Most every bride will say with certainty that she will never wear her wedding gown again. And 30 years from now, as sentimental as it may seem, future daughters probably won’t want anything to do with a “vintage” gown – they’ll want to choose their own just like the rest of us. So, that leaves three options: keep your gown bundled away in plastic, trash the dress, or donate the dress.

“Trash the Dress” photo sessions continue to gain popularity as brides are excited at the idea of capturing completely unique photos – rolling in the mud, water skiing, swimming, walking through the woods, even cutting apart the dress. If this is something you definitely want to do, then you absolutely should. Your wedding should be everything you imagine, and you only have one day to get everything right. So, if you’re a “Trash the Dress” bride, go for it and don’t let anyone talk you out of it! But, before you destroy your designer gown, why not purchase an inexpensive $99 dress to use for the photo shoot, and instead donate your real gown to charity?

If you can look past the traditional idea that you have to keep your gown packed away, or you have to use your original gown for a “Trash the Dress” shoot, you can let your dress live on in an even better way.

Brides Against Breast Cancer collects donated dresses from brides, designers and bridal shops all over the country and then holds a Nationwide Tour of Gowns. Just imagine a bride shopping through the gowns and falling in love with your dress the way you did. Even better, the money from your donated wedding dress goes to fulfill the last wishes of terminally ill breast cancer patients.