I wish that I had had the forsite to do something like that. Although... I have 3 daughters!
Tell your daughter good luck and wonderful blessings on her special day!
Posted by: Jean C. | April 14, 2011 at 07:29 AM
Have a wonderful wedding weekend! And all our love to Maggie and her new husband. I know she will be a beautiful bride, Andy an emotional Dad, and you, your wonderful sweet sentimental self with a vintage hankie in clenched hand.
Love, Connie
Posted by: connie | April 14, 2011 at 09:05 AM
Your wedding was so much fun Charlotte! And I am so sorry to be missing this one.
Posted by: Nicki Dwyer | April 15, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Gorgeous veil...it is wonderful that it will be used by Maggie. I wore my Mom's wedding gown too...a lot like your Mom's...beautiful satin.
Your Mom's wedding picture is gorgeous! I hope you have a wonderful wedding and wish Maggie, her husband and the entire family much joy!
:)
Posted by: Laura @ 52 FLEA | April 15, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I love this. How special.
Posted by: {beth} | April 16, 2011 at 09:03 PM
I love wedding stories like this.
May the veil and dress have many many more twirls down the years.
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | April 17, 2011 at 04:00 PM
This makes me cry! You lucky, lucky women!
Posted by: Laurie | April 17, 2011 at 07:06 PM
That is so special, Charlotte. Your mother looks so beautiful in her wedding dress. She was beautiful then and she is beautiful now!
I didn't wear my mother's veil but I was given it when she died. Jud surprised me and framed it. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite things. It is similar to your mom's...maybe around the same time. He framed it against slightly off-white satin.
Such a special thing to have this passed down like this!
Fondly,
Suz
Posted by: Katsui Jewelry | April 18, 2011 at 01:53 AM
What a family treasure you have in that lovely veil. I have enjoyed looking around your blog!
Posted by: Jeannie B. | April 20, 2011 at 07:19 PM