To keep or not to keep…

So the wedding is over and the honeymoon is a fantastic memory and now you have this AMAZING gown that your mother so graciously took home with her using the utmost care not to damage. But when you unzip that crisp white bag you realize that all the time and care you spent was futile and you now have a filthy, possibly damaged garment. So what to do now? You actually have many options that you may not have thought of so you can insure that all the money you spent was worth it. The newest trend is “Trash the Dress” photo shoots. You can do this by yourself, with your bridesmaids, your new husband, etc. These photo shoots usually entail getting down and dirty in your dress; for instance swimming in the ocean or rock climbing.  Whatever you decide to do the pictures come out REMARKABLE and you had the opportunity to wear your gown again! Other options include using the fabric to make pillows, basinet blankets for the newest member of you family, donating it to a multitude of different charities that help woman have the wedding they never thought they would get, and on and on and on. There are really hundreds of things you can do with your wedding gown. Of course if you are going to do anything but trash the dress it is recommended that you have your dress cleaned (which will run you between $100.00 - $200.00). Of course there is also the option of preserving the gown; but don’t be upset when your daughter doesn’t swoon over it like you did when you unveil it 25 years later. Remember to think outside the box and you may come up with a fantastic use of your dress besides boxing it up never to be seen again.