Rhiannon Hendricks
There are several options for what to do with an unwanted wedding dress. One option is to repurpose the dress into home decor, such as tablecloths, table runners, curtains, or homemade napkins. Another option is to donate the dress to a charity, such as Brides for a Cause, which collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for charity, or Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Alternatively, the dress could be sold online or passed down to someone else in the family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donate | Brides Across America, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides for a Cause, The Emma and Evan Foundation, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Local thrift stores, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, Local theatres and performing arts programs, The Wishing Well Foundation |
| Repurpose | Dye it and transform it into a gown or cocktail dress, Commission a custom christening gown or flower girl dress, Transform it into home decor such as tablecloths, table runners, curtains, or napkins, Turn it into art by getting it framed, Transform it into a bridal robe, hankie, or bouquet wrap |
| Sell | eBay, Vinted, Facebook, Gumtree |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to a charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to the community. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides for a Cause is another nonprofit that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. They have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, and since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities.
Another option is Brides Across America, which provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program is also a great cause, where seamstresses remake donated wedding dresses into gowns for photos and burial services for infants of bereaved parents.
The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms wedding dresses into Angel Gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance.
Donating your wedding dress to charity not only frees up closet space but also provides an opportunity to help someone in need. These organizations rely on donations to support their missions and assist those in need. By donating your wedding dress, you can give it a second life and bring joy to someone else.
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Sell it online
Selling your wedding dress online is a great way to recoup some of the costs of the big day. There are many online platforms that can help you sell your wedding dress, each with its own rules around commission, verification, and shipping. It is beneficial to list your dress on multiple platforms to increase the chance of a sale. Here are some tips to help you sell your dress online:
Specialist Websites
There are specialist websites that allow you to sell your wedding dress online, such as Still White, Nearly Newlywed, and Vestiaire Collective. Still White, for example, charges a one-off fee of $25 or $35 for a premium listing, and you keep all of the sale proceeds. You can also accept secure payments online and maintain your privacy by communicating with buyers through the platform.
EBay
EBay is a popular auction site that you can use to sell your wedding dress. The site charges a 15% commission on sales under $2000, and 9% for sales above that amount.
Consignment Shops
You can also sell your dress through a consignment shop, either online or in your local area. Consignment shops will take care of the sale for you, but will take a cut of the proceeds. If your wedding dress is 20 years or older, you may be able to sell it or consign with a vintage store, too.
Photography
It is important to have plenty of high-quality photographs, and even videos, so that potential buyers can see exactly what the dress looks like.
Condition
Ensure your dress is in pristine condition to help it find a new home. Have your dress professionally cleaned by a trusted dry cleaner immediately after your wedding to prevent stains or marks from becoming permanent. Store your dress in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in a breathable garment bag or acid-free box to prevent discolouration and maintain its shape.
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Turn it into a family heirloom
Passing down a wedding dress to future generations is a beautiful way to honour your family history. If you're looking to turn your wedding dress into a family heirloom, there are several ways to go about it.
One option is to repurpose the dress into a new design that can be cherished and worn by future generations. For example, you could transform it into a christening gown for a baby, a bridal robe, a bridal bouquet wrap, or a ring bearer pillow. You could even use parts of the dress to create something new, such as a garter, a clutch, or jewellery. These items can be passed down as family heirlooms and used by future brides in the family.
Another option is to preserve the dress in its original state and pass it down as a family heirloom. This option may be suitable if you wish to preserve the dress as a memento or if future generations may want to wear it as their wedding dress. To ensure the dress stays in good condition, consider investing in professional protection services to preserve the fabric.
If you're looking for guidance on how to repurpose your wedding dress, companies like Unbox the Dress offer services to transform wedding dresses into bespoke keepsakes. They can help you create new designs and provide safe shipping options for your dress.
Turning your wedding dress into a family heirloom is a meaningful way to extend its life and create new memories for future generations. Whether you choose to repurpose the dress or preserve it, it will undoubtedly hold a special place in your family's history.
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Repurpose the fabric
If you're looking to repurpose the fabric of your wedding dress, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could transform it into a christening gown or a flower girl dress, as seen in the example of Nikki, who had her mother-in-law's wedding dress turned into a christening gown for her new baby. This is a popular choice for those wishing to recycle their wedding dresses.
Another option is to create bespoke keepsakes that will be cherished for generations. Unbox the Dress™, for example, offers a service where they transform wedding dresses into various items, including bridal robes, veils, and home decor. You can also repurpose your wedding dress fabric into sustainable home decor items such as tablecloths, table runners, curtains, or napkins, allowing you to be reminded of your special day whenever you use them.
If you're feeling creative, you can turn your wedding dress into a piece of art by framing it. Companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing specialize in framing wedding gowns, allowing you to hang them on your wall as a stunning and sentimental art piece.
Additionally, you can donate your wedding dress fabric to charities that will repurpose it for various causes. For instance, the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accepts wedding dress donations and uses the fabric to create burial gowns for infants who have passed away, providing comfort to grieving families. Brides Across America is another nonprofit organization that accepts wedding dress donations and gives them to military, first responder, and front-line healthcare brides in need.
Repurposing your wedding dress fabric is a meaningful way to extend its life and create new memories while also supporting charitable causes.
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Frame it as art
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to preserve the memory of your special day and create a stunning piece of art. Here are some tips to help you frame your wedding dress:
Choose a Framing Service
You can opt for a professional framing service or a DIY approach. Professional framers, such as The Beautiful Frame Company and Russell Collins Art, offer full-size and half-size frames. They can also add accessories like veils, jewellery, and shoes to your display. Full-size frames typically start at £900, while half-size frames are less expensive. Russell Collins provides materials for self-mounting, ideal if you don't want to part with your dress during framing.
Prepare the Dress
Consider having your dress carefully preserved to ensure its longevity. This can include maintaining the pH balance, using museum-grade UV-protective glass, and stitching through seams to secure the dress. These measures will protect your dress from air pollutants, UV light, and other damage.
Select a Display Location
When choosing a display location, avoid areas with direct sunlight, opting instead for cool, dry environments. Ensure the chosen space allows for safe and secure wall mounting of the frame. Surprising spaces, such as behind a door opening, in a stairwell, or a walkway, can accommodate the frame, which is typically less than 30 cm deep.
Order and Install the Frame
After selecting your framing service, place your order and await delivery of the frame, which typically takes 4-6 weeks. Once received, fix the frame to the wall and carefully hang your dress and accessories inside.
By following these steps, you can transform your wedding dress into a beautiful piece of art, preserving your special memories for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to repurpose a wedding dress. Some people choose to dye it a new colour and transform it into a gown or cocktail dress, while others turn it into a piece of decor or a keepsake to cherish for generations.
There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations, including The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and local thrift stores. Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides for a Cause, and Brides Across America are also great options.
You can sell your wedding dress on eBay, Facebook, Gumtree, or Vinted.
It is recommended that you get your wedding dress cleaned before repurposing or donating it.
