Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often a big deal for many people, with a lot of emotion and money invested in them. But what happens to the dress after the big day? There are several options to consider, including repurposing, donating, selling, or preserving the dress. Repurposing can involve transforming the dress into a new garment, such as a summer dress, skirt, or christening gown for a baby. Donating the dress to charities such as Brides Against Breast Cancer or Wish For a Wedding is another option, allowing others to use the dress and raising money for various causes. Selling the dress is also an option, especially for designer gowns, which can fetch a good price. Finally, preserving the dress through professional services or storing it in a beautiful box can be considered, allowing it to be passed down to future generations.
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What You'll Learn
Donate to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a wonderful way to give back to your community and help someone in need. There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations, each with a unique and meaningful purpose.
One such organisation is Brides Across America, which provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. Since 2008, they have outfitted over 28,000 women, ensuring they can access their dream wedding dress. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another fantastic charity that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
If you are looking to support charities that assist women in need, Brides for a Cause is an excellent option. They accept wedding dress donations and resell them, using the proceeds to support various local and national women-focused charities. Every Girl's Dream in Michigan shares a similar mission, accepting wedding gowns and evening wear to support brides-to-be facing financial hardship.
Your wedding dress can also be transformed into something new to bring comfort to grieving families. The Emma and Evan Foundation, also known as Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity, creates infant burial gowns for hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and families who have lost an infant. This meaningful gesture provides comfort and support during an incredibly difficult time.
Before donating, it is important to have your wedding dress cleaned and ensure it meets the acceptance criteria of the organisation you choose. Some charities may have specific requirements regarding the age and condition of the dress. Donating your wedding dress will not only benefit a worthy cause but also provide you with more closet space and a tax deduction. It is a selfless act that will give your dress a new purpose and bring joy to someone else's life.
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Sell it
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to get your wedding dress cleaned and remove any stains or smudges so that it's in the best condition possible for its next owner.
When it comes to where to sell, there are a few options. You can use online platforms such as Stillwhite, Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Stillwhite, for example, allows you to list your dress for a small one-off fee and keep all the profits, with added security measures in place to protect against fraud. On the other hand, Poshmark and Mercari may offer more opportunities for haggling and negotiating discounts with buyers.
Another option is to sell your dress to a consignment shop, which will take care of the entire selling process, including dealing with potential buyers and sending photos and details of the dress. However, be prepared for your dress to possibly sit in the shop for a few months before it sells.
It's worth noting that you may not get back the full price you paid for the dress, and reselling prices can vary. Brides can typically expect to make back up to 60% or even 70% of the retail price, but this may be lower depending on the condition and demand for the dress.
Lastly, consider the wearability of your dress. Simple styles, such as a white slip dress, may be easier to resell, while a large princess-like gown with a full skirt may be more challenging to find a buyer for.
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Repurpose it
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress, there are a plethora of options to choose from. You can cut it up and use the fabric for a myriad of projects, such as Christmas ornaments, baby quilts, doll clothes, stuffed animals, decorative pillows, or even a christening gown for your baby. You can also frame your dress and display it in your home, or turn it into a piece of jewellery or a pendant necklace. If you're feeling creative, you can dye and transform your dress into something new that you can wear again, such as a blue formal dress.
Another option is to pass on your dress to someone else. You can sell it online or bring it to a consignment shop, especially one that specializes in formal gowns. This way, you can make some extra cash and help another bride find her dream dress at an affordable price.
If you're looking for a more sentimental approach, you can save your dress for future generations. You can offer the fabric to your children or grandchildren for their weddings, where it can be used as a ribbon around their bouquet, a garter, or a sash on their dress.
There are also companies that can help you repurpose your wedding dress. Unbox the Dress, for example, is a women-owned company that transforms wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes. Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot is another company that can help you professionally preserve your gown so that you can pass it down to someone else.
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Store it
If you're not ready to part with your wedding dress, storing it away for safekeeping is a great option. Here are some tips to help you store your dress properly:
Cleaning and Preservation
Before storing your wedding dress, it's important to have it professionally cleaned to remove any stains, smudges, or dirt. This will ensure your dress stays in the best condition and can also help to prevent stains from setting in over time. There are dry cleaners that specialise in wedding dress cleaning and preservation, so be sure to ask about their processes and experience before handing over your dress.
Storage Location
When choosing a storage location for your wedding dress, avoid basements and attics. Instead, opt for a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of a closet. The ideal storage location should have moderate temperature and humidity levels to prevent damage to the dress.
Storage Container
Contrary to popular belief, your wedding dress should not be stored in an airtight box. Instead, choose a storage container that is made of breathable fabric, such as a garment bag or a box specifically designed for wedding dress storage. If you want to wrap your dress, use acid-free tissue paper to prevent any acidic residues from damaging the fabric.
Hanging vs. Flat Storage
Whether you hang or store your dress flat will depend on its weight. If your dress has heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric, it's best to store it flat to avoid stretching the fabric over time. For lighter dresses, you can hang them up, but be sure to use a hanger that can properly support the weight of the dress.
Handling the Dress
Once your dress is stored away, try to resist the temptation to handle it frequently. Each time the dress is handled, the chances of staining, oil marks, and damage increase. If you must handle the dress, be sure to remove any makeup and deodorant first, as these are common culprits for staining.
By following these tips, you can ensure your wedding dress stays in the best possible condition for years to come.
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Pass it down
Passing down your wedding dress to future generations is a wonderful way to preserve the memories of your special day. If you're considering this option, here are some detailed suggestions on how to go about it:
Professional Preservation
To ensure your wedding dress stands the test of time, consider having it professionally preserved. Companies like Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot offer packages where you ship your dress to them for expert conservation cleaning and preservation. They will carefully clean and restore your dress, removing stains and repairing any damage. Your dress will then be housed in an acid-free box, folded with special lofting tissues to support its structure. This method ensures that your wedding dress retains its quality for years to come, making it a timeless heirloom that can be cherished by future generations.
Passing down your wedding dress to future generations is a beautiful tradition. You can keep it as is, or alter it to create a more modern style that future brides in your family might wear. Even if your descendants choose not to wear it, they may still appreciate having the option or simply trying it on, as it can be a fun and sentimental experience.
Create Christening Gowns or Other Garments
If you plan to have children or already have grandchildren, consider repurposing your wedding dress into a christening gown for their special day. You can also use the fabric to create other garments, such as a skirt, a short dress, or even dolls' clothes for your little ones. This way, your wedding dress becomes a part of their special memories too, creating a unique family tradition.
Framing and Display
If you wish to admire your wedding dress every day, consider having it framed and displayed as a piece of art. Companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing specialise in framing wedding gowns, allowing you to showcase your dress as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your wedding.
Pass it Forward
While passing down your dress within your family is a wonderful option, you can also choose to pass it forward to someone else. There are many organisations, such as Brides Across America, that accept wedding dress donations to give to brides in need. Your dress could bring joy to another bride, and you can also opt to include a heartfelt note with your dress, wishing the new bride a wonderful wedding day. This way, your dress not only finds a new home but also spreads love and happiness to another person.
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Frequently asked questions
You could repurpose your wedding dress, either by altering it into a new garment or turning it into a piece of art by getting it framed. Alternatively, you could donate it to a charity that will give it to brides in need, or sell it on a second-hand wedding dress website.
You could get it professionally preserved, either to keep or to pass on to someone else. You could also get in touch with a company like Unbox the Dress, which will transform your dress into a christening gown for a baby.
Brides Across America gives wedding dresses to military brides in need. Every Girl's Dream in Michigan accepts wedding gowns and evening wear for brides-to-be facing financial hardship. Brides Against Breast Cancer resell wedding dresses to raise money for breast cancer awareness.
