A bride-to-be’s wedding dress, purchased by her grandmother for £700, accidentally sold for a few pounds at a car boot sale.
Olivia Stirling was devastated when her cousin accidentally sold her wedding dress at a car boot sale.Credit: Jam Press/Liv Sterling
Olivia’s nan had bought the dress for her for £700.Credit: Jam Press/Liv Sterling
But Bobbie Clutterbuck, 89, died before plans for her granddaughter’s big day were finalised.
Olivia Stirling’s wedding dress was mistakenly sold at a car boot sale by her cousin, leaving her devastated just days before her big day. The dress was a special gift from her grandmother, who had purchased it for £700. When Olivia went to her cousin Bobbie’s house to collect the dress, Bobbie revealed that she had mistakenly sent all of Olivia’s possessions to the sale, including her precious wedding dress.
Understandably heartbroken, Olivia turned to social media to plead for help in finding her lost dress. Fortunately, her message was seen by the couple who had purchased the dress for their fashion student daughter to cut up and use as material. Despite having plans for the dress, the couple returned it to Olivia free of charge, saving her from the devastating loss of her dream wedding dress.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and attention to detail, especially when it comes to handling precious and sentimental belongings. Olivia’s story also highlights the power of social media in spreading messages quickly and widely, ultimately leading to the return of her lost dress.
In the end, Olivia was able to walk down the aisle in her dream dress, thanks to the kindness and generosity of strangers who went out of their way to help her in her time of need.
Olivia said: “It had extra sentimental value because I picked it with my nan.
“My mum died when I was 18, so we were really close.
“Even though I was heartbroken that nan wouldn’t be at my wedding, I thought at least she’d helped choose my dress and I’d have that special piece of her there.”
She spotted the 1920s art deco-style dress at a bridal shop and Bobbie bought it for her and kept it at home so fiancé Craig would not see it.
Olivia Stirling’s wedding dress, a special gift from her grandmother, was accidentally sold at a car boot sale by her cousin who was clearing out her house. Devastated, Olivia turned to social media for help and luckily found the couple who had bought it for their daughter’s fashion studies. They kindly returned it to her free of charge.
Olivia’s cousin expressed her regret over the mistake and relief that the dress was returned. Olivia and her fiancé, Craig, are excitedly looking forward to their 1920s-themed wedding next March, with Olivia able to wear her dream dress.
She joked: “The dress won’t be leaving my sight until the wedding day.”