George Boyle
There are many reasons why someone may want to wear their wedding dress again. Some people choose to wear their wedding dress again for a photo session, a wedding dress party, or their anniversary. Others may choose to alter their dress to create a cocktail dress or other articles of clothing. For those who are sustainability-conscious, repurposing your wedding dress can give it a new life and cut down on waste. There are endless possibilities to reuse, repurpose, and re-wear your wedding dress, and it ultimately comes down to what makes you happy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse | Wear on special occasions, such as anniversaries or birthday parties |
| Host a wedding dress party | |
| Alter the dress to make it suitable for other occasions | |
| Wear as a Halloween costume | |
| Repurpose | Turn the dress into art by getting it framed |
| Donate the dress to organisations like Brides Across America or Every Girl's Dream | |
| Create household items and accessories, such as pillows, tablecloths, baby blankets, or christening gowns | |
| Store | Get the dress professionally cleaned and preserved |
| Store the dress in a viewing box to prevent staining or yellowing |
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What You'll Learn
Re-wearing your wedding dress
There are many ways to re-wear your wedding dress. Some people feel weird about wearing their wedding dress again, but there are ways to do it casually and creatively. One idea is to host a wedding dress party where you and your friends can wear your wedding dresses again. You can also alter your dress to make it more wearable for a special occasion, like an anniversary. You can dye or airbrush your dress, or turn it into a fun cocktail dress or sheath dress. If you're feeling creative, you can even turn it into a Halloween costume.
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can turn your dress into something new, like a baby blanket, bassinet cover, christening gown, pillow, tablecloth, or even artwork. You can also get your dress professionally cleaned and preserved to keep it in pristine condition for years to come. This way, you can display it in a viewing box and admire it without worrying about stains or yellowing.
If you're looking for an excuse to wear your dress again, you can plan a photo session or take it on your next vacation to get some amazing pics. You can even convince your partner to wear their suit and recreate your wedding photos for a fun comparison.
If you're not interested in wearing your dress again, you can donate it to organizations like Brides Across America, which gives dresses to military brides in need, or Every Girl's Dream, which provides gowns for brides facing financial hardship.
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Altering your wedding dress
The number of fittings you'll need depends on the style and size of the dress and the number of changes required. Typically, two to three fittings are recommended, with the first one taking place around three months before the wedding. During the first fitting, the tailor will assess the dress and the alterations needed, which may include adjusting the bust, taking in the waist, altering the hips, hemming, and adding a bustle. The subsequent fittings will be shorter as the dress gets closer to the perfect fit.
It's important to bring the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day to your fittings, as these can impact the fit of the gown. Additionally, consider bringing one or two close friends or family members to later fittings for a second opinion and to learn how to help you get ready on the big day.
The cost of alterations varies depending on the dress and the adjustments needed, ranging from $50 to $1,000 or more for extensive customizations. Some salons charge per service, while others offer a flat fee for all alterations.
After your wedding, you may consider altering your dress to wear it again for special occasions or as a fun party dress. Some brides shorten their gowns, turn them into cocktail dresses, or even dye or airbrush them a different color. Others get creative and repurpose their dresses into items like throw pillows, quilts, artwork, or teddy bears.
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Donating your wedding dress
Charities
Several charities accept wedding dress donations and put them to good use. Brides Against Breast Cancer is a nonprofit organisation that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides for a Cause is another nonprofit that collects and resells wedding dresses to support various women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses, and you can either mail or drop off your donation.
Community Organisations
You can also consider donating your wedding dress to community organisations, such as Brides Across America, which provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accepts wedding dresses to be remade into gowns for bereaved parents to honour their infants.
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Framing your wedding dress
Choose a professional service or DIY:
Professional framing services can be expensive, with quotes ranging from $1200 to $5000 or more. If you're considering a DIY approach to save money, keep in mind that you'll need to purchase a custom frame due to the size of the dress, as well as the necessary materials for mounting and sealing the frame. You can look out for frame sales to help reduce costs.
Select a suitable space:
Consider the available wall space in your home. The frame is typically less than 30 cm deep, so you may find space behind a door opening, in a stairwell, or a walkway. Choose an area that doesn't receive direct sunlight and is cool and dry to prevent damage to the dress over time.
Prepare the dress:
Before framing, ensure your dress is cleaned and treated for stain removal and anti-yellowing to maintain its pristine condition. You can use a local dry cleaner or an online service for this.
Select a frame and display method:
Work with the framing company to choose the type, size, and depth of the frame, as well as the perfect angle for displaying your dress. You can decide whether to display the full dress or just the bodice, with the skirt folded behind. You may also choose to display the dress on a mannequin or mountboard within the frame. Consider adding accessories, veils, buttonholes, or jewellery to create a complete display.
Finalize the frame:
After deciding on the framing details, you will receive a quote and can expect your frame to be ready within 4-6 weeks. Once delivered, fix the frame securely to the wall and carefully hang your dress inside.
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Storing your wedding dress
Before storing your wedding gown, it is highly recommended to have it professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner. Even if the dress appears clean, there may be hidden dirt or bacteria that can cause discolouration or yellowing over time. A professional cleaner specialising in bridal wear will employ specialised techniques to remove stains and ensure your gown is in pristine condition before storage.
When handling the dress, be sure to have clean hands or wear white gloves to prevent any oils from transferring onto the fabric. Inspect the dress for any loose threads, missing buttons, or embellishments that need securing to prevent further damage.
Use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your wedding dress. The tissue paper helps to cushion and protect the dress during storage, preventing any beads, sequins, or embroidery from snagging or scratching the fabric. It is important to avoid sharp folds, especially in delicate areas prone to wrinkling, and to fold the dress loosely to prevent creasing or damaging the fabric.
Store your wedding gown in a breathable garment bag or box specifically designed for wedding dress storage. Avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes, as they can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to discolouration and fabric damage. Instead, opt for an acid-free archival storage box, replacing the box and paper every three years.
Choose a storage location that is cool, dark, and dry, such as a closet or under your bed. Avoid attics, cellars, or areas with temperature fluctuations and water leaks. Keep the dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as they can permeate the fabric over time. Ensure the dress is stored away from other clothing items to prevent acid transfer, friction, and accidental staining.
Lastly, it is important to regularly check on your wedding dress. Inspect it every six months for any signs of damage or pests. If necessary, refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases. Regular check-ups will allow you to detect issues early on and take prompt action to ensure the dress remains in excellent condition.
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Frequently asked questions
It's completely up to you! Many brides are looking for new and creative ways to reuse, repurpose, or store their wedding dresses.
You can get creative and turn your wedding dress into a work of art by framing it and hanging it on your wall. You can also alter your dress and turn it into a fun party dress, a cocktail dress, or even dye it a different colour.
You can wear your wedding dress again at a wedding anniversary photoshoot, a wedding dress party with your friends, or on your next big vacation to take exotic pictures.
To keep your dress looking brand new, consider getting it professionally cleaned and preserved. You can also store it in a viewing box to view your dress without the fear of it staining or yellowing.
Many organizations, such as Brides Across America, accept wedding dress donations for brides in need. You can also sell your wedding dress or turn it into something you can use, such as a throw pillow, quilt, or artwork.
