One family has upheld a tradition over seven decades, a timeless wedding dress that has become a symbol of love, family, and enduring relationships.
This remarkable tale began on Sept. 16, 1950, when Adele Larson walked down the aisle to marry Roy Stoneber in a satin gown with a mandarin collar, lace panels adorning the front and back, and delicate small buttons. In Chicago, Adele found the dress at Marshall Field’s department store.
Her modest price tag of $100.75 may seem modest by today’s standards, but it held immeasurable sentimental and historical value.
Elly Larson, Adele’s sister, also wore the beloved dress when she married John Milton in June 1953. As she already had Adele’s wedding gown, Elly refused to shop for a new wedding dress. Thus, for the second time around, the dress became a symbol of love and family unity.
When Sharon Larson married John Frank in May 1969, she followed in her sisters’ footsteps. Her decision to wear the dress, which she first saw at the age of five and then again at the age of eight, was characterized by joy and pride, Sharon recalled. It was a celebration of family bonds and shared traditions, not an obligation. It was a fun and natural choice that beautifully connected the past with the present.
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It was Sue Stoneberg, Adele’s daughter, who wore the dress down the aisle in 1982, honoring the dress and the deep bond she shared with her mother.
Carol Milton, Elly’s daughter, wore the dress in 1990 when she married Lawrence Zmuda. Her decision was effortless and resolute, inspired by her deep admiration for the women who wore it before her.
As Carol told Bride, “I never gave it a second thought to get any other dress than the one I had. I loved my aunts, my mom, my cousin, so it was just like, ‘I’m wearing what they wore.’”
When Carol’s sister, Jean Milton, married Tom Ellis the following year, she also felt the pull of the family tradition. In February 2013, Julie Frank Mackey, Adele’s niece and Sharon’s daughter, honored Adele’s family legacy while adding her personal touch to the dress. Despite acknowledging the gown’s timeless beauty, Julie added a ribbon hem and an open neckline to make it uniquely her own.
In order to preserve the wedding dress for future generations, the women entrusted it to professional cleaners and meticulously stored it. Sharon embraced the responsibility of preserving the dress, using her sewing skills to make certain its longevity.
With her marriage to Chris Lipari in August 2022, Serena Stoneberg, Adele’s granddaughter, continued the tradition. As the dress oozed history and sentiment, it exuded a sense of celebration, a symbol of the love and strength that has bind the family for generations.
“It’s just like magic that it looks good on every bride,” Serena said on Good Morning America.
What do you think about this unique family tradition? Do you know someone who had a similar experience? Share this story with your friends and family!
