A Ballerina Bride Repurposes Her Mother's Wedding Dress

The couple: Kaitlin Kimm and Bruce Alter

Wedding date: August 18, 2018

Number of guests: 106

Favorite menu item: Phyllo-wrapped brie with raspberries

// A Good Sprain

After a bad injury in 2015, Kaitlin Kimm started physical therapy at a clinic in Montgomery, where Bruce Alter was working. Chats ensued over ultrasounds and exercise, and pretty soon the pair discovered a mutual love of faith and baseball. “I thought Bruce was so handsome and funny, and easy to talk to,” Kaitlin says. For their first date, the couple went out for dinner and bowling. “I was impressed that Bruce knocked on my front door and opened the car door for me,” Kaitlin adds. A month later came moving day — Bruce was on his way to Nashville for graduate school and Kaitlin, a professional dancer, was heading to a new ballet company in Annapolis — but they weren’t about to give up. Sweet letters, weekly FaceTime dates, and countless flights sustained them through two-and-a-half years of long distance.

// History in the Making

In December 2017, the pair reunited, and Bruce had big plans to celebrate at Mount Vernon’s annual Christmas Illuminations. With time to kill before the grounds opened, Bruce suggested they check out the museum and gift shop. Two minutes later, he stepped outside to make a phone call, which seemed to last an eternity. However, history buff that she is, Kaitlin was quite happy exploring the exhibits on her own. Bruce returned and insisted they get some air; Kaitlin reluctantly followed him to a bench surrounded by Christmas lights, where he commented on how bad he felt that they couldn’t spend Christmas with her family… so he had decided to bring them to her! They were there waiting, all the way from Iowa. Kaitlin was shocked, and even more so, when she turned back around to face Bruce, who was asking her to marry him.

// Poof to the '80s

Kaitlin collaborated with Jill Andrews Gowns to transform her mother’s wedding dress into the gown of her dreams. “It was pretty classic ‘80s - big poofy sleeves, a bow on the back - perfect when my mom wore it, but not exactly my style,” Kaitlin explains. Jill added a chiffon overlay, with beaded details from the original bodice, and elegant long sleeves, cuffed with the original satin. For her own wedding, Kaitlin’s mother wore a Lily of the Valley halo, which Jill deconstructed and built into Kaitlin’s veil. “My mom and I are both born in May and Lily of the Valley is May’s flower, so having that shared connection was really special to me,” Kaitlin says.

// Get Out The Highlighters

For a unique guestbook, the couple ordered a personalized Bible from Etsy. The artist painted the Alters’ ceremony venue on the cover and guests signed their names next to their favorite verse.

// The Collection

Kaitlin’s aunt passed away from breast cancer in 2002, so it was especially scary for the family when Kaitlin’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2018, just a month after Bruce proposed. “Although we were going through a difficult time as a family, my parents were so supportive and insistent that we continue on with wedding planning,” Kaitlin says. As a thank you, the couple secretly collected donations for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in memory of Kaitlin’s aunt and in honor of her mother. “It meant so much when we surprised her on our wedding day,” Kaitlin says.

// The Details

Bride’s hair & makeup: UpDos for I Dos // Cake: Sweet Hearts Patisserie // Ceremony Venue: St. Martin's Lutheran Church // Day of Coordinator: Gina Ingel from Wedding Savvy, Inc. // Florals: Little House of Flowers // Gown Restoration: Jill Andrews Gowns // Guestbook: In His Name Co. // Invitations: Minted // Men’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank // Music: Crow Entertainment, LLC // Photography: Hamilton Photography // Reception Venue: Governor Calvert House // Rings: Ware’s Jewelers, Montgomery, Alabama (bride) and Cezanne Jewelers (groom)