This bride’s mother-in-law turned up to her wedding in a wedding dress and it’s quite a story
It began when author Amy Pennza told Twitter how at her wedding her mother-in-law had turned up … wearing a wedding dress.
My mother-in-law wore a wedding dress to my wedding. So, yeah, top that one, Twitter. #weddingfail @jimmyfallon pic.twitter.com/IjqvnXT6Ps
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 19, 2019
Needless to say, there was lots of fury out there on her behalf.
The rage i would have felt…😲
— Krissy Riley Wessels (@beastmodemom247) June 19, 2019
If you look closely, you can see my clenched fist…
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 19, 2019
And lots of requests for the whole story.
Hi Amy, hope you’re having a great day. We’re all interested in hearing the story on how to this came to be, if you and your husband are still married and if not, how long was the marriage and did you cuss her ass out. We’re patiently waiting, thanks. pic.twitter.com/DbHgSsBaR4
— Audrey Brooks (@Mickey1Fan) June 19, 2019
Which Amy, after a little while away, eventually got round to and it was well worth the wait.
It went viral because it’s such an amazing tale and because it really isn’t what you think it’s going to be.
1.
So, a couple people have asked for the story behind The Dress. Sorry for the delay! I have four kids (yes, I married him) on summer break, so my permanent state of being is "frazzled." I called my daughter "mom" the other day.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
2.
I didn't know what my mother-in-law planned to wear. I didn't think to ask. pic.twitter.com/Gq6p2E50Gx
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
3.
The morning of the wedding, all the women in the bridal party cram into a tiny room in the church. You know, body glitter and hairspray everywhere. Fifteen coats of mascara. Putting napkins under your pits so you don't sweat on your dress.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
4.
She walks in. I see it. pic.twitter.com/avuU12yjuq
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
5.
I don't remember much about the day. Most people say their wedding is a blur, and that's true for me, too. But I know I said this: "You… You could be the bride…"
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
6.
Later, my sister (matron of honor) said she didn't pull me aside and talk about it because she hoped I was too distracted to notice. My college roommate (bridesmaid) said the same thing.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
7.
But secretly, they both spent the reception looking at me, then each other, then MIL, then me, then the cop the venue made us hire—hoping I didn't go for his taser.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
8.
I'm happy to report the wedding unfolded without bloodshed, or anyone being shoved into the champagne fountain.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
9.
Here's the thing: My mother-in-law is extremely frugal. And I don't mean she just enjoys a good bargain. To understand her, you have to know where she comes from.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
10.
She grew up in extreme poverty. As a child, she used to sneak into the kitchen and eat match heads. That's a pica craving, and kids do it when they're malnourished.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
11.
When you grow up with nothing, it stays with you. Forever, I think. No matter how much money you earn, there's always that little fear in the back of your mind that someone might take it all away.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
12.
But her upbringing didn't make her hard. Or cruel. Or selfish.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
13.
However, she's a bargain hunter to the bone. Her money saving strategies are legend—and often hilarious. At family gatherings, we amuse ourselves telling stories of crazy shit she's done to save money.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
14.
For example, she takes the olives and celery out of a Bloody Mary and saves them for salads.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
15.
She once walked casually to the table where I was eating a subway sandwich and put my discarded cold cuts in a baggie because "someone will eat them."
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
16.
She always has a plastic water bottle in her purse. At restaurants, she'll fill up her bottle with water from the table. "Why not? I'm paying for it."
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
17.
When my daughter drinks ice water, my mother-in-law makes her put the empty glass on the counter. "Leave the ice in there…it'll melt and make more water."
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
18.
So when she spotted The Dress at an incredible bargain, she couldn't turn it down. If you ask her now, she says she feels terrible about it.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
19.
Although, she also told me, "I think I've still got it. We should raffle it off."
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
20.
She's frugal. But she's also incredibly generous. When my twins were newborns, she drove across town every night, slept on the sofa, and did three feedings. For two babies. Every night for months.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
21.
She regularly shows up at my house with bags of new clothes for the kids. (Because she's a kick ass bargain hunter.)
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
22.
She never misses a band concert, sports event, talent show, science fair…you name it. She'd walk over hot coals for her grandchildren. She gives them everything. Because, you know, she grew up with nothing.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
23.
So, yeah, the wedding dress was a shock. But it gave me a pretty funny memory. No one who attended has ever forgotten it. And, you have to admit, weddings can be forgettable.
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
24.
Sure, she wore a wedding dress to my wedding. But she has more than made up for it since. When I told her about this getting a lot of attention, and said I worried it might hurt her feelings, she waved it off. "Whatever makes me famous."
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
25.
And, because I'm a romance author, I'd be remiss if I didn't add: And they lived happily ever after. pic.twitter.com/E8oCQnzb6a
— Amy Pennza (@AmyPennza) June 20, 2019
And here are just a few of the things people had to say about it.
Talk about a surprise twist. Amy did this to us on purpose. https://t.co/nSdO1rBcrD
— Tressie McMillan Cottom (@tressiemcphd) June 20, 2019
Oh goddamn… I never thought the long awaited backstory to this photo would have me in tears.
— BlackWhiteReadBooks (@BWRBooks) June 20, 2019
Unexpected wholesome conclusion regarding the "MIL wore a wedding dress to my wedding" tweet.
Also a big lesson in not jumping to conclusions & the downside of "outrage empathy" especially on this hellsite, since I def. would have spilled wine down her dress without knowing this https://t.co/CR4aaoNvjI
— Rin Chupeco (THE EVER CRUEL KINGDOM out now!) (@RinChupeco) June 20, 2019
Yes! These examples humanized her MIL lovingly, I came here expecting sumn else. I have a family member who is also legendarily thrifty, & to outsiders seems super strange. It’s someone who will likely always have this scarcity mentality, but is known for her thoughtfulness.💞😭 pic.twitter.com/1pdOdF1NEJ
— joy adjacent (@joyadjacent) June 20, 2019
The story behind the viral photo of a mother-in-law wearing a wedding dress to a wedding is better that we ever could have imagined… https://t.co/rn6bPLClsg
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) June 20, 2019
It's a great ending but I'm still kinda mad tho… pic.twitter.com/kmCXbZfnjB
— Lesly (@leslysimmons) June 20, 2019
