Wedding Dress

Posted on Wed Jul 16th, 2025 @ 3:52pm by Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,028 words; about a 5 minute read

The Baciami family vineyard glowed under the warm embrace of the late afternoon sun. Rows of vines stood proudly, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze as though whispering secrets of love and legacy. In her childhood bedroom, Adrianna stood before a full length mirror, suddenly feeling quite nervous. The delicate lace of her wedding gown glowed softly in the light streaming through the open window. It had been carefully preserved, tucked away for decades– Tanina’s wedding dress, now hers.

The old wooden door creaked open. Adrianna turned to see her mother step inside, a bouquet of lavender, rosemary and roses in her hands, freshly picked from the garden. Tanina paused, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes fell on Adrianna.

“Adrianna…” she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. Her hands trembled, and the bouquet dropped slightly.

Adrianna took a step forward, her face radiant. “Mamma, what do you think?” she asked softly, turning fully so the gown’s lace train fanned out behind her. Her cathedral veil cascaded down over it.

Tanina’s eyes filled with tears as she took in every detail: the intricate embroidery on the bodice, the sleeves that made it look like the very lace designs had been painted onto her skin, the familiar way the fabric caught the light. The dress fitted her perfectly, caressing all of her curves right down to her thighs. “This dress…” Her voice broke. “It’s mine.”

Adrianna nodded, her own voice thick with emotion, “Yes, Mamma. I found it in Nonna’s trunk. I thought it would be perfect. For you. For today. I tried on so many dresses today, but this is the one that I wanted.”

Tanina covered her mouth, overwhelmed. “I didn’t know you– oh, Adrianna.” She reached out, her hands brushing over the gown’s lace as if touching a memory, “You look… just beautiful. Like a dream.”

Adrianna smiled, her tears threatening to spill, but she quickly looked up, blinking them away, not wanting to ruin her makeup, “Mamma, today isn’t just my wedding day. It’s your birthday weekend. When you asked me and Vance to marry whilst we were here, it felt like the perfect way to honour you and the family. This dress... marrying at the vineyard... it feels like I am part of the legacy here, Mamma. I am a Baciami and nothing will change that.”

Tanina’s tears fell freely now, and she pulled Adrianna into her arms, careful not to disturb the gown or mess with Adrianna's hair which had been done up in a tousled, low bun, with stray curls framing her face and gracing her collarbone and shoulders. “You are my greatest gift, amore mio,” she murmured. “Seeing you like this, wearing this dress and marrying your soulmate... it’s the best birthday gift I could ever receive.”

Adrianna held her tightly, breathing in the familiar lavender and rosemary scent that had always been her mother’s signature, now adorning her bouquet, “Thank you, Mamma. For everything. For teaching me what love and family mean and for encouraging me to never give up on love.”

Tanina pulled back, holding Adrianna’s face in her hands, “And Vance– I love him. I know your answer, but as a mother, I must ask: are you sure?”

Adrianna’s expression softened. She had heard her ask the same question to two of her brothers the morning of their wedding. The woman smiled, “I have made a number of stupid decisions in my life, but this? Him? I have never been more sure of anything in my life. He’s my future– my soulmate, Mamma. Just like Papà was yours. And I will never let him go.”

Tanina nodded, her smile tender but full of pride, “Then let us find your father, and then let’s go make Vance the luckiest man in the world– like your father was on our day. Cara mia, wait until he sees you in this dress–”

Before Adrianna could answer, a soft knock sounded at the door. Dario stepped in, his shoulders broad and proud as he took in the sight before him. He froze, his eyes moving from Adrianna to Tanina and back again, his breath catching audibly.

“My God,” the words fell from his lips, his voice thick with emotion, “You look just like your mother did on our wedding day.”

Adrianna blushed, smiling shyly, “You think so, Papà?”

Dario stepped closer, his weathered hands brushing against her cheek as he studied her. “The same beauty, the same light. When I saw her for the first time in that dress, I thought I was the luckiest man alive. And now…” He cleared his throat, his voice faltering, “Now I see my little girl, and I know that Vance is the luckiest man today. But me? I will be the proudest man today.”

Tanina, wiping her eyes with the edge of her scarf, trying desperately not to smudge her makeup, reached for her husband’s hand, “She’s ready, amore mio, Dario. Take her to him.”

Dario nodded, his voice low but steady, pulling the veil over Adrianna's face. “It’s time, piccola,” he offered his arm to Adrianna, who took it with a trembling smile.

As they turned to leave, Dario paused, looking at Tanina. Before she could leave to find her seat, he reached out and took her hand, kissing her knuckles with a smile, “She really is just like you, amore mio– and you are still as beautiful as the day I married you.”

Tanina laughed softly through her tears, “And just like me, she’s marrying a good man.” Tanina took a breath, composing herself before exiting the room to find her seat.

Dario took a moment to watch his wife leave, before he looked at his only daughter. He could feel her trembling, “Adrianna, are you ready?”

“With every ounce of my being.” With that, Adrianna walked out with her father, the lace of her mother’s dress trailing behind her as she descended the villa’s stone steps, ready to step into her future under the golden, roman sun.

 

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