Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dresses are often expensive and hold a lot of sentimental value, so it's no surprise that many brides struggle to decide what to do with their dress after the big day. While some brides choose to keep their dress, either to pass it on to someone else or to enjoy looking at it whenever they wish, others prefer to sell, donate or repurpose their dress. In this article, we'll explore the various options available to brides who are unsure about what to do with their wedding dress after their nuptials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep | For sentimental reasons, as a family heirloom, for future children or grandchildren |
| Repurpose | Dye, alter or shorten to wear on other occasions, turn into home decor, a christening gown, or other keepsakes |
| Donate | To charity, organisations like Brides Across America, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, Cherished Gowns UK, Wish For a Wedding, etc. |
| Sell | On a resale or consignment service |
| Frame | Using a company like The Beautiful Frame Company or Outrageous Framing, or as a DIY project |
| Preserve | Professionally, for example, by Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot, or at home using acid-free tissue paper and avoiding damp or harsh light/temperatures |
| Trash | Have a photoshoot in unique settings like a pool, beach, farm, or field of flowers, or let kids paint the dress |
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What You'll Learn
- Sell it online, in a shop or through a specialist wedding dress marketplace
- Donate it to a charity shop or a cause that helps brides in financial hardship
- Repurpose it into a garment, such as a mini dress, or home decor
- Get it professionally cleaned and preserved in a box or frame
- Keep it as it is to pass on to someone else or re-wear for a special occasion
Sell it online, in a shop or through a specialist wedding dress marketplace
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress online, it's worth listing it on multiple platforms to increase your chances of a sale. Stillwhite, Borrowing Magnolia, eBay, and SellMyWeddingDress.org are all websites that offer this service. Each platform has its own customer demographics and rules around commission, verification, and shipping, so it's worth researching which one will work best for you. For example, eBay charges a 15% commission for items under $2000 and 9% for pricier items, while Stillwhite, Borrowing Magnolia, and SellMyWeddingDress.org do not charge commission.
To create a listing, you'll need clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle, and it may also be worth including some close-up shots of any intricate details, such as antique buttons or beaded straps. You could also model the dress yourself so that potential buyers can see how it fits. A detailed description of the garment, including accurate measurements and information on any wear and tear, is also important. Videos are another great way to showcase your dress and can be especially useful for showing off how the dress moves and sparkles.
If you'd prefer to sell your dress in person, consignment shops are a great option. Look for ones in your area with a fashion focus, as they will be more likely to take your gown and attract customers who are looking for a wedding dress. If your wedding dress is 20 years or older, you may also be able to sell it to a vintage store. Happy Isles is a vintage and used wedding dress store with locations in Los Angeles and New York, although they also offer worldwide shipping if you can't make it to the store in person.
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Donate it to a charity shop or a cause that helps brides in financial hardship
Donating your wedding dress to a charity shop or a cause that supports brides facing financial hardship is a thoughtful way to give your dress a second life and help someone in need. There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations to support brides who cannot afford their dream dress.
Brides Across America is one such organisation, providing wedding dresses to military brides-to-be. Brides for a Cause is another option; they accept wedding dress donations, resell them, and use the proceeds to raise money for various causes. Every Girl's Dream in Michigan also accepts wedding dress donations and gives them to brides-to-be facing financial hardship.
If you're looking to support a cause that helps brides specifically, Wish For a Wedding is a wonderful organisation that provides dream weddings for couples dealing with terminal illness. They accept wedding dress donations for terminally ill brides and offer support throughout the wedding planning process.
Donating your wedding dress is a meaningful way to give back and ensure your dress brings joy to someone else.
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Repurpose it into a garment, such as a mini dress, or home decor
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress into a garment, you can consider altering it into a more wearable piece of clothing, such as a mini dress or a two-piece set. This way, you can wear it again and again, and even surprise your partner by wearing it on your first anniversary. You can work with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new garment that you can cherish for years to come.
Another option is to transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for your baby, or even a bridal robe or bouquet wrap for your wedding day if you're planning to pass down your dress to the next generation. You can also create new traditions by repurposing your wedding dress into holiday decorations, such as Christmas tree skirts, angel tree toppers, or guardian angel ornaments.
If you're feeling creative and want to take on the task yourself, you can use the fabric from your wedding dress to make a variety of garments or home decor items. You can also add finishing touches like jewelry or accessories to make the new piece even more special.
There are also companies like Unbox the Dress™ that can help you repurpose your wedding dress into a variety of bespoke keepsakes, including modern bridal gifts and family heirlooms. The process typically takes around 15 weeks, and they offer design consultations to help you decide on the best way to transform your dress.
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Get it professionally cleaned and preserved in a box or frame
Wedding dresses are delicate and intricate garments that are prone to yellowing, oxidation, and other forms of damage if not treated and stored properly right after the wedding. Professional cleaning and preservation can help prevent this damage and preserve your dress for future generations.
If you want to get your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved, the first step is to find a dry cleaner that uses a solvent that is gentle and pure enough for a gown. Regular dry cleaning might contain impurities that can leave your dress with a strange smell. Wedding dress cleaning and preservation should only be done by professionals who specialize in cleaning gowns.
The Wedding Gown Preservation Kit™ is an example of a company that specializes in conservation cleaning and the preservation of wedding dresses. They have helped over 3 million brides since 1913 and offer a 100-year guarantee. Their process includes proven shipping, cleaning, and preservation steps to ensure the safety of your dress.
After professional cleaning, the next step is preservation. Preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the garment will retain its quality for years to come. It is not as simple as dry cleaning the gown, putting it inside a box, and handing it back to the bride. It is important to note that wedding dress preservation should not be done in an airtight box.
When it comes to storing your preserved dress, it is best to keep it in a cool, dark place away from humidity. Your closet or under your bed are good options. It is also important to avoid storing your wedding dress in a plastic bag as this can lead to further damage from moisture, bugs, and oxidation.
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Keep it as it is to pass on to someone else or re-wear for a special occasion
If you're looking to keep your wedding dress in its current state to pass it on to someone else or re-wear it for a special occasion, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, it is highly recommended to get your wedding dress professionally cleaned before storing it away. Even if it appears clean, there may be invisible dirt or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. A professional dry cleaner that specialises in bridal wear will use specialised techniques to remove any stains and ensure that your wedding gown is in pristine condition before storage.
When choosing a dry cleaner, it is important to ask questions about their training, experience, and the cleaning process they use. Ensure that the dry cleaner uses a solvent that is gentle and pure enough for a wedding gown. Regular dry cleaning solvents may contain impurities that can leave your dress with an unpleasant smell.
Once your dress is cleaned, be careful when handling it. It is recommended to have clean hands or wear white gloves to prevent any oils from transferring onto the gown. You should also inspect the dress for any loose threads, missing buttons, or embellishments that need fixing.
When it comes to storing your wedding dress, avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes as they can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mould or mildew growth. Instead, use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your dress, which will help protect the fabric and prevent creases. You can then place the wrapped dress in a cloth garment bag or an acid-free, lignin-free wedding dress storage box designed for preservation.
The storage location is also important. Choose a cool, dry, and dark place, such as the top shelf of your closet, to keep your dress safe. Avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration. It is also important to keep your dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time. Remember to check on your dress regularly, ideally every six months, to inspect for any signs of damage or pests.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your wedding dress remains in excellent condition for future wear or for passing it on to someone special.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options for what to do with your wedding dress after your wedding. You could repurpose it into a new garment, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You could also donate it to a charity, such as Brides Across America, which gives wedding dresses to military brides-to-be, or sell it online or at a local consignment shop. If you want to keep your dress as a memento, you could get it professionally cleaned and preserved or display it in a shadow box or frame.
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress. You could work with a tailor or seamstress to alter it into a new garment, such as a mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You could also use the fabric to create keepsake items such as handkerchiefs, pillows, or lingerie. If you're feeling crafty, you could even turn it into a work of art or donate it to a local theater or costume shop.
Both selling and donating your wedding dress are great options. Selling your dress can help you recoup some of the costs and allow another bride to enjoy it. You can find many online sites and local consignment shops that sell used wedding dresses. Donating your dress, on the other hand, is a thoughtful way to give back and spread joy to another bride. There are many organizations that welcome wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America and Brides for a Cause.
If you want to preserve your wedding dress, it's recommended to get it professionally cleaned and preserved. This can cost up to $1,000, but it will ensure that stains and blemishes are removed and that your dress is properly packaged in a preservation box. You can also display your dress in a shadow box or frame, but be sure to use acid-free tissue paper and keep it away from harsh light and temperatures.
