Charity Wedding Dress Helps Bride Connect with Late Mother and Support Hospice

Jo Johnson, like numerous brides, desired her mother’s significant presence during her wedding preparations. However, with her mother, June Kiely, having passed away nine years prior, Jo sought a method to incorporate her into the ceremony. She eventually discovered a means to both feel nearer to her mother and acknowledge the individuals who provided care for her in her final moments. June Kiely passed away at St Ann’s Hospice in Little Hulton, Salford, in 2015. As her wedding approached, Jo, aged 38, visited the charity’s bridal and vintage shop in Stockport. She described this as a “magic moment,” recognizing immediately that it was where she would discover her ideal wedding gown. According to Jo, acquiring her dress from the establishment served as “a really special way to include my mum but also to give back to the hospice for everything they’d done.” She stated that the hospice had provided her mother with “incredible care,” and upon entering the shop, she felt certain she was “doing the right thing.” “There were so many dresses and I must have tried every single style you can possibly think of,” she recounted. She mentioned being drawn to a particular vintage dress, which, when worn for her marriage to fiance Matt in August, made her feel “a million dollars.” She further commented, “People spend so much money on a wedding dress and never use it again, but the money I spent is going to do good.” The shop commenced its specialization in bridalwear in 2021, offering a diverse range of vintage dresses, with some dating back a century. Fernanda Da Costa, the shop manager, reported that approximately 10 to 12 prospective brides visit weekly, and she has witnessed “entire families crying with happiness” upon finding the ideal dress. “We have a selection of vintage dresses from different eras, starting from the 1920s,” she explained. “We also have some modern ones and the most expensive one is around £500. “Why spend about £2,000 on a dress when you only wear it once? “You can save money and still look amazing.”” Maria Malone, an industry expert, noted that the second-hand bridalwear market experienced nearly 10% growth in 2024. “The attitude to vintage clothing has changed,” she stated. “It’s different and it’s often better quality.”You can get some poor quality brand new wedding dresses. “When you get a vintage wedding dress, you get far better quality for your money.””