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Bride Wears Late Grandma's Dress To Her Wedding, And It Fits To A T

Madison Kantzer wasn’t the kind of little girl who grew up with a vision of her dream wedding. But she knew one thing for certain: When the big day came, she was going to wear a beautiful beaded gown that once belonged to her late grandmother.

This exquisite dress belonged to Madison's late grandmother.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
This exquisite dress belonged to Madison's late grandmother.  (Photo: Heidi Roland Photography)

And sure enough, when Madison tied the knot with Adam Hoffman on April 9 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, she wore the dress her grandma Adel Schif Greene had worn to Madison’s uncle’s bar mitzvah 51 years earlier, in March 1966.

“My mom has had the dress for a long time and I’ve always loved it,” Madison told HuffPost. “I was never someone who envisioned my ideal wedding, but this was something I’ve always known I would wear, especially because I didn’t think I would ever find a dress as amazing as this one in a store.”

For many years,&nbsp;Madison had admired the gorgeous gown.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
For many years, Madison had admired the gorgeous gown.  (Photo: Heidi Roland Photography)
Grandma Adel Schif Greene at her son's bar mitzvah in March 1966.&nbsp; (Photo: Courtesy of the couple)
Grandma Adel Schif Greene at her son's bar mitzvah in March 1966.  (Photo: Courtesy of the couple)

The three-quarter-sleeve gown with floral detailing fit Madison to a T ― no alterations necessary.

“We had a slip made to go under the dress because it’s sheer netting with beads,” she told HuffPost. “And a few of the beads were falling out so the tailor re-sewed them. But that was one of the conditions from my mom ― no alterations.”

The dress was kept in a Macy's brown bag for 30 years until someone told the bride's mom she should put it in tissue paper to&nbsp;keep it in good condition.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)

Grandma Adel died in 1969 when Madison’s mother was just 14 years old, so Madison never had the chance to meet her. But it meant so much to their family to have their grandma there in spirit.

“For me, not knowing my mom’s parents has been normal because they both died before me and my brother were born,” Madison said. “But especially as we have gotten older, I know my mom really wishes her parents could have met us and seen the kind of people we have become. So it was really meaningful that the memory of her mom was in the wedding.”

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The newlyweds and their parents during the ceremony.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
The newlyweds and their parents during the ceremony.  (Photo: Heidi Roland Photography)
Madison poses with the bridesmaids.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
Madison poses with the bridesmaids.  (Photo: Heidi Roland Photography)

“Most things I know about my grandma are through photos, stories and close friends of my grandma who became my adopted grandparents,” she added.

The look of love.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
The look of love.  (Photo: Heidi Roland Photography)

For the reception, Madison changed into another floral number ― an Adrianna Papell dress she bought from BHLDN.

Madison rocking her second floral dress of the day.&nbsp; (Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
Madison rocking her second floral dress of the day.  (Photo: Heidi Roland Photography)

Start to finish, the bride called the big day “amazing.”

“Adam’s grandma stood up for the first time in many years to dance with him, our rabbi was so wonderful and it was amazing having all of our friends to dance and celebrate with,” she said. “We ended the day with late-night Philly cheese steaks, so really, it was so much fun.”

Below, more photos from the couple’s celebration.

(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)
(Photo: <a href="http://www.heidirolandphotography.com/#!/home" target="_blank">Heidi Roland Photography</a>)

H/T Philly Mag

Also on HuffPost

1. Keep up the PDA

"I've never seen a photo of my grandparents where they weren't embracing -- whether it was when they were dating, had five kids under age 8, or just before my grandfather died of cancer. I couldn't wait to grow up and have what they had with someone. They were a real life fairy tale." -<em> Cari Watts-Savage</em>
"I've never seen a photo of my grandparents where they weren't embracing -- whether it was when they were dating, had five kids under age 8, or just before my grandfather died of cancer. I couldn't wait to grow up and have what they had with someone. They were a real life fairy tale." - Cari Watts-Savage

2. You don't have to agree on everything

"My grandparents were married for 65 years until my grandma passed away last summer. Opposite religions, opposite politics and they still made it work. I have a lot to live up to!" - <em>Clare Dych</em>
"My grandparents were married for 65 years until my grandma passed away last summer. Opposite religions, opposite politics and they still made it work. I have a lot to live up to!" - Clare Dych

3. Age ain't nothin' but a number

"I asked my grandma why she married my grandpa who she only dated for one year when she was 18 and he was 31. She answered me, 'Why not? He was hot back then!' My grandparents weren't the lovey-dovey type and actually distant, I think, due to the 13-year age gap. But they didn't bail, they're faithful, they kept each other for better or worse, in sickness and health, through thick and thin." - <em>Tze Tonn Ng</em>

4. You can do anything if you do it together

"After 40 years of smoking five packs of cigarettes a day together, they decided to quit with no outside help. And they did. Together." - <em>Michelle Brown</em>
"After 40 years of smoking five packs of cigarettes a day together, they decided to quit with no outside help. And they did. Together." - Michelle Brown

5. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly

"When I got married, my grandmother and grandfather had been married some 68 years. My grandmother gave me her blessings and told me that if I got married, I had to stay married and it was a lifetime commitment." - <em>Leslie Johnson </em>
"When I got married, my grandmother and grandfather had been married some 68 years. My grandmother gave me her blessings and told me that if I got married, I had to stay married and it was a lifetime commitment." - Leslie Johnson

6. Be with someone who makes you laugh

"My grandparents were always teasing each other. We all got such a kick out of it growing up, hanging out in their kitchen and listening to them when we were over there for dinner. But it also showed us how important it is to be with someone that you'll have fun with, no matter what life may throw at you." - <em>Kristen Girone</em>
"My grandparents were always teasing each other. We all got such a kick out of it growing up, hanging out in their kitchen and listening to them when we were over there for dinner. But it also showed us how important it is to be with someone that you'll have fun with, no matter what life may throw at you." - Kristen Girone

7. Never stop flirting with each other

"Pinch butts." - <em>Sarah Hosseini</em>
"Pinch butts." - Sarah Hosseini

8. Your roles may shift in ways you never imagined

"My grandparents very much conformed to regular gender roles my entire childhood, but when my grandmom got sick, it was amazing to see my granddad taking care of her and cooking and cleaning. They really proved to me that true love lasts a lifetime and that marriage can last 'until death do you part.'" - <em>Carrie Burke</em>
"My grandparents very much conformed to regular gender roles my entire childhood, but when my grandmom got sick, it was amazing to see my granddad taking care of her and cooking and cleaning. They really proved to me that true love lasts a lifetime and that marriage can last 'until death do you part.'" - Carrie Burke

9. Always kiss hello and goodbye

"My maternal grandparents always kiss and say 'I love you' before they leave and it's the first thing they do when they come together again -- whether it's a run to the grocery store or a full day's work." - <em>J. Williams</em>
"My maternal grandparents always kiss and say 'I love you' before they leave and it's the first thing they do when they come together again -- whether it's a run to the grocery store or a full day's work." - J. Williams

10. You never know who you'll fall in love with

"I learned that love is unexpected, and anyone can fall in love, even if the relationship is shunned by society. Their love was somewhat reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet in the sense that they were both on different sides of society, but fell in love and had to keep their relationship secret at first." - <em>Carter Garcia-Kimura </em>
"I learned that love is unexpected, and anyone can fall in love, even if the relationship is shunned by society. Their love was somewhat reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet in the sense that they were both on different sides of society, but fell in love and had to keep their relationship secret at first." - Carter Garcia-Kimura

11. Find joy in the little things

"They found joy in sharing the details of daily living. Always smiling, even when doing the weekly budget or grandma peeling a banana for grandpa because she knew he didn't like the feel of it." - <em>Kristen Van Orden</em>
"They found joy in sharing the details of daily living. Always smiling, even when doing the weekly budget or grandma peeling a banana for grandpa because she knew he didn't like the feel of it." - Kristen Van Orden

12. Not every day is going to be a picnic and that's OK

"You don't have to like each other every day." - <em>Nicole Snyder</em>
"You don't have to like each other every day." - Nicole Snyder

13. It takes two people to make a marriage work

"They divorced after three kids and nearly 40 years of marriage, but my grandmother has always told me: A relationship will never work unless [both people] want it to." - <em>Mina Barnett</em>
"They divorced after three kids and nearly 40 years of marriage, but my grandmother has always told me: A relationship will never work unless [both people] want it to." - Mina Barnett

14. Sometimes your first love isn't your forever love

"You might not get things right the first time, but you can't give up because it could be the second time that you find true happiness. My grandparents have been together for 25 years and although my grandpa is not my biological one, he is the best thing to happen to our family and I could not love him more." - <em>Natasha Baker-Streit</em>
"You might not get things right the first time, but you can't give up because it could be the second time that you find true happiness. My grandparents have been together for 25 years and although my grandpa is not my biological one, he is the best thing to happen to our family and I could not love him more." - Natasha Baker-Streit

15. Never stop doing the things you love together

"They share a sense of humor and make it a priority to do things they enjoy together, even though that has become harder for them with age." - <em>Theresa Kelliher</em>
"They share a sense of humor and make it a priority to do things they enjoy together, even though that has become harder for them with age." - Theresa Kelliher

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.