Bride Thrifts Dream Wedding Dress

The Thrifted Wedding Dress of Julia Stern Webber

Julia Stern Webber and Michael Webber tied the knot on Dec. 22 at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, Florida

A Thrifted Masterpiece

Before Julia Stern Webber and Michael Webber exchanged "I dos" at their black-tie optional wedding at the historic Casa Feliz in Winter Park, Florida, on Dec. 22, they had to find something to wear for their walk down the aisle. Julia never expected to purchase her gown from a thrift store for the price of two movie tickets, but that’s exactly what happened almost a year ago from her wedding date.

Discovering the Dream Dress

Julia walked into her local thrift store, Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation Resale Shop in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 30, 2023, and saw the perfect wedding dress just hanging on one of the racks. "I had tried on many dresses at boutiques and always knew I wanted something more simple but timeless," she tells PEOPLE. "When I saw this dress in the thrift store, I immediately knew it was the one." As luck would have it, the "timeless, elegant, and a dream come true" dress was a perfect fit.

A Vintage Masterpiece

The vintage white dress has a scoop-neck neckline, swirling sequin details, and a gathered fit-and-flare puffy skirt. On the back is an oversized draping bow. "I was obsessed with the subtle details in the beading and the drop waist design," Julia says. "I especially loved the bow on the back because it reminded me of my mother’s wedding dress. Since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of wearing a wedding dress that made me feel like a princess, and this dress did that for me." Julia recalls stepping out of the fitting room to show her sisters, mother, and mother-in-law the dress, and everyone agreed it was made for her.

An Unforgettable Alteration

The only alteration made to the dress was slight tailoring of the straps. Then it was off to the dry cleaners to get professionally cleaned and pressed before the big day. Moments captured by a team from Author Made Photo and Video – including photographer Angelika Krug Shannon, videographer Rob Shannon, and assistant Michael Kuo – show just how happy Julia was in her dress at her wedding.

A Royal Celebration

Wedding guests were just as in love with Julia’s dress as her groom was. "My guests told me that I looked like a princess," the bride adds. "Many tears were shed because the dress perfectly embodied my personality and vision for the wedding day. Some of my friends even called the event ‘their royal wedding’ after seeing me in the dress." Her dress was far from the only thing thrifted for the "special and unique" wedding. Additional thrifted items included: the bride’s getting ready outfit, her Jimmy Choo bridal shoes, the maids of honor dresses, mother of the bride dress, mother of the groom dress, rehearsal dinner dress, vintage cake topper, bar napkins, napkin rings, autograph book, pen holder, frames for memorial photos, boxes for toiletries, bridesmaid gifts of vintage robes and purses, postcards for the dinner menu to be written on the backside, and the groom’s rehearsal dinner Yves Saint Laurent tie.

A Family Legacy

In a special touch, the bride paired her wedding dress with a cathedral veil sewn by her grandmother, who used lace from Julia’s mother’s 1995 wedding dress.

Conclusion

Julia and Michael’s thrifty wedding has inspired many with its creativity, uniqueness, and thoughtfulness. Their royal wedding, with Julia looking regal in her $25 dress, is a testament to the power of imagination and the impact of thrift store finds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What inspired Julia to look for her wedding dress in a thrift store?
A: Julia wanted to find a more simple but timeless dress, and she stumbled upon the perfect vintage white dress with swirling sequin details and a gathered fit-and-flare puffy skirt in a local thrift store.

Q: How did Julia’s wedding guests react to her dress?
A: Many tears were shed because the dress perfectly embodied her personality and vision for the wedding day. Wedding guests told Julia that she looked like a princess, and some even called the event ‘their royal wedding’ after seeing her in the dress.

Q: Were all the wedding guests’ attire also thrifted?
A: Not all, but many items were thrifted for the "special and unique" wedding, including the bride’s getting ready outfit, Jimmy Choo bridal shoes, maids of honor dresses, mother of the bride and groom dresses, rehearsal dinner dress, vintage cake topper, and more.

Q: Who sewed the cathedral veil paired with Julia’s wedding dress?
A: Julia’s grandmother, who used lace from Julia’s mother’s 1995 wedding dress.

Q: How did Michael react when he saw Julia in her dress?
A: The groom was in tears when he saw Julia in her dress during their first look, he said it couldn’t have been more perfect.