old wedding dress

What Can I Do With My Old Wedding Dress?

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    You've spent months poring over bridal publications, Pinterest, and actual dresses before settling on the one. You walked down the aisle on your wedding day looking like a princess straight out of a fairy tale; your parents shed tears, your spouse swooned, and your friends couldn't contain their praise. So, the big day is done and you're back to reality — what do you do with your wedding dress?

    The wedding dress is one memento you may not need to keep after the big day, whether it was your own or your daughter's. It's much more eco-friendly to find a new home for your wedding dress through recycling, reusing, or donating than it is to stuff it in a box and hope someone will find it 30 years from now. Check our Top Wedding Dress Shops In Melbourne for your list of some of the most exclusive dress shops.

    Here are various options, depending on whether you want to retain it forever, repurpose it, or sell it to make up for a budget overage:

    Sell Your Wedding Dress

    Some brides may not feel particularly connected to their wedding gowns despite the fact that they will be worn only once. A girl who is more interested in her future than her past should probably sell her wedding dress. Putting your wedding dress up for sale is a fantastic way to make some extra cash after the big day. If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, your first inclination may be to post it on websites.

    However, we recommend checking out sites like stillwhite.com and Preowned wedding dresses, which specialise in selling previously owned wedding gowns. With the help of these vendors, you can easily post your wares online, where thousands of would-be brides can find them.

    Wedding dresses including those bridesmaid outfits that never, ever make convincing cocktail-party dresses can be purchased and sold on a number of internet marketplaces, such as specialised bridal sites.

    Donate it

    Donations of formal gowns such as wedding dresses are frequently accepted by charities. If you or your soon-to-be spouse are experiencing financial difficulties, there are likely local groups that can assist you. You'll be able to tell your grandkids another amazing tale about your wedding while making a difference in the world and feeling wonderful about yourself at the same time.

    Do something kind for someone and give it away. There are several places you may donate a wedding dress to if you're in the giving mood. It may be easier to donate your wedding dress to a local thrift store rather than dealing with the inconvenience of shipping it elsewhere (many do, but this fluctuates based on demand and need in your area). Get a receipt so you can deduct the donation from your taxes if you itemise. You may also contact a community theatre or high school drama club to see if they have any forthcoming productions that could use the dress.

    Repurpose a Wedding Dress

    Since your wedding dress is likely the most beautiful (and costly) garment you own, it seems wasteful to wear it for just one special occasion. If it's a top and a bottom, you can switch up the bottom to something more practical while still looking fabulous. Dresses with long tulle skirts can be worn again after the wedding with a colourful shirt and leather jacket for an entirely new look.

    In certain circumstances, you can even alter it by cutting, dying, and stitching it back together to create a stunning party dress. If you're one of the women who opted for a less-is-more approach, your plain dress can still be made to look fantastic by adding a few non-traditional bridal touches. Learn how one bride transformed her wedding dress into a stunning party dress in time for her anniversary with her husband.

    Wedding Dresses Used to Make Keepsakes

    There is probably a lot of fabric in your wedding dress that you may use to make other things, such as christening gowns for your children, cushions for your bedroom, a blanket, a purse, or a tote bag. Many creative uses may be found for a wedding dress, and those who enjoy arts and crafts will get a kick out of the possibilities.

    We have compiled a list of the Top Wedding Dress Shops in Melbourne to help you select your perfect gown.

    Take It From Day To Night

    No one should tell you that you can't reuse your wedding gown. Even if you don't wear it as a costume, you can still wear it as a piece of apparel, such as a bra. Get your husband a set of handmade lingerie made from the fabric for a humorous present. Something like this would be a wonderful anniversary or second honeymoon surprise. Superior to off-the-rack underwear because it was produced specifically for you, this set will flatter your figure.

    Your wedding dress fabric can be repurposed into a beautiful set of underwear, as most wedding dresses are white with a satin or lace overlay. If you want to make the straps of your dress stand out even more, you may always add some beading or rhinestones. Ribbons in the wedding's colour scheme are another option for adding a splash of colour. Looking for a lingerie shop? Visit this website!

    Turn It Into Christmas Decorations

    Making Christmas decorations is a great compromise if you enjoy decorating but would rather not leave your dress out all year round. It won't take much effort to transform the bottom of your dress into a tree skirt, given that it already has a great circular skirt. In fact, it's so simple that you barely need to sew at all! After all, you have the base of the garment covered.

    You can also use your favourite sections of the dress to create an ornament to hang on the tree instead of or in addition to the tree skirt. A perfect method to display your dress's intricate design. Some of the ornament's embellishment can even be used to fashion a ribbon for displaying it.

    You can even use a Christmas stocking to flaunt your bridal gown over the holiday season. Embellish the front of your dress with lace, sequins, or anything else tickles your fancy. Some examples of optional embellishments are colourful beads and/or personalised names of loved ones.

    Create A Christening Gown

    In other cases, your children may not even need to get married before you give them a piece of your wedding dress. White silk and lace can be worn as lingerie or altered into a christening gown for your unborn children with little effort. Why not make the gown from a memento piece since you will likely save the garment your child wears to his or her baby dedication anyway? This might be passed down through the years and become a treasured family ritual.

    You don't have to limit yourself to just the garment; try adding the veil as well. Wedding veils are often shorter than a christening gown, but might vary. You can embellish the dress with as many beads and rhinestones as you like if you're creating it for a newborn girl.

    Create A Photo Album Or Wedding Card Keepsake Book

    Wedding photographs are among the most treasured keepsakes from the big day. Everyone wants to have the images they took at their wedding, whether it be formal portraits of the bride and groom or members of the wedding party, or even shots taken on the fly while the ceremony or reception unfolded.

    That's why it makes sense for brides to pick out a creative approach to keep and show off their pictures. Including a scrap of your wedding dress in the album's decor is a unique way to display the gown beyond just photographs.

    Pick out the pieces of the outfit that you like best and snip them off. You may then use them as a cover for a photo album. The cards you get from your visitors can be organised in a binder or folder that you cover with fabric. You should, after all, have the resources to do both.

    Make A Throw Pillow

    Alternatively, you can utilise the fabric from your dress to create a lovely decorative pillow. If you used the complete outfit, you could construct a matching pair of decorative cushions. You can make matching sets by placing different sections of the dress on different cushions. To make the most of the fabric, embellish the front of the pillow with the part you like most (maybe the beaded back or the jewelled neckline) and use the leftover white fabric to stuff the back.

    To make the cushions look more modern, you could also use other materials with contrasting colours and patterns. The next step is to decide when and where to showcase the pillows, or to save them as gifts for the children of the future. Envision your future grandchild using one as the ring pillow at their own wedding.

    Create A Patchwork Quilt

    Create a patchwork quilt if you like the idea of pillows but would like to use more of your dress. You can also use a quilt as a way to include other meaningful details from your wedding. You can also include your husband's wedding tie or shirt, as well as handkerchiefs from your parents and grandparents.

    If the mothers are ready to part with their dresses, even a small piece would be a beautiful addition. Photos on fabric are now possible with today's printing technology. Among the other components, this will allow you to highlight some of your most treasured recollections. When you're done with the quilt, hang it up on a wall or use it to decorate a guest bed.

    Tote It Wherever You Go

    Some brides are so in love with their wedding gown that they wish they could wear it every day. It's possible that a workable answer to the issue at hand exists. You can easily transform your dress into a functional bag by adding a strap. You can use it as an everyday tote bag if your attire is more relaxed. Make it into a clutch for the evening if you want something fancier.

    You can use simple, flat fabric, or get creative by incorporating embellishments from your dress, such lace or beads. The use of a necklace in place of a handle is another creative option for classy handbags. One that has special value to you might be the one you wore on your wedding day or an heirloom passed down through the generations.

    Use It to Create Something New

    There is a number of satiny dresses on Pinterest that have been cut down and refashioned into wearable pieces for riding the bus. The gown can be shortened and dyed to create a skirt, cocktail dress, or top and bottom combo. If all you know how to sew is a button, don't discount the possibility. You can either take it to a tailor and hope that they can make some changes, or you can browse online marketplaces, where many sellers specialise in repurposing previously used wedding gowns. Since most wedding dresses feature a substantial amount of fabric, their potential second lives are diverse.

    Wedding Dress Preservation

    Your wedding dress is a beautiful memento of the day you and your spouse made a lifelong commitment to each other by exchanging your wedding vows. The fabric is too fragile to be stored in a plastic bag and stuffed into the back of a closet. If you want your stunning gown to be in excellent shape for future generations, it is important to have it professionally cleaned and preserved. Preserving a wedding dress requires more than just dry cleaning and is best initiated with the help of a trained expert.

    The expert will devise a one-of-a-kind strategy taking into account the specifics of the material, the level of intricacy and stitching, the presence or absence of any stains, and the likelihood of any damage. Some businesses provide mail-away services to meet the growing demand for more accessible and hassle-free options. Within six to eight weeks, you'll get a mailing kit with detailed instructions.

    We have compiled a list of Melbourne Wedding Dress Shops to make the search as easy as possible for your perfect gown.

    FAQs About Wedding Dress

    The gown: Donate your wedding gown to a non-profit organisation such as Making Memories or Brides Against Breast Cancer, and you'll help others enjoy their special day in style. Donations are tax-deductible so your guests can feel good while giving back and celebrating you at the same time.

    If you are planning on donating your wedding dress, be sure to check if the organisation is currently accepting donations.  Keep in mind that many organisations will also require that any dress and/or wedding accessory be professionally cleaned prior to donating.

    As a general rule of thumb, a used gown that's in great condition and less than 2 1/2 years old can sell for 50 per cent of the retail price. Gowns from recognisable names can sell for 60-70 per cent of the retail value.

    We recommend wearing seamless underwear on your wedding day. They are usually more forgiving and don't hug your hips as much as ones with elastic waists and side seams. If your wedding gown is very fitted, you may want to wear a seamless thong to be extra sure that no one will catch a glimpse of your panty line.

    At modern weddings, the removal and tossing of the garter is now the privilege of the groom at the reception. He tosses the garter to the unmarried male guests at the wedding. It is thought that catching the garter will bring you good luck and in some cases, indicate that you will be married next.

    Conclusion

    After the wedding, what should the bride do with the dress? Whether you plan to keep it or sell it, you have several choices. Despite the fact that it will only be worn once, some brides may not have a strong emotional connection to their wedding dresses. If you're feeling generous, there are several organisations that would be grateful to receive your gently used wedding gown. Avoid the hassle of shipping by giving it to a charity near you.

    If the piece consists of a top and bottom, you can easily switch out the bottom for something more functional without sacrificing any style. Dress up the front of your dress with lace, sequins, or whatever else catches your eye. You don't have to stop at the garment; you could also try the veil. Photographs taken at a wedding are among the most cherished mementoes. One unconventional way to show off your wedding dress is to include a small piece of it in a photo album.

    The clothing material can also be used to make a quilt or pillowcase for decoration. Some brides fall head over heels in love with their wedding dress and wish they could wear it again and again after the big day. Just by attaching a strap, your dress can become a practical bag. A number of satiny dresses have been shortened and refashioned into wearable pieces that can be found on Pinterest. Preservation of a wedding gown goes beyond simple dry cleaning and is best tackled with the aid of an experienced professional.

    The gown can be transformed into a skirt, cocktail dress, or matching top and bottom by having it shortened and dyed. In response to the rising demand for more convenient and accessible options, some companies now offer mail-away services.

    Content Summary

    • The wedding dress is one memento you may not need to keep after the big day, whether it was your own or your daughter's.
    • Putting your wedding dress up for sale is a fantastic way to make some extra cash after the big day.
    • If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, your first inclination may be to post it on websites.
    • Do something kind for someone and give it away.
    • There are several places you may donate a wedding dress to if you're in the giving mood.
    • Since your wedding dress is likely the most beautiful (and costly) garment you own, it seems wasteful to wear it for just one special occasion.
    • Learn how one bride transformed her wedding dress into a stunning party dress in time for her anniversary with her husband.
    • Get your husband a set of handmade lingerie made from the fabric for a humorous present.
    • You can also use your favourite sections of the dress to create an ornament to hang on the tree instead of or in addition to the tree skirt.
    • Embellish the front of your dress with lace, sequins, or anything else tickles your fancy.
    • You can embellish the dress with as many beads and rhinestones as you like if you're creating it for a newborn girl.
    • Including a scrap of your wedding dress in the album's décor is a unique way to display the gown beyond just photographs.
    • You may then use them as a cover for a photo album.
    • Utilise the fabric from your dress to create a lovely decorative pillow.
    • Create a patchwork quilt if you like the idea of pillows but would like to use more of your dress.
    • You can also use a quilt as a way to include other meaningful details from your wedding.
    • When you're done with the quilt, hang it up on a wall or use it to decorate a guest bed.
    • You can easily transform your dress into a functional bag by adding a strap.
    • You can use it as an everyday tote bag if your attire is more relaxed.
    • Make it into a clutch for the evening if you want something fancier.
    • You can use simple, flat fabric, or get creative by incorporating embellishments from your dress, such lace or beads.
    • If you want your stunning gown to be in excellent shape for future generations, it is important to have it professionally cleaned and preserved.
    • Preserving a wedding dress requires more than just dry cleaning and is best initiated with the help of a trained expert.
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