Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often a big deal, with a lot of emotion and money invested in them. But what happens after the wedding? Some brides choose to store their dresses away, either for themselves or for their future children. Others opt to sell or donate their dresses, while some get creative and repurpose their dresses into new items. With so many options available, deciding what to do with a wedding dress after the big day can be a challenging decision.
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What You'll Learn
Donate it to a charity or another bride
If you're looking to part ways with your wedding dress, donating it to a charity or another bride is a wonderful option. Not only will you be giving back to your community, but you'll also be helping someone else have their dream wedding who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations. For example, Oxfam has shops specifically dedicated to wedding dresses and will be thrilled to accept your donation. Another option is to donate your dress to a company like Unbox the Dress, which transforms wedding gowns into bespoke keepsakes, such as a christening gown for a baby, a bridal robe, or holiday decorations.
If you'd prefer to donate your dress directly to another bride, you could consider reaching out to your local community or posting online to find someone in need of a wedding dress. This could be a particularly meaningful option if you want to see your dress enjoyed by another bride and perhaps form a personal connection.
Donating your wedding dress is a beautiful way to extend the life and joy of your dress. It can be challenging to part with such a sentimental item, but knowing that it will bring happiness to someone else can make the process easier and ensure your dress continues to spread love.
When donating your wedding dress, ensure it is cleaned and in good condition. You may also want to include any accessories or veils to complete the set for the next wearer.
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Get it professionally cleaned and preserved
If you want to keep your wedding dress in pristine condition, consider getting it professionally cleaned and preserved. This is a great option if you want to hold on to your dress for sentimental reasons or plan to pass it down to future generations.
There are several companies that offer wedding dress preservation services. One such company is Unbox the Dress™, a women-owned company located in North Carolina. They transform wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes that can be cherished for years to come. Their process typically takes up to 15 weeks, and they offer safe shipping options to ensure your dress arrives at their headquarters securely.
Another option is to have your dress professionally cleaned and then store it yourself. This allows you to keep your dress in a safe place and gives you the flexibility to decide what to do with it in the future. You can choose to display it in your home or store it in a box or wardrobe.
If you're considering passing your dress down to a daughter or loved one, you can also get it professionally cleaned and then remodelled into a christening gown or another type of heirloom. This option allows you to extend the life of your dress and create new memories with it.
Whatever you decide, professional cleaning and preservation are excellent ways to ensure your wedding dress remains in the best possible condition for the future.
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Repurpose it into another garment
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress into another garment, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could transform it into a summer dress, and later repurpose it into a skirt or a short skirt, as mentioned by a user on lovemydress.net. This approach allows you to get multiple new garments out of your wedding dress over time.
Another option is to create garments for children. For instance, a user on lovemydress.net mentioned repurposing a wedding dress into dolls' clothes for her daughter. Alternatively, you could transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for a baby, as mentioned by a customer of Unbox the Dress, a company specialising in repurposing wedding dresses. You could even save leftover fabric for future projects, such as creating a Christmas tree skirt, angel tree topper, or guardian angel ornaments, as another customer of Unbox the Dress did.
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress into a garment for yourself, you could take inspiration from another Unbox the Dress customer who turned her wedding dress into a bridal robe. Alternatively, you could explore companies like Unbox the Dress that offer custom restyling services, allowing you to transform your wedding dress into a new garment that you can wear again.
It's worth noting that the process of repurposing a wedding dress can take time, with Unbox the Dress mentioning that their transformation process can take up to 15 weeks after receiving the dress. However, with some creativity and patience, you can give your wedding dress a gorgeous new life as a different garment.
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Wear it for your first anniversary
If you're looking for a way to wear your wedding dress again, why not wear it for your first anniversary? You could plan a special photoshoot with your partner, perhaps including your children, and get some professional photos taken. You could even recreate your wedding day photos. It's a great way to celebrate your marriage and create some lasting memories.
If you're worried about the dress fitting, you could start trying it on a few weeks before your anniversary and see if any adjustments are needed. You could also plan to get your hair and makeup done professionally to make the day feel extra special.
Some couples even make it a tradition to wear their wedding attire on every anniversary. They plan an outing, such as a meal or an activity, and invite their friends to join them, also wearing their wedding outfits. It's a fun way to celebrate and a great excuse to get dressed up again.
Of course, if you're not interested in wearing the dress again, there are other options to consider, such as remodelling it into a new outfit, donating it to a charity shop, or selling it. However, if you're keen to hold onto it, wearing it for your anniversary is a wonderful way to celebrate and create new memories.
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Turn it into a family heirloom
If you're looking to turn your wedding dress into a family heirloom, there are several ways to go about it. You could repurpose the dress into something else entirely, such as a summer dress, a skirt, or even dolls' clothes for your children. Alternatively, you could keep the dress in its original form and store it away safely, either in a wardrobe or a beautiful box, for future generations to admire and potentially wear.
Many people choose to repurpose their wedding dresses into new family heirlooms. One option is to transform the dress into a christening gown for a new baby, wrapping them in "big love" from the start of their life. You could also use the fabric to create new holiday traditions, such as a Christmas tree skirt, angel tree topper, or guardian angel ornaments. Another idea is to turn the dress into a bridal robe or bouquet wrap, which can be passed down and used by future generations on their wedding day, as a way to wrap themselves in love and memories.
If you're looking to keep the dress in its original form, there are several ways to store it safely. You could wrap it in acid-free tissue paper and place it in a beautiful box, such as those provided by The Empty Box Company, which specialises in providing sturdy and elegant boxes for wedding dresses and other special garments. Alternatively, you could hang the dress in a wardrobe, perhaps in a special garment bag to protect it from dust and damage.
When deciding what to do with your wedding dress, it's important to consider your personal feelings and sentiments. Some people feel very attached to their wedding dress and can't bear to part with it, while others may feel less sentimental and prefer to donate or sell their dress. Ultimately, the decision to turn your wedding dress into a family heirloom is a personal one, and you should choose the option that feels right for you and your family.
There are several companies that specialise in repurposing wedding dresses, such as Unbox the Dress, a women-owned company based in North Carolina. They offer a range of design options and can help you transform your dress into a cherished keepsake that will be treasured for generations.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options to consider for your wedding dress post-wedding. You can choose to repurpose it into another garment, donate it to a charity, sell it, or get it professionally preserved.
You can repurpose your wedding dress into a garment you can wear again, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You can also get creative and turn it into décor for your home or Christmas ornaments.
There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which gives wedding dresses to military brides-to-be. You can also donate your dress to a local theatre or costume shop.
Wedding dress preservation can cost up to $1,000. It is recommended to get your dress professionally cleaned and sent to a preservation specialist as soon as possible after your wedding to prevent stains from setting in and oxidising.
