Deborah Chan
There are many options for what women can do with their wedding dresses after the big day. Some women choose to keep their dresses, either to enjoy looking at them or with the hope of passing them on to someone else. Others decide to repurpose their dresses, either by altering them into new garments, such as shorter dresses, robes, or lingerie, or by using the fabric to create other items, such as handkerchiefs, pillows, or décor. Some women choose to sell their dresses, either directly to another bride or through a specialist marketplace or consignment shop. There are also many charities that accept wedding dress donations, either reselling them and donating the proceeds to charity or giving them to brides-to-be facing financial hardship. Finally, some women choose to have their dresses professionally cleaned and preserved, either by storing them in a preservation box or by framing them as artwork.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep the wedding dress | Sentimental reasons, to be used again in the future, or put on display |
| Repurpose the wedding dress | Into another garment, home décor, or art |
| Donate the wedding dress | To organisations like Brides Across America, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, or thrift stores |
| Sell the wedding dress | To earn back some money |
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What You'll Learn
Repurpose it into décor
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress into décor, there are several options to choose from. You can turn your wedding dress into a range of creative household items and accessories. For example, you can craft baby blankets, bassinet covers, or christening gowns from the fabric of your wedding dress. You can also create something that you'll use frequently, like pillows, tablecloths, table runners, or napkins. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can even turn your dress into a cosy quilt or a unique ring pillow using lace, sparkles, and tulle from your gown.
Another idea is to repurpose your wedding dress into a shorter garment that you can wear again, such as a charming mini dress or a two-piece set. You can then surprise your partner by wearing it on your first anniversary. You could also turn your wedding dress into a robe, allowing you to enjoy a piece of your wedding day each morning and night.
If you're looking for a more artistic approach, you can frame your wedding gown and hang it on your wall as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your wedding day. Alternatively, you can use elements from your dress to decorate the cover of your wedding scrapbook or photo album, reliving your special day with every flip of the page.
If you're unsure about tackling these projects on your own, you can seek inspiration from Pinterest and Etsy for endless DIY ideas and visuals. You can also consult with professionals, such as Unbox The Dress, a company that specialises in creating one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces from your wedding gown fabric.
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Get it framed
Framing a wedding dress is a great way to preserve the dress and display it as a work of art. There are a few companies that offer wedding dress framing services, such as The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing. These companies can work with you to choose or design the perfect frame for your dress and turn it into a timeless piece of art to hang on your wall.
Before framing your wedding dress, it is important to have it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or smudges. This will ensure that your dress looks its best and is properly preserved for its second life as a framed piece.
Framing a wedding dress can be expensive, especially if you choose a custom frame or a large frame to accommodate the dress's size. It is also important to consider the weight of the frame, as a glass frame can be very heavy. Acrylic is a good alternative to glass, but non-glare acrylic can be very expensive.
If you are handy and want to save money, you may be able to frame your wedding dress yourself. However, it is important to consider the cost of materials and the time and effort involved in the process. You will need to order a frame, mat, mat board, backing, and hardware, and ensure that you have the necessary tools and skills to mount and seal the frame properly.
Whether you choose to hire a professional or do it yourself, framing your wedding dress is a unique way to display and preserve your special garment for years to come.
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Donate it to someone in need
Donating your wedding dress to someone in need is a great way to give back to the community and help others. There are several organizations that accept wedding dress donations and distribute them to those who need them. For example, Brides Across America provides wedding dresses to military brides in need, while Every Girl's Dream in Michigan accepts wedding gowns for brides-to-be facing financial hardship.
Brides for a Cause is another excellent option, as they collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They have donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the country and accept new and once-worn dresses. You can mail your dress or drop it off at one of their locations.
If you're looking to help a specific cause, consider donating your wedding dress to an organization like Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program is another wonderful option, where donated dresses are transformed into burial gowns for infants who have passed away, providing comfort to grieving families.
Donating your wedding dress is a selfless and generous act that can bring joy to someone else while also supporting various charitable initiatives. It is a meaningful way to give your wedding dress a second life and make a positive impact in the world.
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Pass it down to someone else
If you're considering passing your wedding dress down to someone else, there are a few options to explore. Firstly, you could have it professionally preserved, ensuring it stays in pristine condition for the next wearer. This option is ideal if you want to pass it down to future generations, such as your daughter or granddaughter, as a sentimental heirloom.
Another way to pass on your wedding dress is to donate it to a worthy cause. Organisations like Brides Across America provide wedding dresses to military brides in need, while groups like Every Girl's Dream in Michigan help brides facing financial hardship. You could also consider donating to Operation Prom or Cinderella's Closet, which provide dresses for low-income students attending prom. Brides for a Cause is another option; they accept donations, resell the dresses, and use the proceeds to support various causes.
If you're specifically looking to pass down your wedding dress to someone else for their wedding, you could explore options through online platforms like Reddit. One user mentioned finding someone on Reddit who wore their donated wedding dress for their special day, which brought them joy and a sense of connection.
Passing down your wedding dress can be a meaningful way to extend its life and bring happiness to someone else, whether it's a family member, a stranger, or someone in need. It's a way to share the joy and sentiment of your wedding day with others and create new memories and stories for the dress.
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Wear it again
If you're looking to wear your wedding dress again, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could repurpose your dress into a different garment. This could involve altering the length to make it more suitable for other occasions, such as a knee-length dress for an anniversary dinner. You could also use the extra fabric from the alterations to create something new, such as a tablecloth for a future family wedding.
Another option is to frame your wedding dress and display it as a piece of art in your home. This way, you can admire your dress every day and keep it as a sentimental reminder of your wedding. If you're considering this option, companies like The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing can assist you in framing your gown.
Additionally, you could pass your wedding dress on to someone else to wear, either by donating it to an organisation that provides dresses for brides in need, such as Brides Across America, or by finding an individual who would appreciate the opportunity to wear your dress on their special day.
Finally, if you simply want to keep your dress for sentimental reasons, you can have it professionally preserved by a company like Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot. This will ensure that your dress remains in good condition for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for what to do with your wedding dress after your wedding. You could repurpose it into a garment for another occasion, donate it to someone in need, get it professionally preserved to pass it down to someone else, or turn it into a piece of art by framing it.
You could alter your wedding dress to wear it on another occasion, such as an anniversary dinner. You could also repurpose the fabric into décor, such as a tablecloth for a family member's wedding.
Many organisations accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which gives dresses to military brides in need. You could also consider donating to a thrift store or a charity that turns wedding dresses into gowns for stillborn infants, such as Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity.
You can get your wedding dress professionally preserved by a company such as Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot. You should first get your dress cleaned to remove any stains or smudges.
You can get your wedding dress framed by companies such as The Beautiful Frame Company or Outrageous Framing.
