Franklin Dean
There are several options for what to do with a wedding dress after the big day. Some brides choose to keep their dress, either for sentimental reasons or with the hope of wearing it again for a special occasion. Others prefer to pass it on, either by selling it or donating it to a charitable cause. There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer, which raises money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides for a Cause is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations and sells them to raise money for various causes. Some brides choose to repurpose their dresses, either by altering them into a new garment or using the fabric for something else, such as a christening gown or a tablecloth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donate | Charities such as Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Angel Gowns, Baby Gowns for Eternity, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, and Success in Style |
| Sell | Nearly Newlywed, Stillwhite, local bridal resale shops, The Knot Vendor Marketplace, local consignment salons, thrift stores, online marketplaces |
| Repurpose | Turn into décor, frame it, alter it into a new garment, turn it into a christening gown, make a cake table tablecloth, turn it into a mini dress, make a bridal robe |
| Preserve | Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot, Unbox the Dress |
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What You'll Learn
Sell it online or in a local bridal resale shop
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, there are several online and in-person options available to you.
Online
There are many online platforms that can help connect you with potential buyers. Stillwhite, for example, is the largest global marketplace for preowned wedding dresses, with over 97,000 wedding gowns for sale. The website allows you to chat with buyers safely, arrange meetings, and accept payments securely. Nearly Newlywed is another online platform that connects dress buyers and sellers, helping them save money in the process.
Local Bridal Resale Shops
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress quickly, you can turn to local bridal resale shops and other places that buy wedding dresses. The Knot Vendor Marketplace, for instance, allows you to find a bridal salon near you that specializes in consignment wedding dresses. You can chat with professionals about the resale value of your dress and potentially sell it directly to them. Happy Isles is another bridal salon with locations in Los Angeles and New York, offering worldwide shipping on each gown. Borrowing Magnolia is a similar resale website that lets you list your wedding dress.
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Donate it to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. Here are some ways you can donate your wedding dress:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that accepts wedding dress donations from designers, manufacturers, and brides across the country. They then resell the dresses and use the proceeds to support various local and national women-focused charities. Since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the US. You can mail in your dress or drop it off at one of their locations.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is another great option for donating your wedding dress. They accept gently used wedding gowns and resell them to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection initiatives. By donating to this organisation, you can help support a vital cause and give your dress a second life.
Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity
Angel Gown programs, such as NICU Helping Hands, accept wedding dress donations and transform them into beautiful infant burial gowns. These gowns are offered to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge. This is a heartfelt way to provide comfort and support to families experiencing the loss of a baby.
Local thrift stores or boutiques
If you're looking to keep your donation closer to home, consider inquiring at your local thrift store or boutique. They may be in need of wedding dress inventory, and your donation can make a local bride's dream come true. Alternatively, some boutiques sell donated wedding dresses and use the profits to support charities, such as cancer support services.
Donating your wedding dress is a selfless and generous act that can benefit multiple people, including yourself. Not only will you free up closet space and potentially receive a tax deduction, but you'll also bring joy to someone who may not otherwise be able to afford their dream dress.
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Turn it into a christening gown
If you're handy with a needle and thread, you can transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for your child. This is a great way to give your wedding dress a second life and create a family heirloom that can be passed down through the generations.
Before you start, it's important to plan your project carefully. If you already have the wedding dress, take some fabric samples from an inconspicuous area to help you choose your materials. You can then start to plan out your christening gown design.
Once you're happy with your design, it's time to start deconstructing the wedding dress. This can be a daunting step, so take your time and be careful not to damage the fabric. If your dress is dirty, you may want to get it professionally dry-cleaned before you start, or you can follow the example of one sewer who chose to clean just the fabric they were using for the christening gown to save money.
When you're ready to start sewing, use smaller pins and try to pin only in the seam allowance to avoid damaging the fabric. If you're working with a specific design element, be sure to centre your pattern pieces accordingly. It's a good idea to sew sample swatches first to check your stitch details and avoid simple mistakes. When attaching gathered sections to flat pieces, sew with the gathered side on top to prevent the fabric from jamming.
Finally, add any finishing touches, such as hand-stitching, hemming, sewing on buttons, or embellishments from the wedding dress. With a bit of creativity and patience, you'll have a beautiful christening gown that's truly one of a kind.
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Alter it into a new garment
If you're looking to give your wedding dress a new lease of life, altering it into a new garment is a great option. This way, you can continue to wear and enjoy a piece of your wedding day for years to come.
There are endless possibilities for what you can transform your wedding dress into. A popular choice is to turn it into a robe, allowing you to feel luxurious every morning and night. You could also shorten the dress to create a charming mini dress or a two-piece set, which you could even surprise your partner by wearing on your first anniversary. Another idea is to turn your wedding dress into a christening gown for your baby, welcoming them to the family with a meaningful outfit.
If you're feeling creative, you could also use the fabric from your wedding dress to create something completely unique. For example, you could incorporate the lace or buttons into a new garment, or even use the fabric to make a tablecloth for a special occasion.
To alter your wedding dress, it's recommended to work with a professional tailor or seamstress. They will be able to help you create a brand new piece of clothing that you can cherish and wear again and again.
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Frame it or turn it into home decor
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve and display your dress. It can be a wonderful way to commemorate your special day and create a bespoke piece of art or decor for your home.
There are a few options to consider when framing your wedding dress. You can either opt for a professional service or create a DIY frame. Professional services, such as The Beautiful Frame Company, offer full preservation and framing of your dress, starting at £900. They follow a four-step process, including a consultation, visualisation, mock-up, and a guided talk through glazing options and display recommendations. Other professional services include Artist Russell Collins, who offers a framing service in Milton Keynes, and Framemyfrock.com, which provides a three-step process for framing your dress.
If you prefer a DIY approach, you can create your own full-length shadow box frame. This option allows you to hang your dress at home and display it on a wall that doesn't receive direct sunlight in a cool, dry environment. You can also decide whether to display your dress on a mannequin or mountboard within the frame.
Before framing, it is essential to have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved to remove any stains or smudges. This step will ensure that your dress looks its best and is protected from deterioration over time.
In addition to framing, there are other creative ways to repurpose your wedding dress. You can alter it into a more wearable garment, such as a charming mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You can also donate your dress to various charities, such as Brides for a Cause or Angel Gowns, which accept wedding dress donations to raise money for different causes or create gowns for stillborn infants.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for what to do with a used wedding dress. You could have it professionally preserved, donate it, or repurpose it.
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity. You could also donate your dress to a local thrift store.
You could get your wedding dress framed and put it on display. You could also repurpose your dress into a garment that you can wear again, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe.
You can sell your wedding dress online on websites such as Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, and The Knot Vendor Marketplace. You could also sell your dress to a local bridal resale shop or consignment salon.
