A mom has set an all-new standard for gift giving, after she transformed her own wedding dress into a custom bridal robe for her daughter to wear on her big day.
As a child, Haley Dwyer, 29, would regularly watch videos of her parents’ wedding and she would marvel at the beauty and romance of it all. She often spoke with her mom, Lisa Dwyer, 60, about doing something special with the dress she wore on her wedding day in April 1988. They touted several ideas, but what Haley, of Charlotte, North Carolina, actually received was beyond her wildest imagination.
During her daughter’s bridal shower, Lisa surprised Haley with a box and a card saying that she had taken her wedding gown to a seamstress and had it transformed into a stunning robe. It was such a touching moment, and Haley told Newsweek that she “could not get over how stunning” the new design is.
@haleydwyer_ / TikTok
Her wedding may not be until March 2025, but she is already counting down the days until she gets to wear the one-of-a-kind garment (and tie the knot, of course).
“My mom is my biggest cheerleader, and she’s the best at writing sentimental messages in cards,” Haley said. “It was hard to read her message out loud, but I wanted to keep it together so everyone could hear how amazing the gift was. She always knows how to make someone feel special.
“It’s absolutely perfect and everything I could ever want in such a precious heirloom. So much thought went into crafting it, and it shows. I can’t wait to wear it on the day of my wedding.”
The robe won’t be the only ‘something old’ incorporated into Haley’s big day. As well as transforming her own dress, Lisa also took fabric from her late mother’s dress (Haley’s grandmother) and turned it into the pillow that the ring bearer will carry the wedding bands on.
@haleydwyer_ / TikTok
Haley continued: “It means the world to me that, although my grandmother has passed, she will also be with me on my wedding day. We are a very sentimental family, and gifts like this are so important to us.”
Somehow, Lisa managed to keep all this a secret for several weeks before surprising her daughter. Haley will never forget that emotional moment, and she is so glad to have something from both women who came before her on such a momentous day.
Footage of the moment Haley saw the bridal robe for the first time was shared on TikTok (@haleydwyer_ and @dreamy_content), leaving social media users holding back the tears. In just a matter of days, the clip has gained more than 1.1 million views and over 175,500 likes.
The reaction has been unlike anything she could have imagined, but Haley is delighted to show how incredibly thoughtful her mom is.
@haleydwyer_ / TikTok
She told Newsweek: “I’ve loved reading the comments from so many women across the world who enjoyed watching such a special moment in our lives. This video has definitely brought out emotions for all who have watched it.
“This gift means the world to me, and I couldn’t imagine our special day without my mom involved. Every time I rewatch the video, it makes me tear up because you can see my mother’s love shine through in every second,” Haley continued.
The viral TikTok post has received almost 1.100 comments already, as plenty of internet users praised Lisa’s undeniable sentimentality and generosity.
One comment reads: “Mom set the BAR with this gift.”
Another person wrote: “I have chills. How meaningful!”
A third TikTok user added: “That’s the most special gift I’ve ever seen.”
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