Lyla Dejesus
There are many ways to dispose of a wedding dress. If you're looking to recycle your wedding dress, you could dye it and wear it to non-wedding special occasions. You could also turn it into something totally different, like a piece of jewellery, a bag, or a christening gown for a new baby. If you're not interested in keeping your dress, you could sell it on a generic selling site such as eBay or Vinted, or on a specialist site such as Still White or Recycle My Wedding. Donating your wedding dress is another option. Charities such as Brides Against Breast Cancer and Brides Across America accept wedding dress donations and give them to brides in need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Repurpose | Dye, shorten or hem, turn into a piece of jewellery or a bag, or a christening gown |
| Donate | Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, The Emma and Evan Foundation, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program, Brides Across America |
| Sell | eBay, Vinted, Bridal Reloved, Still White, Recycle My Wedding, Hurr, My Wardrobe HQ, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace |
| Store | DressBox, DressVault |
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What You'll Learn
Donate 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 options to consider:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to support women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses and have multiple locations across the United States, including San Diego, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. Since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and raised over $3,000,000 for local and national charities. You can mail in your dress or drop it off at one of their locations. They also accept bulk donations from designers, stores, and manufacturers.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is an organization that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They accept dresses that are in good condition and less than four years old.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. They accept donations of wedding gowns, veils, and jewelry that are less than four years old and in wearable condition. Since 2008, they have outfitted over 28,000 women with their dream wedding dresses.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program and The Emma and Evan Foundation
These organizations accept wedding dress donations and transform them into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are offered to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accepted 15,000 wedding dresses in 2015, while The Emma and Evan Foundation has a dedicated board of directors and a network of volunteers across the United States.
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a selfless act that can make a significant impact on the lives of others. Consider researching these organizations and choosing one that aligns with your values and interests to give your dress a second life and support a worthy cause.
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Recycle and upcycle
Recycling and upcycling are great ways to dispose of a wedding dress while also being kind to the environment. Global textile production emits 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, so it's important to reuse and repurpose clothing where possible.
One way to recycle your wedding dress is to donate it to a charitable organisation. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides Across America is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations and passes them on for free to military and first responder brides. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland is a similar initiative, where donated gowns support Success in Style, a nonprofit that helps clients in crisis by offering professional clothing and basic interview skills.
If you'd like to keep your wedding dress within the family, you could get it turned into a christening gown for a new baby. Local seamstresses or companies like Little Doves or Infinity Keepsakes can help with this. You could also pass your dress on to your daughter, but be sure to store it correctly to prevent damage.
Another option is to upcycle your wedding dress by dyeing it a different colour and wearing it to special occasions. While this can be done at home, it's recommended to seek professional help to avoid the outer fabric and lining shrinking at different rates. You could also transform your wedding dress into something completely different, like a piece of jewellery or a bag.
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Pass down as a family heirloom
Passing down your wedding dress as a family heirloom is a lovely way to ensure that the dress continues to bring joy to your family for generations to come. However, it is important to take certain steps to ensure that the dress is properly preserved and maintained.
Firstly, it is crucial to store your wedding dress correctly. Wedding dresses are often delicate and can be susceptible to damage from light, moisture, and pests such as moths. Consider investing in a specialised storage box or container that is acid-free and breathable, as this will help protect the dress from discolouration and deterioration. Avoid storing the dress in a plastic bag, as plastic can trap moisture and encourage the growth of mould or mildew. It is also advisable to have the dress professionally cleaned before storing it, as stains can become permanent over time.
Another option is to transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for your child or grandchild. This can be a meaningful way to create a new family heirloom while preserving the memories and sentimentality of your wedding day. You can either engage a local seamstress or a company specialising in creating bespoke christening outfits, such as Little Doves or Infinity Keepsakes. Alternatively, you can donate your wedding dress to organisations such as NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program or Cherished Gowns, which transform wedding dresses into clothing for babies who have passed away.
If you wish to keep the wedding dress in its original form, consider using it as a decorative piece in your home. You can display it in a shadow box frame or hang it on a dress form in a protected area of your home, such as a hallway or a bedroom. This way, the dress can become a beautiful and unique piece of decor that serves as a daily reminder of your special day.
Lastly, you can pass down your wedding dress as a family heirloom by repurposing it into new items that can be cherished by future generations. For example, you can transform the dress into a special occasion dress for your children or grandchildren to wear at their upcoming proms or formal events. With some creativity and sewing skills, you can even create smaller accessories such as clutch bags or jewellery using the fabric and embellishments from the dress. These new items will carry the sentimentality of your wedding day while being more practical for everyday use or special occasions.
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Sell online
Selling your wedding dress online is a great way to recoup some of the costs of your wedding. However, it can be a time-consuming process, and there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, time is of the essence—most online marketplaces and consignment shops have limits on how old a dress can be, with many not accepting gowns more than three to five years old. So, if you're thinking of selling, don't let your dress hang in the closet for too long.
When it comes to choosing a platform, you can opt for generic selling sites such as eBay or Vinted. However, you may have more success on specialist sites such as Bridal Reloved, Still White, or Recycle My Wedding, which sell second-hand wedding dresses, accessories, and decorations.
Creating your listing can be one of the most challenging aspects of selling your wedding dress online. It's important to include quality photos of the dress, not just on a hanger, but also of you wearing it, to give potential buyers a better idea of how it looks on a bride. You'll also need to decide on a listing price, which may require some research to ensure it's competitive. As a seller, you'll likely spend a lot of time answering messages and questions from potential buyers, so be prepared for this.
To protect yourself from potential scams, only accept payment from trusted sources, and document your conversations with buyers for added security in case of a dispute. Additionally, be wary of the policies of the platform you're using, as some may request exclusivity with your gown or have set rates that don't allow much room for negotiation.
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Transform into a new garment
Transforming your wedding dress into a new garment is a great way to repurpose it. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Dyeing
Dyeing your wedding dress is a simple way to transform it into a garment you can wear again. You can opt for a professional service or do it yourself at home. However, it's important to note that not all wedding dresses can be dyed, so be sure to check the label before proceeding. Dying your dress a different colour can open up a world of new possibilities, allowing you to wear it to non-wedding special occasions.
Shortening
Shortening your wedding dress is another popular option for transformation. You can choose to keep it floor-length and remove just the train, or go for a more dramatic look by shortening it to ankle, midi, or mini length. A shorter dress can be styled in various ways, from layering with roll-necks to pairing it with a blazer or a belt for a more casual look.
Christening Gown
Passing down your wedding dress to your offspring is a meaningful way to repurpose it. You can get it transformed into a christening gown for your baby, either by hiring a local seamstress or using companies like Little Doves or Infinity Keepsakes, who specialise in creating bespoke christening outfits from wedding dresses.
Accessories and Home Decor
Think outside the box and turn your wedding dress into something completely different, such as a piece of jewellery, a bag, or even home decor items. You can create lasting memories by transforming your dress into Christmas tree skirts, angel tree toppers, or other holiday traditions.
Alterations
If you're feeling creative, you can alter your wedding dress into a fun and playful look that you can introduce into your wardrobe. Consider cutting, embellishing, or adding a belt to transform your wedding gown into a cute cocktail dress or a beach wedding outfit.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to dispose of a wedding dress. You can donate it to a charity, sell it, pass it on as an heirloom, or upcycle it.
Charities that accept wedding dress donations include Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides Across America, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, The Emma and Evan Foundation, and NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program.
You can sell your wedding dress on generic selling sites such as eBay or Vinted, or on specialist sites such as Bridal Reloved, Still White, or Recycle My Wedding. You can also try selling it to a bridal boutique.
You can dye your wedding dress, turn it into a christening gown, or transform it into something totally different, like a piece of jewellery or a bag.
