Unexpected Gifts
April 15th, 2008 @ 5:24 pm by Mrs. Sundae
I got a card in the mail this weekend from my Aunt, who we admittedly don’t see very often but is someone I’ve always thought highly of. The card was such a nice gesture in itself, but when I opened it up I found this handkerchief inside along with an explanation that the lace on the side is handmade!
Her note explained that she tatted the handkerchief herself, something that she learned how to do from my Great Grandmother. She made it for me to carry down the aisle. I am so excited and so touched by the gesture, I just had to share the pictures. And in case you’re curious about what tatting actually is (like I was) Wikipedia can fill us in:
“Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, and other decorative pieces. The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of lark’s head (or half-hitch) knots, called double stitches, over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.”
I’ll proudly carry it down the aisle with me, the whole gesture means so much. Have you received any unexpected gifts for your wedding?
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23 Responses to “Unexpected Gifts”
It’s beautiful!
No unexpected gifts yet, but I still have 5 months to go, so we will see!
Your handkerchief is beautiful! My great-grandmother knew how to tat, but I don’t know if she passed the skill on to anyone before she died.
We got an email from my maternal great-aunt, asking us if we wanted a hand-made unity candle. She had made one for my grandparents for their 50th anniversary last summer, and offered to make us one for our wedding. We got it in the mail last week, and I’m so excited to have something hand-made and from the family as part of our day!
Oh, that is so beautiful!
My mother-in-law made us the most. beautiful. quilt. ever. I’m not a crier, and I knew we were getting a quilt, but I cried when I unwrapped it at the shower - it is such a work of art, and something we’ll keep and use for many, many years.
so pretty! you can even wrap your bouqet in it!
That is sweet and lovely!
An artist friend of ours gave us the gift of making our Save the Date Cards (materials, printing, and all) for free. We weren’t expecting that!
Another friend of ours has a letterpress and is making our invitations at a deeply discounted cost… not really a gift, but a favor that’s awesome.
I’m looking forward to hearing more from our friends and relatives after we send out our invites.
What a wonderful family connection to carry with you on your wedding day! I was named for my great aunt, who is my favorite relative, and I recently asked her if she might have anything I could borrow to carry my wedding day - she was so touched, and offered a pin that belonged to her mother, which I will attach to my bouquet along with the baby ring that my grandfather gave my family when I was born. I love the idea of carrying my family connections on my bouquet!
My future mother-in-law gave me a handkerchief that was made by his great-grandmother when his father was born. She wrote the loveliest note explaining the story behind the gift. It was intended to be used by his dad’s future wife on their wedding day. She carried it on her wedding day and has passed it down to me to carry on our wedding day. Along with it she said that she was passing on her love for her son to me. I have never felt so honored.
What a beautiful gift to have with you on your wedding day! And the thought behind it makes it all the more special.
A few days after we got engaged, my FMIL surprised us with Vera Wang toasting flutes & matching serving set, along with a checkbook that contained a check to “get us started” on our first account together. I was sincerely surprised and touched by the gesture. Aren’t unexpected surprises wonderful?
My mom gave me the quilt that my great-grandmother had hand stitched and hand quilted. Apparently when she was doing it she told everyone that it was for me when I got married. There is another one this spring for my brother.
What a beautiful & thoughtful gift!
My FMIL a few years ago had her mother’s beloved pearl necklace divided into custom-made necklaces for herself, her sister, her (other) daughter-in-law, and (surprise!) me. It was so touching to be included in the family gift, even though I’m not officially part of the family yet…
That gift is incredible! I would have cried 
What a very special wedding gift.
Beautiful! Gives new meaning to being tatted up 
not only is this so incredibly thoughtful but it is simply gorgeous.
That is so lovely!
what perfect timing for this post. i just received a small package in the mail from my grandma.
inside was the wedding hankerchief of my great-great grandmother and some lace veil from 1875!!!! i was over the moon receiving it. i had no idea it existed. it’s old battenburg lace. not sure what I’m going to do with it, but it means so much.
That is so sweet!! What a precious gift!
That is so sweet and beautiful.
My Grampy offered to lend me my (deceased) Gramy’s wedding band to use that day. I am going to tie it onto my bouquet. I have been particularly weepy lately, but that created insta-tears.
This is an incredible gift and instant heirloom!
i’m all teary for you!
i’m such a cornball……
I was at a vintage show with my FMIL, checking out some linens while she was trying on a dress. While chatting with some other ladies in the very small booth, I mentioned my engagement. Not a minute later, one of them came over with a delicate handkerchief with my initial in blue! She insisted on giving it to me as a gift. I’ve got my something old *and* something blue.
What a meaningful and beautiful gift!
[...] bouquet, and pinning the earring to the inside of my dress. Or perhaps pinning the brooch onto the handkerchief my Aunt made me and the earring onto my bouquet. I just can’t decide! I took another picture of the pin on it’s [...]
Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Wow, what an amazing gift!!!