George Boyle
A wedding dress is a meaningful memento of a marriage, but after a divorce, it can be difficult to decide what to do with it. While some people may be tempted to hastily destroy or discard the dress, there are several other options to consider. Some people may want to keep the dress, either to pass it down to family members or display it as a reminder of the happy memories associated with the wedding day. Others may prefer to repurpose the dress, whether by transforming it into an evening gown or cocktail attire, or using the fabric to create keepsakes like quilts, scarves, or jewellery. There are also various charities that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which provides gowns for military brides and first responders, and Adorned in Grace, which uses the proceeds from dress sales to raise awareness and prevent human sex trafficking. For those seeking financial support after a divorce, selling the dress on consignment or resale sites is another option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep the dress | For sentimental reasons, to pass it down to family, or for a post-divorce photoshoot |
| Repurpose the dress | Transform it into an evening gown, cocktail attire, quilts, scarves, flower girl dresses, christening outfits, memory pillows, or jewelry |
| Donate the dress | Charities like Brides Across America, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Brides for a Cause, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, and Cinderella's Closet accept wedding dress donations to support various causes |
| Sell the dress | Consignment sites and bridal resale platforms like StillWhite, Tradesy, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, and Nearly Newlywed can help recoup costs |
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What You'll Learn
Donate it to a charity that provides gowns for brides-to-be in need
Donating your wedding dress to charity can be a liberating and meaningful way to move forward after a divorce. It can give your dress a new life and a larger meaning. There are several charities that provide gowns for brides-to-be in need.
Brides Across America is one such organisation. Since 2008, it has supplied wedding gowns to military brides and first responder brides through bi-annual Operation Wedding Gown events. Brides for a Cause is another organisation that accepts donations. They operate showrooms in Washington and the Sacramento area that resell wedding dresses to benefit local and national women-centered charities.
Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organisation that helps in the fight against human sex trafficking. They accept wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to fund their work. They partner with churches and communities to create awareness, prevent human trafficking, and support survivors. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland is another bridal shop that accepts donations, and the proceeds from sales support the Success in Style nonprofit, which offers job search skills and professional clothing to clients in crisis.
If you're looking for a more local option, you can donate your dress to a thrift store. The shop will resell it at a budget-friendly price, and the proceeds will go to charity.
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Sell it on a preowned wedding dress platform
Selling your wedding dress on a preowned wedding dress platform is a great way to recoup some of the costs of the dress and the wedding. It can also provide financial support after an often expensive divorce.
There are several online platforms that can connect you with buyers or even purchase your gown outright. Some popular options include StillWhite, Tradesy, and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. Local bridal consignment boutiques may also be an option, as they sometimes buy used dresses outright or sell them on commission.
Before putting your dress up for sale, it's important to have it professionally cleaned to ensure it's in the best possible condition. You should also consider having it photographed being worn properly on a mannequin, as this can help potential buyers visualise themselves in the dress. When creating your listing, provide detailed descriptions of the fabrics, sizes, designers, and any damage to the dress. Reasonable pricing aligned with the condition and designer labels generally yields quicker sales.
It's important to note that selling a wedding dress can be an emotional decision. Take your time and consider how you feel about the dress and whether you're comfortable with someone else wearing it for their special day. You may also want to wait until any raw emotions from the divorce have subsided before making any irreversible decisions about the dress.
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Get it framed and hang it on your wall
After a divorce, you might be left with many emotions about your wedding dress. While you may feel like burning it, tearing it up, or disposing of it in some other dramatic way, there are other options to consider. One option is to get your wedding dress framed and hang it on your wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your wedding day.
If you're interested in framing your wedding dress, you can reach out to companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing, which specialize in framing wedding gowns. They will work with you to ensure that your dress is beautifully displayed and preserved. This option allows you to keep your dress without taking up too much storage space.
Before framing your dress, it is essential to have it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. This will ensure that your dress looks its best and is properly preserved for the framing process. You can also consider transforming your dress into an evening gown, cocktail attire, or keepsakes like quilts or scarves.
If you're not quite ready to part with your dress but don't want to frame it, you can carefully store it in an acid-free archival box with tissue paper to prevent damage over time. This will allow you to revisit the dress later when you're emotionally ready and decide if you want to pass it on to a family member or donate it to a worthy cause.
Remember, the decision of what to do with your wedding dress after a divorce is highly personal and emotional. Take your time to consider the options and choose what feels right for you.
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Repurpose it into an evening gown or cocktail attire
Repurposing your wedding dress into an evening gown or cocktail attire is a great way to give your wedding dress a second life. It is understandable if you are not ready to part ways with your wedding dress, especially if you have fond memories of the day.
The first step is to get your wedding dress cleaned to remove any stains or smudges, so it can look its best for its second life. Then, consider working with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new piece of clothing. You could fashion a charming mini dress or a two-piece set from the fabric of your wedding dress. If you are feeling creative, you could even dye your wedding dress into a new colour and transform it into a formal dress.
If you are not ready to repurpose your dress yourself, there are companies such as Unbox the Dress that can transform your wedding dress into bespoke keepsakes. The process can take up to 15 weeks, and they will work with you to design a new piece.
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Transform it into a keepsake, like a quilt or scarf
Transforming your wedding dress into a keepsake can be a great way to preserve your wedding day memories. Here are some ideas to repurpose your wedding dress into something you can cherish forever:
Quilts
You can transform your wedding dress into a beautiful quilt that you can cherish for years to come. Consider making a baby quilt for your child or grandchild, or a wall-hanging quilt to display in your home. You can incorporate the lace, beads, and satin fabric of your dress into the quilt, adding a unique and sentimental touch.
Scarves
Create scarves from the fabric of your wedding dress, especially if it has beautiful lace details. You can make light spring scarves or a warm winter scarf with the lace trim, allowing you to accessorize your outfits with a piece of your wedding day.
Jewellery
Save pieces of lace or embellishments from your dress and turn them into jewellery. Pendants, brooches, earrings, and even rings can be crafted from these special details. You can wear these pieces yourself and then pass them down as heirlooms to your children or grandchildren.
Teddy Bears and Soft Toys
If you're feeling crafty, use the fabric from your wedding dress to create a teddy bear or soft toy. You can even make a matching dress for your teddy bear using the leftover fabric. These can become cherished keepsakes for your children or grandchildren.
Other Ideas
There are endless possibilities for transforming your wedding dress into a keepsake. You could create tote bags, christening gowns, or even cover photo albums with the fabric. If you're feeling adventurous, you could cut the dress into a vintage doll's outfit or use it for a post-divorce photoshoot.
Remember, it's important to take your time and decide what feels right for you. There is no rush to decide immediately after your divorce. You can always store your wedding dress for a while and revisit it when you feel ready to transform it into something new.
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Frequently asked questions
Dealing with a wedding dress after a divorce can be difficult, but there are many options to choose from. You can repurpose it, donate it to charity, sell it, or keep it.
You can transform your wedding dress into an evening gown, cocktail attire, or keepsakes like quilts, scarves, or jewellery. You can also turn it into art by getting it framed.
You can sell your wedding dress on consignment or resale sites such as StillWhite, Tradesy, and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. You can also sell it to local bridal consignment boutiques or list it on platforms that connect you with buyers. Before selling, it is recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned and photographed.
