Junior Rasmussen
What happens to a wedding dress after the big day? There are several options for brides to consider, including repurposing, donating, selling, or preserving their dress. Repurposing a wedding dress is a sustainable option, with some brides choosing to transform their gowns into christening gowns, custom robes, short anniversary dresses, handkerchiefs, pillows, or lingerie. Donating a wedding dress is another popular choice, with organisations such as Wish For a Wedding accepting dress donations to provide dream weddings for terminally ill couples. Brides can also sell their used wedding dresses online or through local consignment shops to recoup some of their costs. Finally, some brides choose to preserve their wedding dress as a cherished memento, either by framing it or storing it in a preservation box to protect it from environmental damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep the dress | Wear it for fun, on your anniversary, or while doing chores |
| Display it in a shadow box or frame it | |
| Preserve it in a box | |
| Pass it on to a daughter or another bride | |
| Repurpose the dress | Dye it and alter it into a formal dress, mini dress, two-piece set, or a more wearable garment |
| Create keepsake items such as custom robes, handkerchiefs, pillows, lingerie, or a christening gown for future generations | |
| Donate it to charity or a thrift store | |
| Sell the dress | Sell it online, at a consignment shop, or through a preowned wedding dress seller |
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What You'll Learn
Repurpose the dress into another garment
There are many ways to repurpose a wedding dress into another garment. One option is to alter the dress to make it more wearable for special occasions. This could involve simplifying the design by removing lace details, beading, or sleeves, or changing the neckline. Another option is to shorten the skirt to create a mini dress or two-piece set, which can be worn on the first anniversary to surprise your partner. Dyeing the dress a new colour can also transform it into a formal gown perfect for special occasions, although it is important to consider the compatibility of the fabric with colour dyes.
For those who want to repurpose their wedding dress into something they can wear every day, it is possible to create a more relaxed look by removing a train or shortening the length. This can result in a playful outfit that can be paired with amazing heels or boots.
Some people may also want to repurpose their wedding dress into a robe, allowing them to enjoy a piece of their wedding day every morning and night. Wedding dresses can also be transformed into christening gowns for babies, creating a cherished family heirloom. For those who are crafty, the fabric of the wedding dress can be used to create items such as pillows or a Christmas tree skirt.
There are companies that specialise in giving wedding dresses a second life, such as Unbox the Dress, which offers a design service to help transform wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes.
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Get it professionally preserved
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate fabrics, which can be damaged by stains, yellowing, and fabric decay over time. Invisible stains such as sweat, dirt, and oils from your wedding day can cause discolouration and fabric degradation. To prevent this, you can get your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved. This process can help remove stains, prevent future yellowing, and keep the dress protected for years or even decades to come.
There are several companies that offer wedding dress preservation services, such as the Wedding Gown Preservation Co., which has been praised for its affordability, safety, and timely service. Their preservation process includes a beautiful presentation box that keeps the dress protected.
When choosing a preservation service, it is important to ensure that they do not store the dress in an airtight box. According to clothing conservationists, this is not the best way to preserve a wedding dress, and it may indicate that the company is not truly professional. A true professional will allow you to examine their work and will communicate with you throughout the process.
The cost of wedding dress preservation can vary, but some companies, like the Wedding Gown Preservation Kit™, offer affordable options without compromising quality. This company has been in business for over 100 years and is trusted by brides and museum curators alike. They offer an anti-yellowing guarantee and have helped over 3,000,000 brides preserve their wedding dresses.
Overall, if you want your wedding dress to last as a cherished memory or family heirloom, professional cleaning and preservation is a great option to consider.
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Donate it to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a popular option for many brides. Brides for a Cause is a well-known organisation that accepts wedding dress donations and resells them to raise funds for women-focused charities. They have locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, and have given away over $3,000,000 to charities across the country. Brides Across America is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations and passes them on for free to military and first responder brides.
There are also organisations that accept wedding dress donations to be remade into gowns for infants who have passed away, such as Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity, and The Emma and Evan Foundation. These organisations provide gowns to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families.
Additionally, some charities accept wedding dress donations to raise money for cancer programs and services, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer and The Brides Project. These organisations help to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer detection and support groups, counselling services, and nutrition workshops.
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a wonderful way to give back to the community and help those in need. It is also a practical option that can free up closet space and provide a tax deduction.
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Sell it
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, it's important to first get it professionally cleaned to ensure it's in pristine condition. This will help your dress find a new home and ensure any stains or marks don't become permanent. You should also consider storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in a breathable garment bag or acid-free box to prevent discolouration and maintain its shape.
When it comes to actually selling your dress, there are a few options. You can use a preowned wedding dress seller such as Nearly Newlywed, or a platform like The Loop, Stillwhite, or The Knot Marketplace. These sites will either charge a small one-off fee or take a commission from the sale. To make your listing attractive, be sure to include plenty of high-quality photographs and, if possible, a video to showcase how the dress moves and sparkles.
It's worth noting that brides can expect to make back up to 60-70% of the retail price when selling their wedding dress. However, it's important to consider the wearability of your ensemble. If you wore a white princess-like gown, you might not be able to re-wear it to another event, and it could be difficult to sell. In this case, you might consider dying it so that it could work as guest attire for black-tie weddings.
If you're not interested in selling your dress for financial gain, you could also consider donating it to a charity such as Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, or Brides for a Cause. These organisations will either give your dress to a bride-to-be facing financial hardship or resell it and use the proceeds to raise money for different causes.
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Frame it as a display piece
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve and display your dress. It can be a wonderful reminder of your special day and can be passed down to future generations. Here are some tips on how to frame your wedding dress as a display piece:
Choose the Right Frame:
Select a frame that complements your dress and fits your style. You can choose from various options, such as a chic white frame or a metallic gold one. Consider the size of the frame and whether you want a full-length shadow box or a half-size frame, where the skirt is folded behind the bodice. The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing are popular choices for wedding dress framing.
Prepare the Dress:
Before framing, consider having your dress professionally cleaned and preserved. This will ensure that any stains or smudges from the wedding are removed, and your dress will look pristine for years to come. You can also include accessories like your veil, earrings, and shoes to create a complete display.
Find the Right Display Area:
Consider the space you have available in your home for displaying the framed dress. You might be surprised to find that you have space behind a door, in a stairwell, or in a landing area. If you're concerned about the dress taking up too much room, a half-size frame can be a great option.
Work with Professionals:
Framing a wedding dress is a delicate task, and it's essential to work with professionals who can guarantee that your dress won't be damaged during the process. They will also be able to advise on the best materials to use, such as museum-grade UV protective glass, to ensure the long-term preservation of your dress.
Framing your wedding dress allows you to transform it into a unique piece of art and a cherished reminder of your wedding memories. It is a beautiful way to honour the past while creating a lasting keepsake for the future.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options for what to do with your wedding dress after the big day. You could repurpose it into a new garment, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You could also donate it to a charity or a local theatre or costume shop, or sell it to make some extra cash.
If you want to repurpose your wedding dress, you could turn it into a family heirloom by getting it professionally cleaned and preserved. You could also frame the dress and hang it on your wall as a piece of art.
There are many organisations 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.
You could sell your wedding dress through a resale or consignment service. You could also include a note with your dress, wishing the next wearer a wonderful wedding day.
