The Afterlife of Your gown

I suggested You might display the gown in her living room or bedroom on a dress form. 

Okay, so, let's start with the display idea. Display is actually one way of storing a gown as a soft furnishing that everyone sees. If you have room in your home and are open to a new and unique way of creating a decorating statement, go for it. Displaying your gown on dress form makes for great conversation when folks come over to visit. It also looks pretty. These photos display different ways of arranging a dress form as well as giving you other display ideas. The two women who put these displays up are tops in their field and I'm constantly learning from them.

If you have an interesting or antique pair of shoes and don't plan on wearing them anytime soon try this . . .

Not just your bridal jewelry can go on this kind of display.

A fine example of separates dressing. This bodice is actually a Chantilly lace blouse worn over a strapless gown. Can you imagine this stunner New Years Eve over a fireplace with a black velvet skirt?

This eyelet dress can work well as reusable bridal attire. Keep in mind you do have the option of choosing a design you can re-wear. Working your gown into your wardrobe can mean planning separates, elements that can be customized and transformed as double duty pieces. Maybe you are into cotton and linen. A cotton eyelet dress or linen suit can work well as reusable bridal attire. If you are drawn to simpler silhouettes in functional fabrics like wool and silk jersey this works too. Knowing how to work a veil with some opera length gloves and the right shoes can really pull a simple dress into a ‘bridal look. Consequently, the more practical you are, (as opposed to sentimental) the more likely you are to re-wear your gown.

Working your gown into your wardrobe can mean planning separates.

Bassinets in particular intrigue me, they keep the gown sentiment going as a story told through laces and silk. The bulk of the skirt wraps around the bassinet and your veil hangs as a head draping. If you wore a tiara you have created a real fairy tale.