Junior Rasmussen
There are several options for what to do with an old wedding dress. Some brides choose to repurpose their dresses, turning them into jumpsuits, christening gowns, or keepsake homewares. Others sell their dresses, either directly or through a charity shop or organisation. Donating a wedding dress is an eco-conscious and meaningful decision, with several UK charities accepting wedding dress donations, including St Catherine's, Bride's Project, and Cancer Research UK. Alternatively, you could have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved, or turned into a pendant or work of art.
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What You'll Learn
Donate to a charity shop or organisation
Donating your wedding dress to a charity shop or organisation is an eco-conscious and meaningful way to give your dress a second life. It can bring joy and comfort to those in need and is a great way to create a positive impact.
There are several charities in the UK that accept wedding dress donations. One such organisation is St Catherine's, which offers hospice care and support to those suffering from terminal illnesses in Sussex and East Surrey. Their bridal shop in Horsham sells preloved wedding dresses, with proceeds supporting their work. You can drop off your dress at their store or contact them to arrange a collection.
Another option is the Bride's Project, which has a bridal boutique in the United States. They offer a sustainable and ethical option by selling donated wedding dresses to raise funds for those impacted by cancer in the local area. Wedding gowns must be no older than five years, and you can drop them off at one of their many charity stores around the country.
Cancer Research UK also accepts preloved wedding dresses that are not marked or torn. These dresses are then sold through their online platform or physical charity stores, with proceeds supporting their work.
Additionally, you can donate your wedding dress to organisations such as Cherished Gowns UK, which transforms the dresses into burial gowns for babies born prematurely, too late, or too unwell. These gowns are then donated to hospitals and parents across the UK free of charge. Similarly, Wish For a Wedding provides dream weddings for couples dealing with terminal illnesses and accepts wedding dress donations for terminally ill brides.
Donating your wedding dress to a charity shop or organisation is a wonderful way to give back and support those in need while also ensuring your dress finds a new home.
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Transform into a christening gown
Transforming your wedding dress into a christening gown is a great way to repurpose your dress and create a treasured family heirloom. This is a project you can do yourself, or you can send your dress to a company that will transform it for you.
If you're a keen sewer, you can create a christening gown from your wedding dress by following online tutorials. The first step is to plan your design and clip some fabric samples from an inconspicuous area of your dress. Next, you'll need to deconstruct the wedding dress. You can then follow a pattern to sew the christening gown, adding embellishments from the original dress if desired.
If you'd prefer to send your dress to a company, there are several that offer this service. Unbox the Dress, for example, provides a secure DressBox that you can use to send in your dress. They will then set up a Design Consultation to finalise your order before transforming your dress into a christening gown. Love Keep Create is another company that creates unique christening gowns from wedding dresses, delivered in beautiful clear lidded presentation boxes.
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Make it into a keepsake doll or bear
If you're handy with a needle and thread, or know someone who is, you could transform your old wedding dress into a beautiful keepsake doll or bear. This is a great way to preserve your wedding day memories and create a cherished family heirloom that can be passed down through generations.
If you're feeling ambitious, you could attempt to make the doll or bear yourself. You'll need to carefully deconstruct your wedding dress, preserving as much of the special detailing as possible. You can then use the fabric to create the body of the doll or bear, adding in any extra details you'd like to include. This could be a wonderful project for anyone with sewing experience and a sentimental attachment to their wedding dress.
Alternatively, if sewing isn't your forte, there are several companies that can create bespoke keepsake dolls and bears from your wedding dress. LoveKeepCreate, for example, offers memory bears and keepsake dolls made from your dress, incorporating any special details you'd like to include. They offer two sizes of bears, standard (approximately 30cm tall) and large (approximately 40cm tall), and their bears and dolls come with a large blanket featuring personalised embroidery. This option allows you to commemorate your special day without having to pick up a needle and thread yourself.
Whether you choose to make the doll or bear yourself or enlist the help of a professional, transforming your wedding dress into a keepsake doll or bear is a unique and meaningful way to preserve your wedding memories.
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Frame it
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve it and ensure it is protected forever. The Beautiful Frame Company, for example, will restore, clean and hand preserve your dress before framing it in a bespoke frame handmade from raw materials. The frame will also include UV-protected glass to ensure your dress is perfectly preserved.
If you are looking to frame your wedding dress, it is important to first get your dress cleaned. This will ensure that any stains or smudges are removed, so your dress looks its best before being framed.
Framing your wedding dress is a wonderful way to display it and turn it into a memorable keepsake. You could even hang it up in your wardrobe and take it out to admire every now and then.
If you are looking for other ways to repurpose your wedding dress, you could consider turning it into a wearable garment, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You could also donate your dress to a UK charity, such as St Catherine's bridal shop in Horsham, which supports those facing difficult times. Donating your dress is an eco-conscious and meaningful way to give your dress a second life and create a positive impact.
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Turn it into a wearable garment
If you're looking to turn your old wedding dress into a wearable garment, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could work with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new piece of clothing that you can wear again. This could be a charming mini dress, a two-piece set, or even a robe made from your wedding dress fabric. You could even surprise your partner by wearing it on your first anniversary!
Another option is to shorten your wedding dress design. By removing the train or shortening the length, you can take away the bridal element and make it more versatile for multiple wears. You can style a shortened dress in various ways, from layering with roll necks to pairing it with a blazer or jacket.
If you're feeling creative, you could also turn your wedding dress into a range of wearable accessories. For example, you could craft a clutch bag, baby blankets, bassinet covers, or christening gowns from the fabric. However, if you're not comfortable with sewing, you can explore DIY ideas on Pinterest and Etsy or consult a professional to create one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces.
Additionally, consider upcycling services like The Modiste in the UK, which can turn your wedding dress into new garments for you to wear again. They can create modern designs using the lace and fabric from your wedding dress, allowing you to incorporate it into your wardrobe in a sustainable way.
Before altering your wedding dress, it's important to get it cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. This will ensure your garment looks its best for its second life.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to repurpose an old wedding dress. You can turn it into a christening gown, a blanket, a keepsake doll, a pendant, a cushion cover, a pillow slip, a jumpsuit, a robe, a mini dress, a two-piece set, or homeware.
There are several charities in the UK that accept wedding dress donations. Some of these include St Catherine's, Bride's Project, and Cancer Research UK.
You can get your wedding dress cleaned and framed, or professionally preserved to pass on to someone else down the line.
