Franklin Dean
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after the big day is a difficult decision for many brides. Some brides choose to keep their wedding dresses as a cherished heirloom to pass down to their daughters or nieces. Others opt to sell or donate their dresses to charities or organisations that give dresses to brides who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford them. Some brides also choose to have their dresses turned into lingerie or framed as a keepsake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sentimental value | Keeping the dress for the memories of the wedding day |
| Family tradition | Passing the dress down to future generations |
| Cost | Selling the dress recoups some of the original cost |
| Inconvenience | The dress takes up space and needs to be stored and maintained |
| Inconvenience | Transporting the dress can be a burden when relocating |
| Style | The dress may become outdated and future generations may not want to wear it |
| Charity | The dress can be donated to a charitable cause |
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What You'll Learn
Sentimental value
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision, especially when you consider its sentimental value. Wedding dresses are often seen as a cherished heirloom, passed down through generations, with many brides hoping that their daughters or nieces will wear the dress on their own wedding day.
For some, the wedding dress is a lovely reminder of their wedding day and the happiness they felt. The idea of selling or donating the dress can feel like getting rid of these memories, and some may feel that they are throwing their marriage away with the dress. However, it is important to remember that the memories and love shared on the wedding day are not dependent on the dress. Photos can also serve as a reminder of the day, without taking up physical space in the home.
For those who do wish to keep their dress, it is important to consider the practicalities of storing it. Wedding dresses can take up a lot of space, especially if they are large ballgowns. They also need to be carefully preserved to maintain their beauty long-term, which can be costly. Storing a wedding dress can become a burden, especially if you move house often, and it may end up sitting in a closet, untouched for years.
On the other hand, selling or donating a wedding dress can be a positive and generous act. Donating your dress to a charity or non-profit organisation allows another bride to experience the joy of wearing it on their wedding day. This is especially true for brides who cannot afford a new dress. Selling the dress can also help recoup some of the costs of the wedding, which is a significant perk.
Ultimately, the decision to keep, sell, or donate a wedding dress is a personal one. The sentimental value of the dress may outweigh the hassle of storing it for some, while others may feel relieved to pass it on to a new owner.
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Heirloom
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. One option is to keep it as an heirloom, perhaps to pass down to your children. If you decide to do this, it is important to get your dress professionally preserved to ensure it retains its quality for years to come. Wedding dress preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that is done to protect the gown from ageing. This can cost anywhere from $300 to over $1000.
If you are considering keeping your dress as an heirloom, it is worth asking yourself a few questions. Firstly, is the dress in good enough condition to be worn again? Many wedding gowns are not properly preserved before they are stored, which means they can be subject to damage over time. Secondly, do you have the space to store the dress? If you are someone who relocates often, transporting a wedding dress with every move may be a task you want to avoid.
If you decide to keep your dress, there are several companies that offer wedding dress preservation services. Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation offers a variety of preservation boxes for different types of gowns, with prices ranging from $325 to $400. This cost includes cleaning the dress and up to 5 additional items, and all packages come with a 100-year guarantee against yellowing. The Wedding Gown Preservation Company, located in Binghamton, NY, offers a similar service, with prices starting at $425.
If you would like to keep your dress as an heirloom but do not want to keep it in its original form, there are companies that can transform your dress into new designs, modern bridal gifts, and family keepsakes. Unbox the Dress is one such company, offering a safe-ship DressBox service that includes shipping, insurance, a design consultation, and six months of extra fabric safekeeping.
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Storage
If you decide to keep your wedding dress, it is important to have it professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible. This is because, over time, stains that are not visible to the naked eye can oxidize and become more prominent and brown. There are dry cleaners that offer a "clean and preservation" service, where the dress is cleaned and placed in a special storage box. This option also takes up less space than storing the dress on a hanger.
If you are someone who moves house often, you may want to consider selling or donating your wedding dress, as transporting it may become a burden. Wedding dresses are also expensive, so selling your gown can help recoup some of the costs incurred in purchasing it.
If you are unsure about selling your wedding dress, you can consider storing it for the time being. This way, you can always sell it down the road if you change your mind or need the money. However, it is important to keep in mind that wedding dresses can quickly go out of style, and within a few years, you may not be able to sell it.
There are also alternative options to storing your wedding dress in its original form. You can get your dress altered to rewear for special occasions or turn it into lingerie. There are also services that will turn your wedding dress into other pieces of clothing, such as Unbox the Dress. This way, you can preserve parts of your wedding dress without taking up too much storage space.
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Cost
The cost of keeping a wedding dress is more than just financial. It can take up a lot of space in your wardrobe or closet, gathering dust and taking up room that could be used for other items. Wedding dresses are often large and cumbersome, and if you move house frequently, the task of transporting your dress each time may be off-putting.
On the other hand, there are costs associated with selling or donating your wedding dress. Firstly, there is the emotional cost. Your wedding dress is a highly personal item, and selling it is a permanent decision that cannot be undone. If you decide to sell, you must be absolutely certain it is what you want to do.
There is also the potential financial cost of getting your dress professionally cleaned and preserved before selling it. This can be an expensive process, and if your dress is heavily stained or altered, it may not be desirable to another bride, making it difficult to recoup the costs of cleaning and preservation.
Additionally, consider the opportunity cost of not selling your dress. Wedding dresses are expensive, and selling your gown can help you recoup some of the costs incurred in purchasing it. This is a popular reason why brides choose to sell their dresses after their weddings.
Finally, there is the potential cost of storage if you decide to keep your dress. To ensure its longevity, you may need to invest in a special storage box or preservation method, which can take up less space than hanging the dress but may still incur a cost.
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Charity
If you're debating whether to keep your wedding dress, one option is to donate it to charity. Donating your wedding dress can give it a second life and benefit a good cause. Many brides struggle to afford their dream wedding dress, and your donation can help make someone's dream come true.
There are several charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations. Brides for a Cause, for example, has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and distributed more than $3,000,000 to local and national women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses that are less than five years old and offer both mail-in and in-person donation options. Another option is Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
If you're looking for a way to directly support brides in need, Fairytale Brides Boutique is a charitable organization that offers affordable and accessible wedding gowns to nearlyweds. They accept wedding dresses no more than five years old and allow for both in-person and mailed donations. Similarly, Adorned in Grace in Oregon and Arizona uses the profits from donated wedding dresses, formal attire, and accessories to support efforts to prevent and raise awareness of sex trafficking.
For a more personalized donation experience, you can also reach out to your community by sharing on local social media groups or through friends. This way, you can directly connect with a bride in need and give your dress a new life while helping someone in your community.
Lastly, if you're feeling creative, you can repurpose your wedding dress into something new. You can transform it into home decor, such as pillows or baptism gowns for your children, or even alter it into a fun cocktail dress. Donating your wedding dress to charity is a meaningful way to help others while also gaining more closet space and potentially receiving tax benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Keeping your wedding dress can be a lovely reminder of your wedding day. You can also pass it down to your daughters or nieces to wear at their weddings, creating a cherished heirloom that is passed down through generations. You can also keep your gown to re-wear for a vow renewal.
Wedding dresses are expensive, so selling your gown can help you recoup some of the costs. Selling your wedding dress can also free up space in your wardrobe, especially if it's a larger gown. If you relocate frequently, selling your dress means you won't have to worry about storing or moving it.
Donating your wedding dress can be a charitable act, allowing a bride who couldn't afford a new dress to enjoy it on her wedding day. This can give your dress new life and bring joy to another bride. Donating your dress can also free up space in your wardrobe and relieve you of the task of storing or moving it if you relocate frequently.
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