Rhiannon Hendricks
There are many options for what to do with your wedding dress after your wedding. Some brides choose to repurpose their dresses into other garments, such as robes, mini dresses, or formal clothing for their children. Others opt for professional preservation, either to pass the dress down to future generations or to resell it. Donating the dress to charity is another popular option, allowing another bride to wear it and giving the dress a second life. Some brides also choose to frame their dresses as artwork or to wear them again on their one-year anniversary.
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What You'll Learn
Repurpose it into a new garment
If you're not ready to part with your wedding dress, you can repurpose it into a new garment. This way, you can continue to enjoy your wedding dress, even after your big day.
Before you repurpose your wedding dress, it's recommended that you get it professionally cleaned. This will ensure that any stains or smudges are removed, and your dress looks its best for its second life.
There are several ways you can repurpose your wedding dress. You can turn it into a charming mini dress or a two-piece set, and surprise your partner by wearing it on your first anniversary. You can also create a robe from your wedding dress, allowing you to enjoy a piece of your wedding day every morning and night.
If you're feeling creative, you can get in touch with a designer who can help you transform your wedding dress into a custom garment of your dreams. This could be a more ''wearable'' look or a completely new design.
You can also repurpose your wedding dress into a christening gown for your children or family friends. This is a wonderful way to create a family heirloom and pass on your wedding dress to future generations.
Repurposing your wedding dress allows you to extend its life and create new memories with a garment that holds a special place in your heart.
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Donate it to a bride or charity
Donating your wedding dress to another bride or a charity is a great way to give your dress a second life and bring joy to someone else. Here are some options to consider:
Donate to Another Bride
If you're open to the idea of another bride wearing your wedding dress, you can sell it to a bride-to-be. This way, you can recoup some of the costs of the dress, and another bride can get her dream dress at a more affordable price. You can include a note with your dress, wishing the new bride a wonderful wedding day. This personal touch can make the experience even more special.
Donate to a Charity
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations. Brides Across America is one such organisation that gives wedding dresses to military brides-to-be. Brides for a Cause is another charity that resells dresses, with proceeds going towards various causes. Cinderella's Closet is a unique charity that transforms wedding dresses into affordable prom dresses for students from low-income families. Donating your dress to organisations like these ensures that your dress gets a new lease of life while also supporting a worthy cause.
Donate to a Theatre or Costume Shop
If you're feeling creative, you can donate your wedding dress to a local theatre or costume shop. Your dress can be used in a play or as part of a costume, giving it a unique and artistic second life.
Before donating your wedding dress, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or odours. This ensures that your dress is in the best possible condition for its new owner.
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Sell it to make some extra cash
If you're looking to make some extra cash after your wedding, selling your wedding dress is a great option. It's a way to recoup some of the money you spent on the dress, and it also ensures your dress gets a second life instead of sitting untouched in storage.
Before you sell, it's important to get your dress professionally cleaned to remove any stains or marks from your wedding day. That way, your dress will be in the best condition possible for its next owner. You might consider wearing a different dress for your wedding reception to keep your main gown in pristine condition.
There are many online and in-person options for selling your wedding dress. Preowned wedding dress websites such as Nearly Newlywed, Stillwhite, Borrowing Magnolia, preownedweddingdresses.com, and tradesy.com are popular options. You can also sell your dress on Craigslist or generic resale sites like eBay. If you'd like to see your dress in person before selling, you can try perusing local consignment salons or shops.
When selling your wedding dress, it's important to be realistic about the price. Very few dresses will sell for more than 50% of their original price. Research the market value and consider the brand, size, alterations, and condition of your dress when setting a price. You might also consider including accessories like shoes and bridesmaids' dresses in the listing to sweeten the deal.
Selling your wedding dress can be a great way to make some extra cash while also helping another bride find their dream dress at an affordable price.
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Get it professionally cleaned and preserved
Wedding dresses are often made of delicate fabrics that require special care. Even invisible stains such as sweat, dirt, and oils from your wedding day can cause staining, yellowing, and fabric decay over time. To prevent this, it is recommended to get your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible after the wedding.
Professional cleaning and preservation services for wedding dresses use techniques specifically designed for delicate fabrics and intricate details. They can help remove stains, prevent future yellowing, and keep your dress protected for years, decades, and even centuries. Some services offer a lifetime warranty or guarantee that your dress won't yellow or fade, ensuring that your dress remains in pristine condition.
When choosing a professional cleaning and preservation service, look for a company with experience and expertise in handling delicate fabrics and wedding dresses specifically. Read reviews and compare different services to find one that best suits your needs and budget. Some companies offer additional services such as insurance, custom packaging, and updates throughout the process.
It is important to note that not all preservation processes are the same. While some companies may recommend sealing your dress in an airtight box, expert clothing conservationists advise against this. A true professional will ensure that you can examine their work and won't require you to keep the box sealed.
By getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved, you can transform it into a cherished memory to be shared with future generations.
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Pass it down as a family heirloom
Passing down your wedding dress as a family heirloom is a great way to ensure that the dress remains in the family and is treasured for generations to come. If you plan on passing down your wedding dress, it is important to take the necessary steps to preserve it. Here are some tips to help you pass down your wedding dress as a family heirloom:
Get it Professionally Cleaned and Preserved
It is important to get your wedding dress professionally cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding day. Even if the dress appears to be in good condition, there may be invisible stains that can set in, oxidize, and darken over time. Professional cleaning will ensure that stains from the celebration are taken care of, and the dress is properly packed in an acid-free storage box or bridal bag. Dry cleaning and preserving are not the same thing, so make sure to use a dress preservation specialist.
Store it Properly
When storing your wedding dress, avoid keeping it in a damp or humid environment, as this can lead to fabric degradation and yellowing. Keep the box out of direct sunlight and harsh temperatures to prevent discolouration and fabric damage. You can also consider using a preservation company that seals your gown in a box, which will protect it from external factors. However, keep in mind that breaking the seal will likely void any guarantee provided by the preservation company.
Transform it into a New Design
If you want to pass down your wedding dress but also want to give it a new life, you can consider transforming it into a new design. You can work with a designer or seamstress to create a custom piece that can be passed down as an heirloom. This could be a shorter dress, a two-piece set, or even a robe that you can wear and enjoy outside of special occasions.
Create Family Keepsakes
Another option is to create smaller keepsakes from your wedding dress fabric that can be passed down through generations. These could include items such as robes, clutch bags, christening gowns, or even holiday decorations. This way, multiple family members can cherish a piece of the wedding dress, and it can be incorporated into various family traditions.
Passing down your wedding dress as a family heirloom requires some care and consideration, but it can be a wonderful way to ensure that the dress remains a cherished part of your family's history.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options for what to do with your wedding dress after your wedding. You could repurpose it into a new garment, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You could also pass it on to a family member or donate it to a charity.
You can work with a tailor or seamstress to create a new piece of clothing, or you could get creative and make something yourself.
If you want to pass on your wedding dress to a family member, it's important to get it professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible after your wedding to prevent stains from setting and oxidizing.
There are many organizations that welcome wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which gives dresses to military brides-to-be, and Cinderella's Closet, which turns dresses into low-cost prom dresses for students from low-income families.
Yes, you could sell your dress or frame it and hang it on your wall as a piece of artwork.
