For many couples, the wedding dress only shines for one day in a lifetime that spans decades, then it is forever tucked away in a dusty closet. On average, American women wear over 300,000 pieces of clothing throughout their lives, with clothing prices often being quite expensive. However, the most expensive and beautiful garment is undoubtedly the wedding dress, which brides typically only wear on their wedding day.
The average price of a wedding dress is just under $2,000, with some reaching up to $10,000. However, nowadays brides can purchase wedding dresses online for prices ranging from a few hundred to $1,000. Due to the elaborate and costly nature of wedding dresses, wearing it for just one day may not seem cost-effective.
But perhaps splurging for a day will make the wedding even more special. After all, marriage is supposed to be eternal. Why not make wearing a wedding dress a tradition? Would it still be as special if she wore it every year?
Yes, some women have abandoned tradition, saying, “Why not?”
One such example is Chelsea Smith, 34, from California, a mother of three. After her first husband passed away due to a drug overdose when she was 27, she married Christopher, her late husband’s best friend who comforted her during her grief.
After marrying Christopher, Chelsea began to make more use of the stunning wedding dress that had brought her so much attention. She shared with Epoch Times, “My husband first mentioned the wedding dress about a week or two before our first wedding anniversary. In a conversation with Christopher, he thought it was customary for people to wear their wedding dress on their first anniversary.”
When he brought up the idea, Chelsea was almost dying of laughter. But she found herself liking the idea. “Why not? For our first anniversary, we wore our wedding attire to a fancy restaurant. I’m sure most people thought we had just gotten married.”
As they walked into the restaurant with smiles, several people in the parking lot warmly congratulated them. Since then, for the past six wedding anniversaries, Chelsea has brought out the wedding dress to wear. Sometimes, they wear their wedding attire to go out to eat, and other times, the dress becomes a memento for the couple.
During the photoshoots, there was a moment when Chelsea almost set aside the wedding dress. She explained, “On our sixth wedding anniversary, my wedding dress only appeared in the last photo, as I was nine months pregnant at the time. So I had to completely unzip the dress and pull it apart. But if it still fits, why not wear it, right?”
The news of this precious tradition of wearing the wedding dress on anniversaries spread quickly. When Chelsea decided to share the news on Instagram for others to follow suit, many wives and soon-to-be wives took notice. Chelsea realized she wasn’t alone.
Chelsea received feedback from couples of varying ages who also followed this tradition, and some expressed an interest in trying this novel approach. It turns out Chelsea’s unique practice isn’t so uncommon. If the comments are anything to go by, regularly wearing a wedding dress is not as alternative as one might think; it’s actually quite common.
Leanne Desharnais commented on Chelsea’s post, saying, “From a historical perspective, the idea of wearing a wedding dress just once is relatively new. In the 1920s, newlyweds typically wore formal attire for important events in their first couple of years of marriage, usually before pregnancy. Your wedding dress is your best formal wear. Carry on this tradition!”
Samantha Burns, a writer for “Bride” magazine and a mental health and dating counselor, also practices this tradition and listed several benefits. “Bang for your buck” is just one of them. She further explained, “Wearing the wedding dress can serve as great fitness motivation when it fits snugly, and it can reignite the romantic spark between spouses.”
Burns wrote, “When you engage in novel adventures, your brain’s reward system is activated, and a surge of dopamine makes you feel exhilarated, dizzy, and more in love.”
Lastly, she added, “You will create new memories.”
Chelsea’s family is indeed creating new memories. She hopes this tradition will be passed down through generations. Chelsea shared, “Our children find it amusing that we wear the wedding dress every year, especially my daughter, who is fascinated by all things glamorous. I hope at least one of our children will continue the tradition of taking anniversary photos in a wedding dress with their future spouse.”
How did wearing a wedding dress year after year on their anniversary, despite it being a special garment, manage to attract so much attention? Chelsea said she never expected this outcome, but she is delighted because it seems to be catching on and becoming popular.