What To Do With Your Wedding Dress – Beautiful Ideas For After “I Do”
To Have And To Hold…
For many brides, a wedding dress is the most valuable item of clothing they own – often in terms of expense and sentiment. For that reason, you might want to preserve your dress and keep it close, either to wear again (at a future vow renewal or even just in front of the mirror!) or perhaps in the hopes of passing it on to a loved one in years to come.
If you choose to keep your dress, there are plenty of companies who specialise in cleaning them beautifully and providing acid-free tissue paper and gorgeous storage boxes. Even if you change your mind down the line and decide to do something different with your dress, this is a great starting point, as it’ll ensure the gown is protected for as long as you need.
You’ve Been Framed!
Something Old, Something New…
You’ve been through all the fittings, had the alterations… It’s understandable for brides to balk at the idea of never wearing their dress again! But if the idea of popping to the supermarket in your wedding gown is a bit much, why not consider having it turned into something else? Changing the neckline, dyeing the fabric, shortening the hem… Before you know it, you’ve got a whole new dress, a skirt or even a snazzy jumpsuit! Obviously, we recommend talking to a professional before you grab the scissors or dip your dress in a bucket of dye… A good seamstress can work with you to turn your dress into something one-of-a-kind that you’ll be just as excited to show off.
Of course, wedding dresses can be transformed into more than just something to wear! For years, creative brides have been turning their gowns into everything from tablecloths to decorative pillows. If you’re not particularly crafty (or can’t bear the thought of cutting up your dress yourself!), there are plenty of companies who will create bespoke keepsakes for you, such as Christening gowns, baby blankets, handkerchiefs and much more besides!
Sell It!
Getting married can be a costly affair and these days many brides opt to sell their wedding dresses in order to make some money back.
If you decide to sell, make sure you research the best place to do so (Ebay is an option, but there are also online marketplaces that specialise in selling bridal outfits) and start by getting the dress professionally cleaned. Be sure to take some great photos to dazzle potential buyers with and be realistic about the price you want to achieve; you may well earn enough to pay towards your honeymoon, but a six-month, round-the-world luxury cruise is probably not going to happen just from selling your dress!
Finally, wedding dress styles go in and out of fashion, so bear that in mind when selling your dress, especially if it’s been a while since your big day.
Donate It!
A great way to beat those post-wedding blues is by doing something that not only makes you feel good, but helps others in the process. Many brides choose to donate their wedding dresses, either by taking them to a local charity shop or by finding a charitable organisation that use wedding gowns in a variety of ways.
For example, you may want to donate your dress to a charity that organises dream weddings for terminally ill brides, or send it to an organisation who turn wedding dresses into burial gowns for babies. Knowing that your dress is helping someone in their hour of need can be powerful and can make letting go that little bit easier.
Still Undecided?
Your wedding dress is likely to be an item with huge emotional attachment, so don’t feel you have to rush into making a decision, once you’ve said “I do!” Whether you opt to turn your dress into something else, keep it for the children in your life to play in or donate it to charity, those choices are all equally valid. Whatever you choose, just be sure it’s the right decision for you.