It doesn’t matter if you’ve been married a week or a few years — you may be dealing with your wedding dress. And the big question is — What do I do with my wedding gown? That’s fair! And there are a few options. Here are five things to do with your wedding dress after the big day.
This post contains affiliate links, and purchases help our Virginia weddings blog grow. Thank you!
What to do with your wedding gown after it’s worn?
Once you have said your I do’s and all the festivities have finally come to a halt, you might wonder what to do with your wedding dress. After all, you didn’t go through all that work of getting strapped in, time spent getting alterations, and money spent just to let it go.
Luckily, there are a number of ways you can save your dress after your wedding ceremony and even save it as a keepsake! Here are five things you can do with your wedding gown after the big day if you want to keep it.
5 Things to Do With Your Wedding Dress
1. Transform your gown for your children.
Commissioning a custom gown is a great way to rework your dress after your big day. Any occasion needing a white gown, such as a christening with similar styles or elements, is perfect. However, there are other options for transforming your wedding dress into a gown or accessory for your little ones.
If you don’t want to make it into a dress for them, you could also make it into a doll dress or an adorable outfit for your newborn. These are fun options if you don’t mind your wedding dress being cut.
2. Preserve your wedding gown for future generations.
If you want to keep your dress forever, consider saving it as a keepsake. Some companies offer return options, preservation and storage, and even custom redesign options.
For less than you would pay for your dry cleaning, make sure the company has services to restore and repair to make your dress as perfect as the day you put it on.
3. Turn your wedding dress into a piece of art.
If you’re looking for a unique way to transform your wedding dress after the big day, why not turn it into a priceless heirloom you’ll cherish forever? Consider a beautiful heirloom option, such as an ornament, shadow box, pillow, or even a tree skirt!
All of these would make beautiful pieces of art for your home or a way to cherish your dress forever. You can also send heirloom dresses from your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or another person.
4. Save your white dress for your anniversary.
Another great option is to save your dress to wear on your one-year anniversary. Relive your wedding day bliss with your new spouse!
If they still have their attire, have them put it on too and make the first anniversary one you won’t soon forget. It will also go perfectly along with the slices of wedding cake you saved from your big day.
5. Do nothing and just wait to decide on things to do with your wedding dress.
Unbox the Dress offers an option that will keep your gown in a waterproof lockable box included in the one-year cost. It even has a prepaid shipping label to slide out of your dress and put it right in the box.
Once your dress arrives, it gets the white glove treatment and a top-down cleaning. Your dress stays safe and sound with them until you’re ready. Plus, you can transform it as long as you keep your membership.
Save our ideas on what to do with your wedding dress.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your dress as a keepsake, hopefully, these ideas have helped you figure out how to preserve it properly. It’s a special piece of clothing. Therefore, take time to decide what’s best for you and the future of your wedding gown.
StephanieI should have read this article years ago after my wedding so I would know what to do with my dress. I will share this with a few soon-to-be brides I know.
CinnyThose are pretty creative ways to epicycle the wedding dress. I bought one for pictures but haven’t had the chance to use it yet!
Nicole BertrandGreat ideas! My wedding dress is currently in a box in my closet. I’m hoping one of my girls will want to use some/all of it in their weddings.
briannemanzbThese are great ideas. I never thought of transforming a wedding dress into pillow covers. They are beautiful!
BethDonating is also a great idea. It would be very a very kind act and you surely will make someone very happy.
ClaudiaMaking beautiful pieces of art from your wedding dress is a great idea. It’s a great way to cherish your big special day and look back at your wedding dress every day.
AlitaCommissioning a custom christening gown has become an incredibly popular way to re-work a dress after the wedding.
ColleenI would love to preserve my own wedding dress and pass it on to my daughter. I think it’s very sweet.
BrianDo some people rent their wedding dress? The turn it into a piece of art idea seems like fun!
JessicaI wish I had some of these tips when I was getting married. I love enjoying the dress but I feel like there were so many other things I could do with it.
Melanie EI never really thought about doing anything with mine. I was thinking to keep it for whichever of my daughters was to get married first if she liked it. It can always be adapted to suit.
Gervin KhanThese are great ideas, and I will definitely share this with my sister to know what to do with her wedding gown.
KimberleyThis is such a great post. I never gave it much thought what to do with it. Right now it is just hanging in the closet, but I will definitely save it for my daughter whenever shes ready!
JulieAs someone without children who sold her wedding dress, I was pleasantly surprised to come across this article on 5 Smart Things to Do With Your Wedding Dress After the Big Day. I love how you offer creative and practical ideas for those who want to preserve their dress as a keepsake or repurpose it for other occasions. The pillow is so cute. I especially appreciated the option to do nothing and wait until you’re ready to decide what to do with it. Overall, this article is a great resource for anyone looking for ways to make the most of their wedding dress after the big day.
Elise HoI saved mine but now it just sits in the closet.
Ntensibe EdgarNnniiiccceeeee…I love the idea of turning my gown into a piece of art. It would be nice to have some precious items in my home museum!