Vera Wang Wedding Gown

I bought my gown on ebay and sold it after the wedding. My daughter will want her own gown. She is nontraditional, much like her mom and we like it that way.

My mother had made my wedding dress which I saved for the daughter that I would one day have. I was a tiny little thing when I got married; my only daughter passed up the size of that dress when she was still in jr hi! So, why am I still letting it take up space in my closet?..because besides the fact that it's my wedding dress, it was one of the last things that my mother made and I could never part with it.

Sell it or have it made into a heritage quilt or something. You may not have a daughter and if you do she probably won't want to wear it. My daughter loved to try my dress on, but before she was a teenager, she could not wear it. She is much taller than I am. It ended up being ruined because I did not have it stored correctly.

Hi Liash,

I had my wedding gown made into blessing/christening outfits for my boy/girl twins. I had a mini version of my dress made for the girl and a pant suit made for the boy out of the skirt. The dress was the cutest, but the suit still came out adorable as well. I love the fact that I have a small keepsake from my wedding dress without having the huge dress taking up room in a closet. That said; if it doesn't mean that much to you sentimentally, then sale it and use the money for the family you actually have. If you do end up having a daughter one day, then keep your veil and have something special made out of it. Good luck.

You can also consider donating your gown to various charities... That way, you are in charge of determining a value on the gown, based on your receipt of what you paid for it and and any wear & tear... You can then take a tax deduction on your tax return. Same opportunity for Bridesmaids dresses...

Below are some various charities. (There is also one specifically for military brides...)
http://bridesacrossamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/milit...
http://www.makingmemories.org/brides_against_breast_cance...
http://heavenlyangelsinneed.blogspot.com/2007/06/beautifu...
http://www.donatemydress.org/
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/DonatingYourWeddingG...

(BTW, I couldn't fit into my mother's dress... That being said, I still have mine... Not sure why?! Sentimental fool I am!)

Hi L.-

Sell it....no matter how nicely you offer it to your daughter for her wedding day or how many times you say "if you don't want it you don't have to wear it.." she's going to feel pressure since you kept it all those years!! If you have a necklace or earrings or a handkerchief that you wore for your wedding day, keep that for her to wear if she wants something nostalgic but sell the dress.

Good Luck!
K.

My mother tried to get me to wear her wedding dress on my big day and all I could think of was "Hey, this is my day, I should have my OWN dress." If you have no attachment to it get rid of it. I see no reason to hang on to every thing for posterity's sake. I assume you do have wedding pictures to remind you of it. Sell it and get yourself a sexy little number to wear on your anniversary.

Wow, this is such an interesting question. I still have my dress hanging in the closet and I look at it all the time because it is so pretty!!! You know, I think about that too because I don't want it to yellow, but packing it away in a box seems weird because it is meant to be worn. I guess I will probably see if someone else needs it sometime. I really don't know. The idea of selling it and not having it seems tough for me, but I am the emmotional type! If you hate that dress in your closet and don't feel emmotional about it, then I say sell it!

Just another thought, there is a fairy god mother's organization that takes in evening gowns and such and makes them available to people who cannot afford formal wear. I think it is geared for prom events, etc. but they may have a wider scope than that. I just remember hearing about them and thinking I need to send them my wedding gown, etc. B.

Tke some pictures of it and get rid of it! Things go out of style so fast and you don't know if you sill have a girl or if she will even look good in the same style dress as you. Use the money to start a saving account for your kids!

I am nearly a foot shorter than my mother, so I could not have worn her wedding dress even if I had wanted to. Further, she wore a short 60s sheath, which was not at all what I would wear. The handing down of the wedding dress has always struck me as odd, personally. However, if you don't want to sell it (which is perfectly fine to do - you have pictures of it), there are some tailors that specialize in restructuring and dyeing wedding dresses to turn them into cocktail dresses.

my daughter loves tradition, a trait she didn't inherit from me. i say keep it and make the decision later. either after you have daughter or if you don't have one. i'd keep it. but if you decide to sale it....let me know!

thanks

It was always fun playing dress up with my mom's gown and I'm sure if you had a daughter she would try that, but I'm not sure how much you want a little girl playing dress up in a Vera Wang gown!! If you personally have no attachments to the gown...sell it! I wouldn't hold on to it in hopes of a maybe girl wearing it.

My mom didn't have a wedding gown, so I bought my own. We're not the same size anyway! Since I have two sisters, there might have been a problem over who would wear it, except they wouldn't have fit in it either. Mine wasn't nearly as expensive as a Vera Wang, but I don't have a daughter either, only a son. I held onto mine for years, and finally gave it away to someone else who could use it. I decided the pictures and memories were all I needed.

OHHHH, keep it...you might have a son who's wife wants it or a daughter...you could have a cousin's daughter...who knows. I HATE seeing beautiful dresses in thrift stores or online like that...but I am extremely sentimental. I guess the question is...if someone later did ask about it or want it would you be upset with yourself for getting rid of it?

I've seen lots of wonderful ideas and responses about your dress. (donating it, making it into a quilt, selling it.....)

I think I would probably agree that even if you have a daughter, she might not want to wear your gown at her own wedding -- it's so hard to predict what our children will do.

Anyway, if you don't have a girl you might want to think about hanging onto the dress until your son(s) get a little older and then selling it as a "vintage Vera Wang" -- and then use the money you get to help pay for their college or some other important event.

Just a thought......

My mom kept hers but it was way to old fashion and was not stored properly. It was fun trying it on and we all had a great laugh. I am keeping mine wrapped in acid free tissue in a box. If I have a daughter one day and she wants to wear it great. If she doesn't want to wear it or I don't have a daughter that is later on and I will figure something out. My grandmother still has her dress. I would package your dress and store it. I think you might regret getting rid of it so soon.

I felt like you...I wanted to sell my wedding gown and did.
I didn't think it would be a problem for my husband but he was a little hurt that I wasn't more sentimental about it.

J. B.

Consider making it into a wedding quilt if you can't/don't want to sell it.

I wanted to wear my mom's dress but she didn't think it looked "fresh" enough and it was going to cost too much to rework. I ended up buying a lovely (for the time) but now very dated 80's wedding dress. I didn't have it heirloomed because my mom's dress had been heirloomed and that didn't stop it from turning yellow. Instead- EVERY year on my anniversary I put that silly wedding dress on and greet my husband at the door when he comes home from work. Even when I was a gazillion months pregnant- I had a neighbor come pin the back to my bra straps so it would look "normal" from the front. (That is a GREAT picture- sitting on the front bench w/ my 3 yr old in front of me, barefoot and very pregnant)I can no longer zip it all the way after 3 kids and 22 years- but I still put it on and zip part way- pin a little here and there- and "surprise" my husband when he walks in the door. But I agree- chances are no one will want to wear it and a nice timeless Vera Wang will probably hold up well for resale-so hang on to it for a few years- see if you get a "sign" like someone else said and,if not, then part with it and NEVER look back.

If I could have fit into my mother's gown, I would have been happy to have worn it. But, when she married she had a 17 inch waist! The last time I fit into it I was 12. Plus, my mom is 5'6", I am 5'10", so it would have fit me as a tea length (or shorter) dress. He dress is a simple, classic style that would still be considered "in style".

I had a dress for a wedding that didn't happen. I did SELL it (not sale) to a 2nd hand store that rented formal wear. The girl that owned the store rented it several times.

For my own wedding I wanted something simple. It was a beach casual wedding. My groom and his groomsmen wore Guyaberas and linen shorts. My rule of thumb was I didn't want a dress that had so much to it it could stand up on its own. I found a beautiful dress, satin with chiffon (sp?) overlay. It had daisies around the scoop neck and under the bust line. It is now hanging in my closet. I have plans to cut is off a little and have it dyed a color other than white and wear it for special occasions.

HI L.,

I bought my own dress but my mother did not have a dress for me to wear because she borrowed her cousin's--however I am going to keep my dress for my daughter who is now 3 years,but not neccesarily for her to wear but to maybe take a part of it and put it into her own dress(since everyone's stlye can be different) or then theres the tradition of something old,something borrowed..I also thought if that never happens..I heard a woman who had hers made into a quilt for her and it made a beautiful guest room bed or give to your son or daughter if they have a baby girl for her bed..anyway,I guess you can tell I think you should keep the dress,at least for awhile to see how things turn out..thanks

If you want to pass it on to your daughter,then take it to the cleaners and have it heirloomed. She really might want it some day.

I did not wear my mothers's gown, but did have mine preserved. It now sits in an air tight peservation box under my bed.

I would sell it on ebay! there are tons of women that want that dream dress but cant afford it. Even if you do have a daughter, you dont know if she will be the same size, like the style, or just want her own dream dress. Make money on something that is just sitting around I say. Maybe you can start a little fund with some of the money called our daughters dream dress:)

I went out and bought my own also! Then I did sale mine on ebay (not really that much money).....Now, I have 2 daughters (and a son) I really wished it was even an option. Once you do sale it, that's it! Just remember it is a permanent decision. If you do have a daughter (one day)...... we do not what the trend will be in 25 years??? Maybe, retro wear your mom's gown?

L., I am in the same boat. Except it's my mother that tells me to keep it. I do have a daughter, she is 9 now but I can tell you, if she ends up being the same size as me, she doesn't have the same taste! Anyways by then it is going to be outdated. I think it is a stupid tradition! I have been married 12 years, I have unzipped that bag one time in those tweleve years. It's crazy! Why can't we just go and rent a gown just like the guys do their tux's. Stop the insanity and sell it!

I personally would sell it and use the money to finance a 2nd honeymoon. A picture is worth a thousand words and I'm sure you took more than enough pictures of the dress (that are probably stored away too) It's very unlikely a future daughter/daughter-in-law would want to wear it. It would also put them in an awkward situation of having to tell you no but thank you. It also might hurt your feelings (20 plus years down the road) My mother-in-law approached me about wearing her wedding dress. It might have been gorgeous back in the day but it was UGLY to me, not to mention she was 5ft 4 and it was a size 1 ( as if) I'm 5 ft 8 and my frame could never be a size 1 even if I starved myself. Good luck!!!

L.,

My mother was a very skinny woman when she got married and I was not so skinny. I couldn't wear her dress, but I did sew my own. I am going to keep mine because it holds sentimental value for me. Maybe my daughter would like to wear it when she gets married. However, that is a long long way off(she is only 3weeks old) and it could be all eaten through with moth holes by then.

If your dress holds no sentimental value and it would fetch a pretty penny you should sell it. (it sounds like maybe your hubby has an attatchment though)

Personally, I wore my moms wedding dress from her second wedding. (My mom was pregnant on for her first wedding) Its hard to say what your daughter may like years down the road (styles, etc) so you could keep it, but she may or may not want it. So its a 50/50 choice you will have to make. But a Vera Wang down the road (I would think) would be worth something if you do have to sell it later!!

I too bought my own wedding dress, even though mom still had hers.....there is a company that will make it into a quilt. I cannot remember the name, but it might be worth researching it!!

I know you have more advice already than you could possibly ever want, but I just had to chime in here. I did not consider wearing my mother's wedding dress, even though she kept it, primarily because my parents went through an awful divorce after 17 years of marriage so the dress no longer symbolized something that I wanted to model my own marriage after. I designed my dress and had it made and have kept it in a zippered bag in my closet ever since. It is still white after 20+ years. I have three daughters, 11, 9 and 4; the two oldest know it is there but have never asked to see it, much less try it on. But I will hold onto it because I know one day one of them will want to see it and perhaps try it on, and I wouldn't want to deprive them or myself of that moment. I know I won't even offer it to them when they get married--I wouldn't want to pressure them--they know it's there and if they have any interest in it, they will ask me. I donated all my old prom dresses to a theater group before I had children (my husband hates hanging onto old stuff that takes up space, so I did it after much harrassment from him), and I now regret it because my daughters HAVE asked about those dresses--they have a teenage cousin whom they have seen all dressed up ready to go to a prom, and they wanted to know what happened to my pretty dresses. They were sad that they couldn't see them and try them on. So, I know I will continue to hold onto my wedding dress, 'just in case'! If I were you I would hang onto that Vera Wang...in 20 years, if you don't have a daughter or other relative who wants to wear it, you may be able to sell it for a small fortune, whereas now, you will probably only get a fraction of what you paid for it. Think of it as an investment! Good luck whatever you decide!

My parents got married back in the 60's at the JP's office. They were 17 & 18. My mom never had a "gown", just a simple dress.
My wedding gown was heirloomed right after my wedding and is STILL hanging in my old room at my parent's house. It is hanging right next to my prom dress that I only wore once. I was married in 1984!!! Back then, it was a beautiful dress, in style and was even on the front cover of Modern Bride Magazine the month I was married.
I DO have a daughter. She will be 20 soon. She has seen my dress and very politely said it wasn't the style she had in mind:)
When her big day comes, she will, like many others, choose what is just right for her. It will not hurt my feelings if she turns her nose up at my old dress.
Like the other mom said...think about what the style will be in another 20+ years. If you are thinking about getting rid of it...now would be the time.
If you sell it now, you might get a nice amount for it. You could put that money back for someday when you have to possibly purchase one. I can only imagine what they'll cost in 2030 !!!

I kind of chuckle at this one. Both my sisters wore my mom's wedding dress for their "big" day. Well, my mom and dad eventually divorced and now both my sisters marriages have ended as well. The curse of the wedding dress. I eloped and so I didn't wear it. My marriage is wonderful. Hmmmm....
I say ebay it. I think the odds are that your daughter will not want to wear it...just my opinion.

L. . . .
What's done is done . . .and I am sure you looked beautiful on your wedding day . . and if you were happy and felt like a princess on your special day, then be happy about that. Your photos will show that you felt amazing. . .and that is the point. Could you have felt amazing in another dress? Probably so - - but don't worry about that now.

My mother is a fabulous seamstress and made all our dresses. (I have 3 sisters.) On her own dress, (which she also created) she loaned it to someone and they tore it and my mother was so upset she stuffed it in a suitcase and it dry-rotted and turned brown. Even the most careful restoration could not undo what years in a hot suitcase in South Louisiana had done.
I was heartsick - at her 50th - to look at such beautiful handiwork that was ruined. We used it on display, but could not have anyone wear it . .. we used it on a table and folded it so that some parts could not be seen. . . but it was so sad that it was not preserved.

Maybe you'll have a daughter - maybe you won't. Maybe she'll love your Vera Wang, and maybe she'll want something completely different. At any rate, you will probably WISH you had been able to give her the choice. Keep it for now . . .have it professionally preserved NOW - - sometimes there are tiny spots you don't see for years that can be almost impossible to see. Even if your children do not use it, they may want to see it and have it.

I know other people will say to be practical and sell it . . there are plenty of other things in life to be practical about. I don't think your wedding dress has to be one of those. You had a special day and created memories to cherish - - save those and the things that helped create them - - for the ones who come behind you that may want to cherish them, too.

And - - I just thought of this - - I have a friend who made it a point to still fit into her dress years later and had photos made on an anniversary. It was lovely!

I bought my own. My mom's was not preserved so it was yellow, it was not my taste and not my size!

Just because you don't have a daughter yet, doesn't mean that you won't have a niece or nephew or even a daughter or even a son whose fiance's family has little money to work with. I say the choice is yours.....Remember, though styles change, it is quite possible for someone to take their mother or grandmother's dress and have it "altered" to be more with the times. I have been married twice.....my first gown I disposed of.....I had saved it for a long time and I could tell by looking at it that it wasn't "my daughter's kind of gown" (she was 10 at the time).....and she didn't mind that I did...... The second time I got married, BOTH my daughter and my step-daughter claim they want to be married in that gown. So, we shall see! I did have it heirloomed just in case. And, I would be absolutely thrilled if one of them wore it..... but, if not, then maybe one of my three nieces.... You never know..... If it's in your way and you want to get rid of it, do so, but, otherwise, you may want to hang on to it..... only you can decide that. My sister even volunteered her dress to me for my second wedding and told me to chop it up or whatever I wanted, but it was white and I didn't want to wear bright white......I wore a champagne pink (which, incidentally, didn't look pink at all....but didn't look ivory either.....I think that's why the girls like it so much is because of how unique the coloring and embroidery were.) Either way, good luck..... I will say I looked on Ebay when I bought my dress and it looked like dresses go for way under what was paid.....so, as long as the amount of money you make isn't as big of an issue, you could probably sell it there.... You might also try Kingwood Yard Sales (www.kingwoodyardsales.com)

I donated my dress to Brides Against Breast Cancer. I had it cleaned and mailed it to the address on the form I downloaded off of the internet. If it is newer than 1995 they will take it. They clean and repair the gowns and sell them at large sales in major cities across the US. The funds go towards the "Making Memories" program which is similar to the "Make a Wish" program but for people who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

All of this depends on the personality of the (hypothetical) daughter(s) you might have. My mother wore a suit to hers, so I had no option. Hold onto it if you have room. Can't hurt, might be great.

I purchased my own for a few reasons (1) my mom's dress was too small (2) it was very out dated (3) it wasn't properly cared for and had yellowed over the years. Her vail didn't match my dress; but I think my sister is going to use it.

L.,
A) I would not have worn my mother's wedding gown, unless I was having a vintage style wedding
B) Your future daughter may not be near your size and therefore alterations may be impossible
C) You may never have a daughter-just sons
D) Unless you take it somewhere and have it preserved, it won't be white anymore by then
E) I learned a long time ago--if you haven't used something in the last year...get rid of it! Your house will be cluttered with items like that if you hold on to them "in case"....and I do have daughters!!

I say save it!! I just got married this past June and I wore my Mom wedding dress. We had it changed a little to fit my style but it was very little changes. And I loved it so much! Im so glad i did it and to see how pround my parents was that day is priceless. It may be an old tradition but its a wonderful old tradition. And you never know someday your daughter in law will wear it. My best friend of 14 years will be wearing our dress when she gets married. We took the dress to the cleaners and had the dress cleaned and box..(this saves the dress for years and saves space too) In all I agree with your Husband! keep the dress it holds wonderful memories forget about the price..

I still have mine, somewhere. I have two boys and a stepdaughter, and of course she wanted to choose her own dress when she married earlier this year. Plus, my dress is already out of style 10 years later. Is yours a "classic" simple style, or a trendy one? That is a factor.

My two cents are, since you are unsure, keep it, and only sell it if you need the money. If you need the money, sell it and don't feel guilty. I am sure you have plenty of pictures of it, but it would be nice to at least show it to your kids some day, even if none of the actually wear it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

i would have loved to wear my moms dress but she made a beautiful bassinet out of it which has actually gotten more use than the dress would have.

I too have a wedding gown in the closet, and a daughter who is two years old...but I will more than likely have it made into a quilt to pass on to her when she is grown. I think its a nice alternative, and allows us to keep the gown around as an heirloom.

How much would you get out of it? Not much, I bet. Unless you need the money or space, keep it! On your 25th anniversary you can play dress up! Maybe a daughter will wear it to marry, maybe she will wear it to a prom, maybe another relative will wear it. I didn't wear my mother's dress, but I wouldn't have fit into it even if she still had it. It is worth a chance, and some granddaughter or niece might adore having that dress. Keep it!

Take it to the drycleaners and have it professionally... archived, box it up (my understnading is that hanging is hard on really good dresses) put it in a back closet out of the way. But keep it!!!

I wore my sister's wedding gown. Wedding gowns don't sell for that much on eBay (check it out). Unless you really need the room, I'd hold on to it for a close relative (not necessarily a daughter) who would appreciate its sentimental value.

I bought a new dress and would have even if my mom saved hers. I also did not save mine. I actually made a baptism gown out of it for all my kids to wear. That way its special and saved - yet not expected to be worn at anyone's wedding.

I got my own. My parents got married in the 70's and their outfits mathced. Serisouly my brother wore my dads "tux" for a pimp halloween costume. Styles change and I would make sure it was ok with your husband to sell it first. It is rare that someone can take a dress and make it there own. If the material is wonderful which being a Vera Wang i am sure it is then it might be worth keeping. But if you dont have any attachment then sell. Also your daughter in law might want to wear it. Even though you dont have a daughter there might be girls entering into your family. I have even heard of people making Christmas tree skirts out of there dresses.

Hey L.,

I bought my own as well. I really like the idea of donating the gown that someone mentioned earlier. That is such an awesome idea! This way, you can benefit at tax time and someone else gets the opportunity to wear your gorgeous dress :)
That's what I would go with. I do know there is also a local group if you would prefer for it to stay here. www.austinfairygodmother.org Here is a link on an article that was done on this group.
http://www.impactnews.com/leander-cedar-park/nonprofit/73...
I have a couple of bridesmaid dresses that I was going to get to them as well.

Wait! Before you sell it...I was having this same conversation a couple of days ago at lunch. One of my friends did the greatest thing with her gown-she had it made into christening gowns for her future grandchildren. I love this idea and think it's a perfect way to "honor" the dress you wed your true love in. She is not Catholic-nor am I- but I did let my now 2 year old wear her fathers gown when she was dedicated at our church. It was beautiful and the pictures are amazing! I, too think "heirlooming" your gown is a waste of money and it becomes a hassle as well. We have a different way of life these days and it is very unlikely your daughter would want to wear your gown.
HTH
J.

Sell it - quickly. Your styles may be total opposites and since you do not even have a daughter yet, you may have it for 25 years. I can only see you paying for drastic alterations to make it fit the style in 2035???

I spent about 1000 on my dress and it too sits in my closet. I thought I could make christening gowns out of it and never did. I have two boys. I can't bear to sell it and it just hangs there. I look back and think what a waste of money the whole wedding was!! We could have used the money else where, but I think you learn that after the wedding. Enjoy your memories and move on. Maybe you will have a friend that could borrow it?

I donated mine to Goodwill. It's not about the dress or even teh wedding, it's about the marriage! Good Luck!

I am one of 6 girls in our family and the only one that wore my mother's wedding gown. I loved being able to wear it and hope maybe my daughter will also someday...just a thought. If it is a classic look it might get worn again :)

You'll never know what she will want and she won't until she gets there. I know she might feel put on the spot to wear it if you keep it for her with that intention. I didn't want a traditional wedding dress for myself. I just wore a simple dress. If you sold it, she wouldn't know any better and you could look forward to shopping together. No regrets. If you keep it for her, and she wants it, so be it. But, you don't know what will happen to it from now til then. If you keep it, and she doesn't want it... I say, if you want to sell it - sell it. Get some money for it. I don't know many people who would want their mother's wedding dress, especially if it's trendy.

styles change so much that it is unreasonable to thinkthat she will wear yours...did you Mother wear her Mother's? Part of the joy of a wedding is picking out that perfect gown. Imagine the joy your gown could bring a bride who otherwise couldn't afford such extravagance. I think your idea is great. Good luck on E-bay.

My cousin wore her mother's wedding dress to her own wedding. It's what her mother really wanted. My cousin looked absolutely ridiculous and I felt terrible for her. She felt like she didn't have a choice. Don't put those expectations on a yet to be born child.

A friend of mine used her wedding gown to make baptism outfits for her kids. Thought that was a great idea.

I would go ahead and sell it. It is very wonderful to think of your daughter wearing it. I know because I saved mine for my daughter, who is now 16. Really, she is entitled to buy the dress of her dreams and not be trapped by my dress.

Don't get me wrong she loves it and it hangs in a closet, but if it was in better shape I w

ould sell it now and put the money in a better investment.

Hope this helps.

I don't think that you would be awful. At least if you sell it or even donate it, someone else will definitly be using it. I've tried to sell mine in the paper & on EBAY but I've had SO much trouble selling mine I've decided to donate it to the Making Memories foundation for brides-to-be w/breast cancer. I'm sure though since yours is Vera Wang you probably won't have any trouble selling it. Mine is a large size too so that's probably why it never sold. Best of luck to you & no, I don't think you'd be awful if you sold it. I never wore my mom's neither did my sister so her's is still in the closet, yellowing (she didn't preserve hers for some reason). I had my dress picked out since high school & that was my dream dress & so I got my dream dress (well, extremely close to it!) & that's what I wore.

I tried on my grandmother's wedding dress when I was in the 7th grade (my uncle was getting married, so my grandmother pulled her dress out to show my aunt-to-be). The dress had been hand-made for my grandmother; it was an ivory, full-length, heavy bridal satin gown with long sleeves and a draped neckline, and it actually fit me (in the 7th grade - my grandmother must have been small!) I thought it was the most elegant dress I had ever seen and I told her that I wanted to get married in it! When I did get married 8 years later, I asked her if I could use it. It had never been heirloomed, so we had to put out a little money to have some stains around the train cleaned, but it still fit me! I got married in July (in TEXAS) and it was over 100 degrees (and an hour long Catholic wedding, to boot, but I kept that dress on all day! It was so special to me! Afterwards, we paid to have it heirloomed and gave it back to my grandmother.

Boy it's nice to hear a guy being sentimental. I can understand his point of view, it was a very special day, and it sounds like he just wants to remember it.
I don't know but, I turned my wedding dress (not handed down, and not traditional) into a Christmas tree skirt, and since we have had kids I put their hand print on it every year, since birth. I have also heard of people having their wedding days duds turned into quilts...that is something any girl would want from their moms. Good luck deciding.

From a bridal boutique owner and wedding consultant for many years ; )

It's a toss up. I have worked with brides that wore their Mothers vintage dresses that were so beautiful and special, but most have not wanted to wear Mom's dress and wanted their own. It will totally depend on your (prospective : ) daughter's style and taste. Oh and size like some of the other ladies have mentioned. I would have worn my mother's dress,if it were my size, because it would have been unique and special. If it is a classic look you might want to keep it. Other options are to change the dress style later or use the material to make another dress.
The problem with selling it is that you may not get what you want for it or even be able to sell it at this point, since it is older. If you are sentimental about your dress I would just hang on to it and see. You should have it preserved though so it won't discolor. If you don't end up having a daughter or using it, you could always donate it to a theater group. If it is a ballgown, they might get some good use out of it. That's my two cents anyway. Have fun!

Honestly, you are ok to sell it. I paid to have my dress "preserved" which probably just means I paid for it to be cleaned & packed in a box. I don't even know where my mom's dress it. It was her sister's & would not have fit me anyways.
What are the odds that my daughter's are going to want to wear my dress if it even fits them?

I have a friend who's mother made a quilt with parts of her wedding dress and her mothers and it hangs in her room on her wall. My cousins had her wedding dress made and they used just bits and pieces of her moms in hers. My mom's wedding dress was so out of date and style I would have never even considered it. You might want to either save some of it or make something out of it or sell it. It is really up to you and how you feel about it. :) My wedding dress is still at my mother's house and I don't even know what I want to do with it myself. hmmmmmmm .....

I have 6 sisters/sisters-in-law plus me. We all bought our own. Sell it. :)

Sell it now while it's still in style,
and make some other girls dream come true who couldn't afford it firsthand!

My mother didnt wear a wedding gown (she was married in the early 50's when a suit was considered the thing to wear). I had my wedding gown preserved and I will offer it to my daughter or to whom ever my son marries. If nothing else, I think they will find it to be a sentimental keep sake.
T.

You could talk to your husband and make a joint decision about whether you'd rather have the money for the dress, or maybe have it made into a baptism dress (you can do fancy ones for either baby boys or girls).
I wouldn't count on your daughter being able to wear yours. Everyone has their own taste, and times will be different 30 years from now. I loved my mom's dress--she made it herself. I thought that maybe I'd wear it. I fit into it in my early 20's, but by the time I got married at 30, it didn't fit anymore. I'd gained a little weight. She wore it at 23, so I don't know if she could have worn it at 30 either!

I think it's your dress, and you should do with it what you want. If you want to "keep it in the family" You could consider getting it made into something else for your daughter. I am Catholic and I know people who have made christening dresses or first communion dresses out of it. Don't feel guilty about spending money on a dress. When else are you going to be Cinderella?

Sell it! Your daughter if you ever have one will want her own!

We held on to my wifes, custom made for years and years, carted it from one place to another, vacumed sealed so it wouldn't change. Finally donated it to a theater for a costume. We had two boys,and when they married both girls
were much larger than my wife and they wanted their own dresses! Just as well, both ended in divorce!

My daughters will more than likely want their own. Not even I would wear my old wedding gown(not that I could fit into it)! Styles have changed so much so if I were you I would sell.

I know how you feel. (I love vera wang gowns, btw). The are expensive to wear for a day, then the expense of washing them and preserving them...

You can't bet that your daughter who might exist someday will wear it. If that was a common practice, Vera would be looking for another job. But it is hard to just part with.

I heard someone say that when her daughter decided not to wear her dress, she had a dressmaker cut it up and make small wedding dresses out of it. Then she dressed teddy bears in those dresses and gave one to each of her daughers/ daughters in-law as a wedding gift. I thought that was sweet. I mentioned it to someone once, though, and she thought it was tacky. So who knows?

I guess the point is that you should not count on any one else caring about your dress. Do what you want with it. If selling it would make you happiest, then sell it. There is nothing wrong with that.

I didn't wear my mother's gown because she's 3" shorter than me and her outfit was very dated (think Jackie Kennedy with a pillbox hat). If you have a daughter there's no guarantee she's going to fit the dress or even like it. I still have my dress and I have two daughters but I'm not counting on either one of them wearing it. Whether they do or not doesn't really matter to me. I'm keeping it because my aunt made it and it's the most beautiful dress I've ever owned. What you do with yours is up to you. Consider if you do sell it putting the money into a cd to possibly help pay for what you child wants for his/her wedding?

Save it...you never know. It's a family heirloom that any daughter would appreciate a vintage gown!

I can only share with you my own experience. My parents didn't have much money and paid for their own wedding. As a result, my mom had a wedding gown that was not very expensive, so she didn't think it was valuable enough to save for her daughter. So she donated it to a thrift shop. Years later, my older sister would not have fit into it anyway -- she was smaller than my mom at the time of her wedding -- but when it was time for me to get married, I really wished my mom had saved that dress. I ended up buying and wearing a dress that was quite similar. That was 14 years ago, and I have saved my wedding dress, eventhough I only have a son. It just seems important to save it. Maybe one of my nieces will wear it, or maybe my son's future wife will want to wear it. Even if it's out of style by then, maybe someone could have it changed, or just use the fabric to make it into a new dress. One of my cousins wore my aunt's wedding dress, and it was absolutely beautiful. I say save it.

I thought the same thing before I got to know my daughter. She is 3 now. When I had my her, I thought about having someone make it into a crib set and teddy bear for my daughter. I never got around to it, but now I'm so glad that I didn't.
I thought for sure there was no way that she would want to wear it. Now she is only 3 but she won't stop talking about mommy's wedding dress (No, I've never said anything to her about it, she loves the pictures from our wedding and just asked one day-and the next and the next, ect) and how she is going to wear it when she gets married.
Now, I realize that the chances that she will not fit into it, or that she won't want to wear it by then are more likely than not. BUT I would be so sad if she does end up wanting to wear it and couldn't. I'm not a traditional person at all. I wanted to wear my mother's hers was beautiful, but she didn't keep it. My gown is timeless and the dress could be reworked if she wants, but there won't be any pressure. If she chooses not to wear it, then I will have the quilt made. She is very independant, not something I imagine her really wanting to do when the time comes, but she will have the option.
Vera Wang is timeless. Set a date to decide, say 5 years. If you don't have a sign by then, sell it, donate it, or whatever. PP is right, even a vintage Vera Wang will bring a pretty penny, probebly more than it would now.
I feel like I've been given a pretty clear sign, you will know too.

I would say... sell it! Considering that you don't have a daughter. Look into www.woodlandsonline.com or www.conroeonline.com you might be able to sell it in those e-garages. Check them out!

I bought my own, and my mom had a really beautiful dress too.

If you want to get rid of it and do a good deed as well, I remember seeing somewhere that there is an organization that takes used wedding gowns and they are given to those in need who can't afford one. I have no clue the name, but I am sure you can google something. If not, I am sure there are some resale shops that will take it. I wouldn't sell it on ebay. I didn't wear my Moms, I got my own and I would think most girls do... good luck.. J.

Vera Wang is a classic. I would keep it. I might be worth more later as a "vintage Vera Wang".

I have been contemplating the same thing recently and I am leaning towards getting rid of my wedding dress. I recently cleaned out a large closet and felt sad that it has just been hanging there for 9 years now. I am not a very sentimental person and I would never expect my 2 year old daughter to wear my wedding dress. Hopefully when that time comes the dress will be 30 - 40 years old (I can't even begin the think about my little girl getting married!) I am probably going to take it to a resale shop. My dress is not Vera Wang, like yours. If I were you, I would sell it on ebay. Hope this helps.

L., this may not be the answer you are looking for but it might give you pause...
I was married to my late husband for 23 years, 10 years after he passed on I remarried. I remarried in 2004. My new husbands mother has a beautiful wedding gown her late husband had designed for her; when she offered it to me I was so touched that she would honor me by asking if I would want to wear it. At the time of our wedding the gown was 50 years old! She never had a daughter, only 2 sons but she showed her acceptance of me as her daughter when she offered me her beautiful gown.
You are right, your daughter or future daughter in law may not be interested in wearing your gown but I think it would be an honor to do so. If it is a Vera Wang gown I bet it is beautiful. I don't think you were foolish in your purchase, your wedding day was special, passing your gown on to your daughter, daughter in law or grand daughter some day will be a beautiful gesture.

Whatever you do, just know that memories are forever with you.
God bless you, Paula (p.s. I wrote this from my daughter K.'s site).

Dear L.,
A few thoughts on your request that you might not be thinking of...
One...you will feel very differently about selling it if you actually have a daughter to share this memory with. Chances are she will be like every other little girl and want to know about the romantic side of you and daddy. Can you imagine the look in her eyes when you pull out a Cinderella Ball gown and let her try it on?! Doesn't matter that she's only three ~ nothing is worth the price of that moment.
Two...Vera Wang! If this sits in your closet and your daughter or daughter-in-law-to-be, doesn't wear it ~ it will be worth a lot more on the market later on anyway. Cinderella Balls gown are timeless and you could probably get way more for it later.
Also something to think about...was it special to you and what you wanted at the time? Yes, right? Never regret that. If you were able to spend that money and you enjoyed wearing it, then simply relish the memories ~ don't do something on an impulse because of guilt from a spending spree in the passed. Usually it causes a lot more regret. You can show your daughter pictures of your wedding day ~ but if you could actually pull out the gown after she sees the picture, it will be like bringing the fairytail to life. Amazing! Some moments in life are amazing!
One wedding...$15,000 dollars
One engagement ring...5,000 dollars
one honeymoon...8,000
One Vera Wang Cinderella Ball gown...3,500
Sharing these memories with your children...Priceless!
Forget the money! Forget the regrets! Live your life and love your family!
God bless,
Deborah

Hi L.
I have my wedding gown hanging in the closet too .I don't know if I'll have a daughter to pass it on to , but my future daughter-in-law possibly may consider it.:))) I can't stand to sell it. Maybe it will forever remain there in my closet and if so thats fine with me. Everybody is different. To me, my wedding dress is a part of me and signifies a very important date in my life. Its not just a dress, its my WEDDING DRESS!!! I didn't wear my mom's wedding dress, I went out to looked for my own dress. ( the fact that my mom's dress wouldn't fit me helped with that decision , ha )
Thats just me......if you decide to sell it , it dosen't make you awful. There's no wrong or right here. Its a personal choice.
Good luck.
Camille