TikTok Bride Sparks Controversy by Proposing to Cut Grandmother’s Wedding Dress into Two-Piece Outfit for Rehearsal

A TikTok bride’s suggestion to turn her grandmother’s wedding dress into a two-piece outfit for her rehearsal has gone viral on the social media platform, sparking mixed reactions. The video was posted on April 25 by TikToker Brittany Dalena, who was seen wearing a white matching top and skirt while approaching an older woman in what appeared to be a church. The emotional encounter was captured on camera and led many commenters to suggest that the woman was Dalena’s grandmother. The caption underneath the video read “3rd generation wedding dress turned into a rehearsal dress.”

The video then continued with a slideshow of images that featured Delana’s relatives donning the original dress, followed by pictures of Delana’s altered version. The altered version of the dress transformed the long dress into a mini-skirt and a short-sleeved top.

The clip by Dalena quickly went viral and garnered 10.3 million views on TikTok, with many viewers expressing appreciation for the sentimental value of the idea. Some viewers imagined how they would feel if they were in the grandmother’s shoes and believed that they would be happy to see their granddaughter transform the dress to better suit modern times. One commenter wrote that they would be thrilled to see their granddaughter turn the family heirloom into her own unique style. However, others were critical of the significant alteration to the original dress, suggesting that it would have been more meaningful to preserve the dress and wear it in its original form. Some also shared stories of how significant changes to heirloom wedding dresses prevented other family members from wearing it in the future.

While many TikTok users praised Brittany Dalena’s decision to transform her grandmother’s wedding dress into a two-piece outfit, some users expressed their disagreement with the alteration. One user shared their personal experience of having a family member cut an heirloom wedding dress without consulting others, while another user stated their opinion that the dress should have been preserved for the next generation. However, other users defended Dalena’s choice, arguing that it was her own family heirloom to do with as she pleased. As of yet, Dalena has not commented on the mixed reactions to her viral TikTok video.

Wedding dresses are a common subject of controversy on TikTok

Sharing videos on TikTok about wedding dresses has become a popular trend among brides, with those who choose to wear or modify dresses passed down from family members attracting a lot of attention. However, when significant changes are made to the original dress, controversy often follows, with viewers sharing their opinions on whether the new dress or the original one is better.

In general, TikTok brides who divert from conventional wedding outfits have been prone to backlash on the platform. In November 2022, 31-year-old bride Camille Lescai opted against wearing a traditional white gown and got married in a pink wedding dress, receiving a wave of online hate when she shared videos from her wedding day on TikTok.

Camille Lescai expressed her concern to Insider that the online criticism she faced due to her unconventional pink wedding dress might discourage other women from sharing their fashion choices or wedding celebrations on the internet. She emphasized that the hate not only affects her but also the viewers who are watching from the sidelines, especially young women who want to make similar choices. She shared that many young women commented on her video telling her they want a dress like hers and she worries that the comments they read might make them feel discouraged.