A bride turned her mom's wedding dress from 1985 into a modern gown with a sheer bodice and dramatic train

Samantha GrindellDec 4, 2021, 19:36 IST

Erika Redding updated her mother's wedding dress from the 1980s for her own wedding.Yours Truly Media

Erika Redding and Christel Wekon-Kemeni got married on September 5, 2021.
Redding wore her mother's wedding dress from 1985 to the Atlanta, Georgia, nuptials.

Erika Redding and Christel Wekon-Kemeni met at the University of Miami.

They've been together for over seven years.Yours Truly Media

Wekon-Kemeni proposed to Redding the day he graduated from medical school.

They got engaged in 2019.Yours Truly Media

Redding said she "always wanted to wear" her mother's wedding dress on the day she got married.

Redding knew she wanted to wear her mom's dress.Erika Redding

Redding worked with a seamstress to turn the dress into the gown of her dreams.

She transformed the dress.Yours Truly Media

The original bodice became a form-fitting V neck that featured modern lace.

The top of the dress was completely different.Yours Truly Media

James also had to dye the additional lace to ensure it matched the original dress.

James dyed the lace.Yours Truly Media

The updated dress had a new back, but the original skirt remained intact.

Redding didn't change the skirt.Yours Truly Media

Redding paired the dress with a floor-length veil.

A floor-length veil completed the look.Yours Truly Media

James dyed Redding's wedding shoes as well.

The shoes were originally white.Yours Truly Media

The dress wasn't ready until just two days before Redding said 'I do.'

Remaking the dress was a process.Yours Truly Media

"It was perfect," Redding said of the final look.

She loved the updated gown.Yours Truly Media

Redding's mother loved the gown's transformation.

Redding and her mother at the wedding.Yours Truly Media

Wekon-Kemeni didn't see Redding's dress until the ceremony.

They didn't do a first look.Yours Truly Media

Wekon-Kemeni wore a patterned tuxedo jacket to the wedding.

Wekon-Kemeni wore a patterned tuxedo.Yours Truly Media

Redding and Wekon-Kemeni said 'I do' in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.

The ceremony was outdoors.Yours Truly Media

They said their vows together during their ceremony.

They personalized the ceremony.Yours Truly Media

The couple's reception took place inside a ballroom at the Swan House.

The couple during their first dance.Yours Truly Media

Redding said one of her favorite moments of the day was taking photos with her bridesmaids.

Redding appreciated spending time with her bridesmaids.Yours Truly Media

The whole day felt more special because she wore her mom's dress, as Redding told Insider.

Wearing her mom's dress was special.Yours Truly Media

Redding thinks it's important to have a clear vision if you're updating an heirloom dress.

Redding advises coming prepared to bridal appointments.Yours Truly Media

Redding also said it's important to start the alterations process early.

Alterations can take a long time.Yours Truly Media

Redding said she loves that she and Wekon-Kemeni are true partners.

They're equals.Yours Truly Media

"He's just the kindest person ever," she said of her husband.

Redding loves Wekon-Kemeni's kindness.Yours Truly Media

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