No matter what type of fabric it is made out of, your wedding gown is more than simply an article of clothing. A lot of time, energy, effort, and money go into finding the perfect wedding gown for your big day. And then, after all the excitement, the guests and the food, you still have a luxurious gown in your wardrobe. So what to do with your bridal gown after the big day has passed? Here are some options you can consider:
Transform Your Dress Into Something New
One way to commemorate the beauty of the dress in a contemporary way is to create a necklace from the fabric of the gown, particularly the lace, if your dress has any. Embedding your dress’ fabric into a necklace gives it a whole new and stylish purpose. It also makes for a great story when someone compliments your unique jewellery. Another transformation option is to turn your dress into lingerie. You’ll feel that magical feeling you felt while walking down the aisle just in a different, more intimate setting. The dress you thought you would only wear once is now a practical item in your closet that will get much more than a single usage.
Do a “Trash Your Dress” Photo-Shoot
An up and coming trend, as of late, has been to have a “trash the dress” photo-shoot in the days following your wedding. This can consist of trudging your dress through the mud, taking your dress for a dip in the water, or even setting in on fire and catching it on camera. This can be a great way to commemorate the dress, without necessarily preserving the physical gown itself. If you don’t wish to completely ruin the dress – as igniting it in flames will – you can control the level of destruction that you put your beloved gown through. Having a quirky photography session capturing your interests – having a snowball fight, rolling in the sand on the beach or horseback riding – is also an artistic option for these photo shoots.
Save it or Give it Away
If you’re looking to keep the dress in its original condition, a great option is to save it for your daughter or daughter-in-law. Passing down your wedding dress offers a very special connection and unforgettable memories.
If you are feeling charitable or if you simply do not want to hang on to it, donating your gown to a local charity or community organization is a great choice. If simply giving it away is not what you want to do, selling it is also an option. You can sell your wedding dress by placing an ad on a free classifieds website or on a site tailored for used gowns.
Whatever you decide to do with your dress all that matters is the magic you felt on your special day and the celebration of finding your true love.
All images via: wikimedia commons