George Boyle
Your wedding dress is one of the most important and memorable items from your big day, but what happens to it after the celebrations are over? There are several options to consider, from repurposing the dress into a new garment or homeware item, to donating it to a worthy cause, or even selling it to recoup some of the costs. If you're keen to hold onto your dress, you could opt for professional preservation services to maintain its beauty, or display it as a unique piece of art in your home. With a bit of creativity and sentiment, your wedding dress can continue to bring joy long after your wedding day.
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What You'll Learn
Donate it to a charity or thrift store
Donating your wedding dress to charity or a thrift store is a great way to give your dress a new lease of life and help someone else create their own special memories. It is a practical option if you don't have the space or inclination to keep your dress, and it can also be a tax-deductible gift.
There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations. Brides Across America, for example, is a non-profit that gives wedding gowns to military and first responder brides. Brides Against Breast Cancer accepts donations and resells the dresses, with all proceeds going to breast cancer charities. Brides for a Cause is another non-profit that accepts wedding dress donations and uses the proceeds to support various causes.
If you don't have a specific charity in mind, you can consider donating to your local thrift store. They may be in need of a white gown, and you'll be making a bride-to-be very happy. You could also look into organisations like Every Girl's Dream in Michigan, which accepts wedding gowns and evening wear for brides facing financial hardship. Operation Prom and Cinderella's Closet accept wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and even groomsmen tuxedos to help those in need.
Donating your wedding dress is a wonderful way to give back and ensure your dress continues to spread joy.
Where Can I Sell My Wedding Dress?
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Sell it online or to a dress shop
If you're looking to make some money from your wedding dress, selling it online or to a dress shop are both great options.
Selling Your Dress Online
If you want to sell your wedding dress online, there are several platforms you can use. Nearly Newlywed is a popular platform for selling preowned wedding dresses, and they will even clean your gown as part of the selling process. You could also try selling your dress on eBay.
Selling Your Dress to a Shop
There are plenty of dress shops that will purchase your wedding dress for resale. Brides Against Breast Cancer (BABC) is one such organisation. They accept wedding dress donations, which they then resell, with all proceeds going to breast cancer charities. Another option is Brides for a Cause, a non-profit organisation that accepts wedding dress donations and uses the proceeds to raise money for various causes.
Preparing Your Dress for Sale
Before you sell your wedding dress, it's a good idea to have it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. This will ensure your dress looks its best for its new owner. When choosing a cleaner, opt for one experienced with wedding gowns, and consider using a safe-ship DressBox to transport your dress.
Other Options for Your Wedding Dress
If you decide not to sell your wedding dress, there are several other options to consider. You could have it professionally preserved, donate it to a bride in need, or repurpose it into something new, such as a christening gown, lingerie, or a tote bag.
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Get it professionally preserved
If you want to preserve your wedding dress professionally, the first step is to get it cleaned by a professional cleaner experienced with wedding gowns. This will ensure that any stains or smudges are removed, and your dress is in the best possible condition before preservation. Wedding dress preservation services specialize in cleaning and preserving wedding gowns to prevent yellowing, oxidation, and permanent creasing.
When choosing a container for your dress, opt for an acid-free box or a breathable garment bag made of cotton or a similar material. Avoid using plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and damage the fabric. If storing your dress in a box, use acid-free tissue paper between the folds to prevent creasing.
The ideal storage location for your wedding dress is a cool, dry, and dark place. Attics, basements, and garages should be avoided, as the temperature and humidity fluctuations can damage the dress over time. It is also important to regularly inspect your dress and refold it along different lines to prevent permanent creases.
Another unique preservation method is to frame a portion of your wedding dress or display the entire gown in a shadow box along with other wedding mementos, such as your veil, invitation, and photographs. This allows you to showcase your dress as a sentimental art piece while also preserving it for the future.
If you are considering professional preservation, it is worth researching and comparing different preservation services to find one that suits your specific needs and budget.
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Turn it into a christening gown
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress into a christening gown, there are a few options available to you. You could opt to do it yourself, or you could use a service that will transform your dress for you.
If you're a dab hand with a needle and thread, you could take on the project of making your wedding dress into a christening gown. You'll first want to plan your design and clip some fabric samples from an inconspicuous area of the dress to help you narrow down your material choices. Once you have your design planned out, you can start deconstructing the wedding dress. You'll want to use the highest-quality materials you can afford, and be sure to use small pins, only pinning in the area of the seam allowance to avoid damaging the fabric. You can cut each piece in a single layer to ensure everything is lined up, and cut overlay fabric longer than the lining to allow for hemming. Sewing sample swatches before sewing the actual gown will help you avoid simple mistakes, and be sure to sew with the gathered side on top to prevent fabric jams.
If you'd rather leave it to the professionals, there are services that will transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for you. Unbox the Dress is one such service, which offers a custom-designed, hand-constructed christening gown with attention to detail. The process can take up to 15 weeks, so be sure to start the transformation process at least three months in advance of any specific event.
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Repurpose it into a piece of art
If you're not ready to part with your wedding dress, you can repurpose it into a piece of art. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Framing
Framing your wedding dress is a great way to display it as a piece of art in your home. Companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing will work with you to frame your wedding gown. You can even include other wedding mementos, such as your veil, invitation, and photographs, in a shadow box display. This way, you can relive the memories of your special day every time you glance at the framed dress.
Wall Hanging
If you have the space, consider hanging your wedding dress on a wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder. This idea is especially suitable if you don't plan on wearing the dress again and want to admire it every day.
Transform it into a New Garment
You can transform your wedding dress into a new garment, such as a christening gown for your child, a bespoke set of lingerie, a fashionable face mask, or a garter for your child's future wedding. This way, you can continue to wear a piece of your wedding day and create new memories with the dress.
Create Home Decor Items
Your wedding dress can be repurposed into various home decor items, such as pillows, quilts, or a wall hanging. You can also create a unique tote bag or handbag using the fabric, incorporating details like beads and crystals. These items will not only be practical but also carry the sentimentality of your wedding day.
Remember, when repurposing your wedding dress, it's essential to have it professionally cleaned and preserved to ensure it looks its best for its second life.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for repurposing your wedding dress. You can turn it into a christening gown for your baby, a fashionable face mask, a bag, a quilt, lingerie, a garter, or a keepsake. You can also frame it or display it in a shadow box.
First, have your dress professionally dry-cleaned as soon as possible after the wedding. Then, store it in a cool, dry, dark place in an acid-free box or a breathable garment bag made of cotton or similar material. Check on your dress periodically to ensure no issues are developing, and refold it along different lines every year to prevent permanent creases.
Brides Across America (BAA) is a non-profit organisation that gives wedding gowns to military and first responder brides. Brides Against Breast Cancer (BABC) accepts wedding dress donations and resells them, with all proceeds going to breast cancer charities. Brides For A Cause (BFAC) is another non-profit that accepts wedding dress donations.
There are dress shops that will purchase your dress for resale, or you can sell it yourself on platforms like Nearly Newlywed or eBay.
