What To Do…?
December 28th, 2006 @ 4:21 pm by Mrs. Butterfly
I have a dilemma.
I don’t really know what I’m going to do with my wedding dress. I mean, I loved (LOVED!) my dress and yes, there are some sentimental attachments that I have developed in the past few months. However, am I really going to wear it again? And is anyone else really going to wear it? Will my daughter (if I have a daughter) really want to wear my dress? What about my baby cousin aka my junior bridesmaid? Will she want to wear it 15 years from now? I don’t think so.
So I want to donate it to the Bridal Garden. I mean, it’s only been worn once, plus it’s tax deductible! And it could help a bride who’s on a budget.
But my husband thinks I should keep it and have it preserved. I think he’s grown fond of it as well. 
I’m torn. Do I donate it for a good cause or do I preserve it for sentimental reasons? Both are very compelling choices. Help me!
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14 Responses to “What To Do…?”
I loved my dress too! But I plan on selling mine, although donating it sounds like a wonderful idea as well.
I don’t think any of us could really tell you what to do with your dress. It’s a very personal decision, so just go with your heart! =o) Good luck
I’m the same way. What if my daughter/cousin/niece don’t have the same taste as me. I would want them to pick a dress that they fall in love with. Not one they feel obligated to wear. I think you should donate it and have someone else get that “This is the One” feeling. Just a thought 
Donating is a lovely gesture, just don’t donate until you are 100% ready and sure you want to part with it — which might be soon, or it might not. If you give away your precious wedding dress and later change your mind, you will never see it again, and it would be a terrible regret. It’s not the kind of thing that can be replaced anytime on ebay. Just take your time and see how you feel later. Another nice tradition is converting your wedding dress into something else. Traditionally, it was a christening gown, but if that’s not you, you could make it into a party dress, a quilt (master bedroom, baby’s room), drapes, toss pillows. Think of something you WOULD enjoy having that is useful AND provides those fond memories.
P.S. It’s noteworthy that hubby cares so much about the dress. Might be nice to have his “blessing” before altering/donating the dress because he might have worn a rental tux so he personally views your dress as something special remaining from that day in his life. My fiance is totally sentimental (way more than practical me) and I think he would be crushed if I gave away my gown without him feeling the same way.
i think you should hold onto it until you one year anniversary and see how the both of you feel then. you can always donate it later!
You should check out a great non profit that we support called Brides against Breast Cancer. Every year all around the country they hold huge dress sales of donated wedding dresses, some gently used, some new and donated from dress shops. They are all heavily discounted and the money goes to grant wishes for women dying from Breast Cancer. You can check out their website, http://www.makingmemories.org.
I’m also having a hard time as well. I don’t know if I should sell it or donate it. It’s really taking up space in my home. After I got married my husband help me preserved my dress, which was nice of him. I don’t mind selling it, since I know that I’m not going to wear it again.
i’m catholic and i have heard of other catholic brides using their gowns (the material that is) to make their first daughter’s baptismal outfit or confirmation dress.
It’s awesome you are considering donating such a beautifulo item. However, if feasible, I would keep it maybe for a year to see how you feel. It’ll be a classic dress for at least that long So if you do decide to donate, it won’t be like donating a puffy 80s style dress. And if you decide to keep it, well you’ll still have it. I just wouldn’t rush.
I think donating it is very noble. But I think if it is feasible to keep it and alter it into a dress you would wear again that is the best idea, that way you always have it but it isn’t just a waste of space.
I am planning to create a party dress out of mine one of these days. I’ve been married for 9 months so maybe I will do that after our 1 year anniversary. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has done this and can recommend a dress designer/tailor who is good at it (in NY area).
I was thinking about donating my dress too BUT not until I read their site. They have to first accept your dress for donation and the dress has to be cleaned and everything….they are pretty picky about it. So I am going to keep mine and maybe when my sister gets married, I will re-design it for her so she can wear it.
You never know if your daughter would want to wear it as styles change so much. I know I would NEVER have worn my mother’s dress from the 70’s. My dress happens to be a short gown (top and skirt) so I can wear it again. This was a selling point for sure. If you’d like to see check out my bio on the knot - burlingtonbride. Do what is in your heart - but don’t make a hasty decision.
Mrs. Butterfly, New York
Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bridezilla in training
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Making me happy by saying "yes dear" to everything related to wedding planning.
Engagement Date: February 3, 2006
Wedding Date: November 18, 2006
Venue: Twenty-Four Fifth
About Me: Our wedding will be small but fun. I want a whole range of music including cheesy 80's music! But we'll see how that works out��‚��
Depending on the kind of dress it was, is there any way of getting it altered to make a party dress or something? That way, you could justify keeping it! Because you COULD wear it again!