Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often a big deal for brides—they are usually the most expensive item of clothing one will ever buy, and they are often chosen with care and input from friends and family. However, after the wedding, many brides are left wondering what to do with their wedding dresses. There are several options for what to do with a wedding dress after the wedding, including selling it, donating it, repurposing it, or having it professionally preserved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donate | Charities, boutiques, or directly to someone in need |
| Repurpose | Clothing, accessories, home decor, art, christening gown, or family keepsakes |
| Preserve | Clean, frame, or store for future use or passing down |
| Sell | Online, in-person, or through a service |
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What You'll Learn
Get it professionally cleaned and preserved
Wedding dresses are often delicate and made from fine fabrics, so they require special care when it comes to cleaning and preservation. If you're planning to keep, donate, or sell your wedding dress, it's important to get it professionally cleaned and preserved to ensure it stays in the best possible condition.
Professional cleaning services for wedding dresses use specialised techniques to remove stains, prevent future yellowing, and protect the fabric for years or even decades to come. They have experience dealing with delicate fabrics and will ensure your dress retains its beauty and structural integrity. This process can also help transform your wedding dress into a cherished family heirloom, allowing you to pass it down to future generations.
If you're considering selling or donating your wedding dress, professional cleaning is often a necessary step. Many charities and resale platforms require donated or sold dresses to be in good condition, free of stains, tears, and discolouration. By having your dress professionally cleaned, you increase the chances of it being accepted and ensure that it will bring joy to its next owner.
When choosing a professional cleaning and preservation service, it's important to select a reputable company with experience in handling wedding dresses. Look for companies that offer guarantees, such as the Wedding Gown Preservation Kit, which has been trusted by over 3 million brides since 1913 and offers a 100-year guarantee against yellowing and fading. Their proven shipping, cleaning, and preservation process ensures the safety of your dress, and they even provide insurance for your peace of mind.
By getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved, you can ensure its longevity, whether it's to be admired as a family heirloom, passed on to another bride, or sold to someone who will cherish it anew.
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Turn it into a new garment
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress into a new garment. One option is to work with a tailor or seamstress to create a new piece of clothing that you can wear again. You can design a mini dress or a two-piece set from the fabric of your wedding dress and surprise your partner by wearing it on your first anniversary. You could even create a robe from your wedding dress, allowing you to enjoy a piece of your wedding day every day.
Another option is to turn your wedding dress into a formal cocktail dress that you can wear to your next big event. If you're feeling crafty, you could also repurpose the gown into a quilt, a christening gown, or even a scarf. You can also turn your wedding dress into various accessories, such as a clutch, lingerie, or a wedding purse.
If you're looking for a unique holiday tradition, you can use your wedding dress fabric to create a Christmas tree skirt, holiday ornaments, or heart-shaped Valentine's Day doilies. You can even dye your wedding dress a different color to expand the occasions you can wear it to, such as galas, friend's weddings, or holiday parties.
Before repurposing your wedding dress, it is recommended to get it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. This will ensure that your dress is in the best condition for its second life.
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Sell it online
Selling your wedding dress online is a great way to recoup some of the costs of your big day, and there are many websites that can help you do this. The online marketplace offers a wider audience than a local shop, but it can take longer to sell your dress. To maximise your chances of selling, consider using both methods.
There are many websites that specialise in buying and selling wedding dresses, such as Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, and Recycled Bride. Stillwhite, for example, allows you to list your dress for a small one-off fee and choose your selling price. You can also list your dress on auction sites like eBay, which charges a commission of 15% for items under $2000 and 9% for pricier items.
To make your listing stand out, take clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle, and include close-ups of any intricate details. You may also want to include photos of yourself wearing the dress. It's also important to provide a detailed description, including accurate measurements and information on any wear and tear.
Before you list your dress, make sure it's in pristine condition. Consider having it professionally cleaned immediately after your wedding to prevent stains or marks from becoming permanent. Store it 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.
When it comes to pricing your dress, research similar dresses on the platform and consider the original price, condition, and any customizations. You can generally expect to receive 40-60% of the original retail price when selling your wedding dress.
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Donate it to a charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. There are several charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations and use them to raise funds for various causes. Here are some options to consider:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They accept wedding dress donations and resell them to raise funds for women-focused charities. Since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to local and national charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses up to five years old and offer both mail-in and in-person donation options.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is another excellent option for donating your wedding dress. They provide free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events held twice a year. Since 2008, they have helped over 28,000 women find their dream wedding dresses. To donate, fill out their online form with details about your gown, veil, and jewelry to ensure they meet the acceptance criteria. Items should be less than four years old and in wearable condition.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into beautiful infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are provided free of charge to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families. In 2015, they accepted 15,000 wedding dresses, providing comfort and support to families experiencing the tragedy of losing a baby.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charitable organization that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection initiatives. By donating your wedding dress to this organization, you can help support their mission of preventing misdiagnosis and promoting early detection of breast cancer.
Remember, donating your wedding dress not only frees up closet space but also allows you to pass on the joy of your special day to someone else. These organizations ensure that your dress continues to spread happiness while supporting worthy causes and making a positive impact in the community.
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Frame it and display it as art
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve and display it as a piece of art in your home. It is a popular option for brides who want to keep their dress as a commemorative keepsake.
There are a few things to consider when framing your wedding dress. Firstly, you will need to decide whether you want to frame the entire dress or just a part of it. Full-length shadow box framing is an option that allows you to display the entire dress, but it can be more expensive and may require a larger wall space. Alternatively, you can choose a half-size frame where the skirt is folded up behind and the top of the dress becomes the focal point.
Another thing to consider is whether you want to display the dress on a mannequin or just on mountboard in the frame. You can work with a professional framing company or opt for a DIY approach if you have some knowledge of framing and are happy with the level of preservation you can achieve.
When choosing a display area in your home, look for a space that doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and is cool and dry. This will help ensure that your dress stays looking its best for longer. You may also want to consider cleaning and repairing any accessories, such as a tiara, veil, or shoes, to capture the essence of your wedding day look.
Framing a wedding dress can be expensive, with prices starting at around £495 for a standard frame and upwards of $2000 for a full-length frame. However, it is a beautiful way to preserve your dress and turn it into a stunning piece of art that you can proudly display and cherish for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for what to do with a wedding dress after the big day. You could repurpose it into a new garment, such as a cocktail dress, a mini dress, or lingerie. You could also turn it into accessories, such as a clutch bag, a scarf, or even a Christmas tree skirt.
It is recommended that you get your wedding dress professionally cleaned to remove any stains and smudges. You can then store it in a box or bag, preferably acid-free tissue paper in a storage box. Avoid keeping the box in any location that is damp or exposed to harsh light and/or temperatures.
You could turn your wedding dress into a work of art by getting it framed and hanging it on your wall. You could also donate it to a charity, such as Brides Across America, which gives wedding dresses to military brides in need. Alternatively, you could sell your dress online to make some extra cash and give another person their dream dress.
