Timeless Vows: Resident Wedding Gowns Bring Back Cherished Memories

For Assisted Living Week, Cedarhurst of St. Charles took the theme of Ageless Adventure and transformed it into something extraordinary.

The community hosted Timeless Vows, a celebration that brought wedding gowns—and the stories behind them—back into the spotlight. Sixteen dresses, spanning from 1910 through the early 2000s, graced the room. Each one carried with it the memories, journeys, and love stories of the women who once wore them.

<<Scroll to the bottom of the article to see an expanded photo gallery of residents with their wedding gowns>>

The recreation room was nearly unrecognizable, transformed into a formal wedding venue. White tulle cascaded across the ceiling, a chandelier sparkled in the center, and flowers adorned the tables. The centerpieces were not typical floral arrangements, but framed photographs of residents on their wedding day.

Guests enjoyed a table filled with fresh fruit, tuxedo cake, and classic white cake with berries. The result was a party both elegant and sentimental, one that honored the past while creating new memories together.

Austin Simmonds, Life Enrichment Director at Cedarhurst of St. Charles, was the visionary behind the event, supported by Life Enrichment Coordinators Melinda Hicks and Pat Buehrle. Inspiration struck late one night. “The theme was Ageless Adventure, and I realized that wedding dresses have been on their own adventure,” he explained.

“Some of the dresses have such a rich history. I wanted residents and families to relive those special memories and see the beauty of those gowns again.” — Austin Simmonds

To make the idea a reality, Austin reached out to residents’ families. “I sent a broadcast text message explaining the vision. Families were a little apprehensive at first, but once they understood the dresses would be kept safe, they were excited,” he said. In the end, eight resident dresses were collected, with staff also contributing their own gowns.

The room itself was designed to be more than a display—it was an atmosphere. “I wanted an elegant, grand vibe,” Austin shared. “The chandelier tied everything together. Our housekeeper Mona, who has worked on weddings before, gave wonderful insight and support for the design. We wanted the dresses to shine.”

And shine they did. Each gown carried a story worth celebrating, reminding everyone that a dress is more than fabric—it is a vessel for memories.

Mary Jo Verhulst contributed her grandmother’s gown, a delicate cotton gauze dress from 1910. It had been worn only once for her grandmother’s wedding and miraculously preserved for more than a century. In 1975, Mary Jo wore it again at a luncheon honoring historic dresses, giving it a second moment in the spotlight.

For Marilyn Webert, her 1966 dress traveled the country alongside her, becoming a companion across decades. Carolyn Hollander’s 1956 gown carried double meaning—her daughter-in-law also wore it on her wedding day. Cheryl Garrone’s Italian silk and lace gown from 1967 reflected the joy of her St. Louis wedding, where music, dancing, and family were the focus.

Other dresses reflected timeless traditions: Carolyn Trill’s custom-made 1960 gown, paired with an Indian Head penny tucked in her shoe; Ruth Wiley’s Jackie Kennedy–inspired gown from 1963; and Virginia Seigler’s pink wedding dress from 1955, which was memorable not only for its beauty but also for the red wedding car pulled through town on a flatbed outside the church.

For Austin, the event was about more than gowns. “I hope residents and families feel the love and support from us,” he said. “A wedding day is one of the most meaningful moments of someone’s life. I wanted everyone to feel seen, to relive those memories, and to feel the sense of family and love that weddings bring.”

The celebration perfectly tied into the week’s theme. “Getting married is an adventure in itself,” Austin reflected. “Those dresses are symbols of that adventure. Seeing them again helps us reflect on the journey from that moment until today. Residents were able to look at their own photos, see their gowns, and think about how far they’ve come. That is the heart of Ageless Adventure.”

As the dresses hung in their places of honor, surrounded by photographs and stories, it became clear that this wasn’t just a party. It was a tribute to love, memory, and the enduring spirit of adventure that lives on in every Cedarhurst resident.

Mary Jo Verhulst and her grandmother's wedding gown, a cotton gauze dress from 1910.

Marilyn Webert and the 1966 dress that traveled across the country with her.

Carolyn Hollander and the 1956 gown that both she and her daughter-in-law wore on their wedding days.

Carolyn Trill and her custom-made 1960 gown.

Ruth Wiley and her 1963 gown inspired by Jackie Kennedy.

Virginia Seigler and her wedding dress from 1955.

This story will appear in the Fall 2025 issue of Flourish^® magazine.

About the Author

Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish^® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.