Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are often preserved, passed down as heirlooms, or repurposed into other items. Some brides opt for professional cleaning and storage services to ensure their dresses remain in good condition. Others choose to sell their dresses or donate them to charities, such as Brides Across America, which provides wedding dresses to military brides. Repurposing options include altering the dress into a more wearable garment, creating christening gowns for children, or transforming it into a piece of art or home decor. Some organisations, like Angel Gowns, accept wedding dress donations to create burial gowns for infants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep it as an heirloom | Pass it down to future generations |
| Re-use | Wear it again on a milestone anniversary, repurpose it into another garment, or use it for a photoshoot |
| Pass it on | Donate it to a charity or directly to a bride in need, or sell it |
| Repurpose | Transform it into a christening gown, lingerie, decor pillows, a quilt, or a robe |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to a bride-to-be
Donating your wedding dress to a bride-to-be is a wonderful way to give your dress a second life and help someone in need. Here are some ideas on how to donate your wedding dress:
Brides Across America:
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organisation that supports military and first responder brides. They accept wedding dresses, veils, tiaras, and accessories that are no more than four to five years old and in good condition. You can ship your donation to them or drop it off at one of their locations. They provide wedding gowns to military and first responder brides for free during their "Operation Wedding Gown Event" held twice a year.
Every Girl's Dream:
Every Girl's Dream, based in Michigan, accepts wedding gowns and evening wear to help brides-to-be facing financial hardships.
Operation Prom and Cinderella's Closet:
These organisations accept wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and even groomsmen tuxedos to help low-income students dress for their prom.
Brides for a Cause:
This organisation accepts wedding dress donations and resells them, using the proceeds to raise money for various causes. They have locations across the country and offer tax deductions for donations.
Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity:
These organisations accept wedding dress donations and transform them into gowns for stillborn infants.
Local thrift stores or boutiques:
Consider donating your wedding dress to a local thrift store or boutique that supports a cause close to your heart. For example, Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland donates gowns to Success in Style, a nonprofit that offers professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis.
Donating your wedding dress is a meaningful way to help a bride-to-be and make a positive impact. These organisations ensure that your dress continues to spread joy and love to others.
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Repurpose into new clothing
There are many ways to repurpose a wedding dress into new clothing. One option is to work with a tailor or seamstress to create a new garment that can be worn again, such as a charming mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. This allows you to wear a piece of your wedding day over and over again.
Another idea is to shorten the dress to ankle, midi, or mini length, removing the train to take away the bridal element and make it more wearable for formal or casual occasions. You can also open up the neckline or create spaghetti straps to make the dress more versatile and suitable for summer parties.
If you want to get even more creative, you can use the fabric from your wedding dress to make small decorative pillows, a quilt, or even a Christmas tree skirt. You can also turn your wedding dress into a christening gown for a new baby, creating a special memory for your family.
For those who want to keep their wedding dress but make it more wearable, there are companies like Unbox the Dress that transform wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes. You can also frame your dress and hang it on your wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your wedding day.
Before repurposing your wedding dress, it is recommended to get it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges, ensuring it looks its best for its second life.
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Sell to a dress shop
There are several options available if you want to sell your wedding dress to a dress shop. Firstly, you could consider selling it to a pre-owned wedding dress seller, such as Stillwhite or Nearly Newlywed. These platforms allow you to set your selling price and typically do not charge commission, although there may be transaction fees for payments received through PayPal. They also offer tools to help you sell your dress, such as the option to include photos or videos to showcase your dress.
Another option is to sell your dress to a local bridal boutique, which you can then be resold to another bride. This option allows you to give your dress a new life and help another bride find her dream dress at an affordable price. You could also consider selling your dress online through websites such as eBay, which provide a platform for you to sell your dress directly to the buyer.
Before selling your dress, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned to ensure it is in the best possible condition. Additionally, consider including photos or videos that showcase the dress's movement and sparkle to attract potential buyers.
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Keep as an heirloom
If you're considering keeping your wedding dress as an heirloom, there are several options to ensure it remains in good condition for future generations. Firstly, it is recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned, as stains can set in over time and become harder to remove. There are specialist companies that offer wedding dress cleaning services, often using organic and environmentally friendly products.
Once your dress is clean, you can choose to store it in a preservation box. These boxes are designed to keep your dress safe from damage and discolouration. Some companies offer acid-free, UV-resistant preservation boxes that can protect your dress from the elements. You can also include other items from your wedding outfit, such as gloves, a veil, or a shawl, to be preserved alongside your dress.
If you're interested in transforming your dress into something new, there are companies that specialise in repurposing wedding gowns into family heirlooms. These companies can work with you to design and create new garments or keepsakes, such as a christening gown, a robe, or decorative items like pillows or a Christmas tree skirt. You can even pass down your dress to a close family member who may want to wear it or incorporate it into their own wedding attire.
Keeping your wedding dress as an heirloom ensures that it remains a cherished part of your family's history and can be enjoyed by future generations.
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Trash-the-dress photoshoot
A "trash-the-dress" photoshoot is a set of pictures taken after the wedding, where the bride essentially ruins her dress. It is a fun experience that captures unique and memorable photos. A popular location for this type of photoshoot is the ocean, where brides can wade into the water, lay on the sand as waves crash around them, or frolic in the waves.
For those who want to trash their dress but are hesitant to fully ruin it, there are other options. Running along the shoreline will only dirty the hemline, and it captures the romantic date activity with the pink hues of the setting sun. Another option is an underwater photo, which carries a laid-back, relaxed vibe, with the white wedding dress popping against the vast teal blue.
For a more dramatic effect, couples can shower each other with colour using vivid powder smoke bombs. These photos add a whimsical and joyful element to the shoot. A hidden lagoon is another ideal location for this type of photoshoot, offering a feeling of intimacy and seclusion.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for what to do with a wedding dress after the big day. Some people choose to donate their dress to a charity such as Brides Across America, which gives dresses to military brides-to-be, or The Beautiful Frame Company, which restores, cleans, and preserves dresses before framing them. Others may choose to sell their dress online or via local consignment shops, or repurpose it into another garment such as a robe, a mini dress, or a christening gown for their children.
Repurposing a wedding dress can be done by working with a tailor or seamstress to create a new garment. This could be a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. It is also possible to transform a wedding dress into a christening gown for a child, which can be passed on through generations.
There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides Across America, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, and Brides for a Cause. The Beautiful Frame Company is another option, as they will restore, clean, and frame your dress.
Selling a wedding dress is a good option for those who want to recoup some of the costs of the dress and give it a new life. There are many online sites and local consignment shops that will sell wedding dresses. However, it is important to consider the time and effort required to find a buyer and prepare the dress for sale.
