Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are often preserved as cherished garments with significant sentimental value. However, if you're looking to part with your old wedding dress, there are several options available. You could sell it, donate it to a charitable organisation, or repurpose it into something new. Selling a vintage wedding dress can provide financial benefits, while donating it can free up closet space and benefit others. Donated wedding dresses are passed on to brides in need or sold at a discount to raise money for various causes, such as breast cancer awareness and early detection. Repurposing your wedding dress can transform it into a keepsake, such as bespoke jewellery, a quilt, or decorative items like a Christmas tree skirt or ornaments. Alternatively, you can find organisations that turn wedding dresses into burial gowns for infants who have passed away, providing comfort to grieving families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donate to charity | Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides for a Cause, The Emma and Evan Foundation |
| Repurpose | Christening gown, jewellery, quilt, pillow, purse, tree skirt, angel tree topper, guardian angel ornaments, bridal robe, flower bouquet wrap |
| Resell | Vintage clothing or bridal resale websites, second-hand markets, online platforms, consignment shops |
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What You'll Learn
Charities that repurpose wedding dresses
Donating a wedding dress is a great way to give it a new life and support a good cause. Many charitable organizations accept pre-owned wedding dresses and provide them to new brides at an affordable price or for free. Here are some charities that repurpose wedding dresses:
- Brides Against Breast Cancer: This nonprofit organization resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, early detection, and environmental protection. They accept wedding dress donations and provide them to brides at affordable prices.
- 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 wedding dress donations from former brides and bridal salons and resell them to support various programs, including support groups, counseling services, and nutrition workshops.
- Brides for a Cause: This nonprofit collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They accept donations from designers, manufacturers, and brides and have locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento.
- Adorned in Grace: With locations in Oregon and Arizona, Adorned in Grace offers wedding dresses, formal attire, and other wedding-related items. Their profits support efforts to prevent and raise awareness about sex trafficking.
- Cherie Sustainable Bridal: Located in Maryland, Cherie Sustainable Bridal supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and basic interview skills to clients in crisis. They accept designer gowns less than five years old and do not require professional cleaning before donation.
- The Emma and Evan Foundation: This organization transforms wedding dresses into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance.
When donating a wedding dress, it is important to check the specific requirements of each charity, as some may have age or condition restrictions. Additionally, washing or dry cleaning the dress before donation is often appreciated by the organizations.
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Selling your wedding dress
There are several options to consider when it comes to selling your wedding dress. Firstly, you could choose to sell it through a dedicated wedding dress resale site such as Still White, where you can list your dress for a fee and then ship it to the buyer. eBay is another option, where you can auction your dress, although the site charges a commission for sales under $2000. Vestiare Collective is a similar online consignment site that allows you to set your own prices, although there is a small payment processing fee.
If you prefer a more traditional route, you could try finding a local bridal consignment shop that will sell the dress on your behalf. This option removes the hassle of dealing with buyers directly, although you will only receive a percentage of the selling price.
Before selling, it is important to consider the condition of your dress. It is recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned immediately after your wedding to ensure any stains do not become permanent. You may also want to consider reversible alterations to help with the resale value.
If you are attached to your dress and would like to keep it in the family, there are other options besides selling. You could repurpose your dress by transforming it into a christening gown, a tree skirt, or even a funeral gown for babies. Alternatively, you could cut and dye your dress to create a new outfit to wear to a future event.
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Donating to a charitable organisation
There are several charitable organisations that accept wedding dress donations. Here are some options to consider:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation with showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They accept donations from designers, manufacturers, and brides and have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses since 2012. They ask that donated dresses be no older than five years and in good condition.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit that supports military members, first responders, and their spouses by providing them with free wedding dresses. They accept wedding dresses, veils, and jewellery that are less than four years old and in wearable condition. They have events called Operation Wedding Gown twice a year where they distribute the donated items. Since 2008, they have helped outfit more than 28,000 women.
Adorned in Grace
Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organisation with locations in Oregon and Arizona. They accept donations of wedding dresses, formalwear, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, and accessories. They use their profits to support efforts to prevent and raise awareness of sex trafficking. They accept items that are no more than five years old and offer both in-person drop-off and shipping options for donations.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal is a nonprofit located in Maryland. They accept donated wedding gowns less than five years old to support Success in Style, another nonprofit that provides professional clothing and interview skills to individuals in crisis. They also sell donated bridesmaid dresses at a partner store. Cherie does not require gowns to be professionally cleaned before donation and accepts both in-person and mailed donations.
Fairytale Brides Boutique
Fairytale Brides Boutique offers affordable and accessible wedding gowns to couples. They accept wedding dress donations to stock their boutique with low-cost options. They seek dresses that are no more than five years old and offer in-person drop-off and shipping options for donations.
NICU Helping Hands' Angel Gown Program
The NICU Helping Hands' Angel Gown Program provides custom-made burial gowns for babies who have passed away, offering comfort to bereaved families. They accept wedding dress donations and transform them into burial gowns.
In addition to these organisations, there are other charities with similar missions, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer, which raises funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Donating your wedding dress to any of these organisations is a wonderful way to give back to the community and support various important causes.
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Transforming into bespoke keepsakes
There are several ways to transform old wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes. One option is to repurpose the dress into décor for your home. Another option is to work with a tailor or seamstress to create a new piece of clothing, such as a charming mini dress or two-piece set, that you can wear again. You could also create a robe from your wedding dress, allowing you to enjoy a piece of your wedding day every day.
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can transform your wedding dress into a range of creative household items and accessories. For example, baby blankets, bassinet covers, or christening gowns made from your wedding dress fabric can become sentimental keepsakes. You can also create items that you'll get plenty of use out of, such as pillows, tablecloths, table runners, or napkins.
There are companies that specialize in transforming wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes. Unbox the Dress, for instance, offers a range of services, including custom restyling, professional cleaning and preservation, and gift certificates. They can transform your wedding dress into modern bridal gifts and family keepsakes, such as christening gowns for babies, bridal robes, or holiday décor. The process typically involves sending in your dress and working with their design team to decide on the new design.
Additionally, some artists turn wedding dresses into pendants or necklaces, allowing you to wear a piece of your wedding day close to your heart. You can also consider dyeing your wedding dress to give it a new life as a formal gown for special occasions. However, not all fabrics and embellishments are compatible with colour dyes, so it's essential to consult a professional before proceeding.
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Repurposing into a christening gown
There are several ways to repurpose old wedding dresses. One option is to turn the dress into a christening gown for a baby. This can be a meaningful way to create new memories while also preserving the memories associated with the wedding dress.
If you plan to repurpose your wedding dress into a christening gown, there are several steps you can take to ensure a successful project. Firstly, it is important to gather the necessary materials and create a plan. You can start by assessing the wedding dress and deciding which sections will be used for each element of the christening gown design. Consider the amount of fabric available and the placement of any distinctive features, such as lace motifs. Decide on the number of layers you will use and whether you want to add any embellishments such as lace, ribbon, or a matching headband.
Once you have a plan in place, you can begin deconstructing the wedding dress. This step can be emotionally challenging, so it is recommended to take photos and perhaps indulge in some chocolate to make the process more enjoyable. Cut along the seams to separate the bodice from the skirt, as most of the fabric will come from the skirt. Assess the materials and embellishments, and decide on the placement of pattern pieces to make the most of the fabric.
After deconstruction, you can start sewing the christening gown according to your chosen pattern. Remember to work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the fabric. Use smaller pins and avoid sewing over pins, especially when working with gathered elements. If you are unsure about a particular stitch or technique, it is a good idea to sew sample swatches first to perfect your technique before moving on to the actual christening gown.
Finally, add any final embellishments and details. This is also the time to decide whether you want to professionally clean the christening gown or the remaining fabric from the wedding dress. If you plan to store the leftover fabric for future projects, it may be more cost-effective to clean all the fabric upfront.
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Frequently asked questions
Some ways to repurpose an old wedding dress include transforming it into bespoke jewellery, a quilt, a throw pillow, a pendant, or a christening gown for a baby.
Brides Against Breast Cancer, The Brides Project, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, and The Emma and Evan Foundation are some organisations that accept wedding dress donations.
Donating an old wedding dress can free up closet space, provide a tax deduction, and help someone in need.
If the dress holds significant emotional value or you plan to pass it down as an heirloom, you may want to consider keeping it.
When selling an old wedding dress, it is important to research the market, get a professional appraisal, take high-quality photos, provide a detailed description, and choose the right platform.
