Not for keeps: Why some brides sell their wedding dress

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For most brides, preserving the dress for future generations is a no-brainer decision. But there are also those who have no qualms about parting with their wedding gowns for another bride to wear. It is not that these maverick brides don’t place any sentimental value on their dress. They just wanted other women to experience the same immense joy of wearing their fabulous gowns while walking down the aisle.

A survey by PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, a website dedicated to helping women sell their bridal gowns, shows that this is a strong sentiment among new brides. Of the 2,766 women who participated in the online survey, 87 percent said they would "definitely" or "maybe" sell their gown. From this group, 30 percent explained they would do so because they want other brides to enjoy their dresses. The other reasons for selling their gowns cited by the respondents are:

• They want/need the money (26 percent); 
• They have no good reason to keep the dress (19 percent); and 
• The gown takes up too much space to justify keeping it (11 percent). 

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While selling a wedding dress was certainly unheard of (and considered bad luck) in the past, the results of the survey by PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com just shows that a growing number of women think nothing of the small fortune and massive efforts at searching as soon as the ceremonies are done. Whether prompted by financial incentive or the influence of celebrities, some brides are just practical enough to give up forever on the dress.

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Brides may have a harder time parting with the exquisite gowns from The Bridal Collection, Inc. Visit the shop’s official website to view its assortment of designer gowns.

Don't say yes to the dress yet

It is quite understandable that the newly engaged can’t help but be ecstatic about the prospect of shopping for the dress. After all, if there is one part of the entire wedding preparation that brides look forward to, it is definitely shopping for their wedding gown.

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However, such early enthusiasm can be disastrous, explains Bridal Guide Magazine. The ideal time to shop is around 8 to 10 months before the date, and starting more than a year in advance is definitely a bridal blunder. Most of the time, a bride is not financially ready yet to buy a gown that early. Experts suggest having the rest of the wedding details in place first before shopping for a gown, since various factors about the ceremony, such as location and season, can influence the style of the dress.

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Shopping early for wedding gowns can also lead to brides buying a heavily marked down dress. This can especially happen during sample sales, which are becoming popular among brides these days. However, gowns in sample sales are just that— a sample. Most of the gowns have been tried on numerous times, and could have been torn, stained, or otherwise damaged during the process.

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Though it can be a challenge for some brides-to-be not to try on wedding gowns, it is best to wait just a bit before doing so. Waiting for the right time to shop is similar to saying yes to true love. As Robert Browning once said, “I was made and meant to look for you and wait for you and become yours forever.”

Brides who are ready to shop for their wedding dress can browse through The Bridal Collection, Inc.’s online catalog.

Wearing the wedding dress many times over

What do brides do with their wedding gown after the ceremony?

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Most brides would just store the wedding gown, box it with acid-free tissue paper, and unearth it several decades later when it is the turn of their daughter to walk down the aisle in a vintage dress.

Some brides may opt to sell their dress, especially if wedding expenses piled up, leaving the couple a little cash-strapped post-ceremony. Others may re-vamp the gown, transforming the dress into chic evening wear.

Some newlyweds may choose to donate their gowns to organizations like Brides Against Breast Cancer, which sells the wedding dress to raise funds.

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And then there are brides who decide to just wear their wedding gown many times over while traveling the world.

This is exactly what Jennifer Salvage did -- she has worn her dress over 100 times to countries like China, France, and New Zealand. And her husband Jeff has immortalized her travel adventures with her wedding dress in stunning photographs.

Image source: today.com

Jeff’s idea of capturing Jennifer in her wedding dress started in Easter Island, Chile, the site of the couple’s 2008 wedding. Jeff asked his bride to pose all over the island, and photographed her in a series of striking photos.

From then on, Jennifer repeatedly wore her Maggie Sottero gown, a request of Jeff’s, so he can photograph her under different lighting conditions and various locations, from the waters of Jamaica to their very own backyard in southern New Jersey.

Indeed, one of the best ways to keep wearing the wedding dress is traveling the world in it.

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The Bridal Collection, Inc.’s extensive wedding gown collection includes the creations of Maggie Sottero. Browse through some of the designs here.

Wedding dilemma: Dressing the bridesmaids

One of the dilemmas that brides-to-be face during the wedding preparation is how to look most beautiful in a wedding gown without making the bridesmaids feel uncomfortable and look frumpy in their dresses. The TLC reality TV series Say Yes To The Dress: Bridesmaids had shown many times how friendships are ruined because of the differing preference of the bride-to-be and her bridesmaids when it comes to choosing the latter’s gowns.

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While the bride must be the most beautiful woman on her wedding day, it doesn’t mean that the bridesmaids must resort to wearing tacky dresses. After all, they are part of the wedding entourage and their look contributes to the total wedding presentation.

To choose the bridesmaids’ gowns, the wedding motif must be considered. The gown of the bridesmaids must have the color and fabric that match the theme of the wedding. The fabric must be comfortable to wear and the style must complement the bride’s gown.

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Although same-style bridesmaids’ dresses are the norm, the gowns must be tailored according to each bridesmaid’s fashion taste and body figure. If gown-matching is not required, the bridesmaids can wear gowns in different styles but in the same fabric and color. Simple rules like “no black dresses” or “no leg-baring mini-dresses” can be made in order to manage deviation.

If budget allows, it is advisable for the bridesmaids to go shopping with the bride in bridal boutiques like Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier and Bridal Collection, Inc. to choose the style they like.

Image source: bridalguide.com

Check out the latest bridesmaids’ gown designs here.