Should I keep my wedding dress?

[SW FL Dem]

I've been married 18 years, the dress is a size 6, a size I'm unlikely to ever get into again. I'm 46, my only sister is already married, I don't have a daughter and it's beyond possible I ever will. The dress is preserved but takes up space. What would you do?

[flamingyouth]

1. Keep it for sentimental value

:hi:

[bigwillq]

2. Keep it for the sentimental value

Assuming you are still married to the guy you wore it for in the first place.

[SW FL Dem]

3. Celebrated the 18th this spring.

We've been a couple for over 20 and things are still good.

[NC_Nurse]

4. You might help out someone like me

by giving it to a thrift shop.

I got mine for $50 at the PTA thrift shop and it really helped me have a nice wedding since our budget was really tight. It benefited the local schools too.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. I just recently sent mine on its way. I've only been married 8 years

but I am trying to become a little bit more of a minimalist. The memories are then in my head, and our album. It was yellowing (already) and it wasn't something my daughter would be interested in. I thought it was cool though. It was a Jackie Kennedyish, tea length linen dress with cap sleeves. I kept my veil for sentiment. It takes up much less space. My husband also kept the boutonniere that I made for him. Whatever you decide to do, I am sure it will be for the best. :hi:

[SW FL Dem]

8. I am definitely trying to minimalize

My idea of saving the dress was for a daughter if I had one. Not gonna happen!! Several years ago we downsized and moved to a much smaller house. I just want to be able to park our cars in the garage. I've been on a huge cleaning mission for the past few days. I never considered giving up the dress, but as I made my fourth trip of the day to the trash in the garage, I saw the dress in its huge box and began to wonder. Mine is a long dress, satin with long sleeved lace top. Thanks for understanding.

[SarahB]

6. I'm going for combustion.

I plan on tossing that size 14 (I'm 40 pounds less than when I was married) off the rack shotgun wedding dress into a burning inferno and watch it get torched. I wouldn't curse my poor daughter with it. Issues? I have no stinking issues. :grr:

[SW FL Dem]

9. Good for you.

I've found the 40 you lost :( but it took me 18 years.

Issues? I think yours are valid

[zuzu98]

7. Donate to charity

Please consider donating your dress to the Making Memories foundation. They sell the dresses to raise money for breast cancer research. I sent mine in last year -- yes, it was a little bit sad, but I didn't regret it for a second. It was an easy way to donate to a good cause, give someone the chance to buy a designer dress they otherwise couldn't afford and get a tax break!

Another option might be to use the material to make something else. Does your sister plan to have children? You could make a christening dress out of it. If you don't sew, you could talk to a seamstress or someone who is "crafty" and get their suggestions.

[SW FL Dem]

10. Do you have a link to Making Memories?

My sister has a daughter, but she also has her own wedding dress. I would rather let someone else feel as beautiful as I did.

[JohnLocke]

11. makingmemories.org

http://www.makingmemories.org/

[murphymom]

12. Reminds me of a song

Box of Lace by Misty River

chorus:
There's a handful of heart and a heartful of faith
a flicker of hope and a moment of grace
a gentle word and a warm embrace
and buckets of love in this box of lace

The song's about a woman helping her parents pack up and move from the house she grew up in. Makes me tear up every time I hear it, but then again I'm a weeper.

I'd be inclined to keep it myself, but giving it to a charity shop would be a good alternative.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

13. keep it

nt