You have planned and waited for this day to arrive and it has! Your wedding day is a momentous occasion, full of joy, love, and unforgettable experiences which brought you to this day after the ceremony. After a whirlwind of planning and anticipation, the ceremony often feels like a dream—a beautiful blur that quickly becomes a memory. But once the celebrations are over, many brides find themselves wondering: What should I do with my wedding dress now? This guide will explore meaningful options that allow you to navigate the unexpected aftermath of your gown. Remember the memories are in many aspects of the wedding; from engagement to planning to the wedding day. Those memories and pictures will last a life time.
Preserve the Memories
Option 1: If you are considering keep the dress for a future generation, the first step is to think about preserving your wedding dress. Consider professional cleaning and preservation, which are crucial because wedding dresses are usually made of delicate fabrics that can yellow or degrade if not treated properly. Do your research in your area by asking for recommendations on your favorite social media platform or asking friends and family. How would they trust with such a special task? Should you look at what might be available in larger cities near you. A well-preserved gown can retain its original condition for decades. Our families have found both my mother-in-law's wedding dress and my mother's wedding suit. The dress was in much better shape as it had been preserved and the suit was placed in a cedar chest and was in worse shape.
Finding a specialized wedding dress cleaner is key; they will treat your gown with the utmost care. After cleaning, store it in a preservation box designed specifically for wedding attire. These boxes often contain acid-free tissue paper, which helps prevent fabric deterioration over time.
My wedding was in 1990 and I decided to keep my dress as that was the thing to do at that time. We have a local dry cleaning store, Sunshine Laundry, that is still in business and I trusted them then (as I still do) to provide this service for preservation of my dress. I'm not sure if they still offer this service, yet I was very happy with what they did then. I lived, married and still live in the same rural area of Crossville, TN so you never know if you have options until you research. My dress is still in the preservation box.
Repurpose the Dress
Option 2: If you tend to be on the creative side and want to keep a piece of your wedding day close to your heart, repurposing your dress can be a beautiful way to do this. The options are truly diverse and inspiring.
For instance, some brides turn their gowns into a cocktail dress they can wear again, while others create keepsakes. One popular option is converting the dress into a christening gown for future children, making it a valued family heirloom. Alternatively, you could transform the fabric into decorative pillows, a unique quilt, or even a table runner for special occasions. Example; take material from your dress and fill with dried lavender or other aromatic senses and place in your dressers or sheet storage. Many of these options would be determined by the material of your dress. Some material is better suited for certain projects.
In the past year, at Homestead 32 we have seen a trend of taking the mother of the bride's wedding dress and creating the cocktail dress for the bride to wear at the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner. This is called Upcycling and may be achieved by finding a seamstress skilled in this craft. The bride might also create a dressing robe for her wedding day from her mother's dress. Google "Upcycling Your Wedding Dress" and utilize these ideas for your dress after your wedding day or for a special dress given to you by someone you cherish and love.
Donate to a Good Cause
Option 3; Another impactful choice is to donate your wedding dress. Many charities accept wedding gowns to help brides who may not have the financial means to buy one.
Organizations like "Brides Against Breast Cancer" and "Angel Gowns" rework dresses for various causes. For example, "Angel Gowns" transforms donated dresses into infant burial gowns, providing comfort to grieving families. This act of donating not only clears space in your closet but also brings joy to others, allowing them to create special memories.
Wedding dresses donated to Brides Across America are passed on for free to military and first responder brides. There are at least 7 other locations which will lovingly take care of your dress for others.
Host a Party
Option 4: Swap Your Dress Party. Consider turning the challenge of what to do with your dress into a fun social gathering. Hosting a dress swap party brings friends and fellow brides together, creating an enjoyable atmosphere filled with laughter and connection. Invite friends who are on the hunt for their dream dress. Ask everyone to bring their wedding gowns, and set up a relaxed setting with snacks and drinks. This not only offers an opportunity to find a new home for your gown but creates a supportive community among friends sharing their wedding stories.
Out on the Town Party. Invite your friends to a night on the town in their wedding dresses. Downtown Nashville is a great place to host such an event. This concept is great when you include everyone: just married, mom friends, newly divorced, widowed; anyone that has or would go get a wedding dress at the local thrift store. It's just a fun night to enjoy the company of others and a time to share wedding experiences.
Sell It
Option 5: If you'd like to make some extra money after your wedding, selling your dress will help you recoup some of your money. Online is a great option as websites such as Wishing Wed, Kleinfeld Again, and Bride2Bride provide platforms where you can sale your dress to them and they will take it from there.
Check into local wedding shops and Google Selling your Wedding dress and many options will pop up.
Create a Unique Art Piece for Your Home
Option 6: This option might need wall space. Some might consider transforming your gown into a stunning art piece by placing your dress in a shadow box with might hang on your wall, stand in a loved room, or dress a mannequin with the beautiful dress. Not many have the space for this option, yet if your dress is truly a source of joy for you then you might take a moment to consider this option.
It's Okay to Say Goodbye
The excitement of wedding planning and the big day can last forever, yet saying goodbye to your dress can feel bittersweet. Allowing yourself to embrace these emotions and reflect on the memories attached to the gown is an important step. You may decide that letting the dress go is not something you can do, but time changes all and you may be ready to close the chapter of the dress by keeping it in a special way or letting it go completely. It's about what feel right to you. Whether you keep it, repurpose it, or pass it on, the memories you created on your wedding day will forever be etched in your heart, regardless of what happens to the dress itself.
As I have gotten older, raised my children and now on to loving grand babies, along with downsizing, letting go of my dress is something I do think about. I have one granddaughter who is in single digits in age. Do I keep it for her or let it go? Time will tell.
Your wedding dress is more than just an outfit; it represents love, joy, and the beginning of your journey together. As you contemplate your next steps, think about the meaningful options available to you—from preservation to donation or hosting a lively dress swap party.
Remember, the true magic of your wedding day isn’t solely in how you looked, but in the love and connections formed during the planning stages. Whatever path you choose for your gown, embrace this change as part of your ongoing love story.
Homestead 32 Wedding Venue in Crossville, TN hopes to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues and vendors. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country and to some locally owned vendor business on the Cumberland Plateau and surrounding counties. Our goal is to always place quality over quantity and support quality small business owners. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
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