George Boyle
Wedding dresses are often cherished mementos, laden with sentimentality and fond memories. However, after the honeymoon period, many people wonder what to do with their wedding dress, especially if it is 30 years old. There are several ways to recycle your wedding dress sustainably, including selling it, composting it, donating it to a good cause, or repurposing it into new items.
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What You'll Learn
Sell it online or via local consignment
If you're looking to sell your 30-year-old wedding dress, there are both online and offline options available. If you're not very digitally savvy or are concerned about making a commission, you may want to consider selling your dress through a local consignment salon or thrift store. You could also donate it to charity.
However, if you're looking to make some money from your dress, selling it online is your best bet. There are many websites that specialize in buying and selling wedding dresses, such as Nearly Newlywed and Stillwhite. Both platforms allow you to buy and sell wedding dresses with just a few clicks. Stillwhite charges a small one-off fee but does not take any commission, meaning you keep all of the sale price. Nearly Newlywed also does not charge a commission but charges a $5 listing fee for accessories and a $25 listing fee for dresses, with an option to upgrade to a premium listing for $35.
To create an attractive listing, take clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle in a well-lit environment. If there are any intricate details, be sure to take some close-up shots of those. You may also want to include some photos of yourself wearing the dress so that potential buyers can get an idea of how it fits. Provide a detailed description of the garment, including accurate measurements and information on any wear and tear. If you have any accessories like a veil or hairpiece, you can include them in the listing but be prepared for buyers to opt out of buying them.
It's important to note that selling a wedding dress online is different from selling it in person. The way the dress is presented online is crucial since prospective buyers can't see it in person. In addition to taking high-quality photos, consider including a video of the dress to showcase how it moves and sparkles.
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Donate it to a charity that resells wedding dresses
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back and help others. There are several charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations and resell them to raise funds for various causes. One such organization is Brides for a Cause, a nonprofit organization with showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. Since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the country. You can donate your dress in person or by mail, and they accept dresses that are five years old or newer.
Another option is to donate your wedding dress to The Emma and Evan Foundation, which transforms wedding dresses into angel gowns, or burial gowns for infants who have passed away. This organization provides a meaningful way to honour the memory of infants and bring comfort to grieving families.
Donating your wedding dress to a charity that resells them is not only a generous act, but it can also provide you with additional closet space and a tax deduction, in addition to the satisfaction of knowing that your dress is helping to support a worthy cause.
When considering donating your 30-year-old wedding dress to a charity that resells them, it is important to check the specific requirements and guidelines of the organization. Some charities may have restrictions on the age or condition of the dresses they accept, so it is best to review their criteria before making your donation.
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Repurpose it into a christening gown
If you're feeling crafty, you could repurpose your wedding dress into a christening gown. This is a great way to keep the memories of your wedding day alive and pass on a meaningful garment to future generations. It's also a sustainable option, as you're giving new life to your wedding dress.
The first step in this process is planning. You'll want to decide on a design for your christening gown and gather the necessary materials. You can find free or inexpensive wedding gowns from friends or online marketplaces to use for this project. Once you have your wedding dress, take some fabric samples from inconspicuous areas to help you choose your materials. You can also take this time to create a vision board on Pinterest and gather some inspiration.
The next step is deconstruction. This part can be emotionally challenging, as you'll be cutting into your wedding dress. Take some selfies during this process to remember it! You'll want to carefully separate the dress parts, deciding which sections will be used for each element of your christening gown design. Start with the skirt, as it is the largest component. You can then move on to the bodice and other smaller pieces. Don't worry about taking the dress apart stitch by stitch; you can cut right down the seams.
Finally, it's time to sew your christening gown! Use smaller pins if you have them and try to pin only in the seam allowance area to avoid damaging your fabric. Sew with the gathered side on top to prevent the fabric from jamming. Go slowly to avoid broken needles. You can add any final embellishments from the wedding dress, such as buttons or lace.
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Wear it on special anniversaries
If you're looking to commemorate your wedding day, wearing your wedding dress on special anniversaries is a great way to relive the memories of your special day. To ensure that your dress remains in good condition for years to come, it's important to take proper care of it. Avoid storing it in plastic bags, as these can cause discolouration over time, and opt for a breathable garment bag instead. It's also a good idea to take the dress out periodically to check for any damage.
When deciding whether to wear your wedding dress on your anniversary, consider the location, time of day, climate, and who will be attending. For example, a romantic dinner for two calls for a different outfit than a casual meal with friends. You'll want to feel comfortable and confident in whatever you wear, so choose an outfit that suits the occasion and your personal style. If you've chosen a classic white or off-white wedding dress, you may want to dye it a different colour to make it more wearable outside of your anniversary celebrations.
If you're celebrating a milestone anniversary, like your 50th wedding anniversary, you might want to choose an eye-catching gold dress to match the theme. For a silk anniversary (12 years), a silk slip dress could be a sophisticated choice. And for a crystal anniversary (15 years), look for a dress with jewelled embellishments. If you're celebrating with a fun night out on the town, a playful mini dress or a bold red floral pattern could be perfect.
Wearing your wedding dress on special anniversaries is a wonderful way to cherish the memories of your wedding day. By taking proper care of your dress and choosing the right occasions to wear it, you can keep those memories alive for years to come.
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Compost it
If your wedding dress is made of natural materials, composting it is an option. However, if it is made of synthetic materials, it will not break down and cannot be composted.
Before composting your dress, consider whether you would like to keep it. Wedding dresses are often cherished mementos that hold a lot of memories. If you would like to keep your dress, it is important to store it properly to ensure it stays in good condition. Avoid storing it in a standard plastic bag, as these can cause yellowing over time. Instead, opt for a breathable garment bag. Take the dress out periodically to check for any damage and address it as soon as possible.
If you decide to compost your dress, start by cutting it into smaller pieces with a pair of scissors. You can then add the fabric to your compost bin or pile. If you don't have a compost bin, you can create a simple compost pile in your backyard by layering organic materials such as food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings. Make sure to turn and water your compost regularly to speed up the decomposition process.
Keep in mind that composting a wedding dress made of natural materials will take several months to a year, depending on the conditions. The fabric will gradually break down into nutrient-rich soil that you can use in your garden.
Alternatively, you can consider repurposing your wedding dress. You can dye it a different colour and wear it to formal events, or turn it into a work of art by getting it framed.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for what to do with a wedding dress from years past. You can donate it to a cause such as Brides Against Breast Cancer, sell it online or at a local consignment store, or repurpose it into something new, such as a christening gown, Christmas tree skirt, or decorative pillow covers.
Stillwhite, PreOwnedWeddingDresses, and Nearly Newlywed are all large online marketplaces for wedding dresses. eBay and Poshmark are other options, though you may not get as much value for your dress.
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a nonprofit that resells donated wedding dresses and donates a percentage of the sale to breast cancer research. Brides for a Cause takes wedding dress donations and uses the proceeds to raise money for different causes. Operation Prom and Cinderella’s Closet take wedding dresses to help dress low-income students for their prom.
You can dye your wedding dress and wear it to special events, or you can cut the fabric and repurpose it into items such as headbands, bracelets, bags, cushion covers, or pillowcases. You can also send your dress to a company like Unbox the Dress, which transforms wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes.
