Like most brides, you probably spent long hours searching for the perfect dress. Now that you have said your vows and tied the knot, what happens to it?
You have many options, ranging from profoundly sentimental to downright practical. Here are some ideas on what to do with old wedding dresses:
Keep it for Posterity
Nothing exemplifies one of the biggest days in a woman’s life better than the wedding dress. It’s completely understandable if you want to hold on to it for yourself.
One thing you can do is keep it for future generations. Most gowns made today have timeless designs. They will surely look as good years from now as they do today.
Pass it on to your future daughter when her turn comes to walk the aisle. If you have a son, his bride-to-be can wear it instead.
You can also take it out of the closet for special occasions. Wear it for your silver or golden anniversary. It is a great way to relive that special moment.
Donate it to Charity
If you haven’t given much thought to your dress since your wedding day, consider donating it. It’ll save some closet space, and, even better, you can help out another bride-to-be.
Remember how happy you were when you walked down the aisle wearing the perfect dress? You can make someone else feel that way.
Still not convinced? Donations are tax-deductible!
You can give your dress to your local Goodwill or one of the following organizations:
- Brides Across America
- Brides for a Cause
- Brides Against Breast Cancer
- Adorned in Grace
Sell It for Cash
There is no denying that wedding dresses are expensive. Yours probably took up a sizable chunk of your wedding budget.
Most brides can honestly say that it was worth every penny. Still, there is no reason for you not to recoup some of the money.
If you feel that you are up for it, try selling your dress for cash. You can list it on one of your social media accounts.
You can also try one of these sites. They all have a good idea of what to do with old wedding dresses:
- Nearly Newlywed
- Still White
- Pre Owned Wedding Dresses
- Wore it Once
- Once Wed
Repurpose it into Something Cool
Let’s face it. Your wedding dress is a work of art. It would be a shame if you wore it just once. Consider cutting it up and turning it into a beautiful party dress. This way, you can wear it on other special occasions.
You can even consider dyeing it to complete its transformation. If it is a two-piece, you can mix and match it with your other clothes.
Preserve it as a Keepsake
Most brides form a deep connection with their wedding dresses. It is normal given the lengths that they went to just to find “The One.”
If giving your dress away or repurposing it is not an option, just keep it. However, make sure that you take steps to preserve it. You can clean it yourself or have professionals do it for you.
Either way, you’ll have a constant reminder of the special day for years to come.
