George Boyle
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress after your wedding day. You can choose to keep it as a memento, pass it on to a family member, or turn it into a christening gown for your children. If you're crafty, you can transform it into various items, such as custom robes, short anniversary dresses, handkerchiefs, pillows, lingerie, or home decor items like table linens and curtains. You can also sell your dress online or through local consignment shops to recoup some of its cost and give it a new life with another bride. Donating your dress to charities like Brides for a Cause or Angel Gowns for Eternity is another meaningful option, allowing you to give back and support different causes. Before making any decisions, it's recommended to get your wedding dress cleaned and stored to preserve it in its best condition.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Sell it online or at a consignment shop
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress online, it's a good idea to use a specialist service or niche-specific site that focuses on selling and reselling wedding-related items. Some popular wedding dress resale sites include Stillwhite, eBay, and Vestiare Collective. When listing your dress, you'll typically need to provide details such as size, colour, and style, as well as a custom description and your desired price. Many sites charge a listing fee, and some also charge a commission on the sale. To attract buyers, it's important to include high-quality photographs and, even better, a video to showcase how the dress moves.
Before listing your dress, ensure it is in pristine condition to help it find a new home. Consider having it professionally cleaned immediately after your wedding to prevent stains or marks from becoming permanent. Proper storage is also essential; keep your dress in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and use a breathable garment bag or acid-free box to prevent discolouration and maintain its shape.
Selling your wedding dress at a consignment shop can save you time and energy compared to selling it online. Consignment shops, especially those specialising in weddings, attract customers specifically looking for bridal items. They will handle the marketing and find the right buyer for your dress. However, they typically charge fairly steep fees, with commission rates ranging from 40% to 60% of the final sale price. When choosing a consignment shop, look for one with a high sell rate and a good return on investment.
If you're looking to sell locally, a wedding dress consignment shop is your best option. These shops focus on selling wedding-related items, so you'll be reaching local buyers specifically in the market for a wedding dress. If your dress is 20 years or older, you may also be able to sell it to a vintage store or consign it with them.
Addressing Envelopes to Bridal Couples: A Pre-Wedding Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Donate it to a charity
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. Many charitable organizations accept wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to support various causes. Here are some reasons why donating your wedding dress to charity is a wonderful option:
Supporting Worthy Causes
Donating your wedding dress to organizations like Brides for a Cause allows you to support women-focused charities and nonprofits. Brides for a Cause collects wedding dresses from designers, manufacturers, and brides and resells them to raise funds for charities supporting women. Your dress can contribute to raising funds for local and national nonprofits that empower women.
Helping Brides in Need
Some charities provide wedding dresses to brides in need at little to no cost. For example, Brides Against Breast Cancer resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Similarly, Brides Across America donates wedding dresses to military and first responder brides, ensuring they have their dream wedding outfits. Donating your dress can make a significant impact on another bride's special day.
Creating Sentimental Value
Donating your wedding dress allows you to pass on the joy and magic you felt on your wedding day to another bride. It is a selfless act that can create a personal connection with another individual. Additionally, some charities, like Shared Dream Dresses, allow you to see where your dress goes, offering a heartwarming experience.
Convenience and Space
Donating your wedding dress frees up closet space and relieves you of the responsibility of preserving it for eternity. It also eliminates the hassle of trying to sell the dress or find someone to loan it to. Donating is a quick and straightforward process that ensures your dress finds a new home while benefiting a good cause.
Tax Benefits
In some cases, donating your wedding dress can lead to tax deductions. While this may not be the primary motivation, it is an added benefit to consider.
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a meaningful way to give back and support various causes. It allows your dress to continue spreading happiness while helping those in need.
The Cost of Wedding Dresses: What's the Average?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pass it on to family members
Passing on your wedding dress to a family member is a great way to ensure that the dress continues to be enjoyed and cherished. If you plan to pass on your wedding dress to a family member, it is important to take good care of it so that it stays in the best possible condition.
First, it is important to get your wedding dress cleaned as soon as possible to remove any stains or smudges. You can choose to clean it yourself, but be sure to read the label for special instructions and always spot test on a small, hidden portion of the dress to ensure the cleaning agents do not react negatively with the fabric. If you are hesitant to clean it yourself, consider getting in touch with a professional wedding dress preserver or dry cleaner.
Once your dress is cleaned, you can consider how you would like to pass it on. One option is to pass on the dress as-is for a family member to wear at their wedding. Another option is to use the fabric from your wedding dress to create a new garment for a family member. For example, you could use the fabric to create a christening gown for a child or a formal cocktail dress for another family member to wear at their next big event.
If you plan to pass on the dress as-is, it is important to store it properly to prevent disintegration or discolouration. Store your dress in a box with acid-free tissue paper and avoid keeping the box in any location that is damp or exposed to harsh light or temperatures.
Passing on your wedding dress to a family member is a wonderful way to share the joy and magic of your wedding day and create new memories with the dress.
Altering a Wedding Dress: Sleeves Edition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Repurpose it into other items
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress into other items. Here are some ideas:
Clothing for Children
For centuries, brides have turned their wedding dresses into christening gowns for their daughters. You can also repurpose your wedding dress into other formal clothing for children, such as an Easter dress or an outfit for their first school picture day.
Accessories
You can turn your wedding dress into accessories such as a clutch, lingerie, or a garter.
Home Decor
If you're crafty, you can make home decor items out of your wedding dress, such as table linens or curtains. You can also turn your dress into a pillow or display it as artwork by framing it or displaying it on a mannequin.
Clothing for Adults
You can work with a tailor or seamstress to turn your wedding dress into a more wearable garment, such as a charming mini dress or a two-piece set that you can wear on your first anniversary. You can also dye your wedding dress to wear on another occasion.
Transforming Wedding Dresses: Changing the Train
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Display it as artwork
If you're looking to display your wedding dress as artwork, there are several options to consider.
One popular option is to frame your wedding dress and hang it on your wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your wedding day. Companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing offer custom framing services for wedding gowns, allowing you to showcase your dress as a piece of art in your home.
Alternatively, you can get creative and upcycle your wedding dress into a unique piece of art. You can take apart the seams of your dress and use the fabric to create something new. This could be a quilt, a ring pillow, or even a christening gown for your future children. If you're feeling crafty, you can work with a tailor or seamstress to create a new garment or accessory that you can cherish and pass down as a heirloom.
Another option is to transform your wedding dress into a work of art through professional services like Unbox the Dress™. They work with you to redesign your wedding dress into bespoke keepsakes that can be cherished for generations. Whether it's a robe, a clutch, or a christening gown, they can help you create something special to display and use.
Displaying your wedding dress as artwork is a unique way to preserve your special day and create lasting memories. Whether you choose to frame it, upcycle it, or seek professional help, your wedding dress can become a beautiful piece of art in your home.
The Perfect Boho Wedding: A-Line Dresses for Your Big Day
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress. You could turn it into a christening gown for your child, a formal cocktail dress, a clutch, lingerie, a short anniversary dress, a handkerchief, a pillow, or even home decor items such as table linens or curtains. You could also pass it on to a family member to wear or use some aspect of it in their wedding attire.
There are many online sites and local consignment shops where you can sell your wedding dress. Some popular platforms include Facebook Marketplace, StillWhite, Nearly Newlywed, Preowned Wedding Dresses, eBay, Vinted, and specialist wedding marketplaces.
Brides for a Cause is one such charity that accepts donations, resells the dress, and uses the proceeds to raise money for different causes. Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity is another charity that turns wedding dresses into gowns for stillborn infants. Wish For a Wedding is a charity that provides dream weddings for couples dealing with terminal illnesses and accepts wedding dress donations for terminally ill brides.
