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Are you stuck in a quandary over what to do with your wedding dress after the big day? Then you are not alone Wedding dresses often cost an arm and a leg, which is why many brides opt to recycle the dress or sell it to help fund their next big purchase.
Recycling a wedding dress is an eco-friendly action that can help both the environment and your bank account!
Although it’s tempting to hold on to the sentimental piece, there are plenty of reasons to refrain from doing so.
For starters, the gown may have been splashed with food or wine during the reception and could be ruined.
Also, you can potentially enhance your wardrobe by repurposing your favorite wedding dress for a different occasion.
On that note, keep reading to learn wonderful ways to recycle a wedding dress and save money in the process!
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8 Ways on How to recycle your wedding
A lot of brides find it difficult to part ways with their wedding gowns after the big day.
But do you really need to store your wedding dress in a box for years on end?
Wouldn’t it be better to give your dress a chance to shine again?
Recycling a wedding dress is easy and it will help the environment in the process.
This is how you do it!
Hand it down to a loved one
Your daughter, niece or best friend might be thrilled with the idea of wearing a dress that was once yours.
Handing down your wedding gown can be an enviable move as it can provide both parties with good memories.
It’s actually something that’s been happening for years, and will likely continue to happen for many more.
In some cultures, mothers keep their wedding gowns and pass them down to their daughters as a sign of love.
Handing down a dress to a loved one is also a great way to save money.
You might be worried that your bridal gown will not fit or look good on the next wearer, but that’s not always the case! When couture designers design wedding dresses, they create them with future wearers in mind.
Even though fashion trends change rapidly, a dress can be worn multiple times while also inspiring future brides.
Sell it on a consignment site
Many consignment boutiques are popping up all over the country, which is great news for consumers.
If you’re looking for an alternative to selling the gown to a thrift store or flogging it on eBay, look no further than a consignment website.
These sites specialize in selling clothing and accessories, but they also accept wedding dresses.
If you aren’t sure how much your dress is worth, use an appraisal site like Worthpoint or WeWoreIt to find out the retail value of your dress.
You can also look at resale prices on eBay and Amazon.
Donate it
Women who can’t afford expensive dresses benefit the most from donations.
Many of these women want to get married, but they are unable to purchase a gown due to their financial situation.
You could give their lives new meaning by donating your white dress.
Your beloved garment will bring happiness and joy to another woman and her special day! Charity organizations such as The Wedding Dresses Foundation accept wedding dresses, and will send them to needy women from all over the world.
They have a wide range of gown styles and silhouettes, which is great for those looking to donate their gowns.
Redesign it into an evening gown
This is a trend that largely helps to keep old dresses out of the landfills.
If your gown is in perfect condition, you can turn it into a luxurious evening gown with a few alterations.
Evening gowns tend to be much more expensive than regular dresses because they are made from the best fabrics.
You can save money on your next dress by reusing the best parts of your gown, just be sure to bring it to a qualified seamstress or tailor.
To create a stunning gown, add some lace or a new color to the dress.
Then, add a train to your dress, which is a popular embellishment for evening gowns.
Lastly, have the neckline adjusted to show off your collarbones and help you stand out from the crowd!
Use the fabric to make household items like curtains and pillows
This idea is perfect for anyone looking to repurpose their wedding dress.
Fabric from a silk or satin gown can be turned into pillows, pouf skirts and even curtains.
Etsy is the place to go if you’re thinking of selling your repurposed creations.
You could also make some custom-sized handbags, stoles and headbands with your extra fabric.
Some people sew together the remaining material to make bed sheets which would come in handy as an addition to your sleeping quarters.
The possibilities are endless!
Turn your gown into artwork
If your wedding dress is in decent condition, you could turn it into art.
You could create a stunning painting that you can hang on your walls or frames.
Your wedding dress could be used as the base material to make a striking portrait.
Or, you could use it to paint abstract works of art.
The idea is to find a way to reuse the fabric from your dress.
Design a new wedding dress out of the old one
There is no rule that says you have to get rid of your gown.
If you have the skills, why not redesign it and wear it again?
Look at some wedding dresses from the runway and design a new dress with the same elements.
You could tweak a few things here and there or take only certain details to create something that is all your own.
For instance, if you have an hourglass figure, you could add a longer silhouette to a narrow wedding gown.
If you have a pear-shaped figure that looks great in an empire waist, then create a dress with the same silhouette.
Create a contemporary or eco-chic style by adding some zippers or buttons to your gown.
Frame and hang your gown
If you love your wedding dress and it means a lot to you, then put it on display at home.
You don’t have to sell it or make any changes (unless you want to) in order to create a display of your gown that will inspire others.
The process of creating a wedding dress that can be admired, appreciated and appreciated is one of the best feelings in life! If your dress has sentimental value, then display it proudly.
Being married is one of the most important events in life, so don’t let anyone tell you that you have to get rid of your gown.
Your wedding dress is something that will never be forgotten and will remain in your heart long after the train ride has ended.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding gown should be something that is special to you, so it’s only natural to want to keep it! Some people have more sentimental love for their gown than others, which is why deciding if you should recycle your gown is important.
If you’re thinking about getting rid of your dress, be sure to do so carefully and with the intention of reusing the fabric in other ways.
FAQs
How do you dispose of a wedding dress?
Donate the gown to the Salvation Army or any local women’s shelter, so that it can be put to good use.
Is it possible to recycle my wedding dress?
Some wedding dress companies recycle their garments, but this isn’t common practice in most bridal stores.