The tradition of preserving your wedding dress has been around for decades. However, generation after generation, we rarely see dresses being re-worn by family members. Brides often ask Tali Gallo, a bridal consultant and co-owner of The Bridal Finery, what they can do with their wedding dress after the wedding. Here are the alternative options she provided us beyond boxing up your wedding dress.
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Sell Your Wedding Dress
In this ever-so-popular shared economy, more and more brides are looking to make money back on their wedding purchases. The wedding dress is no exception. Typically a bridal resale boutique will have a split terms agreement. Basically, when the dress sells, you will receive half of the listing price. In addition to your brick and mortar, there are listing websites where you can pay a flat fee ranging from $25 – $75 to list your dress to brides-to-be throughout the country. Selling your wedding dress provides you with a financial perk that could be used for a down payment on a house, renovation, or a charity donation.
Make an Anniversary Dress Out of the Fabric
Many brides transform their wedding dresses into evening and cocktail dresses. Celebrating a big anniversary in your wedding dress signifies the importance of your wedding day and the first days of your marriage. By consulting with a seamstress or dressmaker, they can inform you of the different options available to transform your wedding dress. To prevent discoloring, preserve your wedding dress if don’t plan on wearing it within one year.
Save for a Photo Shoot
Most of us would change at least one thing about our wedding day. Maybe it was the weather or a wrong vendor choice. Either way, there are things you would do differently. Saving your wedding dress to do a photo shoot is the perfect way to relive your wedding day without all the fuss. We aren’t talking about a “trash the dress” session. Rather, you and your partner in a beautiful landscape walking hand and hand in your wedding attire. Maybe a bottle of bubbly to celebrate after. Why not have additional photos wearing the most luxurious garments you will ever own?
Create a Family Heirloom
While dresses are not often re-worn, I do see generations using fabric from the dress to make veils, crib canopies, Christmas tree skirts, christening gowns, and other family heirlooms. If you decide to sell the dress, keep the veil so you can still create a custom family heirloom. Seamstresses specializing in wedding dresses are familiar with reworking wedding dresses and veils into memorable and useful family treasures.
Donate Your Wedding Dress
If you can part with your dress and you don’t need the money, consider donating it. Companies like Brides Against Breast Cancer and The Bridal Garden use the money from sales to contribute to their cause or mission. They accept wedding dresses in all conditions. If your dress is damaged during your wedding, do not throw it away. There may be a bride out there who would enjoy and appreciate your dress. Dry cleaning is not a requirement; however, it does help the nonprofits by allowing them to get more for your wedding dress.