Franklin Dean
Many brides are conflicted about what to do with their wedding dress after the big day. Some brides decide to keep their wedding dress, whether it's for sentimental reasons, to pass it down to their children, or because it's the most expensive item they own. However, wedding dresses can take up a lot of space and are rarely worn again, leading some brides to sell or donate their dresses. Some brides donate their dresses to charities that make burial clothes for infants or outfits for stillborn children.
Explore related products
Donating to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. Many charitable organizations accept wedding dress donations and use them to raise funds for various causes. Here are some reasons to donate your wedding dress and some organizations that accept them:
More Closet Space: Donating your wedding dress frees up valuable closet space. Wedding dresses are often large and take up a significant amount of room. By donating the dress, you can declutter your space and make room for other items.
Tax Deduction: In some countries, donating to charitable organizations can provide tax benefits. By donating your wedding dress, you may be eligible for a tax deduction, which can lower your taxable income and save you money.
Helping Those in Need: Donating your wedding dress allows you to help others. Charitable organizations often resell donated dresses, using the proceeds to support various causes. Your dress can make a direct impact on someone's life and contribute to a worthy cause.
- Brides Against Breast Cancer: This organization resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection initiatives. They have been in operation for over two decades and are dedicated to helping people detect breast cancer early and prevent misdiagnosis.
- Brides for a Cause: This nonprofit collects and resells wedding dresses to support various local and national women-focused charities. They have multiple locations across the United States, including Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. Since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and distributed more than $3,000,000 to charities across the country.
- Brides Across America: This nonprofit organization provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. They host Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year, outfitting women with their dream wedding dresses. To donate, fill out their online form with details about your gown, veil, and jewelry, ensuring they meet the acceptance criteria.
- NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program: This program accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into burial gowns for infants. The gowns are provided to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families at no charge. In 2015 alone, they accepted 15,000 wedding dresses, bringing comfort to families experiencing the loss of a baby.
- The Brides Project: Based in Michigan, this organization raises funds for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept donated wedding dresses from former brides and new dresses from bridal salons. The proceeds from reselling these dresses support various cancer-related programs, including support groups, counseling services, and nutrition workshops.
These organizations provide a meaningful way to give your wedding dress a second life and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Donating your dress allows you to contribute to important causes and support those in need.
Haven Wedding Dresses: The Ultimate Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Selling
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your wedding can be a difficult decision. Some brides are unable to part with their dresses due to sentimentality, while others are keen to sell or donate them.
If you are considering selling your wedding dress, it is important to be aware that there is a very limited market for second-hand wedding dresses. People often prefer to buy a new dress, even if it is cheaper, than to buy a second-hand one. It is also unlikely that you will be able to sell your dress for more than 50% of what you originally paid for it. However, if you are keen to sell your dress, there are a number of websites where you can list it, including preownedweddingdresses.com, tradesy.com, and stillwhite.com. It is important to research the market value of your dress before setting a price, taking into account factors such as brand, size, alterations, and the original price.
If you are unsure about selling your dress, you could consider displaying it in your home as a keepsake. Some brides choose to hang their dresses in a protective garment bag in their closet, while others opt for a more decorative approach, such as displaying their dress in a shadow box or draped across a piece of furniture. Another option is to have your dress altered so that you can wear it again, either as a shorter dress or to a themed party.
If you decide not to sell your dress and are interested in donating it, there are a number of organisations that accept wedding dress donations. These organisations use the donated dresses for a variety of purposes, including making burial clothes for infants and gowns for terminally ill brides. Donating your dress can be a meaningful way to help others while also decluttering your home.
Floral Fantasy: Wearing White with Prints to Weddings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Displaying as decor
If you're looking to display your wedding dress as decor, there are a few options to consider. One popular method is to hang the dress in a protective garment bag in your closet. This way, it doesn't take up too much space and can be easily accessed whenever you want to reminisce.
Another idea is to frame your wedding dress in a shadow box. This method is favoured by those who want to display their dress as a decorative piece in their bedroom or walk-in closet. Before framing, it is recommended to have the dress professionally cleaned and to ensure that the glass is UV-resistant to protect the dress from fading.
If you're looking for a more unique display option, some people choose to drape their wedding dress across a sofa in their bedroom, along with their shoes, hat, dried bouquet, and veil. This creates a romantic and whimsical display that showcases the entire wedding outfit.
For those who want to keep their dress but don't want it on constant display, consider storing it in a keepsake box. You can have it cleaned and packed in acid-free tissue paper, ensuring its preservation. This option allows you to safely store your dress while also having the option to take it out and admire it from time to time.
Ultimately, the decision to display your wedding dress as decor is a personal one. Some people choose to keep their dresses for sentimental reasons, while others prefer to sell or donate them soon after the wedding to avoid having the dress take up storage space. It's important to weigh your options and decide what feels right for you.
Polyester Wedding Dresses: The Pros and Cons
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing
Firstly, it is important to have your dress professionally cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding. This will help to remove any stains or marks that may have occurred during the event. Once your dress is clean, you can choose to store it in a box or hang it in a protective garment bag in your closet. If you choose to box your dress, consider using acid-free tissue paper and a beautiful keepsake box with a viewing panel to display the bodice. You can also wrap your dress in muslin and seal the box to protect it from dust and light damage. Additionally, ensure that the box is stored in a cool, dry place to prevent mould or discolouration.
Another option for storing your wedding dress is to hang it in a protective garment bag in your closet. This allows for easier access if you wish to try it on or show it to others. It is important to choose a bag that is made from breathable fabric and has a zipper or other secure closure to keep out dust and insects. If you have a walk-in closet, you may also consider displaying your dress in a shadow box with UV-resistant glass, turning it into a decorative feature.
Some brides also choose to preserve their wedding veil, either by storing it in a box or incorporating it into future wedding attire. If you are feeling creative, you can even use the fabric of your dress to make christening gowns or other sentimental items.
Ultimately, the decision to store, sell, or donate your wedding dress is a personal one. Weighing the options and considering your available space and attachment to the dress will help guide your choice.
Dress Uniforms at Weddings: Appropriate or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Making into other items
Many brides choose to repurpose their wedding dresses into other items, especially if they have an emotional attachment to the dress. One option is to use the fabric to create christening gowns for children, as seen in a few responses. Another option is to repurpose the dress into a shorter dress that can be worn again. Some brides have also mentioned using the fabric to create other items such as a teddy bear and a quilt, which can be a unique way to preserve the memories associated with the wedding dress.
Repurposing a wedding dress into other items can be a sustainable and creative approach to extending the life of the dress. It allows the bride to retain a connection to the original dress while also giving it a new purpose. This can be especially meaningful if the dress holds sentimental value or if the bride wants to pass on a transformed version of the dress to future generations.
One bride mentioned that they knew a couple of women who displayed their wedding dresses as decorative items in their bedrooms. The dresses were draped across a sofa, along with the shoes, hats, dried bouquets, veils, and other accessories. This can be a creative way to showcase the dress and preserve the memories associated with it.
Another option for brides who want to repurpose their wedding dress is to donate it to organisations that create burial clothes for infants or stillborn children. These organisations use donated wedding dresses to provide grieving parents with beautiful gowns for their babies. This gesture not only gives new life to the wedding dress but also provides comfort and support to families during a difficult time.
Overall, repurposing a wedding dress into other items can be a thoughtful and meaningful way to extend the life of the dress, create new memories, and, in some cases, contribute to a greater cause. It allows brides to retain a connection to their special day while also giving back to the community or passing on a transformed heirloom to future generations.
How to Resize Your Wedding Dress for a Perfect Fit
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some people keep their wedding dress for sentimental reasons, or because they think it is too beautiful to let go. Others keep it for their children, or in the hope that they will wear it again.
Some people sell their wedding dress because they don't want it to go to waste, or because they want to make some money back. It is also hard to sell a used wedding dress, so some people sell theirs immediately after the wedding.
Some brides donate their wedding dress to a good cause, such as making outfits for stillborn children to be buried in. Others donate their dress to a local theatre group's costume shop, or because they don't want it to go to waste.
