Lyla Dejesus
So, you've bought the dress. Now what? Well, there are several options for what to do with your wedding dress after the big day. Some brides choose to sell their dresses, either online or through local consignment shops, while others opt for donating their dresses to charity. If you're feeling crafty, you could repurpose your dress into something new, such as a shorter dress for your anniversary, a robe, or even a christening gown for your future children. Or, if you're the sentimental type, you might want to preserve your dress by having it professionally cleaned and stored in a keepsake box or frame it as a piece of art to display in your home. The choice is yours!
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What You'll Learn
Get it altered into a new garment
If you're looking to get more use out of your wedding dress, altering it into a new garment is a great option. This way, you can continue to wear a piece of your wedding day over and over again.
One of the easiest ways to make your wedding dress more wearable is to shorten it. You can keep it floor-length and remove just the train, or shorten it to ankle, midi, or mini length. By doing this, you take away the 'bridal' element that may make you hesitant to wear your dress again. You can also remove lace details, beading, or sleeves to simplify any details that may make it feel too bridal for everyday wear.
If you want to get creative, you can turn your wedding dress into multiple items. One person on Reddit shared how they got their wedding dress cut up and made into a bra, negligee, pillows, and a tote bag. Another Reddit user shared how they plan to use some of the lace in their gown and possibly the buttons for a new garment.
You can also repurpose your wedding dress into a formal dress for different occasions. One person shared how they plan to get their skirt shortened and turn it into a formal dress, and even dye it a different color. You can also get it altered into a mini dress or two-piece set, which you can then surprise your partner by wearing on your first anniversary.
If you're unsure about what to do, consider working with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new piece of clothing. They can help you understand what types of post-wedding alterations are possible and give your dress a new lease of life.
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Have it professionally preserved
Wedding dresses are often very expensive, and they hold a lot of sentimental value. It is therefore important to consider how to preserve your wedding dress so that it can be cherished for years to come.
Professional wedding dress preservation is a service that helps to ensure your wedding dress remains in good condition. This process involves multiple steps, including the inspection and cleaning of the gown to remove visible and invisible stains, dirt, and oils that break down fabrics over time. Professional cleaners are trained to spot the unseen and will be able to deal with any type of stain on your wedding dress. The preservation process also includes multiple steps to protect the dress as it ages and prevent future yellowing.
There are many companies that offer wedding dress preservation services. When choosing a company, it is important to select one that fully insures your wedding dress with shipping insurance and allows you to track the status of your dress 24/7. You should also choose a company that guarantees your dress won't yellow. Some companies offer a 100-year anti-yellowing guarantee, which is a great option. It is also important to get a clear picture of their cleaning process and ensure they use a solvent that is gentle and pure enough for a gown.
Once your dress is professionally cleaned, preserved, and boxed, it will be shipped back to your home. You can then store it in a stable and predictable environment, such as a box that can be opened and should be opened at least yearly.
Having your wedding dress professionally preserved is a great way to ensure it remains in good condition for years to come and can be passed down to future generations.
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Donate it to a charity
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give it a second life and support a cause or bride in need. Many couples are unable to afford their dream weddings, and your donation can help provide a dress for a bride experiencing financial hardship. Donating your dress can also free up space in your closet and provide tax benefits.
There are many charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations. You can donate to thrift stores, charities, community centers, and nonprofit organizations. Some popular options include Goodwill and Salvation Army, which have numerous stores across the US and accept almost any clothing item, including wedding dresses. Brides Across America is another great option, providing free wedding gowns to military and first responder brides, including firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and paramedics. They accept almost all styles of wedding dresses as long as they are less than four years old and in good condition.
When choosing a charity, consider selecting one that aligns with your values and supports a cause that matters to you, such as cancer research, disaster relief, human rights, or environmental protection. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, is a nonprofit organization that helps provide early cancer awareness and detection programs and accepts wedding dresses up to five years old.
Before donating, it's important to prepare your gown for donation. Assess your wedding dress for any signs of damage, tearing, or fraying, and check for mold or discoloration, especially on older dresses. While significant damage may disqualify your gown from donation, minor issues can often be fixed by a qualified seamstress. It is also essential to have your dress cleaned before donating it, unless the charity specifically states otherwise.
Finally, contact your chosen charity to get answers to any specific questions you may have regarding their donation process and requirements. Each organization may have different guidelines for how you should prepare and deliver your wedding dress donation.
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Turn it into home decor
If you're looking to turn your wedding dress into home decor, there are several options to consider. You could repurpose the dress into decorative items for your home, such as pillows, or pass on the fabric to be transformed into new designs, modern bridal gifts, or family keepsakes.
One option is to get creative and make items yourself or with the help of a friend. For example, you could turn your dress into various items like a bra, negligee, pillows, or a tote bag. If you're feeling generous, you could even use parts of your dress, such as the lace or buttons, to create something special for a loved one.
If you're not inclined to DIY, there are companies like Unbox the Dress that can help transform your wedding gown into new designs or family heirlooms. They offer a range of services, from creating christening gowns for babies to bridal robes and ornaments that can be cherished for generations. The process typically takes around 15 weeks, and they even provide professional storage for any extra dress fabric you may want to use later.
Another option is to frame your wedding dress and hang it on your wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your special day. Companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing specialize in this, ensuring your dress is preserved and displayed beautifully.
Lastly, if you're feeling crafty, you can incorporate other wedding decor items into your home. This could include potted plants used during the ceremony, candleholders, or even just-married signs that can be hung up as a sweet reminder of your wedding day.
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Sell it online or in-person
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress online, there are several websites that can help you do so. Stillwhite, for example, is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses, with over 97,000 wedding gowns for sale. The website offers a range of designer wedding dresses at affordable prices, and you can even sell your dress on the website after your wedding to recoup most of your money. The website offers secure payment options and allows you to keep your contact details private. You can also download the Stillwhite mobile app to manage and accept sales from anywhere. Another similar website is SellMyWeddingDress.org, which allows you to list your wedding dress for free, pick your price, and post your dress to start receiving offers.
When selling your wedding dress online, it is important to take clear and attractive photos of the dress, and perhaps even a video to showcase how it moves and sparkles. It is also crucial to be aware of fraud and never ship the dress until you have received payment.
If you prefer to sell your dress in person, you can consider contacting local thrift stores or charities that may be in need of a white gown. Organizations such as Brides Across America, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, and Cinderella's Closet accept wedding dress donations and redistribute them to military brides in need, brides-to-be facing financial hardship, and low-income students for their proms. You can also alter your wedding dress and sell it as a party dress or another type of garment.
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Frequently asked questions
You can repurpose your wedding dress into a number of keepsake items, such as custom robes, short anniversary dresses, handkerchiefs, pillows, lingerie, or christening gowns for your children. You can also frame your dress as a piece of art or donate it to a charity shop.
Wedding dress preservation services such as Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot and Unbox the Dress can clean and store your gown safely in a keepsake box. You can also get your dress framed by companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing.
You can sell your wedding dress on online sites such as Nearly Newlywed or Sell My Wedding Dress, or look for local consignment shops.
You can alter your wedding dress into a more wearable garment, such as a mini dress or a two-piece set. You can also loan your dress to another bride or keep it as a memento.
