What to do with your Wedding Dress after the Big Day?

Jon + Aileen Milwick, Dress: https://linkin.bio/luv_bridal, https://linkin.bio/miasolano

You’ve dreamed of this dress your whole life, and now you actually got to wear it and it was amazing but what to do with it now? Traditionally brides have dry cleaned then preserved the dress in a storage kit never to be seen again unless you happen to have a child some 18 years later who might want to try it on and possibly wear it for their wedding. The big question now is, what to do with your wedding dress after the big day? But modern times and creative minds have us looking at some other really cool options we’d like to share with you.

Stephen + Kristine Lake Forest Dress: https://www.watters.com/

Let’s talk numbers first, how much did that wedding dress cost you? On average people spend $500-$3000 on the dress alone, then you have alterations, veil, headpiece, jewelry, shoes, undergarments, etc. This all adds up so we as brides try to find other uses for at least the accessories so that we can wear them again and get our money’s worth. So what else can we do, put it on a mannequin with a glass case around it in your living room so you can look at it….haha but let’s be honest when or where would you ever wear a wedding dress again? So we dry clean it after which could cost up to a couple hundred dollars up to $1000 depending on the size, material, and embellishments. Most bridal shops or cleaners have preservation kits big bulk boxes displaying your gown for you to find space to store and that could cost $150-$300. It’s really hard to think about not keeping it, after all you spent your whole life envisioning it and really wish you could enjoy it more. So let’s dive into some alternatives for what to do with your wedding dress after the big day.

Kathy + Conrad Franciscan Gardens, Dress: https://likeshop.me/pronovias

If you would really like to be able to wear your dress again there are several ways to you can re- purpose your dress. Here are some really cool ways to make it wearable again:

*Have it tailored into a slimmer shorter dress that you can wear again for your anniversary or special events.

*Have it tailored into a jumpsuit that you can wear on a night out.

*Have the top and bottom separated to make a blouse and skirt set or separates.

*Use a small portion or scraps from redesigning it into patches for jean jackets and other DIY projects.

Sarah + Corrie

If you would like to pay it forward you could donate your dress to an organization that helps low income brides, soon to be brides of Veterans, or couples facing terminal illness. Here are some great organizations to check out.

Brides Across America – This amazing charity helps US military brides by giving them free wedding dresses.

Wish Upon A Wedding – Donate your dress to Wish Upon a Wedding and help couples facing terminal illness celebrate their dream wedding or vow renewal.

Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring – This is a nonprofit bridal boutique that provides reduced price bridal gowns and accessories for underprivileged women.

VJ and Lorian’s wedding at The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach in Huntington Beach CA. Photos by Shuttered Light Photography & Video. www.ShutteredLight.com

If you’re looking for other ways to repurpose your dress into other items, there are many people that could enjoy pieces of it, check out these neat ideas:

Make a christening or baptismal gown for your child or a close friend or relatives child.
Uses pieces of it for a memory blanket or pillow that you can have on your couch or bed
Create an array of accessories like headbands, tote bags, handkerchiefs, the sky’s the limit on this one!!!
Check out this Pinterest link for some cute and creative ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/moonhanger81/repurpose-wedding-dress-ideas/

Anyway you choose to spin it will help our environment by reducing your footprint and can in turn create many more memories for yourself and others for years to come! Have fun deciding on what to do with your wedding dress after the big day. For Booking Email: info@djwrex.com