Yahoo News 'My grandad bought me my dream wedding dress from beyond the grave - I saved thousands buying it second hand'
A woman from Surrey was blown away when her late grandfather paid for her wedding dress. Amy Lidiard, from Weybridge, discovered that her grandad had set aside some money for her after he died, for her to spend on her dream wedding dress.
With the money, Amy, from Weybridge, bought herself a stunning gown, for just £100 at a second-hand wedding shop. After her partner, Michael, proposed on February 15, 2022, Amy’s mother took her to one side and explained that her grandfather, Roger, had tucked away a wedding gift for Amy.
Amy said: “I was overrun with emotions, I had no words, my mum had kept that secret for nearly 10 years. Even thinking about that moment now, makes me well up. I love and miss my grandad so much.”
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Excited to pick out a princess wedding dress, Amy and her mother, Jan, headed to Surbiton to the dress shop she had chosen that was sadly closed. They headed elsewhere, but Amy’s day took a turn when she entered an upmarket dress shop where she was made to take off her shoes.
Amy said: “I explained the style of dress I was hoping to find, and the lady continuously looked down her nose at me, clearly I was not the client she was used to. I left the shop feeling heartbroken and irritated.
“I was meant to be trying on dresses, and twirling around in front of pretty mirrors, making memories with my mum. Thankfully my wonderful mum volunteers for Princess Alice Hospice, located in Esher, and knew about the secret paradise of the wedding section at the Shepperton store.”
The two headed off to the charity shop, where Amy instantly felt relaxed. She tried on a variety of dresses, vintage and pre-loved.
A corsetted dress with a puffy skirt and train is exactly what Amy envisioned, and when she pulled out the last dress it was exactly what she wanted. Amy said: “My mum helped me step into it, pull it up, and did up the back.
“I was facing away from the mirror, but when I turned round, and looked, it was as if I was in a dream. Exactly how a person should feel in their wedding dress.”
It was a done deal, the dress cost just £120. Amy walked out that day with her dress, and picked up some other accessories, including her flowers. The shoes came from Next, and the necklace and earrings were new from Princess Alice Hospice in Esher.
Amy said: “Overall I created my full wedding look for under £1,000. It can easily be done, and I certainly do not feel I looked any less beautiful than a person in a £5,000 dress.
“Once I got my dress back from the seamstress, I added ‘Love Grandad’ at the bottom of the train, under the layers. The most heartfelt gift I could have ever asked for.”
Every year since Amy’s grandad died from cancer, Amy has joined Race for Life in his memory. Those who would like to sponsor Amy can do so here.
Got a story you'd like to share? Email me at lauren.colelomas@reachplc.com
