George Boyle
Wedding dresses are often cherished items that carry memories and emotions, but they can also gather dust in the back of a closet. There are many creative and meaningful ways to repurpose old wedding dresses, from upcycling into decorative items like pillows or quilts to donating them to programs that transform them into angel gowns for babies. Those who wish to preserve their dresses can opt for professional cleaning services, while others might choose to redesign their dresses for future special occasions. For those looking to part with their dresses, options include selling them online or donating them to charities such as Brides for a Cause, which raises funds for women-focused nonprofits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donate | Charities such as Brides for a Cause accept donations of new and once-worn dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. |
| Sell | You can sell your pre-owned gown online or at a consignment shop. |
| Repurpose | Old wedding dresses can be transformed into decorative elements like pillows, an heirloom quilt, or jewelry. They can also be made into christening gowns or outfits for babies who didn't make it home from the hospital, known as Angel Gowns. |
| Preserve | Wedding dresses can be professionally cleaned and preserved in perfect condition post-wedding. |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to raise funds for charities
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to the community and support charitable causes. There are several organizations that accept wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to raise funds for various charities.
One such organization is Brides for a Cause, a nonprofit with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They accept donations of new and once-worn wedding dresses and resell them to raise funds for women-focused charities. Since its founding in 2012, Brides for a Cause has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to local and national charities.
Another option is Brides Against Breast Cancer, which accepts wedding dresses no more than three years old and uses the proceeds from sales to support breast cancer awareness, early detection, research, and legislation efforts. The charity also provides education on early detection and works with other breast cancer foundations.
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program is another worthy cause that accepts wedding dress donations. Seamstresses remake the donated dresses into gowns for photos and burial services for infants of bereaved parents. This program provides comfort and support to families going through a difficult time.
Donating your wedding dress not only frees up closet space and comes with tax benefits but also allows you to contribute to a good cause and help those in need. It is a meaningful way to give back and make a positive impact while also ensuring your dress finds a new purpose.
Before donating, it is recommended to research the organizations to ensure they are reputable and to select a cause that aligns with your values and has significance for you.
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Transform into decorative items
If you're handy with a sewing machine, transform your old wedding dress into decorative items for your home. You could make something you'll get plenty of use out of, like pillows, tablecloths, table runners, or napkins. For a festive touch, create a Christmas tree skirt or angel ornaments. You could even turn your dress into a pendant or frame it as a wall-mounted art piece.
If you're not crafty, companies like Unbox the Dress can help you redesign your wedding dress into decorative items. The process typically starts with a design consultation, where you share your vision for the dress's transformation. You can then ship your dress to them, and their sewing team will work their magic. In addition to decorative items, they can also create modern bridal gifts and family keepsakes, such as christening gowns or baby blankets. The transformation process can take up to 15 weeks, and they offer storage services for any extra dress fabric.
For those looking to repurpose their wedding dress creatively, consider upcycling it into something entirely different, like an Elvish princess dress or a new formal/prom dress. You could also dye it a new color to transform it into a gown perfect for special occasions.
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Create christening gowns
There are many ways to repurpose an old wedding dress, one of which is to create a christening gown. This can be a great way to create a family heirloom and pass on the dress to the next generation.
If you're feeling crafty, you can make the christening gown yourself. The first step is to overcome the emotional hurdle of cutting up your wedding dress. Once you've deconstructed the wedding dress, you can follow a pattern to sew the christening gown. It's important to use smaller pins and only pin in the seam allowance area to avoid damaging the fabric. You can also add embellishments from the wedding dress, such as using satin to add trim pieces or sleeve binding.
If you don't want to make the gown yourself, there are companies that can transform your wedding dress into a christening gown. Unbox the Dress, for example, offers a service where you can work with their designers to create a custom, one-of-a-kind christening gown. They provide a secure shipping container, DressBox, to safely send in your dress, and the entire process can take up to 15 weeks.
Whether you decide to make the christening gown yourself or use a professional service, creating a christening gown from your wedding dress is a beautiful way to give new life to your old gown and create a lasting memento.
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Make keepsakes like jewellery
If you're looking to create keepsakes from your old wedding dress, jewellery is a beautiful and timeless option. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Jewellery Making Techniques
Firstly, decide if you want to make the jewellery yourself or commission a professional. If you opt for the former, ensure you have the necessary jewellery-making skills and tools. You can find tutorials online or enrol in a jewellery-making course to learn the basics. Alternatively, you can provide your fabric cuttings to a professional jeweller who will create the pieces for you.
Choosing the Fabric and Embellishments
The type of jewellery you can make will depend on the fabric and embellishments of your wedding dress. If your dress has lace, beading, or embroidery, consider incorporating these elements into your jewellery designs. You can also use fabric cuttings, but ensure they are small enough to work with the jewellery design.
Types of Jewellery
Pendants, brooches, earrings, rings, and necklaces are all wonderful options for wedding dress jewellery. You can set small cuttings of lace or fabric into pendants or brooches. For earrings, consider using tiny cuttings from your wedding dress or veil. You can even create a resin ring using lace from your dress, as demonstrated by Cosmic Lens Jewellery. If you have enough fabric, you can also make bracelets.
Heirloom Pieces
When creating your jewellery, consider making multiple pieces that can be passed down as heirlooms. For example, you can wear a pendant now and save a pair of earrings for your children or grandchildren. This way, your wedding dress becomes a cherished family heirloom that can be enjoyed for generations.
Combining with Other Materials
You can also combine the fabric and embellishments from your wedding dress with other materials to create more complex jewellery designs. For instance, you can set a piece of lace or a fabric cutting into a metal pendant or earring backing. Adding beads or gemstones can also enhance the design and create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
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Upcycle into a new outfit
If you're looking to upcycle your old wedding dress into a new outfit, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could transform it into a chic cocktail dress, as seen on the website 'Our Life Is Beautiful'. Alternatively, you could create a modern wedding jumpsuit, as demonstrated by Kyra Prosser, who wore her mother's upcycled wedding dress to her rehearsal dinner.
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you may want to attempt this transformation yourself. You could create a charming mini dress or a two-piece set from the fabric of your wedding dress, surprising your partner by wearing it on a special occasion. You could also create a robe, allowing you to enjoy a piece of your wedding day each morning and night.
If you're looking for a professional service, Unbox the Dress™ offers a unique experience. You can send them your wedding dress and connect with their design team to create a range of products, including new outfits. The process can take up to 15 weeks, and they also offer professional cleaning and preservation services.
For those who want to keep their wedding dress in its original form, you could consider turning it into a costume, such as a fairy, princess, or witch. This way, you can still wear and enjoy the dress without altering its design too drastically.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to repurpose an old wedding dress. You can turn it into decorative items like pillows or an heirloom quilt. You can also create christening gowns for your children or grandchildren. If crafting isn't your forte, you can use professional services that specialize in redesigning old wedding dresses into new items, such as jewellery.
Brides for a Cause is an organization that accepts wedding dress donations and gives them to women-focused charities. They have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and raised over $3,000,000 for various charities.
Wedding dresses are often packed away and stored in closets after a wedding. To preserve your wedding dress, you can have it cleaned and maintained to keep it in pristine condition.
You can transform your old wedding dress into a completely new garment, such as a robe, a clutch, or a Christmas tree skirt. You can also turn the fabric into smaller items like cushion covers, pillowcases, or jewellery.
