OT: Decluttering - Old Wedding Photo's?

Well, I've been de-cluttering like a woman possessed this afternoon! Even my girls joined me and had a ball LOL We emptied all the boxes in my office/sewing/craft room.

BUT, I have reached a point where I really need some help.

What on earth do I do with my huge professionally framed wedding photo?

The gorgeous timber box that the photographer gave us with all the photo's from the day in it will be stored for the girls when they are older. But I really have no idea what to do with this one particular photo.

As a piece of art, its stunning - gorgeous B&W photo, in a specially made frame, framed by a professional master framer - a very expensive exercise, but a gorgeous piece of art.

However, I don't really want to have an old wedding photo hanging in my house now regardless of how wonderful the artistic considerations are! Its not the type of frame that you can just swap out the photo either...

Should I package it up and also leave for the girls to deal with when they are older?

Do I just toss it? (I just can't bring myself to do this because of the sheer beauty & knowing how expensive it is - not the subject at all LOL!)

What have others in a similar situation done?

I just can't imagine keeping it, meeting someone new, bringing them home and saying "oh that - that is my first marriages wedding photo - isn't it a glorious piece of art?" LOL

Thank you so much for any suggestions you have!!

(Once I have sorted this one problem out, I have no boxes left in my house now - just the garage!!! YIPPEEEEE!!!)

15 years ago

Active Member

I agree that you wouldn't want it hanging on your wall, it's not going to bring you joy when you look at it. But I think it would be nice to store it away for your girls. It's their Mum and Dad so they may really appreciate that lovely piece of history one day -sounds like it is quite something. It does seem a shame just to toss it. If it is causing hurt, anger, resentment etc I'ld be thinking it needs to go but it doesn't sound like that's the case.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Hi Theresa

Don't throw it out, it sounds like the kind of thing that your girls would like when they are older. If you can't bear to have it in your house (mem'ries....) then perhaps you could get it 'minded' by a sibling or a parent who wouldn't mind, until the girls are grown?

PS - Another reason to get someone you trust to mind it reminds me of my best friend, whose mother died. Her father remarried quite soon after and she suddenly was part of the Brady Bunch.

The new wife 'decluttered' a lot of her mum's stuff (putting it nicely) and now my b.f has very little left to remember her mum by. I'd hate for your girls to feel this way in the future. (I sometimes still hear "I can't believe she threw out that book!" type comments from my best friend, 20 odd years later. (Yes, we met when were very young.))

BlondeAmbition

I think you're right on with your instincts. You definitely don't want it hanging on your wall, it will only serve to remind you of the past when you want to be looking forward. I agree to store it away as something you want your kids to have when they're older and can decide themselves how to use it.

Claudia

I agree with the others. Don't throw it out, it will be important to your girls. First, get a good, sturdy framed picture/art box from a frame shop or specialty movers/shippers and pack it up well and slide it under a bed as a last storage resort, or have a family member keep it in a safe place for your daughters.

Make sure to label this box with what's inside and instructions for giving it to your daughters.

Louise

I'd definately keep it for the girls when they get older x

Oh please save it for the girls! Make sure it is stored correctly so it will still look beautiful when the girls are grown.

lady

I agree with the above advice given. Leaving it to your daughters would be lovely momento of how they came to be. I believe as adults they will really be able to appreciate the history in it.

Great job on clearing so much stuff out! woo hoo!

Sihaya

Congrats on clearing out stuff. I need to join that club real.soon.now. before my house takes over everything. I vote store and keep too. What a lovely gift for your girls and your grand kids someday.

Kristine

How huge do you mean? If it's manageable I think I would unframe it and use the frame for something else. The girls will want to see wedding photos, but they won't necessarily want a large framed photo either. I might let it go as a way of closing the door on the past.

P.S. Sorry, I just saw that you mentioned you can't swap out the photo.

Theresa

Phew! Finally made it back to this thread!

Thanks for your opinions/suggestions ladies! I really appreciate it - most women seem to tell tales of rejoicing in burning/destroying their ex's memories, but that's not my style, and I see no need to. Our relationship is definitely in the past for both of us, and there are none of those angry/negative emotions at all, but we are still good friends.

I shall definitely store the photo's for my girls.

Actually, something I'm also doing, is keeping the engagement/wedding rings, and when the girls are older, I'm going to have them recreated into something appropriate as a special gift for them (maybe finishing school or something special) - ex-H didn't want them back. Even this is far too much "keeping" for one of my friends!

How wonderful that you have an ex-relationship that you can honor and preserve the good memories through your girls and these keepsakes for them.

bj1111

take it down and keep for the girls. if you're pushed for room, store it under one of the girls' beds, that way mum and dad will be with them.

MsMary

I gave my giant first-wedding portrait to my parents. :p

Category