Many women don’t truly feel like a bride until they find perfect the dress. It makes them feel unique and special on their big day, but then what? Explore a few ways to reduce, reuse, or recycle your gown in a way that keeps that special feeling alive for years to come or helps you share it with someone else.
Reduce
You chose the perfect ivory gown with exquisite details, and it is something you can cherish as a memory of your wedding day forever. Or maybe not. Let’s face it: most women aren’t pristinely clean all the time, nor do they want to be. Let your true self shine through in that perfect gown by throwing some mud on it! More and more brides are choosing to express their true personalities with a “trash the dress” photo shoot. Some roll around in the surf on their big day; others wait for a memorable anniversary session. Either way, it’s wearing your gown in a fresh and liberating way that is sure to yield some of your favorite photos.
Not all brides actually destroy their dress; many simply want photos in a less traditional environment, but according to wedding photographer Heidi Reuter, “Most of them go for it!” She has photographed couples in creeks, on rusty steps, in dirty streets, and even throwing paint on each other. If you want photos that take your breath away, you may have to put a little grease into it – literally. heidireuter.com
Reuse
Can’t bear the thought of trashing your perfect gown? You’re not alone. Many brides still elect to preserve their dress for future generations. Dress preservation has come a long way from the cardboard box under your mother’s bed, with methods that allow your gown to hang in any closet for easy inspection and access. According to Pam Kelchner of Kelchner Cleaners in Kutztown, the hanging method has become very popular and allows the bride to create an heirloom of her dress, “the number one tangible item from [her] special day.” kelchnercleaners.com
Recycle
If you want to preserve the memory of your beautiful gown but don’t want to see it collecting dust in your closet, there are dozens of ways to recycle it. Traditionally, women often use their wedding dress to make christening gowns or baby blankets, or to create keepsakes like photo album and picture frame coverings. For the not-so-traditional brides out there, try creating meaningful accessories like jewelry, scarves, or even lingerie for your anniversary.
Want to see your dress live to dance another day? Bridal seamstress Camrin Edwards shared that it is common for brides to have a piece of an heirloom gown sewn into their own. She has even redesigned a gown into a cocktail dress that the bride wore on her delayed honeymoon! “I love seeing a bridal gown that was sitting in the attic repurposed into something new.” camrinedwards.com
Dress an Angel
The Angel Gown Program has found a way to transform the dress you wore on your best day into a way to help those suffering their worst. The program gifts beautiful, custom-made gowns for babies who do not make it home from the hospital. The initiative began in 2013 out of the overwhelming need for better support for families who lost a baby and has grown to a team of more than 100 volunteer seamstresses throughout the country. Gowns are provided free of charge to any hospital or family requesting one. The program also provides support resources for bereaved families. nicuhelpinghands.org
Share the Love
There are dozens of charities across the country accepting gowns to donate for a great cause. If you want to share that special feeling from your big day with someone else, there are plenty of choices for donation.
The Wish Upon a Wedding Project was launched in 2010 in coordination with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They grant weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious illness or life-altering circumstances. Donate your dress and help another bride create her dream wedding. wishuponawedding.org
Deployments, financial hardships, and other unique challenges can make planning a wedding difficult for our servicemen and women. Brides Across America provides gowns to military brides all across the country during their bi-annual nationwide gown giveaway. bridesacrossamerica.com
All over the country there are non-profit bridal boutiques raising money for exceptional causes. These shops accept new and used gown donations for resale, and the proceeds support a variety of causes from cancer to domestic abuse. bridesforacause.com, thebridesproject.org
Finally, if you choose to drop your dress at Goodwill you may just see it again in a fashion magazine! The Keystone Area Goodwill’s Re-Purpose the Dress Contest gives new life to old gowns. Contestants are challenged with creating something new from a dress and other articles found at the store. yourgoodwill.org
