Lyla Dejesus
There are many options for what to do with an old wedding dress. Some brides choose to repurpose their dresses, either by altering them into a new garment, such as a formal dress, or by using the fabric to create accessories, home decor, or keepsakes like pillows, quilts, or christening gowns. Others choose to preserve their dresses as a memento, either by storing them in a box or frame, or by having them professionally preserved. Some brides also consider selling their dresses through online platforms, consignment shops, or local groups, while others opt to donate them to charities, thrift stores, or theatre groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep the dress | Wear it for fun, on your anniversary, or while doing chores |
| Repurpose the dress | Dye it, shorten it, or alter it into a different garment, such as a formal dress, bra, negligee, clutch, pillow, quilt, or accessory |
| Frame the dress | Cut a square from the dress and place it in a frame or shadow box frame |
| Sell the dress | Sell it through online platforms, consignment shops, or local groups |
| Donate the dress | Charities, thrift stores, theatre groups, or organisations like Angel Gowns |
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What You'll Learn
Sell it online, through consignment shops, or local groups
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, there are several options to consider, including online platforms, consignment shops, and local groups. Here are some detailed suggestions to help you get started:
Online Platforms:
There are dedicated websites such as Stillwhite.com and Preowned Wedding Dresses that specialise in connecting sellers with buyers specifically looking for second-hand bridal gowns. These sites make it convenient to list and sell your dress to someone who will appreciate it for their special day.
Bridal Consignment Shops:
Consignment shops that cater to bridal wear are another great option. They handle the sale on your behalf, ensuring your dress reaches the right buyer. This option might be preferable if you don't want to deal with the back-and-forth of private sales.
Social Media and Local Communities:
Local Facebook groups or classified ad websites can be effective for connecting with brides in your area. This option eliminates shipping concerns and allows you to deal with local buyers directly. You might even make a new connection with a bride-to-be in your community!
Things to Keep in Mind:
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, it's a good idea to factor in the costs of any alterations or cleaning. Some buyers may be willing to take on a dress with minor damage, but it's always best to present the dress in the best possible condition. This may involve auditioning a few dry cleaners to find one that suits your needs and budget.
Selling your wedding dress is a practical solution if you no longer wish to keep it, and it's a wonderful way to let someone else enjoy a dress that holds such special memories.
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Donate it to charities, thrift stores, or theatre groups
Donating your wedding dress is a thoughtful gesture that can bring joy to someone in need. Several organisations and groups accept wedding gowns for various purposes. Many charities, nonprofits, and thrift stores accept formalwear donations for resale or repurposing. For example, charities like Angel Gowns accept wedding dresses and turn them into garments for babies in neonatal care. You can usually find a local person who makes these gowns through Facebook groups.
Theatre and drama groups are also often appreciative of donations for their costume collections. High schools, community theatres, or drama clubs may be able to use your dress in a future production. Donating to a thrift shop is another convenient option. Ensure you ask for a donation receipt if you plan to claim a tax deduction.
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Repurpose it into accessories, pillows, quilts, or clothing
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress into accessories, pillows, quilts, or clothing. You can cut a square from your dress and place it in a frame, creating a one-of-a-kind work of art that reminds you of your special day. If you're feeling creative, you can even frame your veil and garter to add to the display. You can also dye your wedding dress, transforming it into a wardrobe staple that you can wear to special events, such as your first anniversary dinner. Another option is to cut the fabric from your dress and repurpose it into accessories such as clutches, which you can carry to special occasions.
If you're feeling crafty, you can turn your wedding dress into a quilt or use it to make clothing for your children. You can create a christening gown, a ring bearer pillow, a garter, or even fabric for cufflinks. You can also use the fabric to make doll clothes, stuffed animals, or decorative pillows for your home. If you're looking for a unique holiday tradition, you can transform your wedding dress into a Christmas tree skirt, angel tree topper, or guardian angel ornaments.
There are companies that can help you repurpose your wedding dress, such as Unbox the Dress, which offers a range of services to transform your dress into new designs, modern bridal gifts, and family heirlooms. They provide a professional sewing service to create one-of-a-kind designs, and they also offer fabric storage for any extra dress material you may want to use in the future.
Repurposing your wedding dress allows you to extend the life of your gown and create new memories while cherishing the old ones. Whether you decide to do it yourself or seek professional help, there are numerous ways to give your wedding dress a new purpose and ensure it continues to bring joy to you and your family.
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Frame it as a piece of art
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve and display your dress, ensuring it looks as perfect as the day you wore it. It can be a prominent piece of artwork in your house, adding class and beauty to your space.
There are a few options to consider when framing your wedding dress. You can choose to frame just a square of fabric from your dress, or go for a half-size frame where the skirt is folded behind the bodice, or opt for a full-length shadow box frame. You can also decide whether you want your dress displayed on a mannequin or just on mountboard in the frame.
If you want to save money, you can opt for a DIY approach. First, cut a square of fabric from your dress, preferably a section with three-dimensional elements like ribbons or beading. Then, place it in a shadow box frame. You can also frame your veil and garter to create a unique work of art.
If you prefer to hire a professional framing service, expect to work closely with the company to decide on the type, size, and depth of the frame, as well as the perfect angle for your dress. You can also request additional items like veils, jewellery, and shoes to be included in the frame. The cost of professional framing services varies, but you can expect to pay at least £900.
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Pass it on to future generations
Wedding dresses are often only worn once, but there are many ways to pass them on to future generations. One option is to preserve the dress as a keepsake. This could involve having it professionally preserved or doing it yourself by placing it in a box or frame. You could also hang it up as a piece of art, either in its original form or by cutting out a square of the dress and framing it.
Another way to pass on your wedding dress is to repurpose it. You could alter the dress and dye it a different colour to make it suitable for everyday wear or special occasions. You could also cut the dress and use the fabric to make other items, such as a christening gown, clothing for children, a bra, negligee, pillows, quilts, clutches, or a tote bag. If your dress consists of separate pieces, you can pair the bodice with casual skirts or trousers. Alternatively, you could convert a simpler gown into a cocktail dress or evening wear by shortening and dyeing it.
You could also pass on your wedding dress to future generations by selling or donating it. Websites like Stillwhite.com and Preowned Wedding Dresses connect sellers with buyers. Bridal consignment shops can also help you sell your dress. Donating your dress to charities, thrift stores, or theatre groups is another option. Organisations like Angel Gowns accept wedding dresses to turn them into garments for babies in neonatal care.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cut your wedding dress and repurpose the fabric to make new items such as a bra, negligee, pillows, quilts, clutch bags, or accessories. You can also dye your wedding dress to give it a complete makeover and turn it into a wardrobe staple.
You can frame your wedding dress as a keepsake. You can either do this yourself by cutting a square from your dress and placing it in a frame or hire a professional service to do it for you.
You can sell your wedding dress through online platforms such as Stillwhite.com and Preowned Wedding Dresses, consignment shops, or local Facebook groups and classified ad websites.
You can donate your wedding dress to charities, thrift stores, or theatre groups. Organisations such as Angel Gowns accept wedding dresses and turn them into garments for babies in neonatal care.
