With the average cost of a wedding dress hovering around $1,500, according to TheKnot.com, it seems a little wasteful to wear all that lace and beading just once and then store it for decades.
However, this is what the majority of brides do, despite the fact that there are far superior ways to reuse, repurpose, or recycle a wedding gown.
Wedding gowns are often the most costly item a bride will purchase on her wedding day. In addition, they are among the few items that may never be worn again.
Some people choose to recycle their wedding dresses in order to save money and avoid trash, however, not all weddings permit this practice owing to religious or cultural norms.
Of course, selling is always a possibility, but there are also various internet marketplaces specialized for buying and selling wedding gowns (not to mention bridesmaids’ dresses that never, ever make sense as cocktail-party attire).
PreOwnedWeddingDresses and Tradesy function as intermediaries to help brides recoup at least a portion of the $1,500.
The seller’s amount of engagement and expenses vary by location. Tradesy, for example, handles issues like returns and payments in exchange for an 11.9% price drop.
It Is Preservable
Cleaning and storing a wedding gown with care will keep it in beautiful shape for years to come. For past generations, keeping a bridal gown was sometimes the only option.
This made sense because moms would frequently hand down dresses to their daughters, who would then change the outfit and wear it!
This is far less likely to occur now. However, this does not imply that you should not maintain your outfit!
If you have a strong emotional tie to this one-of-a-kind gown, you may choose to save it in a secure, well-preserved location so that you can view or wear it again in the future.
To maintain your dress, you must first get it cleaned by a specialist in bridal gown cleaning. Certain dry cleaners provide this service.
It is essential to have the bridal gown washed immediately after the ceremony so that perspiration and food stains do not penetrate the delicate fabric.
Contribute It
Giving away your wedding gown is such a generous gesture. Your dress has obviously brought you so much joy, so why not pass it on to another bride so she can experience the same delight?
There are several charitable organizations that would gladly accept your donation.
Oxfam has a bridal branch in both Bangor and Dublin. Bridal has locations in both Wexford and Dun Laoghaire, while St. Vincent de Paul accepts donations of bridal attire from around the nation.
Additionally, you might donate your gown to the Gift Of A Wedding or the Wishing Well Foundation. Angel Gowns for Angel Babies is another wonderful organization that accepts donations of wedding dresses.
Can It Be Upcycled?
You may have discovered a dress that you adore, except for those terrible 1980s sleeves. Or perhaps you want to wear your mother’s gown, but the design is so outdated that you will be unable to recognize yourself in pictures.
Thus, upcycling comes into play. Upcycling allows you to give outdated clothing new life. This is an example of recycling at its finest. The easiest method to repurpose an outdated wedding gown is to eliminate a feature that makes it appear antiquated.
The appearance of a turn-of-the-century gown can be drastically altered by removing the high neck. Alternatively, you can fully redesign a bridal dress.
Here is an example of how a professional seamstress transformed the wedding dress of her friend’s mother into a stunning new design.
Another alternative is to repurpose your gown after the wedding, as opposed to before. When looking for a wedding gown, consider alterations that will allow it to be worn to future functions.
You can transform a once-in-a-lifetime dress into one you can wear to a variety of events by reducing it, dyeing it, or selecting a piece that shouts “celebration” rather than “bride to be.”
Finding ideas for reusing a wedding gown should be simple. Images are abundant on websites such as Pinterest and Etsy.
Reach out to friends and relatives to determine whether they can assist. If not, consider local tailors, clothing stores, or even institutions with design programs. A pupil may be willing to offer his or her talents.
Transform It Into A Work Of Art
If you do not want to recycle the dress, transforming it into a work of art may be an excellent option. You may paint on some cloth and then reverse it to create something new. The goal is to reuse the clothing without altering its original shape.
Dye it! If you’re not searching for a new project but still want to give your wedding dress a fresh appearance, consider dying it!
To get the desired look, you may use food coloring or RIT dye, which is available in every possible hue. Just ensure that your fabric does not include any acetate to avoid ruining any interior designs.
Conclusion
You may reuse your old wedding gown in a variety of ways. If you choose to save your wedding gown, you may preserve and store it or transform it into a variety of presents and mementos, such as teddy bears, baby outfits, or memory quilts.
You may earn money by renting or selling your dress, or you can give it to a great cause. There are, ultimately, countless things you can do with your vintage wedding gown.
Displaying the entire gown in a large shadow box is one way to preserve your wedding gown close at hand for many years. Others, such as arranging a “trash the dress” party, allow you to have another enjoyable experience with your dress.
