Rhiannon Hendricks
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. Some brides choose to keep their dresses as a souvenir or with the hope of passing it down to their children. However, with the ever-growing popularity of resale, many brides are choosing to sell their dresses. This can be a great way to recoup some of the costs of the wedding and free up closet space. There are many online platforms that allow brides to sell their dresses, such as Still White, eBay, and Vestiare Collective. Brides can expect to make back up to 60-70% of the retail price of their dress. However, it's important to keep in mind that selling your wedding dress is a permanent decision and it may be difficult to find a buyer if the dress has been heavily altered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to keep | Sentimental value, passing down to children, re-wearing for vow renewal, keeping as a souvenir |
| Reasons to sell | Recoup costs, offset resources by extending lifespan, save storage space, earn money for honeymoon or other expenses |
| Popular resale sites | Still White, eBay, Vestiare Collective, Kleinfeld, preownedweddingdresses.com |
| Tips for selling | List before or immediately after the wedding, ensure pristine condition, include photos and videos, use trusted payment methods |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of selling your wedding dress
Pros of selling your wedding dress
There are several reasons why someone might choose to sell their wedding dress. One of the most significant motivations is financial; by selling your wedding dress, you can recoup a portion of the costs incurred in purchasing it. Brides can expect to make back up to "60 or even 70% of the retail price" according to Grace Richmond, co-founder of The Loop, a second-hand bridal platform. This is especially beneficial if you went over budget when buying the dress. Additionally, selling your dress means you won't have to worry about storing or moving it, which can be a burden, especially if it's a large gown.
Selling your wedding dress is also a more sustainable option. By allowing other brides to wear your gown, you're extending its lifespan and offsetting the resources needed to make a new dress. This can be seen as a modern wedding tradition that celebrates minimalism and a departure from the taboo of previous years.
If you're considering selling your dress, it's best not to wait too long. Listing it online before or immediately after your wedding, or within two to three years of buying it, will increase your chances of selling as the style will still be current. October is considered the most popular month for second-hand wedding dress listings.
Cons of selling your wedding dress
The decision to sell your wedding dress is a difficult one, as it is a highly personal and special garment, and selling it is a permanent decision. Many people choose to keep their wedding dresses, hoping to pass them down to their children or nieces as cherished heirlooms. However, it's worth considering that your children may not want to wear your dress, especially if it's not their style or doesn't fit them properly. In such cases, you could consider repurposing the dress for a vow renewal or having it altered into a different type of garment, such as a cocktail dress or a christening gown for your children.
Additionally, selling a wedding dress that has been heavily altered or customised to your measurements may be challenging, as there are limited options for future alterations.
Ultimately, the decision to sell your wedding dress depends on various factors, including your emotional attachment to the gown, your practical considerations regarding storage and cost, and your views on sustainability and modern wedding traditions.
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Passing it down as an heirloom
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. While selling your dress can be a good way to recoup some of the costs, many brides opt to keep their dresses to pass them down as heirlooms. This can be a beautiful way to create a cherished item that is passed down through generations.
If you are considering passing your wedding dress down as an heirloom, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to consider the condition of your dress. If you are planning to pass down your dress as-is, it is a good idea to have it professionally cleaned and stored to ensure it stays in good condition. You may also want to consider altering your dress to create a new heirloom, such as a christening gown, a ring bearer pillow, or a bridal bouquet. This can be a great option if your dress has been heavely altered and may not be easily altered to fit another bride.
Another thing to consider is whether you plan to pass down the entire dress or just a piece of it. Many brides may want to have a piece of their mother or grandmother with them on their wedding day, but they may not want to wear the exact same dress. In this case, you could create a custom patch made from your dress that can be sewn into their own wedding gown. Alternatively, you could offer the dress to your daughters and nieces to wear, and they can decide how they would like to use it.
Passing down your wedding dress as an heirloom can be a special way to connect with your family and create new traditions. It can also save you from having to worry about storing or moving the dress, which can be a task if you relocate frequently or have limited storage space. Ultimately, the decision to sell or keep your wedding dress is a personal one, and it is important to consider all your options before making a decision.
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Selling it online
Selling a wedding dress online is a great way to recoup some of the costs incurred in purchasing it. Brides can expect to make back up to 60-70% of the retail price. It is also a sustainable option, as it extends the lifespan of the dress and offsets the resources needed to make a new one.
There are many online platforms that allow users to sell wedding dresses. Still White, for example, is one of the most popular wedding dress resale sites. It allows users to list their dresses for a fee and either ship the gown or deliver it to the customer in person. eBay is another option, where the site charges a commission of 15% for items under $2000 and 9% for pricier items. Vestiare Collective is an online consignment site that allows users to message directly with buyers and choose their own prices, with only a 3% payment processing fee. Kleinfeld, the famous bridal salon, also has a service that allows brides to list their dresses for resale.
When selling a wedding dress online, it is important to ensure that the dress is in pristine condition. It is recommended to have the dress professionally cleaned by a trusted dry cleaner immediately after the wedding to ensure any stains or marks do not become permanent. Additionally, less alterations to the dress make it more marketable, as it is closer to its original state.
It is also important to act quickly when deciding to sell a wedding dress online. The sooner the dress is listed, the more likely it is to sell, as the bridal style will still be popular and current. October is considered the most popular month for second-hand wedding dress listings.
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The environmental impact of selling
The wedding industry is known for being highly polluting, with an estimated 2.5 million weddings per year generating 1 billion lbs of trash and emissions equivalent to what four people would produce in a year in just one day. Wedding dresses are a major contributor to this waste, as they are often made with large amounts of fabric, dyes, and chemicals, and require a significant amount of water for production. For example, it is estimated that creating a single wedding dress can require up to 9000 liters of water.
Additionally, most wedding dresses are produced in regions without strict waste disposal regulations, leading to the pollution of rivers, streams, and oceans. The environmental impact of producing a new wedding dress can be reduced by choosing second-hand or pre-owned dresses, or by opting for sustainable brands that use natural and organic materials, low-impact processes, and recycled or upcycled materials. Renting a wedding dress is another eco-friendly alternative, and there are now many companies offering this service, including Rent The Runway, Borrowing Magnolia, and Glam Corner.
Selling a wedding dress can also be considered environmentally beneficial, as it extends the lifespan of the dress and offsets the resources needed to produce a new one. Popular websites for selling wedding dresses include Still White, eBay, Vestiaire Collective, and The Loop. By choosing to sell their wedding dress, brides can recoup some of the costs of the dress and avoid the hassle of storing or moving it. However, it is important to carefully consider the decision to sell, as wedding dresses hold significant sentimental value for many people, and the sale is typically permanent.
To maximize the chances of a successful sale, it is recommended that the dress is kept in pristine condition, with any stains or marks treated by a professional dry cleaner immediately after the wedding. Additionally, less-altered gowns tend to be more marketable, as they are closer to their original state and have more potential for further alterations.
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What to do with proceeds
Deciding what to do with the proceeds from selling your wedding dress is almost as important as deciding to sell it in the first place. Here are some ideas for what to do with the money:
Recoup your costs
Wedding dresses are expensive, and selling your gown will allow you to recoup some of the costs incurred in purchasing it. This is typically the most popular reason brides sell their dresses after their weddings.
Honeymoon fund
You could put the proceeds towards a honeymoon or a belated honeymoon if you've already had one.
Donate to charity
Donating the money to charity is another option. You could choose a charity that is important to you or one that supports brides who cannot afford their own wedding dresses.
Invest in an experience
You could also use the money to invest in an experience, such as a spa day, a vacation, or a nice dinner. This could be a way to create new memories with your spouse or loved ones.
Save for the future
The money could also be put towards your future goals and dreams, such as a down payment on a house, starting a business, or investing in the stock market.
Remember, selling your wedding dress is a personal decision, and it's important to consider all your options before making a choice. If you decide to sell, there are several online platforms and consignment shops that can help you find the right buyer.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses are often very expensive, so selling your gown is a great way to recoup some of the costs. It's also a sustainable choice, as you're extending the lifespan of the dress and offsetting the resources needed to make a new one.
Your wedding dress is a special, personal garment, and selling it is a permanent decision. You might want to keep it as a souvenir or heirloom that can be passed down to your children or nieces.
Some popular options include Still White, eBay, Vestiare Collective, and Kleinfeld.
Brides can typically expect to make back up to 60-70% of the retail price.
It's best not to wait too long, as bridal styles are always changing. You should list your dress before or immediately after your wedding, or within two to three years of buying it.
