Junior Rasmussen
Deciding what to do with a wedding dress after a divorce can be a difficult and emotional decision. Some people choose to get rid of the dress by throwing it away, donating it, or selling it. Others may want to keep the dress, either because they have fond memories of the wedding or because they want to pass it on to a family member. Some people may also choose to do something symbolic with the dress, such as burning it or using it in a photoshoot to mark a new chapter in their life. Ultimately, the decision of what to do with a wedding dress after a divorce is a personal one and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep the dress | For sentimental reasons, or to pass down to children |
| Donate the dress | To a thrift shop, a local domestic violence resale shop, or an organization that makes gowns for babies who were stillborn or died as infants |
| Sell the dress | To a bride in need |
| Burn the dress | As a ritual of moving forward |
| Destroy the dress | Shooting it with a shotgun, using it as a Halloween costume, or throwing it away |
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What You'll Learn
Donate it to a charity that provides wedding dresses for brides in need
If you're looking to part ways with your wedding dress after a divorce, consider donating it to a charity that provides wedding dresses for brides in need. This way, your dress can bring joy to someone else's special day.
One such organisation is Brides Across America, which was started by bridal salon owner Heidi Janson. Heidi began by giving away 60 wedding dresses to military brides and now dedicates her time to empowering women in the military who have given up so much to support their spouses. To date, Brides Across America has donated over 24,000 wedding gowns to veterans and first responders.
Another organisation to consider is Adorned in Grace, a faith-based organisation that fights against human sex trafficking. If your wedding dress is no more than five years old, you can donate it to Adorned in Grace, and the proceeds from the sale of your gown will go towards helping survivors of human trafficking.
Additionally, you can look into organisations that transform wedding dresses into baby gowns for grieving families who have lost a newborn. Volunteer seamstresses from around the world participate in these programs, providing beautiful garments and offering free mentoring and resources to support families through their difficult time.
Before making a decision, it is important to give yourself time to process your emotions and decide what feels right for you. There is no rush to part with your wedding dress, and it is perfectly valid to keep it if it holds sentimental value.
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Pass it down to a family member
Passing down your wedding dress to a family member can be a great way to give the dress new life and create new memories. Here are some ideas for passing down your wedding dress after a divorce:
Alter the Dress for a Family Member's Wedding
If you have a family member getting married, consider offering them your wedding dress. They can choose to wear it as is or have it altered to fit their unique style and personality. This gesture can add a special touch to their wedding day and create a meaningful connection between you both.
Create Heirloom Pieces
Another option is to transform your wedding dress into heirloom pieces that can be passed down through generations. You can work with a seamstress to create christening gowns, communion dresses, or even wedding dress costumes for the children in your family. These pieces will not only hold sentimental value but also become cherished family heirlooms.
Pass Down the Fabric or Details
If the dress itself holds painful memories, consider salvaging parts of it, such as the fabric or specific details like buttons or lace. These can be used by a family member to create something new. For example, the fabric could be used to make a new dress or the lace could be incorporated into a veil for a family member's wedding.
Offer it to a Family Member for a Photo Shoot
A wedding dress can be worn again for a special photo shoot with family members. This can be a fun way to create new memories and capture beautiful moments with loved ones. The photos can become cherished keepsakes, celebrating the present while honouring the past.
Donate for a Special Cause
If you're not ready to part with your dress but want to help others, consider donating your wedding dress to a worthy cause. Organisations like Brides Across America and Adorned in Grace accept wedding dress donations to support veterans, first responders, and the fight against human sex trafficking. Your donation can make a significant impact on these causes while also providing an opportunity for someone in need to wear a beautiful gown.
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Burn it as a symbolic ritual of moving forward
Burning your wedding dress can be a powerful ritual to symbolise moving forward after a divorce. This ritual can be done privately or with a small group of friends and family.
If you wish to involve others, you can ask them to witness the burning of the dress. You can also ask them to share blessings and perform other rituals with you, such as lighting individual candles to symbolise your new, independent life.
You can also incorporate other symbolic items in the burning ritual. For instance, you can build an effigy stuffed with items that remind you of your ex-spouse and drape the wedding dress over it before setting it on fire. Alternatively, you can burn other symbolic items alongside the dress, such as a chain, to symbolise being "unshackled and free".
The burning ritual can be adapted to your unique situation and preferences. For example, you can cut the dress into pieces before burning it, or use a shotgun to blow it to shreds.
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Sell it or give it away online
If you're looking to sell or give away your wedding dress online, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could list the dress on various online platforms or groups. For example, you could try selling it on websites commonly used for selling second-hand items, such as eBay or Craigslist. Alternatively, you could explore dedicated online marketplaces for wedding dresses, such as Stillwhite or PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, which specialise in connecting buyers and sellers of used wedding dresses.
Another option is to utilise social media platforms and their various groups and pages. Facebook, for instance, has groups specifically for separated or divorced individuals, such as the "Life-Saving Divorce" group, where you can connect with others in similar situations and potentially sell or give away your dress. Additionally, neighbourhood giveaway sites on Facebook or other platforms can be a great way to find engaged individuals in your local community who may be interested in your dress.
If you're looking to donate your dress, there are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations for various causes. For instance, Brides Across America donates wedding dresses to military brides, veterans, and first responders. Adorned in Grace is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations and uses the proceeds to fight human sex trafficking. If you're interested in helping families who have lost a newborn, you can donate your dress to be transformed into beautiful baby gowns for their final journey home through programs such as the Angel Gown Program.
While selling or giving away your wedding dress online can be a practical option, it's important to give yourself time and make sure you're emotionally ready to part with it.
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Reuse the fabric to create something new
There are many ways to reuse the fabric of a wedding dress to create something new. Here are some ideas:
Donate to a Worthy Cause
Donating your wedding dress to a charity or organization is a beautiful way to give new life to the fabric. Many organizations accept wedding dress donations and repurpose them for various causes. For example, Brides Across America donates wedding gowns to military brides, veterans, and first responders. Another organization, Adorned in Grace, accepts dresses that are no more than five years old and uses the proceeds from the sale of the gowns to fight human sex trafficking.
Transform into Baby Gowns
Some charities, like the Angel Gown Program, accept donated wedding dresses and transform them into beautiful baby gowns for grieving families who have lost a newborn. This provides comfort and a special garment for the baby's final journey home.
Create Heirloom Pieces
If you have children, you can reuse the fabric of your wedding dress to create something new for them to cherish. For example, you could alter the dress to create a new wedding dress for your daughter or create cute wedding dress costumes for your grandchildren, as mentioned in some personal stories shared online.
Make Something for Yourself
If you want to keep the fabric of your wedding dress but don't want the dress in its original form, you can reuse the fabric to create something new for yourself. For example, you could design and sew a new garment, such as a blouse or a skirt, from the fabric. Alternatively, you could use the fabric to create accessories like a scarf or a bag.
Upcycle into Home Decor
Another option is to upcycle the fabric of your wedding dress into something decorative for your home. For example, you could create wall hangings, pillowcases, or a quilt. This way, you can still enjoy the fabric and give it a new purpose in your daily life.
Remember, taking your time to decide what to do with your wedding dress after a divorce is important. There is no rush to make a decision, and you can always store the dress for a while until you feel ready to transform it into something new.
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Frequently asked questions
Some people choose to donate their wedding dress to charity, give it away, or sell it. Others opt for more symbolic actions, such as burning the dress or destroying it in another way.
Brides Across America is an organisation that gives away wedding dresses to military brides. Adorned in Grace accepts dresses that are no older than five years and uses them to fund the fight against human sex trafficking. Another organisation provides families with baby gowns for their final journey home after losing a newborn in the NICU.
Keeping the dress out of sight for a few years before deciding what to do with it might be a good idea. Time can help heal wounds and allow you to detach the dress from your ex-partner.
If you want to keep your dress but don't want to hold onto it physically, consider altering it and wearing it again for a special occasion, such as a photoshoot. You could also pass it on to a family member who may want to wear it for their own wedding or use it to create costumes.
If you want to detach the dress from your ex-partner, consider reframing the dress as a symbol of your love for your family or a token of your mother's love, especially if she was involved in the dress's creation.
