Options for Your Post-wedding Gown

Maybe you tried on hundreds of dresses, or maybe you tried on one. Regardless of how you found it, you did, the perfect dress. You got married in it, your picture was taken in it, and you danced the night away with your new husband in your wedding dress. Now what? You have a couple great options when it comes to deciding what to do with your dress.

Sell It
You probably spent a good portion of your wedding budget on your gown. You may want to recoup some of the cost by selling it. Have it professionally cleaned first and have a picture available to show potential buyers. Make sure you have a full length picture and a close up picture of any special details.

You may want to try an online auction site like eBay. This option is easy and quick, however you probably won't make as much on your dress since it will be competing with literally hundreds of other dresses listed at the same time. In the auction description clearly state the size, what alterations have been made, and also any damage to the dress. Be honest about your description. You don't want to have to refund what you made and pay to have the dress shipped back if someone is unhappy with their purchase.

Other options include newspaper listings, flyers at college campuses, or ads on online sites like craigslist. These are either free or very cheap. Check out local consignment shops. They will show your dress in their shop and take a commission from what it sells for. This option may net you the most.

Realize that no matter how you choose to sell your dress you will probably not make back near what you spent.

Preserve It
Your wedding dress is a sentimental piece of clothing. If you decide just pictures of you in it aren't enough and you want to keep it then have it preserved professionally. Although many dry cleaners have this service try; to find someone who specializes in gown preservation. They will clean your dress and either vacuum seal it in a bag or wrap it in acid-free paper and pack it in a box. The boxes usually have a clear window where the bodice of the gown can be displayed.
By professionally having your dress preserved you are preventing it from turning yellow and being destroyed by mold, mildew, and moths. If you take it out of the box or bag for any reason you will need to have it put back in professionally again.

Donate It
If you don't want the hassle of selling it or storing it then you may want to donate it. You can either drop it off at your local thrift shop or donate to a specific charity. If you do a search on the internet you can find organizations that sell used dresses to help causes specifically for women. Make sure you get a receipt for donating your dress because it is a tax write off.

Recycle it:
There are some fun and even sentimental options for recycling your dress. Think about remodeling it to make a Halloween costume. You can get really creative with a bride theme. Another option is to use the fabric to make a christening or blessing outfit for your children. This will become a real family heirloom.

Trash It
Don't literally throw your dress in the garbage. Check out this article about doing a "trash the dress" photography session.

This is a fun option for brides wanting to get creative pictures of them in their wedding dress without worrying about ruining it. The trend is still new so many photographers will do a session for free or at a discounted price to get images for their portfolio. When you are done with the session consider the above recommendation of turning your dress into a Halloween costume.

Regardless of which option you choose make sure you are comfortable with it. You don't want to feel regret if you give your dress away. Do keep in mind that decades from now your dress will probably not be stylish anymore so your daughter will probably not wear it. Do what you want with your dress.