Are You Keeping Your Wedding Dress?

I would say if you have any reservations about giving the dress away, you should keep it. Maybe you can pass it down to someone else in the family?

I am thinking about giving my dress up also. I love the idea of making something else out of it. Or even framing a small bit of fabric from the dress or something. I think de-cluttering is healthy. I have a daughter, but I doubt she will ever want to wear my old dress. Good luck deciding..I am still on the fence with this one.

So far I'm keeping mine. I just recently read about people donating their dresses to a couple of very good causes...Brides against breast cancer and also an organization that makes them into special outfits for babies that have died (sorry I can't remember the name of that organization) so if you choose to donate there are definitely some worthy organizations where you could send it. This is a tough decision that only you'll be able to make.

I am definitely in the minority here, but I did get rid of my dress. I spent almost $1000 on it, and loved it, but I was in the same place you are now - no more room! I have been married for over 12 years, and I just got rid of it a little over a year ago when we finished our basement. I did cut off the overlayment of beads and stones and kept that. I also still have my veil,shoes, and bouquet(silk). I wasn't sure how I'd feel once I got rid of it, but I honestly have not thought about it since. Whatever your decision...good luck!

you might regret it if you have any girls.

think of friends you have, or family. if they are thinking of getting married, especially if its someone who has expressed a great love for your dress, give it to them or something.

i have a boy, and im not even sure if we are having another kid, and im keeping mine. we have a high shelf in our closet that has the dress box on it. its out of the way, and its safe. so if you have the possibility of putting up a shelf somewhere high and out of the way, that would be great. :)

I am keeping mine, not so much so my daughter can wear it but more so that each of my children can have some of it for their weddings if they want.

It was such a coincidence (sp?) to see your question today. I just seen a segement on the "Today Show" this morning about "getting dirty in your wedding dress". Maybe you can go to the shows site and see if there is a video clip. It was women getting dressed in their wedding dresses for various types of photos. A group of friends went 4wheeling in their dresses - another group of friends jumped in a river and played in the water - a lady was in the desert dust kicked up by a truck - a couple took the til death do us part theme and laid in a dug up hole in the ground with dirt all over them (he in his tux) - another couple got dirty with colorful paint. I thought the were all fun photos ( except the death one) and what a cool idea. If your daughters aren't going to wear your dress or nothing is being made from it for them I thought these photos were a cool idea. I did wear my mothers dress. Or I might consider some photos like that myself. It's your dress do what feels right.

If you are considering donating your dress, I know of a college photography program
that is always looking for wedding dresses that they could use for their wedding portrait
classes!

I LOVED being able to see and try on my mom's wedding dress as I grew up! Looking at the photo albums and seeing 'THE' dress from those pictures was always special to me. The same holds true for my grandma; she kept her wedding dress and I love that!! Good luck with your decision.

Just keep it. You don't need the money and you preserved it for a reason. It doesn't take up that much space. I have mine in a closet.

We just moved, and my husband asks me regularly why I am keeping mine :) I love it, and intend to keep it. I have a daughter, and maybe she'll want it someday. I always loved trying on my Mom's when I was little, even though it was just a white minidress she made herself (very hippish) :)

Only you can decide, to give it to someone who needs it is a very good idea, and I may have to consider that as well.

Jessica

If I were you I would wait to donate or sell your dress. I got rid of mine and I truely regret it. If you have a daughter she may want to wear it when she gets married.

Maybe I'm too sentimental but I would keep it! You don't want to regret it later. With younger kids, the house seems so full of stuff for awhile but it won't always be like that. If you don't ever use the dress, oh well. But if you ever do want it, you will have it. SOme people have made baptismal gowns or other church dresses out of wedding dresses. I've even seen baby quilts that were adorable and very sentimental.

I think you might regret getting rid of it...I kept mine (and it is still at) my mom and dad's house cuz she has more room than we do and I just couldn't part with it...

I don't know where you live, but I know there is a lady/organization here in Omaha that uses wedding dresses to make outfits for infants that have passed away. Very very sad I know, but it would go to a good cause. I don't recall the name, but here is an organization like it I found online www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com
I kept mine as well and had it preserved. When the lady came to our garage sale and told us of what she did, I was very tempted to donate it to her, but we had just spent the money to preserve it, so I didn't do it. I think if I would have know about it before hand I might have done it. Tough call! Sometimes though we're so quick to get rid of stuff to "declutter" but then regret it after the fact.
Best of luck with your decision!

I would keep it. Though my mother's wedding dress was very early seventies hippy like - I tossed around the idea of wearing it when it came time for me to marry. I have this feeling my wedding dress may be classic enough to stand the test of time and were I to have a daughter I'd love to see her in it, even if it were just to try it on and wrinkle her nose like I did with my mom's.

When you think of all the pointless things we put in storage for whatever strange reason - the dress you wore the day you married the person you'll spend your life with seems like a good use of valuable space.

I would tell you better safe then sorry, keep the dress. 2 years ago I took my mother-in-laws who passed away from cancer wedding dress and turn it into a baptismal gown for all her grandchildren to use. It was such a wonderful way to keep her present in our lives especially on such a special day. So hang onto it and throw away some other stuff that doesn't have such sentimental value.

I would hang on to it - my kids (especially the girls) wanted to see it as they got older. None of them have gotten married yet, but my guess is that although none of them will want to wear it, I may allow them to cut it apart and each child can incorporate some part of the dress into their own dress.

I am keeping mine...just in case my daughter or future daughter-in-law would like to wear it. Do you have a relative with some storage space? Maybe your parents or his? I would hate to see you get rid of it, and then have your daughter or future daughter-in-law ask to wear it!
J. L.

Don't get rid of it! Wedding dresses mean so much and can be taken out a long time from now to look at.

I am normally not a keep-it type of person, however if you are thinking you will regret it, keep it.

My mom kept her dress and we girls had so much fun trying it on at the various ages growing up. My mom was so tiny when she got married, that her dress fit me when I was 12! I recommend you keep it, even just as dress-up for your kids.

I had my dress made into Baptism dresses for my girls b/c I thought even if my daughters have a boy they can still wear it.

I would only keep it if you are willing to have your girls play with it. If you're keeping it w/ the hopes that your daughter will wear it one day you're probably going to be disappointed!

Our home is just as packed! Three kids + us = no room for extras. However, I'm very attached to 'occasion clothing' - wedding dress, baptism, communion and any other special sports, favorite little shoes, etc. The list goes on. I wonder if you might have an attic like ours. Through a tiny hole in a bedroom closet. It's crummy with insulation up there - but if you big black garbage bag covered it, like three bags, tied/taped fully shut, etc - I wonder if the dress would be safe there - if the insulation/heat/cold etc would affect it - or if it would survive? I've considered a few items up in ours. We are considering moving, so I've not pursued it... I'd be certain to include a Large note beneath, so in the event of a one-day move it's not left behind.

good luck - as for me, I'd keep it. I do regret selling / tossing things once they'r gone... if they have an emotional piece of me, that is. Ordinarily, I'm a huge purger.

T.

a relative of mine had her dress made into baptismal outfit and blanket with her childrens names and baptism dates embroidered on the blanket.

I too put my dress in a box and tucked away. We are also bursting at the seams with stuff, and I considered getting rid of the dress. However, never did - and I'm glad. My girls are now 18, 13, and 11 and they love to look at the dress and talk about how they want to wear this dress when they get married. Will they really? I doubt it, but it has been fun reliving the memories with them and talking about boys, marriage and stuff with them.
If you are just keeping for yourself for your memories - let it go - pictures are much more space and "memory" friendly. But If you are having doubts - keep it - years go by fast and your kids will soon be 7, 10 and 13 and who knows it might be fund to bring it back out then (not sure if you have girls or boys)
Best of luck - there really is no wrong decision - just your decision.
C.

I had mine made into a First Communion dress for my daughter, it turned out beautiful and made the day even more special. We then had it cleaned and boxed so she can use it for her children some day if she wishes.