Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are often a big deal for brides—they are usually the most expensive item of clothing one buys and are often chosen with care and with the help of friends and family. It is therefore understandable that many brides are at a loss for what to do with their wedding dresses after their wedding day. Some brides choose to sell their dresses, either to recoup some money or to let another bride enjoy the dress. Others donate their dresses to brides in need, or to organisations that repurpose the dresses into gowns for infants who have passed away. Brides who are attached to their dresses may choose to preserve them with the help of professionals, or repurpose them into other items such as lingerie, cocktail attire, or home decor.
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What You'll Learn
Donate it to a charity or individual
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back and allow another bride to experience the magic you felt on your wedding day. There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which provides wedding dresses to military brides in need. Every Girl's Dream in Michigan accepts wedding gowns and evening wear for brides facing financial difficulties, while Operation Prom and Cinderella's Closet accept wedding and bridesmaid dresses, as well as groomsmen tuxedos, to help dress those in need.
Another option is to donate your wedding dress to a charity that transforms the dresses into gowns for grieving families who have lost babies, such as the Angel Gown Program or Baby Gowns for Eternity. This provides families with something beautiful to bury their infants in. Brides for a Cause is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations; they resell the dresses and use the proceeds to raise money for various causes.
If you'd prefer to donate your dress to an individual, you can join a Facebook group such as Shared Dream Dresses, where people pass on their dresses for free to brides-to-be. Donating your dress to an individual allows you to connect with the recipient and directly witness the joy it brings them.
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Sell it online or in a shop
Selling your wedding dress online or in a shop is a great way to recoup some of the money you spent on it, and it can be an easy process. There are many online sites to sell your wedding dress, such as Nearly Newlywed, or you can look for local consignment shops.
Before putting your dress up for sale, it's a good idea to get it cleaned to remove any stains, smudges, or dirt from the wedding. This will ensure it looks its best for its second life. Some online platforms, such as Nearly Newlywed, will even clean your dress as part of the selling process.
If you're looking to sell your dress online, you can use a platform like eBay or a second-hand dress company. You could also consider loaning your dress to another bride, either to a friend or stranger, and then getting it back to cherish forever.
Selling your wedding dress can be a great option if you don't want it sitting around the house, or if you want to see it used and enjoyed again. It can also be a good choice if you feel less sentimental about the gown now that the wedding is over.
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Repurpose it into another garment
If you're not ready to part with your wedding dress but know you'll never wear it again, repurposing it into another garment is a great option. This way, you can still hold onto the sentimentality of the dress while also getting more use out of it.
One idea is to transform your wedding dress into a shorter, more contemporary version to mark your anniversary. You could also dye it a different colour to give it a new lease of life. Alternatively, you could turn it into a formal dress for different occasions. If you're planning on having children, you could repurpose your wedding dress into a christening gown for your baby.
If you're not keen on the idea of wearing your wedding dress again, you could turn it into a robe, a clutch, or even a Christmas tree skirt. You could also save some of the fabric to repurpose into other items in the future. For example, you could turn it into custom lingerie, handkerchiefs, pillows, or even a costume for a school play.
Before repurposing your wedding dress, it's a good idea to get it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. That way, it can look its best for its second life.
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Get it professionally cleaned and preserved
Wedding dresses are often a big deal for brides, with a lot of emotions and money invested in them. It is therefore understandable that you may want to preserve your wedding dress after your wedding. Getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved is a great way to ensure that it remains in good condition and can be cherished for years to come.
Professional cleaning and preservation of your wedding dress are important for removing any stains, dirt, or blemishes accumulated during your wedding festivities. These imperfections can permanently damage your dress if left untreated. Professional cleaners are trained to spot and deal with any stains on your dress, from mud on the hem to berry compote from your wedding cake. They will carefully clean and treat your gown, removing any impurities that may cause a strange smell or discolouration.
After cleaning, your dress will be packaged in a preservation box to protect it from the environment. It is important to note that your dress should not be stored in an airtight box, as this is not recommended by expert clothing conservationists. Instead, choose a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet, to store your dress. This will ensure a stable and predictable environment for your dress.
By getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved, you can safeguard its beauty and sentimental value. This option is perfect for brides who want to hold onto their dress and the memories associated with it. You can also pass it on to someone else down the line, such as a daughter or another family member, ensuring that your dress continues to be cherished for generations.
Overall, professional cleaning and preservation of your wedding dress is a great way to ensure its longevity and protect it from damage. This option allows you to hold onto a cherished memento of your special day and create new memories with it in the future.
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Display it as a piece of art
If you're looking to display your wedding dress as a piece of art, there are several options to consider. One option is to get your dress professionally framed and hang it on your wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your wedding day. Companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing offer this service. Alternatively, you could display your dress in a shadow box, which will allow you to admire it and recall your wedding memories each time you enter the room.
Another option is to turn your wedding dress into a work of art by having it sketched or painted. You can commission a custom wedding portrait or illustration from artists on platforms like Etsy, who will create a one-of-a-kind piece of art based on your dress. These artworks can be hung on your wall, providing a unique and creative way to display your dress and preserve your wedding memories.
Before displaying your dress, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or blemishes accumulated during the wedding festivities. This will ensure that your dress looks its best and is safeguarded from potential damage or discolouration over time.
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Frequently asked questions
You have several options for what to do with your wedding dress post-wedding. You could repurpose it into another garment, such as a short dress, a two-piece set, a robe, or lingerie. You could also turn it into a keepsake item, such as a handkerchief, pillow, or artwork. Other options include selling, donating, or preserving it.
You can work with a tailor or seamstress to create a new garment out of your wedding dress fabric. Lovell Cox, for example, specializes in giving gowns a second life and works with brides one-on-one to create custom dresses.
You can get your wedding dress professionally preserved by a company like Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot. They will clean, treat, and package your gown in a preservation box to protect it from the environment.
You can sell your wedding dress online on sites like Nearly Newlywed or in local consignment shops. You can also list it on sites that specifically deal in reselling wedding dresses, such as Sell My Wedding Dress.
You can donate your wedding dress to a charity shop or an organization like The Brides Project. There is also a Facebook group called "Shared Dream Dresses" where you can pass on your dress for free to another bride.
