Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often preserved as mementos, passed down through generations, or kept for their nostalgic value. However, if you're looking to do something new with your old wedding dress, there are several options to consider. You can donate it to a charitable cause, such as Brides Across America, which provides free wedding dresses to military members and spouses, or have it transformed into a christening gown, a bridal robe, or other accessories. You could also opt for professional cleaning and preservation services or explore custom restyling to upcycle the dress. The decision to keep, donate, or repurpose an old wedding dress depends on individual preferences and the sentimental value attached to the gown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep | Nostalgic value, family heirloom |
| Donate | To charitable causes, to brides in need, to organisations that make burial gowns for infants |
| Repurpose | Transform into new items, e.g. christening gowns, headbands, bracelets, bags, cushion covers, pillow slips, photo frames, purses, ornaments |
| Sell | Raise money for various causes |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to the community and help others in need. Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. Since 2012, they have collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the country. You can donate your dress by mail or drop it off at one of their locations. They accept new and once-worn dresses that are less than five years old.
Another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations is Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. The company has sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses and is dedicated to helping people detect breast cancer earlier and prevent misdiagnosis.
If you're looking to support military members and first responders, Brides Across America is a great option. They pass on donated wedding dresses for free to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year. To donate, fill out their online form with details about your gown, veil, and jewellery.
For those interested in supporting families facing infant loss, The Emma and Evan Foundation accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into Angel Gowns, or burial gowns for infants. These memorial gowns are offered to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge.
Donating your wedding dress is a selfless and generous act that can make a significant impact on someone else's life. It is a great way to free up closet space, receive a tax deduction, and bring joy to someone else on their special day.
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Transform into accessories
There are many ways to transform your wedding dress into accessories. You can either do it yourself or enlist the help of professionals.
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can turn your dress into accessories that you can use and cherish. You can create a range of creative accessories, such as headbands, bracelets, bags, cushion covers, pillow slips, and more. You can also create household items like baby blankets, bassinet covers, or christening gowns, adding a sentimental touch to these keepsakes. For inspiration, platforms like Pinterest and Etsy offer endless DIY ideas and visuals.
If you prefer to seek professional assistance, companies like Unbox the Dress™ can transform your wedding dress into bespoke accessories and keepsakes. They offer a range of services, from custom restyling to creating one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces. Their talented team can guide you through the process, ensuring your wedding dress fabric is transformed into cherished accessories.
Additionally, you can repurpose your wedding dress into accessories for special occasions. Simplifying certain details, such as removing lace, beading, or sleeves, can make your dress more versatile for multiple wears. Shortening your dress to ankle, midi, or mini length can also give it a new lease of life, allowing you to style it differently and wear it to various events.
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Create new clothing
If you're looking to create new clothing from your old wedding dress, there are a variety of options to consider. Firstly, you could transform it into a wearable garment that you can cherish and wear again. This could be a charming mini dress, a two-piece set, or even a robe that you can enjoy on your wedding anniversaries. Working with a tailor or seamstress can help bring your vision to life and ensure the final piece is to your taste.
Another idea is to repurpose your wedding dress into multiple garments. For instance, you could turn the structured top into a corset-style top, which can be paired with jeans or other dresses. You could also create custom bridal sneakers, a bomber jacket, or a ring bearer pillow. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can get creative and experiment with different looks.
If you're looking to pass on your wedding dress to future generations, consider transforming it into a christening gown or a flower girl dress. This way, the dress can be cherished by your loved ones and become a family heirloom. You could also use the fabric to create baby blankets, bassinet covers, or pillows, which would make for sentimental keepsakes.
For those who are environmentally conscious, recycling your wedding dress is a great option. You can dye the dress a new colour and transform it into a cocktail dress or a gown for special occasions. This way, you're giving your wedding dress a new lease of life while also reducing waste.
Lastly, if you're feeling generous, you could donate your wedding dress to various organisations such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill. Your dress can become someone's "something old" on their wedding day, bringing them joy and creating new memories. Alternatively, you can sell your wedding dress on platforms like Still White, Nearly Newlywed, or clothing resale apps like Vinted or Depop.
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Make home decor
If you're looking to repurpose your old wedding dress into home decor, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could transform it into decorative pillowcases or cushion covers, adding a touch of elegance to your living room or bedroom. The fabric from your wedding dress can be used to create beautiful white satin, silk, or lace covers, preserving the memories of your special day while refreshing your home decor.
Another idea is to create a unique wall hanging or tapestry from your wedding dress fabric. You can showcase the intricate details of the dress, such as the lace or embroidery, by incorporating them into a wall hanging that becomes a conversation piece in your home. Consider framing a portion of the dress to create a stylish and sentimental piece of art.
If you're feeling crafty, you could also use the fabric to create decorative ornaments. For example, you could design delicate fabric hearts or other shapes adorned with beads or embroidery. These ornaments can be hung from shelves, doorknobs, or even the Christmas tree during the holidays, adding a personal touch to your home decor.
Additionally, you can repurpose your wedding dress into elegant window treatments. Sheer or lace fabric from the dress can be used to create unique curtain panels or valances, infusing a romantic and ethereal vibe into your space. Alternatively, you could use the fabric to craft decorative tiebacks for your existing curtains, adding a subtle touch of your wedding memories to the window dressings.
Lastly, don't forget that you can also commission professionals or collaborate with craftspeople like those at Unbox the Dress to transform your wedding dress into home decor items. Whether it's creating a custom table runner, a decorative throw blanket, or even incorporating elements into a lampshade, there are endless possibilities for turning your old wedding dress into cherished home decor pieces that you can enjoy and pass down for years to come.
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$13.99 $17.49
Pass down to family
Passing down a wedding dress to a family member is a beautiful way to start a family tradition and allows younger loved ones to feel more connected to you and your family history. It can also be a great option for those whose dresses are outdated or no longer fit.
Before passing down your wedding dress, consider having it professionally cleaned and preserved to ensure it stays in pristine condition. This process demands careful attention to detail and should be entrusted to a professional cleaner who specialises in bridal gowns. They will have the necessary expertise to handle delicate fabrics, intricate lacework, and ornate beadwork without causing harm.
When passing down the dress, consider whether the recipient may want to alter it to make it more modern. They might also want to use parts of the dress as family heirlooms, such as a ring pillow or a handkerchief to wrap around a bridal bouquet. You could also pass down the entire dress to be used as a christening gown for a new baby.
If you are the recipient of a passed-down wedding dress, you may want to alter it to make it more modern or turn it into a wearable garment. You could work with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new piece of clothing, such as a charming mini dress or a two-piece set. You could even create a robe to enjoy a piece of your family's history every morning and night.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for what to do with an old wedding dress. You could repurpose it, for example, by cutting the fabric and making cushion covers, pillowcases, headbands, bracelets, bags, or even a christening gown for a new baby. You could also donate it to a charitable cause, such as Brides Across America, which provides free wedding dresses to military members and spouses, or The Emma and Evan Foundation, which transforms dresses into burial gowns for infants. Alternatively, you could keep your dress, perhaps having it professionally cleaned and preserved.
You could repurpose your wedding dress by cutting it up and creating new items with the fabric. For example, you could make headbands, bracelets, bags, cushion covers, or pillowcases. You could also transform your dress into a christening gown for a new baby in the family, or a bridal robe for your daughter. If you don't want to cut up your dress, you could instead pass it down to a family member, such as a daughter or niece, for them to wear on their wedding day.
There are several organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including:
- Brides Across America
- Cherie Sustainable Bridal
- The Emma and Evan Foundation
- Brides for a Cause
