You’ve said yes to the dress, and you’ve said yes to forever with your best friend in said dress. But now, you’re left wondering what on earth to do with the dang thing?! If you’re in need of inspiration on what to do with your wedding dress after the wedding, then you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to see our top recommendations on what to do with the most important piece of clothing you’ll likely ever own!
Clean it.
Regardless of which option below you choose, we highly suggest sending your dress for a good, thorough, professional cleaning. Your dress will look and feel like new – giving it the perfect start to figuring out exactly what you’d like to do with it. However, make sure to do your research and send it to a certified wedding dress cleaner (yes, that’s a real thing) who you trust to do a great job. Owl Premier and Bridal offers this, along with other great services. You can find their info all on our Burgh Brides Vendor Guide!
Preserve it.
Your wedding dress is more than likely the most extraordinary dress that you’ll ever wear. We don’t blame you if you want to keep it forever and ever! To help uphold its original condition, preserving it is definitely the way to go! Wedding dress preservation is so much more than just having it cleaned; it means having it properly packaged and stored to stand the test of time. By utilizing the special cleaning and packaging techniques from a reputable place, you’ll be able to be in awe of its beauty for years to come! Read about our very own experience with wedding dress preservation with Owl Premier and Bridal and get answers to the most burning wedding preservation FAQS.
Have an epic photo shoot session.
If you’re looking for something a little more creative, we suggest having an epic photo shoot session! Some people used to refer to this as a “trash the dress” session where you take wild, innovative portraits, like rolling around in a stream, hiking through mud, or just generally getting dirty. But go with what you feel! Be as extreme or as conservative as you’d like, but it’s definitely a fun way to have photos AND show off that beautiful gown again!
Make a christening gown.
We’re pretty sure that your wedding dress is a priceless work of art. But if you aren’t keen on keeping it in it’s original condition, then why not transform its beauty so that it can be displayed in other ways?! One of the most common ways to repurpose the dress is to turn it into a christening gown for a future child. Whether it’s for your own children, or a niece, a friend’s baby, or another special little person in your life, utilizing your gown for this other significant occasion can be so meaningful!
Make a cocktail dress.
Unless you do a super cool photo session (see above), you probably won’t wear your dress in it’s original form too often…if ever again. So sad, we know. Instead of wasting the alluring design, make it into something you can utilize more often – like a cocktail dress! Don’t be afraid to get creative. We’ve actually seen a bride take her mother’s wedding dress, have it designed into a cocktail dress and wear it as her rehearsal dinner dress. If that isn’t just the sweetest idea, we don’t know what is!
Make a statement with home décor.
Time to get a little crafty! Your designer gown can totally become a designer piece in your home. Take advantage of the lace, embellishments, buttons, and any and all details to create trendy pieces for your home. This could be a baby blanket, throw pillows, or even a framed piece of art you display on a wall. The possibilities are endless!
Sell it.
Maybe you don’t have the space. Maybe you’re just realistic and know you’ll never wear your dress again. Maybe you want to recoup some of those wedding expenses. Whatever the reasoning, don’t feel guilty if you’re ready to part ways with your dress! Whether you sell your dress directly to a family member or friend or a bridal consignment store like Bridal Maven, there are definitely people out there who will benefit from and are looking for a used wedding dress!
Donate it.
There are SO many organizations that gladly accept donations of gently worn wedding dresses. Wish Upon a Wedding and Brides Across America are just a few of many great choices, but you can likely find a non-profit that fits with your values and beliefs. If you loving keeping it local, check out Pittsburgh-based Littlest Angel, an organization that turns previously worn wedding dresses into small dresses for infants who have died in the hospital. Do a little research and see which option resonates best with you, but we’re certain of one thing – your generous donation will change the life of someone!
What do you plan to do with your wedding dress after the big day? Former brides, what did you do with it? Comment below and tell us, or upload a photo and tag @burghbrides and #burghbrides so we can see!
