Wedding dress: 'til deal do us part?

Tonight, after Gov. Charlie Crist and Carole Rome have exchanged rings, smashed fondant into each other’s faces and danced the Cha Cha Slide, a few issues will still be up in the air: Will the first lady’s daughters continue living in New York? Will Carole keep her crib in Miami?

And what, pray tell, will become of her wedding dress?

This has been on my mind lately because, coming up on my first wedding anniversary in February, I’m still trying to unload my gown. Don’t get me wrong — I felt like royalty in my strapless, trumpet-cut number from David’s Bridal. But I believe my husband’s and my best days are ahead of us, so why hold onto the past?

We have beaucoup photos to remind ourselves how stunning we both looked for our ceremony. My husband returned his rented tux the next day, so why shouldn’t I discard my dress?

I’ve heard all the arguments: Maybe my own daughter will want to wear it someday. Really now? My mom kept her wedding dress for more than three decades — a poofy number with full-length sleeves and... wait for it... a mock turtleneck! (Seriously, was she marrying my dad or Warren Jeffs?) When she offered it up to me for my big day, I respectfully declined.

So as much as I like to think I was hot stuff in my strapless wedding gown, I’m sure it will be totally out of vogue by the time my imaginary daughter walks down the aisle.

Then there’s my sister-in-law, who married my brother five years ago. She stashed her dress in a storage closet on the patio of their apartment, where it remained untouched until their recent move. When they opened the closet to pack, they discovered a wind-damaged, tattered ball gown. Now it’s worthless.

So I felt confident about my decision to sell my dress. I’m as sentimental as the next girl, but if I could use the earnings for a second honeymoon, then I’d actually be creating new memories instead of holding onto old ones.

I posted the gown on Craigslist and also took it to a consignment shop — whichever panned out first was fine by me. I had a few bites online, but ultimately no one bought the gown. And two months later the consignment shop owner called to say she was closing for good, so I had to pick up my gown.

Sigh. Back to square one. Ten months after my wedding day, the dress once again hangs in my closet. I’ve reposted it on Craigslist, and I might also try eBay or BravoBride. A colleague suggested having the white fabric made into a christening gown, which seems to have better family heirloom potential than a wedding gown. Then there’s always Trash the Dress.

My fellow brides, am I cold-hearted for wanting to trade my gown for cash? What did you do with your old wedding dress? And what do you expect Florida’s first lady will do with hers? Will she keep it for her daughters? Auction it off for charity? Or can we expect to see Mrs. Crist wading through the Gulf of Mexico, trashing her dress?

— Guest Deal Diva Dalia Colon

(Photos: Top - This may be a real princess' dress, but who would wear today the gown in which Princess Elizabeth got married in 1957? Bottom - Dalia's dress is saying, "buy me!")

Comments

[Loren]

Definitely try BravoBride! http://www.bravobride.com It's a great site and it's free so you really having nothing to lose! Good luck!

[CJ]

While I'm all for donating your dress to a worthy cause, you never know what may be in vogue 30 years down the road. I proudly wore my mom's wedding dress when I got married three years ago. The dress was very early '60s with little cap sleeves and an empire waist. I did, however, skip the little pill box hat my mom wore.

[Dalia]

Kudos to you, Regina. Did you do anything special with your dress money? And SP, donating the gown to charity is a wonderful suggestion. I certainly have bridesmaid and prom dresses to offer, and maybe -- just maybe -- my wedding dress, too. :o)

[SP]

You could donate it to www.makingmemories.org, they sell donated gowns to raise money for breast cancer. great cause. i plan to give them my wedding gown, miscellaneous bridesmaid dresses, and a flower girl dress my daughter wore.

[Regina]

I put my gown in the newspaper and sold it that way. Although that was 14 years ago but it did sell. I wish you luck!

[Amanda]

I think you're totally right to want to sell it. I just got married 8 months ago and have been trying to sell my dress with no luck. I haven't tried Ebay, that might be my next move. With buying a new house, we need the money more than a dress hanging in a closet.