Wearing Mom's Wedding Dress to Church

 One of the treasures I did bring home from Limburg was Mom's wedding dress!

October 15, I wore it to Mass after I had it dry cleaned at Presstine Cleaners in Atlanta.

The dress was made out of a nice rayon georgette and I wear my black patent Escada sandals.

The dress originally came with train.

Mom's bridal bouquet looks like she was holding white stock or Matthiola Incana—also very fragrant!

In Dutch white stock is witte violieren...

Dad with a hat in his hand and gloves...

The day of the beginning of a Blissful Relationship—blessed by Dad's maternal Uncle—Heeroom.

Mom and Dad more up close.

Mom sure had lovely hair here and wearing her golden cross on a short necklace.

Those were the days of hats and Mom has worn many hats, especially when going to Church.

Her dress with train got later altered to a shorter version.

Can't recall if she wore it to certain events...

Dad had no camera of his own in the early years!

Photo taken after Mass by a friend.

Pieter wearing his silk Burberry suit that I also did bring back from Limburg...

The side seams of the top were let out by my sister, some 3 inches (7.5 cm). The dress is too wide for me now. 

At home one more WeFie in bright daylight...

Pieter wearing his Escada silk elephant tie.

This photo is from March 8, 1968 when I wore the dress with boots in Horst, Limburg...

Funny, I was 17, and above I am 71... just reversed numbers.

But I'm the only of 3 daughters that still can wear Mom's small sized dress!

Guess Mom was smiling down from heaven to see her wedding dress go to Church once more...

The History of the Bridal Gown

Not in white

It used to be unthinkable to buy a dress for one day. That only happened at court. 

Well into the twentieth century many brides married in black.

Even Pieter's late wife Thea did...

In front of the Church—also with hat and gloves in hand...

Don't understand where she left her gorgeous bridal bouquet.

Pieter with the bridal bouquet, full of orchids...

In 1983, when it was the rage to wear such black jackets—Pieter's 19 year old adopted daughter Liz, begged for the jacket of his wedding suit and Pieter gave in...

A handsome groom that stayed with Thea for 27 years—living like brother and sister...

BUT thanks to that, he wrote the mushroom bible and helped thousands to make a better living!

Everything has a reason in life and we both are grateful that God made us meet 53 years ago and we are happily married for a long time.

Related link:

{The Little Black Dress & My MOM} | previous post by me with Mom in her bridal gown

Both of us LOVE Elephants | previous post by me with Pieter's Escada elephant tie

FAMILY Treasures from Chef of Smulhuis in Brunssum/The Netherlands | previous post with Pieter's Mom also wearing a black bridal gown

Dad Sang Solo on Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary | previous post with Mom & Dad on their wedding day photos with Heeroom

FAMILY Treasures from Chef of Smulhuis in Brunssum/The Netherlands

 Thanks to the courtesy of Pieter's 2nd cousin, 3rd son of his maternal 1st cousin Thea, we received the wedding picture of Pieter's Parents. 

Jos Van de Worp is Chef at Cafetaria/Restaurant het Smulhuis or Smulhuis – van den Broek in Brunssum, The Netherlands.

The name of his beloved Granddaddy who started it, together with his Grandma (younger sister of Pieter's Mom).

June 17, 1924... black bridal gown!

In the center seated is Pieter's Dad Petrus Johannes Vedder to the left and his Mom Maria Margaretha Peer.

To the right of Pieter's Mom (the Bride) is Pieter's Paternal Grandma Johanna Christina Steenbreker and Grandpa Theodorus Wilhelmus Vedder

The Stonebreaker in Indonesia and Pieter's Paternal Grandmother's Name from my previous post (click on link)

Pieter never ever saw a picture of her... She died before Pieter was even born, less than two years after his Parents' wedding.

To the right, wearing a white blouse, is Pieter's Godmother Christina Vedder.

Second from left is Pieter's Godfather Jan (Johannes) Peer. 

Quite a treasure to have and so very special for my Pieter.

Leave it to a busy Chef, who already works 80-hours a week for handling this!

His beloved Grandma is the younger sister of Pieter's Mom, standing in–between bride and groom, also wearing a white blouse.

Both of us are very grateful to Jos Van de Worp!

Related link:

Found Father–in–law's Picture as a Dutch Border Guard in 1918 | previous post by me

Help needed in identifying these Dutch Grenswachters from Groesbeek, Gelderland | previous post by me

My Sewing Creation — My Bridal Gown with Damsel Sleeves

Just like to show you my sewing creation, my own Bridal Gown with Damsel Sleeves...

No don't worry; it was a long one but I had to climb up here for the photo!

Wearing silver Gabor shoes with my gown.

Found this in the German Burda magazine in a size 34 (4).

Wenn Sie besonders zierlich sind und ein wenig Ausgefallenes lieben, raten wir Ihnen zu diesem traumhaft schönen Kleid aus Qiana-Shantung. Die Extra-Schleppe (mit Druckknöpfen befestigt und leicht abnehmbar), die Saumrüsche und die hübschen Ärmel sind mit zarter Valenciennespitze eingefaßt. Stoffverbrauch für Größe 34 auf der Beilage.

Translated from German into English:
If you are particularly dainty and love a little unusual, we recommend you to this gorgeous dress from Qiana-Shantung. The extra drag (fastened with snaps and easily removed), the hem ruffle and the pretty sleeves are framed with delicate Valenciennes lace. Fabric usage for size 34 (4) you find in the description.

I had put the name of my late 1st husband on the Burda magazine's page... as soon as I selected this!

When I was only 15, as a girls group from the MBL - Meisjes Beweging Limburg - Girls Movement from Limburg, my Province in The Netherlands, we got dropped off from the back of a truck with flash lights and a list of things to ask, gather and accomplish.

That was FUN! Together with my best friend Ellie, we of course met some interesting boys from a town, only some 20 km (13 miles) away.

One of them was Jan Van Maris...

Sadly however, he got run over by a postal truck and killed a year later.

Frans Van Maris was his one year younger brother, whom I married.

This photo shows best the added Train with the lace all around.

As well as a clear view of those Damsel Sleeves.

The Bridal Bouquet was done by Frans' colleague Had Philipsen from Helden, The Netherlands.

Still got a photo from Stan Philipsen, his baby-boy but we lost touch.

Me, seated on the Ford Capri of my best friend Ellie's Dad who did drive us to Church.

Had Philipsen did artfully work in those pink Orchids!

My youngest 1st cousin on the Van den Munckhof side was my flower girl and I did make her dress as well. 

Had Philipsen created for her also a matching bouquet.

Entering the Church...

My 1st cousin turning around to see if I follow...

In–between I did manage to visit my Maternal Grandmother who also was my Godmother in the nursing home.

She was not up to being present all day...

During reception time.

My Paternal Grandmother to my left and me with my very long hair and fresh flowers being worked into it.

Yes, that is Pieter, my present husband — then boss, congratulating all of us.

From this photo already 4 are residing in heaven; my late husband Frans, my Mom to his right and my Paternal Grandmother... And since June 30, 2019, also my Dad.

Photos are fond memories and keep such special moments alive forever.

By the way, this dress still fits perfectly...

Thanks for visiting!

Related post:

{Mom was only 50 days short of her 7th Dialysis Anniversary} | Here I had shown you some photos of Mom and me on my wedding day...

{My Teacher, Mentor, BOSS & Husband over 44+ Years} | How I met my husband Pieter...
{Angels engraved on lucky calendar coin of 1969} | About Pieter and me...

{Mom was only 50 days short of her 7th Dialysis Anniversary}

Mom was so very close to making it into a record for completing her 7th Dialysis Anniversary; only 50 days short!

My beautiful Mom, opening the front door of Afhangweg 8 in Horst, The Netherlands for my 'late' husband -– on my wedding day. 

She is so happy looking and this is the house where she came back to, for her last breath.

Mom in Church on my wedding day, with my baby-brother Jan to the left...

It was on February 9, 1973...

Mom congratulating me after Church... 

Looking oh so happy and for sure she is now together in heaven with my late husband Frans...

~

“The things you can take with you: Love, Trust, Respect, Joy. The things you leave behind: Everything else.”  ― Robert Charles Waldron

Mom during the reception, where guests do present the gifts.

My Paternal Grandmother is seated here and the lady with the black/red dress was my aunt, married to Dad's younger brother. She too went to heaven after having had kidney problems and going through dialysis...

My hair was till my waist at that time!

I will show you my self made simple wedding dress another time.

~

“We should keep the dead before our eyes, and honor them as though still living” ― Confucius

The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone. - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Those are great quotes...

Those that attacked us for NOT showing up at Mom's funeral, due to Pieter's health issues because of heart cramps, and me still going to rehab for my hand, we forgive their act of bitterness.

May they too find the Peace that is in our hearts!

{The Little Black Dress & My MOM}

Ever since I read this page in The Costco Connection of May, 2012 I had this post in mind. Writing about The Little Black Dress and fond Childhood Memories of my dear Mom.

It is so true that FASHIONS COME and go but the timeless little black dress has survived decades of trends.

My Mom got married in a black dress in February of 1949. After WWII there was not much, therefore they had to postpone everything. Working hard and saving for their big day, finally after dating for seven years, my Parents could marry. 

My sister Diny still has that wedding dress, a beautiful black rayon georgette.

When I was about 9 years old I had to travel by bus with my Mom each year for a check up for my eyes. That was in the city of Venlo, The Netherlands at the hospital where the eye doctor was. Afterwards Mom always went with me to the large department store of V&D, for a cup of coffee with something sweet. It was also for her a special day off. That was so much fun; just the TWO of us... At the next department store of C&A she found a beautiful Little Black Dress in velvet (also available in a Bordeaux color). Mom asked me to zip up the long zipper in the back, which I did. She loved to be elegant but it was nearly impossible with seven kids, me being the 2nd born and eldest alive out of eight. But I can close my eyes and see her turning proud and pretty in front of the mirror...

I found her SO beautiful, she radiated such happiness, just for a moment enjoying the other, more elegant world. Then she would ask me to open up the long zipper again and she stepped out of her Little Black Dress. Gone was the moment of glamour and luxury and with the bus she rode back into her own world of hard work in the greenhouses, on the fields and in the house. Never an escape, no vacations, pure devotion to her family. Nothing luxurious, but wearing her apron with pride and only on Sundays she would dress up, complete with an elegant hat for going to Church with us. Guess that I'm the only one with my hats to enjoy the same...

We are blessed for still having her with us, even with her limited freedom due to the kidney dialysis three times weekly.

My Mom... She lived a hard life, as during the Great Depression she was sent to a big farmstead as a maid; at the tender age of 14. Just imagine... being away from your Parents and on your own in servitude.

She worked hard and long days, and her dream of studying and becoming a seamstress, never materialized. No money, no time and with WWII coming all dreams were shattered.

NO FREEDOM...

Everybody at that time had poverty, there was absolutely no luxury.

The young generation would not be able to live through such times.

In a way, my Parents have been away from their Parents as a teen. Dad too, at the age of 15 he went into servitude, and they worked long days and for that they got food and shelter, a simple bed and a little pocket money. They still managed to save. 

I have always admired Mom's skills, from her great hand writing, to knitting sweaters and socks. Also crocheting fine lace doilies or baking the most delicious pies for us on Sundays. She was a great cook and when we came walking home from school for lunch (12:00-13:30 o'clock) the smell of her home made tomato soup with sauteed onions made us put a spring in our steps. 

On Sundays she cooked a soup that is still being served at fine restaurants and for weddings. 

She felt so proud for feeding her family and I learned a lot from her!

A true role model and of course I wish she could have enjoyed her younger years more.

But she was not alone... so many of her age never had any luxuries.

There are even today many countries where there is nothing but the basics of life.

A good thing for pondering about, as once again our Thanksgiving is coming close.

A feast for family, for being grateful to God for the love, the strength and high ethics that stayed with our Parents and Grandparents and let us pray we will keep their exemplary culture alive.

Closing with a photo where Mom is proudly wearing a beautiful brocade suit that we together found in Atlanta at the Outlet of JC Penney when they were in the USA with us. And I, with my Apriori7 suit from the Escada Company Store.

Mom also wears her Majorica pearls that we gifted her in December of 1983.

This was at my Parents' garden.

Fond memories...

{One Thousand and One Nights for BRIDES}

As you all know from reading my header above this very blog, we have worked all over the globe as international consultants. That made us a kind of gypsy in a way. It also broadens your horizon in a positive way. One of the aspects is that you can shop in Australia, Singapore, in México City all in a short period of time. That opens your eyes even more in regard to fashion and it certainly does widen your horizon. For those that never left their own continent, the rest of the world's fashion is kind of hidden.

For example, the different ways brides dress up for THE most important day(s) is sometimes like a fairytale of One Thousand and One Nights. Look for yourself how Lili a former staff member of the Indonesian company looked on her wedding day.

Quite different from what most of you have seen so far I guess...

Very exotic looking!

To me, the most incredible brides can be seen in India and surrounding areas.

Look here for Indian Pakistani Bridal

 and here: Pure Silk Georgette Sarees as formal wear

Bridal Gowns is another great post

Hope you enjoyed this Fashion trip with me. Wish you had seen as many exotic brides as we have in different parts of the world. Those images remain forever in our memory.

In Mysore India we saw brides. Also at the Taj Palace Hotel where we stayed in Dehli. In the Jakarta Hyatt Aryaduta hotel in Indonesia we saw brides, as well as in Cape Town, South Africa...

June used to be the most popular Wedding month.

Hence the saying June Bride.

We even got a rose named like that!