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A woman has revealed the touching story behind her mother-in-law choosing to wear a bridal gown to her wedding ceremony. 

Amy Pennza, from Kirtland, Ohio, took to Twitter on Wednesday, June 19, to respond to a Tweet shared by Jimmy Fallon in which he asked users to share a 'wedding fail' they had experienced. 

In response to the tweet, Amy revealed that her mother-in-law turned up to her ceremony in a white, bridal gown, leaving Twitter users in shock. However, the author went on to explain the heart-wrenching reason behind her decision to don a wedding gown at the event. 

Bizarre: Amy Pennza (R), an author from Kirtland, Ohio, revealed on Twitter that her mother-in-law (L) wore a white wedding dress to her ceremony 

Fail! The mom-of-four shared her now viral tweet and photo in response to a tweet from Jimmy Fallon, who asked users to share a 'wedding fail' story with him 

Explanation: After she shared the tweet, she had hundreds of inquiries from fellow Twitter users about why her mom-in-law chose to wear a bridal gown, so she explained the story 

Background: Amy said that, although she doesn't remember much about her wedding, she recalls seeing her mother-in-law in the dress and thinking that she could have been the bride

The mom-of-four responded to the comedian and television show host's tweet, which read: 'It's Hashtags time! Tag a tweet with #WeddingFail and then tell us a funny or weird story from a wedding you were at. Could be on the show!'

Amy was one of over 1,000 people to respond to the tweet. She shared a photo of herself and her mother-in-law at her ceremony, which saw both of them wearing white, floor-length wedding gowns.

Viral: Since Amy explained the touching story behind her mother-in-law wearing the dress, her tweet has garnered over 10,000 likes 

She captioned the photo, writing: 'My mother-in-law wore a wedding dress to my wedding. So, yeah, top that one, Twitter. #weddingfail'

And after sharing the image, over 2,000 Twitter users offered their opinions on her mom-in-law's bizarre outfit choice, as many users were dumbfounded by it.

Others requested Amy to tell the story behind her mother-in-law's decision to wear the dress, with one user saying: 'I need the story. What was her justification? Was there an emergency?'  

Amy decided to explain the story behind the dress in a series of tweets, after her 'wedding fail' garnered quite a bit of attention from other users on the platform. 

In a series of tweets, Amy said: 'I didn't know what my mother-in-law planned to wear. I didn't think to ask.

'The morning of the wedding, all the women in the bridal party cram into a tiny room in the church. You know, body glitter and hairspray everywhere. Fifteen coats of mascara. Putting napkins under your pits so you don't sweat on your dress.

'She walks in. I see it,' she added. 

Amy explained that her wedding day was a 'blur', which meant that she didn't remember many details of the ceremony. However, she recalls telling her mother-in-law that her whit ensemble looked so much like a wedding gown that she could probably 'be the bride'.

She continued: 'Later, my sister (matron of honor) said she didn't pull me aside and talk about it because she hoped I was too distracted to notice. My college roommate (bridesmaid) said the same thing.  

Memories: She said that although several members of the wedding party expected Amy to get angry at her mother-in-law, 'the wedding unfolded without bloodshed' 

Understanding: Amy explained that her mother-in-law is 'frugal' because she grew up in 'extreme poverty,' and that she enjoys 'a good bargain' 

'But secretly, they both spent the reception looking at me, then each other, then MIL, then me, then the cop the venue made us hire - hoping I didn't go for his taser. 

'I'm happy to report the wedding unfolded without bloodshed, or anyone being shoved into the champagne fountain,' she added. 

Amy went on to explain how her mother-in-law's background led to her decision to wear the white wedding gown to Amy's wedding. 

'Here's the thing: My mother-in-law is extremely frugal. And I don't mean she just enjoys a good bargain. To understand her, you have to know where she comes from.   

'She grew up in extreme poverty. As a child, she used to sneak into the kitchen and eat match heads. That's a pica craving, and kids do it when they're malnourished. 

'When you grow up with nothing, it stays with you. Forever, I think. No matter how much money you earn, there's always that little fear in the back of your mind that someone might take it all away,' she added.

The author said that despite her upbringing that often saw her struggling, she never became 'cruel' or 'selfish' as a result.

'However, she's a bargain hunter to the bone', she said. 'Her money saving strategies are legend - and often hilarious. At family gatherings, we amuse ourselves telling stories of crazy shit she's done to save money.'

Some of Amy's mother-in-law's money-saving methods include removing olives and celery from a Bloody Mary and using them in salads.

She has also previously placed the unwanted contents of a Subway sandwich Amy was eating into a plastic bag, as she said 'someone will eat them', according to the author.  

Kind: Her frugal outlook has led her to keep the olives and celery from a Bloody Mary and use them for salads, as well as reusing unwanted meat from a sandwich Amy once ate 

Thrifty: The author said her mother-in-law was even excited when she was turning 60, as this meant she would be able to claim 'her discounts' 

'When Sally Jesse Raphael was popular, she didn't have the money to buy red glasses, so she painted hers with red nail polish,' Amy said, adding that her mom-in-law still has the glasses.

'She was so excited to turn 60, so she could claim her discounts. As long as there's a bargain involved, she doesn't care about getting older.

'When my husband and his sisters were young, and they went to dinner, she'd try to get coupons back from the server so they could reuse them. She always has a plastic water bottle in her purse. At restaurants, she'll fill up her bottle with water from the table. "Why not? I'm paying for it." 

'She brings her own mint and lime to restaurants because "the bartenders don't know how to make a good Mojito." When my daughter drinks ice water, my mother-in-law makes her put the empty glass on the counter. "Leave the ice in there...it'll melt and make more water,"' Amy added.

She went on to reveal how her past had led to her decision to wear the white dress to Amy's wedding. 

The author explained: 'So when she spotted The Dress at an incredible bargain, she couldn't turn it down. If you ask her now, she says she feels terrible about it.

'Although, she also told me, "I think I've still got it. We should raffle it off."

'She's frugal. But she's also incredibly generous. When my twins were newborns, she drove across town every night, slept on the sofa, and did three feedings. For two babies. Every night for months,' she said.

Amy added that her mother-in-law regularly delivers bags of new clothing that she had bargain-hunted for her four children.   

Economical: Amy said her mom-in-law fills her plastic water bottle up when she dines at restaurants, and brings her own mint and lime to restaurants to make mojitos 

Kind: Amy said that, although her mother is frugal, she is 'incredibly generous'. She said her generosity once saw her voluntarily taking care of Amy's twins when they were newborns  

She also hemmed Amy's trousers when she got her first job, as Amy said she is unable to sew herself. 

'She never misses a band concert, sports event, talent show, science fair...you name it. She'd walk over hot coals for her grandchildren. She gives them everything. Because, you know, she grew up with nothing.  

'So, yeah, the wedding dress was a shock. But it gave me a pretty funny memory. No one who attended has ever forgotten it. And, you have to admit, weddings can be forgettable. 

'Sure, she wore a wedding dress to my wedding. But she has more than made up for it since. When I told her about this getting a lot of attention, and said I worried it might hurt her feelings, she waved it off. "Whatever makes me famous."

Amy concluded the now viral thread, writing: 'And, because I'm a romance author, I'd be remiss if I didn't add: And they lived happily ever after.' 

Since Amy shared the story behind the dress, the initial tweet has garnered over 10,000 likes and hundreds of responses from people who were curious about the tale. 

Several users said they enjoyed reading the story, while many noted that Amy's mother-in-law sounds like a 'great' person.  

'This made me cry and I love it,' one woman said. 'You have a great wedding story but more importantly it sounds like a great MIL and a great family.' 

Amazing: Her generosity has also seen her attending endless events for her grandchildren, as well as regularly giving them clothing that she has bargain-hunted 

Happy: Amy said that although she was shocked to see her mother-in-law wearing a wedding dress, she didn't mind, as it made for a 'funny memory' 

Another woman wrote: 'Thank you. It was worth it. She sounds like a gem.'  

'Came here for a possibly wild story and instead learned how hard your MIL had it growing up and how kind hearted of a person she is. 

'I'm guessing she saw the bargain dress deal and didn’t think it would be bad to wear,' another said. 

Others praised Amy for her positive outlook on the situation, with some users noting that she could have been angry at her mother-in-law's choice of clothing. 

One user said: 'Not only is this a truly astounding story, but I’m so touched at how generously you see her and her motivations. Just lovely.'

'I will have to practice your sense of humor and generosity, as it's healthy. Your MIL could have raised the hem and dyed the dress, as she has sewing skills,' one man said. 

'But you also depict her as someone who didn't act out of narcissism or malice. Glad your husband has a nice family,' he added. 

Similarly, another user wrote: 'I love that!!! Thank you so much for sharing! !!! I love that you see the whole picture and that you made a memory for life out of it!!!! 

'Much better then to get upset bc of a dress!!! Everyone carries it's own story we don't kow [sic] about! Even when it is hard.. try not to judge!'

A fourth Twitter user said: 'You handled this with great compassion and hearing the stories about your mother-in-law and her love for her family are beautiful.'