When you're getting married, choosing a wedding dress is one of the most important parts of the planning process. Whether it's strapless, embellished, or has a huge train, you want to look and feel gorgeous on your big day, and it may take a while for you to find the dress of your dreams.
But what would you do if your wedding dress was accidentally sold before the big day? You'd likely be in a huge panic, much like Liv Stirling was when she realised her gown, which was at her nan's house for safekeeping, was mistakenly included in a clearance after she passed away.
Liv Stirling had been storing her pretty white gown at her nan's house ahead of her big day.
She was horrified to discover that the frock of her dreams had been mistakenly carted off to a car boot sale in Ford, West Sussex, before an other couple innocently purchased it.
Taking to Facebook to make a desperate plea after the mistake, the mum-of-one, of nearby Arundel, said: "In the most unfortunate of circumstances my wedding dress has possibly been sold at Ford Car Boot, as it got accidentally taken during a clearance of my nan's flat where it was kept.
"I am yet to wear it for my special day and would, with all my heart, like to find the person who possibly has it and get it back."
She added in the Facebook post: "Sadly my nan is no longer with us and this was going to be like having part of her with me at my wedding.
"It is an Adrianna Papell dress in a size 10, brand new with tags.
"If you could please share and keep your fingers crossed for a miracle I would really appreciate it."
After her pleading message, invested locals scoured Vinted and Facebook Marketplace to try and find the gown, and thousands shared the post.
One social media user said: "Really hope you get it back. Shared in about 50 different groups and lots of local wedding pages."
Another wrote: "Have you tried posting on Nextdoor? Also, there's a lady who has responded on the Lostbox post with a screenshot of a dress similar to yours for sale. Looks a slightly different colour but could just be the lighting."
Another woman shared a link to a similar-looking dress being sold on the secondhand app Vinted in the hope of tracking it down.
In an incredible stroke of luck, the wedding dress turned up a week later - much to the joy of Liv and her crack team of social media helpers.
Liv said: "After literally thousands of amazing people shared my post about my wedding dress, the wonderful couple who had it, saw the post on the off chance on Facebook and reached out to return it to me!
"It feels like a miracle and I am over the moon. Thank you so much again to everyone for all their help in making this happen. I now have the part of my nan back with me for my special day again."
People dubbed the return as "incredible" and "really special", with many saying they were "pleased" for her.
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