Deborah Chan
A wedding dress is often a significant item of clothing, and it can be difficult to decide what to do with it after a divorce. Some people choose to keep their wedding dress, either because it holds sentimental value or because they want their children to decide what to do with it. Others decide to get rid of the dress, either by donating it to charity, selling it, or destroying it. Some people donate their dresses to organisations that make baby gowns for babies who were stillborn or died as infants. Others sell or give their dresses away to brides in need. Some people choose to destroy their wedding dresses as a symbolic way to move on from the marriage, such as by burning or shooting the dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep it | For sentimental reasons, or for children/grandchildren |
| Destroy it | Burn, shred with a shotgun, target practice |
| Sell it | Through Facebook Marketplace, jewellery stores |
| Donate it | Thrift shops, charities, organisations that provide dresses for brides in need, or that repurpose dresses for babies who were stillborn or died as infants |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity can be a great way to help someone in need. There are several organizations that accept wedding dress donations, each with its own unique mission and purpose.
One option is to donate your dress to an organization that provides wedding dresses to brides in need, regardless of their financial situation or size. Brides for a Cause, for example, operates showrooms across the country, offering affordable, sustainable, and charitable wedding dresses to nearlyweds, with profits going to women-focused nonprofit organizations.
Another option is to donate your dress to an organization that uses the material to create burial gowns for infants who have passed away, often referred to as Angel Gowns. Organizations such as The Emma and Evan Foundation and the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accept wedding dress donations and transform them into these memorial gowns, offering comfort and support to grieving families.
You could also consider donating your dress to a local thrift shop or resale store, such as Goodwill, whose proceeds go towards supporting various causes. For example, Adorned in Grace in Oregon and Arizona uses its profits to support efforts against sex trafficking, while Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland donates gowns to Success in Style, a nonprofit that assists clients in crisis.
Additionally, some organizations accept wedding dress donations to raise funds for specific causes. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for instance, resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Similarly, The Brides Project in Michigan donates proceeds from dress sales to the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, funding support groups, counseling services, and nutrition workshops.
When deciding where to donate your wedding dress, it is essential to research the charities and organizations in your area to find one that aligns with your values and interests. You can then contact them directly to understand their specific guidelines and procedures for donating your wedding dress.
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Destroy it
Destroying your wedding dress can be a powerful way to gain a sense of closure and move on from your divorce. Here are some ideas to consider if you choose to go down this route:
Burning
You could perform a ceremonial burning of your dress. Some people choose to do this on their own, while others turn it into a ritual with close friends, perhaps on the
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Pass it on
Passing on your wedding dress can be a great way to help others and find closure after a divorce. Here are some ideas for passing on your wedding dress:
Donate to a Worthy Cause
Many charities and organisations accept wedding dress donations to support various causes. Brides Across America, for instance, donates wedding gowns to military brides, veterans, and first responders. Adorned in Grace is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations to raise funds for the fight against human sex trafficking.
Additionally, some charities transform wedding dresses into baby gowns for infants who have passed away, providing comfort to grieving families. These organisations include NICU Helping Hands, which also offers mentoring programs and resources to support families through their loss.
Pass it Down
Passing down your wedding dress within your family can give it new life and create new memories. Some people have altered their wedding dresses for their children to wear at their own weddings, creating a meaningful connection between parent and child.
Give to a Friend or Neighbour
Consider giving your wedding dress to someone in your community. You can connect with neighbours through local giveaway sites or simply offer it to a friend. Your dress could be used for a Halloween costume or a post-divorce photo shoot, creating a fun and unique experience for someone else.
Theatrical Use
If you're ready to part ways with your wedding dress, consider donating it to a local high school or theatre group. They often require fancy clothing for their productions, and your dress could be the perfect addition to their costume collection.
Remember, passing on your wedding dress is a personal decision, and it's important to do what feels right for you. These suggestions offer a way to bring new meaning and purpose to your dress, helping others and potentially providing a sense of closure and healing.
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Keep it
Keeping your wedding dress after a divorce can be a difficult decision, especially if it holds painful memories. However, there are several reasons to consider keeping it.
Firstly, with time, your feelings towards the dress may change. While it may be too painful to keep the dress immediately after a divorce, you might find that years later, you associate the dress with happy memories, such as the joy you felt on your wedding day or the love you had for your partner. Keeping the dress gives you the option to revisit these memories in the future, even if you choose to store it out of sight for now.
Secondly, the dress may have sentimental value that is unrelated to your former partner. For example, if your mother made the dress, keeping it can be a way to cherish her love and craftsmanship. Similarly, if you purchased the dress with a close friend or relative, the dress can remind you of that bond.
Additionally, keeping the dress can provide options for future use. You may choose to alter the dress and wear it again for a special occasion, or pass it on to a family member who wishes to wear it for their wedding. You could also repurpose the dress into something else, such as costumes for children or grandchildren.
Lastly, keeping the dress can be a symbolic act of self-empowerment. Rather than destroying the dress or giving it away, you may find it therapeutic to keep it as a reminder of your strength and resilience in moving forward. Ultimately, the decision to keep, repurpose, or part with your wedding dress is a personal one, and it is essential to do what feels right for you.
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Sell it
Selling your wedding dress after a divorce can be a great way to give the dress a new life and bring in some extra money. If you're thinking of selling your wedding dress, here are some options to consider:
Online Marketplaces
You can list your wedding dress for sale on various online marketplaces. Websites like Stillwhite provide a safe conduit between sellers and purchasers, allowing you to connect with budget-minded brides looking for a dress within their financial means. Facebook Marketplace is another option, where you can list your dress for free or at a low cost. It's a great way to reach a wide audience and find someone who appreciates your dress as much as you once did.
Thrift Shops
Local thrift shops, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army, often accept wedding dress donations and may also be interested in purchasing them. Donating your dress to a thrift shop gives it a new purpose, and you may even benefit from a tax write-off. It's a way to help someone find a dress they love at an affordable price.
Bridal Shops
Some bridal shops, like Adorned in Grace, are non-profit organizations that use the proceeds from dress sales to support various causes. Adorned in Grace, for example, channels proceeds from dress sales into the fight against human trafficking, creating awareness and hosting charity auctions and events. Donating your dress to such organizations allows you to give your dress a new purpose while also contributing to a worthy cause.
Repurpose and Upcycle
If you're feeling creative, you can repurpose or upcycle your wedding dress into something new. You can transform it into an evening gown, cocktail attire, or even create smaller keepsakes like quilts or scarves. This option allows you to retain the dress in a new form, giving it a fresh start while also holding onto any sentimental value it may hold for you.
Selling your wedding dress after a divorce can be a liberating experience. It allows you to move forward while also providing an opportunity to bring joy to someone else's life, whether it's a bride-to-be or a charitable cause in need of support.
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Frequently asked questions
Some people choose to donate their wedding dress to charity, repurpose it for a photoshoot, or pass it on to a family member. Others may choose to sell their dress or give it away.
Charities such as Brides Across America and Adorned in Grace accept wedding dress donations. Brides Across America donates dresses to military brides, while Adorned in Grace uses the proceeds from the sale of donated dresses to fight human sex trafficking.
Some people may choose to burn or throw away their wedding dress to symbolically move on from their marriage.
