A Wedding veils Story
How one Family Turned Moms Bridal Gown into a Lasting Heirloom Veil.
Mom Lisa, October 17, 1992
The Family’s Wedding History
Dwayne and Lisa, the parents of Jenny and Allie, were married on October 17, 1992. Over the years, their daughters dreamed of their own wedding days, inspired by their parents' love story. Jenny tied the knot with John on March 24, 2023, and Allie wed David on August 3, 2024. These dates became not just memories but important markers in a family tradition that continues to grow with each generation.
Saving the Dress for the Future
Lisa’s decision to save her wedding dress was intentional. “It was the first actual wedding dress in the family,” Lisa explained. However, she knew that passing down the entire gown might not work as trends and styles evolved. To preserve its sentimental value, Lisa had the lace from the hem of her dress carefully moved up, allowing the material to be reused by her daughters in whatever way suited their style.
This thoughtful preparation meant that a piece of her wedding day would live on, even as her daughters created their own unique bridal looks.
A New Idea: The Heirloom Veil
For Jenny and Allie, the idea of incorporating their mother’s dress into their weddings was deeply meaningful. Allie reflected on growing up watching her parents’ wedding video and imagining her own big day: “We always loved the idea of having something from their wedding on our own wedding days. Since my mom, sister, and I all have very different styles, wearing the full dress would have been difficult. Turning the lace from our mom's dress into a veil allowed us to carry that piece of their marriage with us while still choosing the dress that suited each of us best.”
Jenny shared a similar sentiment, saying, “We grew up looking at the pictures and watching the video, and we loved the idea of having something of mom’s with us as we walked down the aisle.” Though neither sister felt the full gown fit their vision, the idea of using the lace to create a veil offered a perfect solution.
The sisters attended a bridal expo in Costa Mesa with their mother, where they discovered Hannah Kanani Bridal, owned by designer Olga Napohaku. They shared their idea with Olga, and the journey to create a family heirloom began.
Walking Down the Aisle with History
On their wedding days, both Jenny and Allie wore the lace veil that their mother’s dress had become. For both brides, the experience was emotionally powerful. “It was really special to have this family element in my wedding attire,” Allie said. Jenny agreed, adding, “Having the lace from mom’s dress made it even more special to walk down the aisle with our parents.”
Their mother, Lisa, was filled with pride and a sense of continuity: “We were starting a new tradition. I was glad something from my own wedding was able to be repurposed considering the difference in styles between the decades.”
Even their father, Dwayne, was moved by the sight of his daughters wearing part of their mother’s wedding dress. “ I was excited for my daughters and their new husbands’ future, proud of the women they both have become, and amazed by how beautiful my daughters looked walking down the aisle in their gowns and the veil with their mother’s wedding dress lace.”
The Emotional Impact on the Grooms and Family
For the grooms, John and David, seeing their brides wearing the family’s heirloom veil added to the magic of the day. John, reflecting on his first look at Jenny, said, “At our first look, I could barely form words. She took my breath away. When I saw her walking down the aisle, all I could think was, there she is, we did it, that’s my wife.”
David, too, was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw Allie on their wedding day: “It felt like I was finally getting something that I had been waiting for for years. Allie looked so beautiful.”
Continuing the Tradition for Future Generations
The veil, created from the lace of Lisa’s wedding dress, now stands as a beautiful family tradition. It carries the love story of Dwayne and Lisa into the future while allowing their daughters to create their own unique moments. The heirloom veil will likely become a treasured piece that future generations of this family will cherish, each adding their own memories to the lace that has already witnessed so much love.
Hannah Kanani Bridal: Crafting Modern Heirlooms
At Hannah Kanani Bridal, we believe in the power of storytelling through design. By repurposing family heirlooms or creating bespoke bridal accessories, we help brides like Jenny and Allie honor their family’s history while embracing their personal style. Whether it's lace from a gown, a vintage brooch, or any other meaningful piece, we specialize in transforming these elements into beautiful veils and accessories that carry a legacy forward.
Your wedding day is more than a moment in time—it’s a celebration of the past, present, and future. Let us help you create an heirloom that will be cherished for generations to come. Contact us today to begin designing a meaningful piece that reflects your love story.
Daughter Jenny, March 2023 Daughter Lisa, March 2024
A Special Thank You
I want to thank Dwayne, Lisa, Jenny, John, Allie, and David for being so candid and giving your time to all of us. I especially want to thank Dwayne and Lisa for anticipating something special for your children. I’m sure your loving gift will inspire others to create an heirloom so they stay connected to their next generations.
My warmest regard,
Olga from HKB
