JFF- To Keep or Sell/Donate Wedding Dress?

I donated mine immediately, to a charity which sells the dresses and uses the money for breast cancer support. The dress didn't cost much to begin with and the tax write off for the donation was about the same as any money I would have recouped if I had re-sold. Somehow, the donation route felt more gratifying to me.

I still have mine - clean and preserved - 23 years later. I doubt my daughter will ever wear it, but I keep it for me.

I have TWO daughters, and it's still too early... KEEPING IT!! :)

I'll sell a kidney for Christmas presents ;)

Some might find this strange given that I have been divorced and single for so long, (14 years), but I have kept my wedding dress. When I moved, a "friend" that was helping me said she was shocked that I hadn't burned it and put it on the trash pile. I couldn't believe it. If I want to keep my wedding dress, it's my business. First of all, it's gorgeous. Second of all, even though my marriage didn't last forever, my wedding was one of the most beautiful days of my life, full of so much hope and promise. It was a celebration of blending my family and my husband's family.
I have two kids. I don't know that my daughter would want to wear my dress. She's the only adult person I know small enough to fit into it. My son will eventually marry and his wife may or may not want it.
I just can't bear to get rid of it. And, perhaps even stranger, my wedding dress and veil are at my ex husband's house. I had him come and get it because someone helping me move believed it needed to go to the dump or the burn pile.
When I'm gone, my kids can do what they want with it, but for now, I can't get rid of it. I just can't.

That's just me, anyway.

From my first wedding, the dress was like $400 I think? Mom paid a pretty penny to get it cleaned too. It's sitting in her closet in a special 'wedding dress' box and I really should sell or donate it. I don't want the dress nor the memories of the dress (thanks ex-ahole!)

My second marriage (current): The dress was $15 at Walmart. Alterations were $25. I still have the dress in my closet and could easily wear it to an outdoor party where wearing white is appropriate. So nope, not selling it. No need to.

I would never sell mine. I purchased it in a little resale shop on the central coast of CA when my husband and I lived there and it is a gorgeous, handmade lace column dress from the 60s. There was a black and white photo that showed the original bride wearing it on a scenic view looking over Hawaiian waters. It's really classic, Jackie-O looking. I've never seen any other wedding dress like it and I'll never part with it. I'm petite, so I don't know if my daughter will ever be able to fit into it (she'll probably be a good 6" taller than me as my husband is very tall) -- but if she does and would like to wear it I would be thrilled!

Mine is preserved. It cost too much.......! I would never recoup the $ and for sentimental reasons I will keep it...I'd like to crack it open one day and see if I can still fit into it....I do have a daughter but can't guarantee that she'll want it. :)

Normally, I'm not the sentimental type about "stuff", but I've kept my dress for almost 15 years now...

I just couldn't sell my wedding dress. (Unless, we were desperate for money...I guess.) It just feels wrong. I'm keeping mine. I'm still the same size. I hope to be in the future, since we're done with kids. I've thought of making it into a shorter dress, if we ever decide to renew our vows. Either way, I can't bring myself to part with it.

ETA : I don't think there would be high demand for my dress. It was tailored to my exact measurements. There is no room for it to be let out.

I'm keeping mine. I designed it. Went out and bought all the materials. I paid to have parts of it made and I made other parts of it myself. My daughter or future daughter-in-laws may or may not want to wear it. I don't care. I'm not parting with it.
edited to add.it's also no where near a traditional dress which makes it much harder to sell were I to even think about it.

I think you would be very very lucky if you got $400 for it, most used dresses I see on ebay, even ones in the original thousands range rarely get bids more than $100 on there.

I would sell mine, but I would only get maybe $75 or so for it, and I would have to clean it first, which would cost money. So we'll see.

I'm keeping mine for myself. I have no illusions that my daughter will want to wear my dress. I never fit in my dress, it was too small. My goal is that at our 10 year anniversary, that I can wear it again, and have it actually fit. My husband and I had a beautiful wedding, but it definitely was clouded by all the demands of our family and having over 200 people in attendance. At our 10 year anniversary, we are getting married again with just us and our kids. One of my good friends, wears hers every year on her anniversary. She loves it. My husband's friend's wives all sold their dresses, but went into the wedding knowing they were going to sell them because they wanted really expensive gowns. Two of their gowns were over $10K, and one was $4K. Just a warning, they did not get nearly the amount they thought they would. They didn't even get close to 1/2 of the retail price, despite what they were asking for. If you do plan on selling, keep your expectations realistic about how much you can get, and if it is worth it to you.

I still have both of mine. One is over 32 years old and the other is 19 years old. What a fun thing to think about. I spilled butter on my first one when my bit of lobster fell off the small fork and splashed in it. It stained it and it's not wearable but there is certainly a lot of material there. The second one is nicer and cost a bunch more too. It is folded up in the top of my closet. I don't know what I would do with them if anything.

I can't imagine ever selling my dress. It's very special to me. I really didn't know people even did that unless you were divorced

I loved my dress. It's very classically elegant. I don't expect that either of my daughters will want to wear it, but it holds sentimental value for me, and who knows? Maybe they will want to! If they don't, maybe they'll have a daughter who wants to? My dress was one that would fit in just about any time period and not look silly. :) So, needless to say, I am keeping mine.

I kept mine and let a friend who I was a bridesmaid for wear it. All I asked was that she get it cleaned. She was my size and didn't need to have it let out. Another friend asked, but she was a tiny little thing (like size 2), and I just felt the dress was not the right dress for her. Plus, I didn't want her to take it in that much (even if it was possible). I felt good that someone other than me wore it, and if it weren't for the size differential with my other frined, there would have been 3 wearings.

I sincerely doubt that my sons' wives-to-be will be interested in my dress, but it's in a box waiting. Maybe after they are married, then I'll think about letting it go.

Dawn
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Mine has been in the closet all packed up and I doubt anyone would want a 19 year old wedding dress. I'd wear it again but girls want the multi thousand dollar dresses. Mine was a whopping $174.95. I still love that dress and possibly could still fit in it.

I still have mine but bc my mom made it for me. Its 2 pieces and the top half is ruined. I had this sentimental moment and put it on only to see it was too small and stuck! I had to cut myself out! I guess theres some irony there since im divorced!

Haha! Mine is a black and gold hand beaded bedlah, a two piece Middle Eastern dance costume! I had just worn it for a dance routine in a production of Sheherezade. My husband played the part of the sultan. And then after the show, we tied the knot with all the beautiful dancers surrounding us! I don't fit into my "wedding dress" anymore! Two babies and 6+ years of breastfeeding took its toll. But I would never give it up or sell it. Its just too awesome!

Edit: I uploaded a photo from that memorable day!

My hubby and I did the courthouse thing when we were married 7 years ago. My daughter tells people I was holding her and wearing pants and a shirt. It was a crazy busy day and we got there just in time, sadly no time for changing!!! I was really upset then, but now I just know it is what it is. We want to have a small, intimate, family ceremony for our tenth, and I WILL have a dress then. So I've got 3 years to get rid of the chunky monkey me and rock an off white gown. I think I'll keep it when I get it.

No way I would get rid of mine! In fact a couple months ago I got it out and put it on and danced around in it. Gave me butterflies all over again. My kids got a big kick out of it. I dont care how much space it takes up. MINE!!!

If I saw someone cut it up I think I would have a heart attack!

Ha. So's mine (MS, apx $800)

It's mummified (professionally preserved) in my mum's closet and has been for years and years.

Someday maybe I'll dye it black and add a little bit of silver embroidery and turn it into a ball gown, or red, or steel. God knows.

I am keeping my dress from my current marriage, but sold the dress from a short, previous marriage (no kids). I sold it on eBay ($500 retail value) and got $50. I listed it twice and got the same amount for bidding. I would suggest it not mean much sentimental value to you if you want to sell. You get such a poor return.

14 years and mine is still zipped up in its white bag in my walkin closet. I never got it dry cleaned though!!! Time just got away from me...weeks turned to months, months turned to years, and now 14 years later there it still sits!

I know neither if my daughters will ever wear it. Someday I'd like to make each of them a throw pillow for their beds with it....when they're much older.

Mine was donated years ago and I have not regretted it.

I LOVED my first wedding gown - my best friend wore it at her wedding too!!! I let someone use it for her wedding and never got it back... :( I think at one point my daughter had said she would like to wear it, but she changed her mind...good thing the girl didn't give it back to me, eh? :)

My second wedding gown? I liked it - didn't LOVE it...I know...but the second time around, I knew it was about the marriage and not the wedding so I had a nice gown, but wasn't "in love" with it. I donated it after we were done having babies.

I have sold friend's wedding dresses/gowns on ebay and craigslist....you can also try a local consignment shop. You might get lucky!!! GOOD LUCK!!