Recycling or Re-purposing Your Wedding Gown

We would never say that gone are the days of keeping your wedding gown for your daughter or granddaughter/niece/God-daughter. But the truth is, with so many changing trends in gowns around the world, and our consumer desire to buy and own, self-brand and personalize, it certainly isn't as common as it was even 30 or 40 years ago. So what are some options after you've purchased what is still considered valuable but a one-time investment?

Re-Purposing Your Gown

Unless your gown was made from everyday fabric, it is a garment with satin, silk, lace, tulle and all of the usual fabrics that adorn wedding dresses. Your gown may have lace or pearl beading that would look amazing on another item.

​Sites like Unbox The Dress invite you to use your imagination when looking at elements of your own gown or one that you've inherited. Children's christening gowns, pillows, beautiful robes, scrapbook covers, clutch purses, napkins, Christmas ornaments and stockings are just a few of the items they can create using the fabric and elements of your dress. They even have a questionnaire to help you get started. 

Just because no one in your clan may want to wear your gown doesn't mean that gorgeous fabric and the various elements cannot be used for something practical, get a second life, or become an heirloom.

Donating or Recycling

In most areas, there are consignment shops that are happy to take your cleaned wedding gown and make it available to a bride on a budget who may have the same fashion sense that you do. Consider this a perfect opportunity to help another girl look amazing on her big day. You can also use selling sites and online consigning, as well social media to find a new owner for your gently used gown. If you're never going to wear it, these options beat tossing it out, where it will end up in a landfill. Overall, this is better for the community and better for the environment.
​Check out sites like Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses to get an idea.

Proper Storage

Wedding gown preservation is important and we are here to help you with that! You can message or call us for more info on our Gown Preservation service. It's important to use a reputable vendor who understands that proper cleaning and  storage in an acid-free box is critical. So if you aren't sure whether you want to donate, sell, repurpose your wedding gown or keep it just in case someone down the line may want to wear it, make sure that you take good care of it until you are sure.