In conversation at work, a woman mentioned she plans on cleaning her closets this weekend (exciting way to spend Memorial Day) and that she needs to dust off the hermetically sealed bag containing her wedding dress.
I asked her why she is keeping it.
“Is it for one of your daughters when they get married?”
“Ohgodno. I wouldn’t wear my mother’s either.”
“So why are you keeping it?”
“I donno. It was real expensive and I guess it is something you are supposed to do, aren’t you?”
“Why don’t you sell it?”
“Hmm. Good question….”
So I was wondering, is it normal to keep a wedding dress? And if so, why?
I’ve kept mine because it was handmade by a friend, but I’m not sure I would if I had just bought it. I’ve kept my daughter’s baptismal dress and first communion dress for the same reason. I don’t think I’d sell the wedding dress, though, but probably find somewhere to donate it.
Yes, it’s quite normal to keep a wedding dress. Sentimental reasons. No, it’s not logical, but how many things about weddings are?
Among other events, I also wore my wedding dress to my friend’s wedding, which was exactly a year later. However, my wedding dress was a summery red cotton number with black beaded fringe, so nobody could tell it was my wedding dress unless I told them. (I’ll fit into it again someday, really I will!)
Ugh, I’d love to get rid of mine. But then, I’m divorced and only have sons. I can’t be arsed to get it down to the consignment store; maybe I’ll give it to Goodwill.
I sold mine. I kept it for a couple of years before taking it back from my mother’s home and turning it over for consignment. The only reason I held on to it at all was because I thought there may be hope to dye it another colour, and it was a simple dress. Since that couldn’t be done, there was no purpose in keeping it. The dress has no sentimental value for me, I wouldn’t expect my hypothetical daughter to wear it, and we could use the money and the space.
I wore my mother’s dress, and have saved it in hopes that a third generation might wear it someday. Most married women I know still have theirs as well.
My dress was very simple and inexpensive. I paid less than $500 total for it after alterations, and I bought the slip on ebay for about $15. I had every intention of throwing the wedding dress in my bag of Halloween costumes after the big day. But when we returned from Vegas, my husband asked me to take it to the cleaners to have it cleaned and preserved, which I did. The box will collect dust under our bed until who knows when.
Then last year I wanted to add some crinoline to an outfit I was planning, so I pulled the slip out of the closet. My husband gave me a strange look, and he asked me what I was doing with it. I explained, and though he didn’t look happy about it, he didn’t protest. I started marking it up and I had a pair of scissors in my hand ready to cut it as needed when my oldest son came in and saw what I was doing and said loudly “Didn’t you wear that on your wedding day?? You can’t cut it up!”
The poofy thing is still hanging in my closet.
I guess it’s normal to preserve them, but I just didn’t have any inclination to.
Still got mine. It’s only been a bit over two years. Still got the headpiece, too. I’m not actually sure what to do with either. I made both, for a grand total of $150. Floor-length cream silk dupioni with long bell sleeves. I doubt I could sell them. I’m also not sure I want to keep it for hypothetical daughters.
I don’t really want to throw $150 worth of silk and silver wire out.
Truer words have never been spoken.
I wonder if the tradition of keeping the wedding dress and passing it down was because once upon a time women just got married in their Sunday Best. Then Queen Victoria got married in a white frou-frou thing, I think, and *Changed Everything and created a Bridal Empire worth billions… damn german
Those once in a life time dresses then were not only expensive, the women usually made them themselves in most cases. Today, sewing is a artform that sometimes is about to flatline out, but is revived.
I saved mine because I love it. ( ivory, simple with embriodery on the bottom. Oh, and $200 off the rack. Cause that’s the kinda gal I was, am and will be.) Still have my ‘wedding shoes’ which were simple Italian Designer pumps in Ivory with no frou frou and very very comfortable. Normally were something like $300 ( :eek: ) that were marked down to $40. I still wear them - 12 years later - for outings with the Queen and all.
Oh, and I use the cost of my wedding dress as a guage of what things cost and whatnot.
I use to work with an insufferable WASPY type woman who bragged about her designer wardrobe and how much things cost. One day she was yammering on about 'the bitch at the (whatever designer) counter sold her Men’s sunglasses instead of Ladies sunglasses. That bitch should have known the difference when I’m paying $400 for a pair."
I looked at her in total shock, " $400 for sunglasses…non prescription!!!" says I pushing my then RX glasses up my nose for effect, " Shit my wedding dress cost only $200."
Oh, and this insufferable WASP…lived in her parents basement with her husband and infant child. :eek: :rolleyes: :wally
I kept mine, but it was only $175 (and off the rack) so I doubt it’d go for much if I tried to sell it. Besides, I’ve slipped into it on a couple of our anniversaries and would like to continue to do so.
Only wearing a dress once isn’t so unusual for me - I’m so rarely in a dress that three wearings of my wedding dress outnumbers the times I’ve worn a few of the dresses in my closet.
I kept mine for about ten years then finally gave it to Goodwill. I tried to sell it but had no offers, even at $50.00.
My friend wore it for her wedding so at least it was worn twice. I hated every minute of our wedding and don’t need any reminders. I’m not that sentimental about things.
My mother’s kept hers, but then she wore a silk sari. So it can be easily stored - folded up and kept in a linen chest.
If I was in the mood, I might wear her sari to get married, if I were ever to get married, that is.
I keep it because I love it. I was so happy on my wedding day and I treasure a whole heap of items from that day - my husband’s broken shoelace, a handful of confetti… the wedding dress is just the biggest item from the treasure trove. Perhaps I’ll be less sentimental in time, but three years in and counting I’m still not over the joy of my wedding day.
You sound like a girl after my own heart. When I suggested to my fiance that I rent a wedding dress, he was horrified at my callousness. I said, “Get used to it, sugar!” (No, of course I didn’t.) So…do y’all know if it’s possible to rent a dress?
I’m not sure how common it is now, but when my mom got married (in 1972) it was. She bought her wedding dress, but a lot of her friends rented theirs.
Unfortunately, her dress was ruined when a pipe burst behind the closet it was stored in. I wouldn’t have worn it anyway, as it was completely not my style (long sleeves, lacy, high neck, etc - also, she was skinnier than me), but it would have been nice to have it around. I’ve only seen pictures.
If you can’t rent one somewhere, try E-bay. When I was looking, I saw TONS of dresses for $200 or less. Since you can’t return dresses once they’re altered, there are plenty of brides who’s weddings were cancelled selling their dresses for far, far less than what they would retail at. Also, depending on what style you want, try the prom dress section of your local department stores. Plenty of white dresses, mostly for around $100 (I’m guessing it would cost at least that much to rent one, as that’s about the going rate for tuxes).
Anyway, I’ll be keeping my wedding dress. I’m not sure what I’ll end up doing with it, though. If I have a daughter she’d be welcome to wear it at her wedding, but that’s not why I’d keep it. Maybe after a few years I’ll have it altered into something I could wear again. The one I’m probably going to get is pretty simple, so that shouldn’t be an issue.
(I’ll fit into it again someday, really I will!)