The Next Life

The Next Life

September 4th, 2009 @ 5:25 pm by Mrs. Swan
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Doesn’t it look like there’s a mummy in my garment bag?

Well, my lovely dress is having a rest, and it has been sitting on the futon in our office for the almost four weeks that I have been married. Honestly, I don’t know what to do with it. I know that I need to get it cleaned, but what should my dress’ next life be?

There are obviously quite a few options for what I can do with my dress post-wedding:

Preserve It - I always have the option of keeping my dress for my daughters. I have to admit that this option is not really too appealing to me. Why? Well, Mr. Swan’s family tends to produce male children. JUST KIDDING! But seriously, that’s a consideration, no? I may just not have any daughters at all. The one daughter I may have may not like my style; and hey, my style may be out of style by the time she’s ready to get married. Another practical consideration: where am I going to put it? I do have a nice sized closet for a New York City apartment, but my dress will take up a fair amount of space that I’d like to use for clothes I’ll actually wear. Plus, some of the costs of professional preservation have surprised me. Um… how much? Hmm…
Sell It - The semi-capitalist in me wants to just sell my dress. It will create the space in my closet that I need and maybe I can make a little moolah in the process! I will say that I am pretty intimidated about the selling process. Do I use Craiglist, Once Wed, Bravo Bride, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, eBay? There are so many options. Am I missing any? I’d love to know if any of you have used these services and which was most user-friendly for you.
Donate It - I like the idea of my dress not only helping out another bride, but also possibly helping out a larger cause. I’m definitely considering Bridal Garden, a great used gown store whose proceeds go to local educational charities here in Brooklyn. While I may not get the financial reward from this option (well, perhaps a tax credit), I think that my gown will bring some happiness to a lot more people than I will ever imagine. Bridal Garden will allow me to help my actual community. That said, I don’t know if they want my David’s Bridal dress (everything there was a bit more designer when I visited), but maybe they’re not picky? Also I know that Brides Against Breast Cancer is a popular option, but I am not sure if they are active in New York (correct me if I am wrong, my people). I would be even happier to donate my dress to them as my aunt died of breast cancer several years ago. I missed her at the wedding.

What are you planning to do with your dress after you get married? Have you thought of any options that I have not?

Tags: wedding-dress |

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39 Responses to “The Next Life”

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Member

Curlysue (message) 1,703 posts, Bumble bee

If I were your size I’d buy it from you!!! I LOVE YOUR DRESS

9/4/09 @ 5:32 pm (reply)

Member

Curlysue (message) 1,703 posts, Bumble bee

By that I mean I’m bigger than you are. Just to clarify

9/4/09 @ 5:32 pm (reply)

Member

skibobrown (message) 1,902 posts, Buzzing bee

The donation idea sounds great! I am personally planning on selling my dress post-wedding, since that is part of how I justified spending what I did on the dress. I hope to recoup up to 50% of what I bought it for, but if I wasn’t worried about the $$ I would donate.

9/4/09 @ 5:35 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Chapstick (message) 2,098 posts, Buzzing bee

If I had purchased a gown-gown, I would have sold it. After the wedding, I would probably need the extra cash! But I ended up purchasing a tea-length dress that I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to wear again. Yay!

If you’re attached to it, would you consider putting more work into it to have it constructed into a shorter dress you could wear again?

9/4/09 @ 5:39 pm (reply)

Member

LoriLori (message) 727 posts, Busy bee

I think donating it is a lovely idea but I’d at least TRY to recoup some of my investment by selling it.

9/4/09 @ 5:40 pm (reply)

Hostess

LatteLove (message) 5,587 posts, Bee Keeper

I think you should try to sell it, set a time limit and if it doesn’t sell, then donate.

You forgot to mention Weddingbee Classifieds! That’s a good option to sell as well

9/4/09 @ 5:46 pm (reply)

Hostess

Mrs. DG (message) 8,491 posts, Bee Keeper

My dress was so unique that I can’t imagine too many people wanting to wear it… so we’re going with preservation.

9/4/09 @ 5:54 pm (reply)

Hostess

tessabella76 (message) 3,122 posts, Sugar bee

The sentimental part of me wants to preserve mine. Otherwise, I think I may donate it.

9/4/09 @ 5:57 pm (reply)

Hostess

tessabella76 (message) 3,122 posts, Sugar bee

@Mrs DG-your dress was amazing! I’m sure there are plenty of brides that would love to wear it! If only I were about 30 pounds thinner…..

9/4/09 @ 5:58 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Mrs. Swan (message) 1,046 posts, Bumble bee

Yes!!! The Wedding Bee classifieds…how could I forget?!

9/4/09 @ 6:01 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

ebs1123

I’m pretty sure Brides Against Breast Cancer is still active at least near NYC - a good friend bought her dress there from them last summer. From their site, it looks like their show is coming to NJ, at least, and I’m sure they’d be happy to tell you how to donate. If you can, I think it’s a lovely idea.

9/4/09 @ 6:02 pm (reply)

12.

Member

smkarl (message) 90 posts, Worker bee

I donated mine to Brides Abainst Breast Cancer. They hold sales all over the country. If you want to donate, all donations are sent to Oregon.

9/4/09 @ 6:03 pm (reply)

13.

Member

April.H (message) 175 posts, Blushing bee

Or you could do trash the dress pictures, have it cleaned and then either donate or sell it.

9/4/09 @ 6:40 pm (reply)

14.

Member

Mrs. Starfish (message) 286 posts, Helper bee

Some people keep the dress & have parts of it made into dedication or christening gown. Then you could have parts saved so your daughter could so a piece to her dress… I hope to somehow incorporate part of my mom’s dress into mine.

9/4/09 @ 6:58 pm (reply)

15.

Member

Laylabelle (message) 3,378 posts, Sugar bee

I bought my dress on the Weddingbee classifieds, Mrs. Swan. Everything worked out perfectly! I planned on selling it after my wedding, but now you have me wanting to donate it. Hmmm…

9/4/09 @ 7:22 pm (reply)

16.

Member

alstorie (message) 6 posts, Newbee

I purchased my dress at the bridal garden, just because of the great cause that it goes to. I have never been to such a well run organization that gives back to the community in such a beneficial way. Good luck!

9/4/09 @ 7:27 pm (reply)

17.

Member

sandnames (message) 19 posts, Newbee

I think thats a great idea !! http://sandnames.com

9/4/09 @ 7:38 pm (reply)

18.

Member

mander411 (message) 735 posts, Busy bee

I thought about making mine the christening clothes my children will wear for their baptism- well at least the train/skirt portion. But it is ivory - don’t know if there is a color requirement lol

although the thought about it being cut up in unbearable to me at this time!

9/4/09 @ 8:09 pm (reply)

19.

Member

mary-alice-me (message) 1,864 posts, Buzzing bee

I can’t decide yet, either. Maybe after a little more time has passed I’ll be able to think more clearly about this. Don’t forget to tell us what you wind up doing!!

9/4/09 @ 8:13 pm (reply)

20.

Member

krissycake (message) 4,160 posts, Honey bee

I will likely donate mine - not 100 percent sure, as there is a teeny bit of sentiment that would be associated with keeping it, but to be honest, I made lots of alterations to the dress to make it “me” that it fits only me, probably!

9/4/09 @ 11:12 pm (reply)

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