What to Do with an Old Wedding Dress?

Still holding onto your wedding dress even years after the big day? Well, welcome to the club, ladies, where we all have told ourselves we’ll do something with it eventually! 

But, years pass, and there it stays – bagged, boxed, or tucked away – collecting dust and nostalgia. And that little question never leaves: “What can I do with my wedding dress?”

However, what if we say your old wedding dress isn’t a one-hit wonder? Whether you want to donate it, frame it, preserve it, dye it, pass it, or turn it into something creatively amazing, your wedding gown doesn’t have to retire just yet! 

So, in this guide, we’ll answer the most common question- What to do with an old wedding dress with some amazingly awesome ideas. Let’s begin! 

1. Donate It (And Make Someone’s Day — Or Their Wedding)

If you are ready to let it go, donating is one of the most beautiful things you can do. 

A. Charities That Turn Dresses Into Infant Gowns

Some non-profit organizations turn wedding dresses into burial or memorial gowns for infants who never made it home from the hospital. It’s heartbreaking, but also beautiful to know your dress can bring a small measure of comfort to grieving families. 

Here’s the list of NGOs where you can donate wedding gowns for infants:  

• NICU Helping Hands (Angel Gowns)

• Rachel’s Gift

• Emma’s Footprints

B. Support Military or First Responder Brides

How about your dress walk down the aisle again, but this time for a military or first responder bride? Brides Across America gives free wedding gowns to these incredible women as a thank-you gesture for their service.

C. Help Human Trafficking Survivors

Your dress can be a part of someone’s healing. Adorned in Grace accepts gowns and then resells them at a discounted price to support survivors of human trafficking.

D. Donate to Thrift Stores or Nonprofits

If you want to keep it simple and local, you can donate your attire to nearby thrift stores like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or any local bridal boutique. 

2. Preserve It for the Future

Not ready to say goodbye to your wedding dress? Well, that’s totally fine to hold onto it, specifically when there are so many memories attached. 

A.Passing It to Your Daughter

Even if she doesn’t wear it exactly as it is, saving your dress gives your daughter the chance to incorporate it into her own big day. 

B. Anniversary or Vow Renewal Celebrations

You never know when the urge might hit you to rewear your show-stopping attire again. Whether it’s an anniversary celebration, vow renewal, or any other romantic occasion, if you want to pull off that gown, your best bet is to preserve it now. 

• Get it Professionally Preserved

What is the safest way to protect your wedding attire against yellowing, mold growth, foul odor, or fabric damage? Professional preservation. So, send it to someone who has already done so with over 3 million brides: DressPreservation.com. 

We begin by thoroughly inspecting your gown, followed by a deep clean-up session using SYSTEMK4 technology. Then, it is packed in an acid-free preservation chest using breathable, acid-neutral materials. 

• Store it Right at Home With DIY Methods

If not taking the professional route, you can still do some steps to keep that gown safe at home: 

• Clean it even if it looks spotless.

• Wrap it in acid-free tissue paper to prevent fabric breakdown.

• Say no to plastic bags; instead, use a breathable garment bag.

• Store it flat, in a cool, dry, dark place. No attics or basements are advised.

• Inspect the gown after every 6 months to detect any concerning issues ASAP.

3. Repurpose It Into Family Heirlooms

Want to turn your wedding dress into something meaningful and memorable for your family? Well, you can repurpose it! 

Here are some classic repurpose wedding dress ideas:

A. Tiny Outfits for Tiny Humans

If there’s a little one in your life, parts of your gown can be repurposed into either a christening or baptism gown, or even a First Communion or flower girl dress.

B. Memory Quilt or Blanket

You can use the fabric from your dress to create a memory quilt or a soft blanket you can snuggle up with on anniversaries.

C.Holiday Ornaments or Stockings

A bit of lace or satin from your dress can become a treasured holiday ornament or even a custom Christmas stocking.

D. Ring Pillow or Clutch

Turn parts of your dress into a ring bearer pillow for a future wedding—or a clutch you (or your daughter) can carry down the aisle.

4. Sell It and Give It a Second Wedding

If you have spent a real good amount of money on your dress, and it’s still in good condition, why not sell it? You get a few bucks and someone gets their dream dress. Some of the platforms where you can get a good deal are:

• Stillwhite

• Nearly Newlywed

• PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com

5. Restyle or Tailor It Into Something New

With a little creativity, you can flip your gown into something totally wearable and chic. Think of it as bridal upcycling, but with a glow-up. 

A. Shorten into a Cocktail or Evening Dress

Take off a few inches, and you’ve got yourself an elegant cocktail or evening dress perfect for fancy dinners, anniversary parties, or anytime you want to relive the glam without the train.

B. Make a Robe, Kimono, or Jumpsuit

Bring in your inner fashionista and repurpose your wedding gown into a bridal robe, a kimono, or even a tailored jumpsuit.

C. Dye It for a Totally New Vibe

Your wedding dress isn’t always meant to stay white! Dying it into a soft blush, dusty blue, or even dramatic black can give your attire a whole new charisma.

6. Turn It Into Art or Home Decor

Yes, your wedding dress can become a piece of your home! If you are not the “ box-it up forever” type, we've got some wedding dress repurpose ideas: 

A. Frame It in a Shadow Box

Take the favorite part of your wedding dress and have it professionally mounted in a shadow box. Hang it in your bedroom, hallway, or office.

B. Wall Art from Lace or Beads

Transform small sections of your dress into textured, framed wall art and display it on canvas or set against a soft, neutral background.

C.Table Runner or Curtains

Turn parts of the dress into a table runner, curtains, or even throw pillows. It’s luxe, it’s meaningful, and no one will believe that dreamy fabric used to be walking down the aisle.

7. Use It Creatively (Fun or Unexpected Ideas)

Why not get a little weird, wild, and wonderful with your wedding dress? We got you some ideas that’s way more fun than you'd expect!

A. Host a Dress-Up Party with Friends

Who says dress-up is just for kids? Invite your friends over, get grooving, have some wine, and indulge in crazy recreations of your aisle walk.

B. Plan a Themed Photoshoot

Your dress is a built-in showstopper for any creative photoshoot. Pick a theme, from editorial-style bridal shoots to fun anniversary photos, you’ll get fresh pictures without the wedding stress.

C.Halloween or Costume Party

Okay, how often do you get a reason to wear a wedding dress again? A Halloween party might just be the perfect excuse. Go spooky with a ghost bride look or funny with a themed couple’s costume.

Final Takeaway

Alright, now you must have got answers to that big, lingering question - what to do with old wedding gowns. Whether you decide to donate it, transform it, display it, or give it one more moment in the spotlight, do what feels right to you!  

So pull it out, dust it off, and give it the second life it deserves.