DLM, I think that you will never be sorry to have kept them. To keep them from being seen as "clutter" after you're gone, get them them properly packed and stored and then pick the right person to have custody of them for the next generation. It may be one of your DIL, or if you have nieces or nephews, perhaps one of them. I'd choose someone who appreciates family stories, and who would be a good - and generous with access -custodian of shared family history. In my DH's family when I got engaged there was a small family gathering,(mostly female) and the wedding dresses and some other family wedding memorabilia were sort of the organizing theme for the party. It was a great way to meet my some of my in-laws-to-be and feel included in my new family's story, Since my engagement diamond was re-set from an family piece, everyone wanted to see it in my new ring. It was a lovely tradition and I plan to do it when my nephew finally settles on a bride - even if it seems a bit old fashioned. What else is an elderly aunt for? Many times I hear people express a bit of envy that in my family and in my DH's we have so many "heirlooms" from generations gone by. Some things have by sheer old age have now become valuable, but most still have only modest monetary value. But they all tell the stories of the family - sometimes in modest circustances and sometimes not. Each succeeding generation chose to take care of these items and pass them on,probably always at some cost of in terms of time, trouble, or even perhaps the forgone value of selling them. This speaks volumes about the values cherished and passed down in our families. And that alone is worth the effort preserving these things as totems of the clan. Anyone can start one's own chain of family hierlooms, today. It has to start somewhere. L.

I agree with both of the posts above. Sure, you could come up with a lovely light shawl or something else to help keep you warm, but then you would not be showcasing the dress you so love. And if you are going to lose a good amount of weight, you really can't make a decision on a dress right now. Just keep looking around and when you are ready, you will be better able to make a decision about the dress.

kathi, I know what you mean.. I used all the wedding dress, except I did have to made a new bodic...and then I added the wedding dress cap sleeves and took the ruffel from the wedding dress and added to the front of the dress.. This little grand daughter is a little on the plump side and my neice was about a size 2... the dress back was longer than the front so I did have to do some fancy foot work there to make it work.. I also was able to use the netting from the dress for her vail..then I just added some ribbons and little tiny rose buds to the waist band which was a new piece and a large bow in the back.. I also added some rose buds to each stremer of ribbon down the front of the dress. It sure did save her mother a ton on money.. as the rest of the girls dresses cost almost $100.00 or more and our cost aprox.. $6.00.. I was lucky the wedding dress was not realy fancy and I was able to wash the dress... believe it or not.. before I started.. which worked out great.. I am all for recycle when ever I can.. Thanks for looking Huggybear

i'd love to take these beautiful photos and send them to my dd's outlaw mil...loved the dress! sept in las vegas is a nice time, too... mil was so nasty when dd wanted a las vegas wedding, so her grandmother could attend (she lived there) asked me over the phone who gets married in vegas but gamblers?? told her I DID! guess i'm still bitter cause they eloped... i hope the job and new life together have as many years as we have (going on 41)