The bride, Emily, came from a modest family in Manchester, and the wedding was a financial disaster for them. To afford a stunning gown, they had to forgo a lavish wedding reception at the local hall. Sure, Emily could have settled for a cheaper dress, but the one she fell in love with was unlike any shed seen before.
I remember slipping into it for the first time and knowing instantly: this is the one! Emily often recalled, her eyes shining. I visited so many boutiques, tried countless dresses, but when I put this one on, I couldnt bear to take it off. They told me it was handmade, exclusive, a real work of art.
Her mother fretted as she calculated the cost in pounds. This dress is going to cost us a pretty penny, she lamented, but never mind. The most important thing is that youre happy.
Soon after the ceremony, Emily and her new husband, Oliver, moved in with his parents in Birmingham. Even though they lived in the city now, Olivers mother had grown up in the same small village as Emily, and remembered her as a girl. So, living together didnt feel awkward Emily didnt even see her in-laws as strangers.
What are you planning to do with the dress? Olivers mother pressed. You should sell it why let it take up space? And youll need the money.
Emily hesitated, resisting the suggestion. Ill think about it, she answered. For now, Ill let it hang. Ill decide later. Her mother had warned her it was bad luck to pass on your wedding dress, saying it meant handing your fate to another woman. Of course, Emily didnt believe those old superstitions but she wasnt ready to part with such a beautiful gown.
At first, she assumed her mother-in-law was just being nosy. But there was more to it.
A few weeks later, Emily and Oliver went to visit his other set of parents Olivers aunt and uncle in Leeds and stayed for several weeks. During that time, Olivers cousin invited them to her wedding, just down the road.
Look! Emilys friend whispered, shocked, Shes wearing a dress exactly like yours! And you said yours was exclusive, expensive, handmade!
Emily was mortified. Apart from Oliver, her parents-in-law sidled up to her with subtle questions. Emily felt deeply hurt. She would never have believed another bride could end up with the exact same dress.
During the wedding, the other bride accidentally stepped back, ripping the hem and spilling red wine down the centre. By the end of the night, there was a huge scarlet stain, right in the middle. The new bride complained bitterly, I rented this dress, thinking it was special how am I meant to return it now?
After several months, people forgot about the embarrassing event. Emilys dress sat tucked away in a box at the back of her parents-in-laws wardrobe. Then a colleague convinced her to lend the delicate gown for her own wedding and offered a generous payment. But then, everything unravelled.
The next morning at work, Emilys colleague threw the box onto her desk with disgust. How can you charge so much for rags like this? she spat, snatching her money back and telling everyone in the office Emily was a scammer.
Emily took out her dress and was stunned. The hem was torn and a big red stain marred the centre. Suddenly, it all made sense. She called Olivers cousin. It turned out just as she suspected Olivers mum had lent the dress to the cousin, pretending it was a hire from a boutique, and charged her for the rental. And, after the wedding, assured her shed negotiate the return for an extra fee.
Emily was stunned by her mother-in-laws boldness. But what broke her was Oliver supporting his mum.
Whats the problem? he shrugged. Its not like youd ever wear the dress again. Mum made the best of a good chance. As they say: if you want to get by, youve got to be quick on your feet.
That evening, Emily packed her bags and moved back in with her parents. She couldnt stand the hypocrisy and selfishness of her new family.
But when she married again a few years later, she bought an even lovelier dress and she still treasures it. Did she start to believe in wedding omens? No. But the experience opened her eyes to the kind of avaricious, two-faced family shed married into.
Do you believe in wedding superstitions?
