George Boyle
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after the big day is a big decision. Some brides opt to keep their dresses, either to pass them down to their daughters or nieces, re-wear for a vow renewal, or simply as a memento of their wedding day. However, wedding dresses are usually large and take up a lot of space, and some brides decide to sell or donate their dresses instead. Selling a wedding dress can recoup some of the costs of the wedding, and donating a dress can be a charitable act, allowing another bride to enjoy it.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Passing it on to family
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress is a very personal decision, and there are many reasons why you might want to keep it. One reason to hold on to your wedding dress is to pass it on to family members. You might consider keeping your wedding dress to offer it to your daughters, nieces, or other family members to wear at their own weddings. This can create a cherished family heirloom that is passed down through generations.
However, it's important to consider that fashion trends change quickly, and most young brides will likely want to choose their own style. While you might think that keeping your dress will give your family members an option to wear it, it's unlikely that they will want an outdated wedding dress. Even if they like the style, it may not fit them properly, and extensive alterations could compromise the gown's structural integrity.
If you're not ready to part with your dress but don't want to keep it at home, you could consider professional preservation services. This involves having your dress professionally cleaned and stored in a special box, taking up less space than when it's hanging.
Alternatively, you could consider transforming your wedding dress into something new. Services like Unbox the Dress will turn your wedding dress into a variety of pieces, preserving parts of it while giving it new life. You could also look into having your dress altered into a shorter version to rewear for special occasions or even into lingerie.
Ultimately, the decision to keep or pass on your wedding dress is a personal one. If you choose to keep it, you can always decide to donate or sell it later. However, if you're considering selling, it's important to remember that this decision can't be undone, and you may want to hold off if you're not 100% sure.
Spring Wedding Guest: Wear a Red Dress?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Selling it
Selling your wedding dress can be a great option if you don't plan on passing it down to your children or wearing it again for a vow renewal. It is a way to recoup some of the costs of the dress, and you won't have to worry about storing or moving it.
If you do decide to sell your wedding dress, it is important to act quickly. Many dress agencies that sell more expensive labels won't take a dress that is over a year old, so you may miss the boat if you wait too long. It is also essential to ensure that your dress is in pristine condition so that it can find a new home. Have it professionally cleaned by a trusted dry cleaner immediately after your wedding to prevent stains or marks from becoming permanent, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
When it comes to selling your dress online, it is important to present it in the best possible light. Take clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle in a well-lit environment. You can list your dress on resale platforms like eBay and Poshmark, or use a specialist website like Stillwhite or Nearly Newlywed, which only deal with wedding dresses. These sites typically charge a small commission or a one-off fee for selling your dress. You can also sell your dress in person at consignment shops or bridal stores, which may be reassuring as an experienced third party will handle the sale.
It is worth noting that there is limited demand for second-hand wedding dresses, and you may be disappointed by how much your dress fetches. Gowns that have been heavily altered may not be as desirable to other brides, as they may lose their structural integrity after too many changes.
Steaming an Organza Wedding Dress: Dos and Don'ts
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Donating it
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. Some brides choose to keep their wedding dresses, fondly thinking they will pass them on to their daughters or nieces. However, this may not be the best option as fashion trends change quickly, and most young brides will want to choose their own style.
Donating your wedding dress is a great alternative to simply storing your dress. This will give your gown a new life as another bride loves it on her wedding day. Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. Since 2012, Brides for a Cause has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to various charities. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another organization that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
If you are looking to help families in need, you can donate your wedding dress to The Emma and Evan Foundation, where they will transform your dress into infant burial gowns, also called Angel Gowns. These gowns are offered to grieving families completely free of charge.
Donating your wedding dress will not only free up space in your closet but will also allow you to help someone in need.
Seattle Weddings: Dress Code and Style Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing it
Storing a wedding dress can be a tricky affair, especially if it is a large, puffy gown. Many women opt to keep their wedding dresses, sometimes for years, either in their closets, attics, basements, or garages. However, this can take up a lot of space, and the dress may deteriorate over time.
If you decide to keep your wedding dress, it is important to have it professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible. Stains that are not visible at first may oxidize and become more prominent and brown over time. Professional cleaners can offer a "clean and preservation" service, where the dress is cleaned and placed in a special storage box, taking up less space than when it is hanging.
Another option is to use a service like Unbox the Dress, which will turn your wedding dress into a variety of pieces, preserving parts of it while reducing the amount of storage space needed. You could also consider turning your dress into lingerie or having it shortened to be reworn for special occasions.
If you are keeping your dress with the intention of passing it down to a daughter or niece, be aware that fashion trends change quickly, and it is unlikely that younger brides will want a dress that is out of style. In this case, you could offer the fabric for them to create their own style or have it altered to suit their tastes.
Ultimately, the decision to store, sell, or donate your wedding dress is a personal one, and it is important to consider all options before making a decision.
Ophra's Wedding Dress: White or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rewearing it
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress is a very personal decision. Some people choose to keep their wedding dress, either to rewear for a vow renewal or to pass it down to their children or nieces. However, others choose to sell or donate their dress, either to make some money back or to give another bride the chance to enjoy it.
If you are considering rewearing your wedding dress, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you may want to have it altered to make it more suitable for everyday wear or special occasions. This could involve shortening it, dying it a different colour, or having it turned into separate pieces that can be worn in different ways.
It is also important to consider the condition of your dress. If it has any stains, it is a good idea to have it professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible. This will help to prevent the stains from becoming more prominent over time.
Another option for rewearing your wedding dress is to incorporate parts of it into a new outfit. For example, you could use the fabric to make a new dress, skirt, or top. This way, you can still enjoy wearing your wedding dress, but in a more modern and wearable style.
Rewearing your wedding dress can be a special way to celebrate your wedding day and your spouse. It can also be a sustainable option, reducing the cost and environmental impact of buying a new outfit. However, it is important to consider whether you truly want to rewear your dress, or if you are feeling pressured to do so. Ultimately, the decision to rewear, sell, or donate your wedding dress is a personal one, and there is no right or wrong answer.
Jane Howell Wedding Dresses: Where to Buy in the USA
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is a personal choice whether to keep, sell, donate, or repurpose your wedding dress. Some people keep their dress for sentimental reasons, while others choose to sell or donate their dress to charities such as Brides Against Breast Cancer.
Some people keep their wedding dress because they think they will pass it on to their daughter. Others keep their dress as a reminder of their wedding day, or because they are unable to part with it emotionally.
Wedding dresses are usually large items that take up a lot of storage space. Styles also change quickly, so most young brides will want to choose their own style. Additionally, selling or donating your dress can help another person obtain their dream dress at a lower cost.
There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, and Cinderella's Closet. You can also sell your dress through preowned wedding dress sellers such as Nearly Newlywed.
Wedding dress preservation can be done professionally or through dry cleaning. Professional preservation services can cost between $250 to $1,000 and involve cleaning and restoring the dress, then housing it in an acid-free box with special folding techniques to prevent creases. Dry cleaning can be done by a specialist dry cleaner using a gentle and pure solvent.
![Zilink 72" Wedding Dress Garment Bag Dress Bags for Gowns Bridal Dress Travel Bag with 12”Gusseted and Accessory Pockets for Wedding Dress, Puffy Gowns [Upgraded Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XK76FMZoL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
