Franklin Dean
There are many options for what to do with a wedding dress after the big day. Some brides choose to keep their dress as a memento, while others opt for more sustainable options, such as selling, donating, or recycling their dress. Selling a wedding dress can be done online or through a consignment store, which allows another bride to wear the dress and gives the original owner a chance to recoup some of the costs. Donating a wedding dress can also be a way to support a good cause, as many charities accept wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to fund their work. For those who are crafty, recycling a wedding dress into something new, such as a christening gown, home decor, or a piece of jewellery, can be a creative way to give the dress a second life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep it for sentimental reasons | Store it professionally to preserve it for the future or pass it down to someone else |
| Turn it into art | Get it framed |
| Repurpose it | Create a new garment, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, a robe, or a christening gown; use the fabric for décor, a quilt, a purse, or a tote bag |
| Donate it | Give it to a charity or organisation like Brides Across America, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, or Angel Gowns |
| Sell it | List it online on sites like eBay, Craigslist, stillwhite.com, PreownedWeddingDresses, or The Knot Vendor Marketplace, or take it to a local bridal resale shop or consignment salon |
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What You'll Learn
Sell it online or in-store
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress online, it's a good idea to get it professionally cleaned first. Websites like Nearly Newlywed report that preowned wedding dresses that have been professionally cleaned can sell twice as quickly as those that haven't. Once your dress is cleaned, take clear, full-length photos of it from every angle, and be sure to capture any intricate details with close-up shots. If you're comfortable, you may also want to include photos of yourself wearing the dress so that potential buyers can see how it fits. When creating your listing, provide a detailed description, including accurate measurements. You can sell your dress on websites that specialize in wedding gowns, such as Stillwhite, or on general resale platforms like eBay and Poshmark. Stillwhite, for example, charges a small one-off fee and no commission, meaning you keep all of the sale.
If you prefer to sell your dress in person, you can sell it on consignment at a bridal boutique, such as Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal in New Jersey. With this option, you bring your dress into the shop, and the stylists there will work to help brides-to-be find the perfect pre-owned dress. You can typically expect a 50/50 split on the sale of a new wedding dress, while 'like-new' gowns are usually priced at around 30% off the original retail price.
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Donate it to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to your community and help those in need. Several charitable organizations 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 collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses up to five years old and offer various drop-off locations or mailing options for donors. Since its founding in 2012, Brides for a Cause has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the country.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is another charitable organization that accepts wedding dress donations. They resell gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Donating to this organization can help support their mission to prevent misdiagnosis and promote early detection of breast cancer.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. They host Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year, where they give away dresses to those who serve our country. To donate to Brides Across America, fill out their online form with details about your gown, veil, and jewelry to ensure they meet the acceptance criteria.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation supports families who have experienced infant loss. They accept wedding dress donations and transform them into beautiful infant burial gowns, known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families. Donating your wedding dress to this organization can provide comfort to families going through the tragedy of losing a baby.
Donating your wedding dress to any of these charities is a selfless and generous act that can make a significant impact on the lives of others. It is a wonderful way to give your dress a second life and support worthy causes.
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Pass it down to family members
Passing down a wedding dress to family members is a great way to keep the dress within the family, preserving the memories and emotions attached to it. Wedding dresses are often imbued with deep sentimental value, symbolizing love, commitment, and family history. Here are some detailed suggestions on how to go about this process:
Professional Preservation
Consider using professional preservation services to maintain the wedding dress in pristine condition. These services typically offer specialized cleaning, minor repairs, and acid-free packaging to prevent aging and discolouration. This ensures that the dress remains in excellent shape for future generations.
Open Dialogue with Family Members
Engage in open conversations with your family members to understand their opinions, connections, and concerns regarding the wedding dress. This dialogue can help identify who has a strong interest in preserving the dress and will value and care for it appropriately. It is important to consider family traditions, the history of the item, and any potential conflicts that may arise when deciding who will inherit the dress.
Written Documentation
Consider putting your plans in writing to ensure clarity and understanding about who will receive the wedding dress. This written documentation can help avoid potential misunderstandings and conflicts among family members. It also emphasizes the importance of the dress as a family heirloom.
Alterations and Repurposing
If the family member intends to wear the wedding dress, alterations may be necessary to create a more modern or personalized look. Working with a tailor or seamstress can transform the dress into a wearable garment for milestone anniversaries or other special occasions. Additionally, the fabric from the original dress can be used to create robes, christening gowns, or decorative items such as pillows, curtains, or Christmas tree skirts.
Passing Down Other Wedding Items
Along with the wedding dress, consider passing down other wedding memorabilia such as rings, veils, or other accessories. These items can hold similar sentimental value and become cherished family heirlooms. Discuss heirloom plans openly and ensure that the recipient understands the emotional weight and familial bonds associated with these items.
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Repurpose it into something new
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress, there are many ways to go about it. You could turn it into a family heirloom by transforming it into a christening gown for a new baby, as some traditions do. You could also use the fabric to create a baptismal blanket, with the names and birth dates of the children and grandchildren it's used for embroidered on the inside. Another idea is to dye and refashion your wedding dress into a new dress or outfit that you can wear again. You could also use the fabric to create new items of clothing, such as kimonos for bridesmaids, or tulle skirts, shirts, or headbands.
If you're feeling crafty, you could turn your wedding dress into home decor items like lampshades, curtains, pillow covers, or even a Christmas tree skirt and tree topper. You could also use parts of the dress to create a photo mat for displaying wedding photos or a pendant necklace. For a truly unique keepsake, consider transforming your dress into a work of art, like a miniature replica of your original gown.
There are also ways to repurpose your wedding dress for a good cause. You could donate it to a charity that makes 'angel gowns' for stillborn babies or to a theatre department, where it can be used in plays. Alternatively, you can send it to a children's hospital, where it can be used to create something remarkable for the kids.
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$86.95
Get it framed
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve it and display it as a piece of art in your home. There are several companies that offer wedding dress framing services, such as The Beautiful Frame Company and Ironbridge Fine Arts & Framing, which offer bespoke framing services tailored to the style of the dress and the couple's home.
The process of framing a wedding dress typically involves a consultation to discuss the type, size, and depth of the frame, as well as the angle and display options for the dress. Some companies create a mock-up of how the finished product will look, and they may also offer preservation techniques to ensure the dress remains in good condition, such as maintaining the pH balance, using UV protective glass, and stitching through seams to keep the dress in place.
The cost of framing a wedding dress can vary, with prices starting from £900 at The Beautiful Frame Company. It is also possible to frame just the accessories or have a half-size frame for the bodice, which can be more affordable. While it may be tempting to frame the dress yourself, it is important to consider the specialised techniques and materials used by professionals to protect the dress from damage, fading, or discolouration.
If you are looking for alternative ways to repurpose your wedding dress, you might consider having it remade into a Christmas tree skirt, decorative pillows, or even a mother-of-the-groom dress for future weddings. Another thoughtful idea is to donate your dress to a hospital or theatre department, where it can be used to create outfits for stillborn babies or as costumes for plays.
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Frequently asked questions
Some ways to repurpose a wedding dress include:
- Dyeing and modifying it into a mother-of-the-groom dress.
- Redesigning it into a shirt or a dress for Christmas parties and other events.
- Creating decor or accessories, such as tablecloths, table runners, curtains, homemade napkins, or a flower pillow.
- Using the fabric to create a patchwork quilt.
You can donate your wedding dress to charitable organizations such as Brides for a Cause, which resells wedding dresses and uses the proceeds to raise money for different causes. Other organizations include Operation Prom and Cinderella's Closet, which provide dresses for low-income students for their prom.
Yes, you can sell your wedding dress on consignment at bridal shops such as Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal. Typically, 'like-new' wedding gowns are priced at around 30% off the original retail price.
Some creative ways to recycle your wedding dress include:
- Commissioning a custom christening gown or flower girl dress.
- Transforming it into a wedding purse or clutch.
- Creating a DIY shadow box with a detailed section of the dress along with other mementos.
