Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often worn for less than 24 hours, but they can cost a substantial amount of a couple's wedding budget. Instead of boxing up your dress and leaving it in the back of your wardrobe, there are many ways to recycle it. You could sell it online or in-store, donate it to a charity, or repurpose it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycle | Donate to charity shops or organisations like Brides Do Good, Brides Across America, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, or sell on specialist sites such as Bridal Reloved, Still White, or Recycle My Wedding |
| Reuse | Pass down to family members, turn into a christening gown, or repurpose into decor |
| Reduce | Store correctly to avoid damage and depreciation in value |
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What You'll Learn
Sell it online
Selling your wedding dress online is a great way to ensure that it continues to be loved and worn. It is also a good way to make some money back while helping someone else avoid the financial pressure of wedding planning.
There are many online platforms that can help you sell your wedding dress. Stillwhite, for example, is one of the largest online wedding dress marketplaces. Nearly Newlywed is another great platform that offers an amazing selection and gown cleaning as part of the selling process. You can also try generic platforms like eBay and Poshmark, which also deal in wedding dresses.
If you live in the US or the UK, you can list your dress for rent using the By Rotation app, which can be used for any fashion apparel. This way, you can make some money without fully parting with your dress. SomethingBorrowedBridals is another US-based rental service that offers a similar service.
Before selling your dress, it is a good idea to get it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. This will ensure that your dress looks its best for its second life.
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Donate to a charity shop
Donating your wedding dress to a charity shop is an eco-conscious and meaningful decision that can bring joy and comfort to those in need. It is a great way to give your wedding dress a new lease of life and prevent it from being forgotten at the back of your wardrobe.
Before donating your wedding dress, it is important to ensure it is in good condition and saleable. Most charity shops accept wedding dresses that are still in good condition, with no or minimal marks or staining. Some charities may have specific criteria for accepting donations, such as the age and colour of the dress, so it is advisable to contact the charity shop beforehand to confirm their requirements.
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations. For instance, Oxfam has bridal charity outlets in Dublin and Bangor, while Barnardos Bridal is located in Dun Laoghaire and Wexford. St Vincent De Paul takes wedding dress donations countrywide. The Wishing Well Foundation and Gift of a Wedding are charities that organise and fund weddings for terminally ill women, providing them with nice dresses for their special day. Brides Across America donates dresses to military and first responder brides, and Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that offers professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis.
Donating your wedding dress to a charity shop is a wonderful way to pass on the happiness your dress brought you and give another bride the chance to enjoy it. It is also an eco-friendly decision that helps reduce waste and supports worthwhile causes.
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Pass it down to family members
Passing down a wedding dress to family members is a lovely idea, but it's important to store it correctly. First, clean the dress, either professionally or yourself, carefully reading the label for any special instructions. Spot test the cleaning agent to ensure it doesn't react with the fabric, and use a soft-bristled brush. When handling the dress, wear white cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils from your skin onto the fabric. For storage, use a box with acid-free tissue paper, kept out of the light and away from moisture.
If you're passing down the dress to a daughter, you could get it altered into a christening gown for her baby. Local seamstresses or companies like Little Doves or Infinity Keepsakes can help with this. You could also get the dress altered into a more wearable garment, like a mini dress or two-piece set, to wear on special occasions.
If you're looking for other ways to pass down the dress as a family heirloom, you could turn it into a piece of jewellery, such as a pendant, brooch, earrings or ring. You could also turn it into a tote bag, a quilt, or a piece of home decor, such as a tablecloth, table runner, curtain, or napkins.
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Turn it into art
There are many ways to recycle a wedding dress by turning it into art. Here are some ideas:
Framing
A popular way to recycle a wedding dress is to frame it and hang it on the wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your special day. You can frame the entire dress, or just a section of it. You can even include other items of wedding attire, such as the veil and garter, to create a one-of-a-kind work of art. This can be done by a professional framing company or as a DIY project.
Wall Collage
Another option is to create a wall collage of highlighted elements and embellishments from your dress. This can include embroidery with the initials of the couple and the wedding date.
Christmas Decorations
Wedding dresses can be transformed into Christmas decorations, such as tree skirts, angel tree toppers, stockings, or ornaments. These can be displayed during the holiday season, creating a unique and sentimental tradition.
Accessories
Parts of the wedding dress can be turned into accessories, such as scarves, hair clips, clutch purses, or even a bridal robe. You can save the lace trim or other pieces to add onto a warm scarf or make light spring scarves for accessorising outfits.
Soft Toys
The fabric from the wedding dress can also be used to make soft toys, such as teddy bears or stuffed animals. These can be cherished keepsakes for children and grandchildren, reminding them of your special day.
There are endless possibilities for recycling a wedding dress by turning it into art. Whether you choose to frame it, transform it into accessories or soft toys, or create Christmas decorations, you can create unique pieces that preserve the memories of your wedding day.
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Get it professionally preserved
If you're looking to get your wedding dress professionally preserved, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can explore companies like The Empty Box Company, which offers acid-free cardboard boxes for storing your dress. This option is ideal if you want to store your dress for sentimental reasons or pass it down to someone else in the future.
Another option is to utilise a service like Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot, where you can choose a package, ship your dress, and have it professionally preserved. This service also allows you to pass the dress down, saving the recipient the cost and ecological impact of buying a new gown.
If you're looking to display your dress as a piece of art, you can get it framed by companies like The Beautiful Frame Company or Outrageous Framing. They will work with you to ensure your dress is preserved and presented in a way that suits your preferences.
Additionally, consider repurposing services like Unbox the Dress, which offers a range of products to transform your wedding dress. They provide custom restyling services, allowing you to upcycle your dress into something wearable again. This option is ideal if you want to give your dress a new purpose while still preserving its sentimental value.
Remember, regardless of the preservation method you choose, it's recommended to have your wedding dress professionally cleaned first. This ensures that any stains or smudges are removed, keeping your dress in the best possible condition for its second life.
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Frequently asked questions
You can recycle your wedding dress by selling it online 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 repurpose your dress into décor, or have it professionally preserved to pass it down to someone else.
Many charity shops will happily take wedding dresses, including Oxfam, Barnardos Bridal, and St Vincent De Paul. You can also donate your dress to the Wishing Well Foundation, Gift of a Wedding, and Angel Gowns for Angel Babies.
You can turn your wedding dress into a christening gown for your baby, or get it framed as a piece of art. You can also send your dress to Unbox the Dress, a company that will transform your dress into a range of products, including holiday decorations and memorial items.
