What to do with old wedding dresses

The day of their marriage is something that many people look forward to. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with family and friends your relationship with your spouse and to have fun with those you love.

Many of us also use this occasion to wear something that we would not normally wear. Most of us would not wear a tuxedo to the grocery store.

Wedding dresses are no different. These dresses can be cherished and hold many memories for the person who wears them. Your wedding dress is likely to be the most extravagant, intricate garment you’ve ever owned.

WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO GIVE YOUR OLD WEDDING DRESS A NEW LIFE

It’s easy for us to understand that storing the dress in the closet on the day we wore it can feel like a disappointing end to the dress.

We have heard that wearing our clothes as often as possible is the best way to be sustainable. While wearing a wedding dress in everyday life might not be feasible, it can still be repurposed and reused.

This will not only reduce the environmental impact, but also help us cherish the memories of our special day. It’s not every day that we get to celebrate with our loved ones and have a good time. But we can remember this day by giving our wedding gown a second life and using it in our daily lives.

1. Re-wear and dye it

Wedding dresses are expensive. While there are cheaper options, like buying a used dress or a hand-me down, they can be a big investment. It is therefore a good idea to buy a second-hand wedding dress if you are comfortable in it and it suits your personal style.

This is a great option for brides who prefer a dress that’s more suitable for a special event or an everyday dress, rather than the classic wedding gown. If your wedding gown doesn’t feature a full-length skirt or a top with a lot of structure, it is much easier to convert the dress into a day-to-day outfit. You can easily take your wedding dress from the reception to a dinner with friends with a few simple touch-ups.

You can dye your wedding gown if you chose a classic off-white or white wedding dress. This will make it more wearable beyond the wedding hall.

You might consider dyeing your dress with plants and flowers you can find locally. This will result in a more sustainable, unique dress.

2. Donate it

You have already experienced a memorable and meaningful day in your wedding dress. You can donate your wedding gown to give it even more meaning after the wedding.

Donating your wedding dress will make another bride happy and help a charity. By donating your wedding dress to charity, you will be able to support a variety of causes. For example, you could help brides who can’t afford a new dress, fund cancer research or close the gender gap in tech.

Several groups in the United States sell used wedding dresses, and donate their proceeds to charities.

These organizations can be a good place to purchase your wedding dress if it is still needed. However, if your dress has already been purchased, you will have the opportunity to give your dress even more meaning.

Remember that the donation of wedding dresses is subject to age restrictions. You may want to consider donating your dress to an organization before your wedding.

3. It’s time to pass it down

It is an excellent way to create a family tradition, or to continue one that already exists. This allows younger family members to feel closer to you. It is a good option for people who were married many years ago, and their dresses may not fit for any of the other options listed.

A vintage dress may be a perfect fit for someone, but the person to whom you pass it on might want to change it to make it look more modern. They might also need to do minor repairs and cleaning.

If you want this to be a joyful step, make sure that the person you’re passing the dress on to is truly happy about getting married in the hand-me down dress. Also, you should both feel comfortable with any alterations.

If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, a dry-cleaner with a talent for sewing can restore your dress to its original luster.

You and the next bride might enjoy a bonding experience by preparing your old wedding gown for its next use.

4. Make keepsakes

The tradition of preserving a wedding gown as a reminder of a special occasion is cherished by many. You can relive your special day by creating keepsakes from your wedding gown. They will also serve as irreplaceable family heirlooms.

There are many ways to preserve your wedding gown’s beauty and significance by transforming it into a keepsake. The unique creations can be anything from a tableware set to a cushion or quilt. They serve as a daily reminder of the joy you and your family felt on your wedding.

5. Sell it

If you are on a tight budget, selling your wedding gown is a great way to give it a second life. Wedding dresses are expensive for most people, so selling it can help offset some of the cost.

Sell your old wedding gown on specialized platforms such as Still white or Nearly newlywed, and more generalized clothing resale applications like Vinted and Depop.

When selling a dress, sellers should follow the same checklist they would when selling clothes. This includes being honest about the dress’s condition, providing pictures and information, as well as the measurements and other details that prospective buyers may need.

6. Repurpose your wedding gown into other items

Even if you have a fairytale-ready wedding gown, repurposing it into another garment is a great way to bring your dress into everyday life.

You can get professional help to make sure you save as much as you can while creating a garment that is warble and to suit your taste.

You can use the top structured part of your wedding gown to create a corset top that you can wear with jeans or other dresses.

You can de-puff and shorten the skirt. The layers that you remove can then be used as petticoats under dresses or skirts for added volume and form. The bodice can be saved and the sleeves removed to make a sleeveless gown.

You can also use the fabric for a lovely dressing gown that can become a family heirloom.

7. Rent out

Renting out your dress is a great option if you’d like to keep it in its original state and not part with it forever.

You can either rent it locally or through services such as by Rotation. This platform allows users to list their clothing and accessories on an app. You can approve or reject requests, and then ship the dress to the renter you choose.

8. Display it

Why not showcase a wedding dress that is so beautiful in your home. It’s a simple, no-fuss way to make your wedding dress a keepsake of your special day.

You can display your wedding dress in a frame and hang it up on the wall, or you can place it on a doll. You can display your dress in a way that brings out its natural beauty.

9. Wear it to special anniversaries

Wearing your wedding dress on special anniversaries is a great option for anyone who wants to keep it as is.

It is important to keep the dress in top condition even if you are not wearing it. Avoid using the plastic bags that dry cleaners use to wrap clothes. Instead, opt for a breathable bag.

Take the dress out regularly to see if there are any damages.