What To Do with Your Wedding Dress
Give your wedding dress a second life with these meaningful and eco-friendly ideas — from creative repurposing to heartfelt donations.
Above photo by Wabi Sabi.
Your wedding dress is probably one of the most meaningful garments you’ll ever own. It holds memories, emotions, and a little bit of magic. Many brides tuck it safely away, hoping it might one day be worn again — but as styles change, those dresses often end up forgotten in a wardrobe or attic.
Instead of letting it sit untouched, why not give it a new life? There are so many creative, sustainable ways to reuse or repurpose your wedding dress — keeping your memories alive while doing something beautiful for yourself or others.
Recycle or Repurpose
In years gone by, brides often dyed or altered their gowns to wear again at formal occasions. It’s a tradition worth reviving! Depending on your dress and its fabric, there are many ways to transform it into something new:
Shorten the hem and wear it as a cocktail or evening dress.
Dye it a new colour — soft pastels, champagne tones, or even something bold can create a completely new look.
Turn it into lingerie — relive the feeling of beauty and confidence from your wedding day with a special piece created by a tailor.
Get creative with lace and fabric — use delicate details from your dress to decorate your baby’s cradle, frame a piece as wall art, or craft keepsakes for loved ones. Pinterest is full of inspiration for this!
Tina and her wedding dress, captured by Anna Svobodova.
Mark Your Anniversary
Your wedding dress doesn’t have to be a one-day memory. Celebrate your love by bringing it out again:
Plan an anniversary photoshoot, perhaps where you first said “I do.”
Revisit your vows privately for a quiet, emotional moment together.
Invite a photography student to capture the occasion — a lovely way to support local talent.
Use the dress as a light-hearted motivation goal to “fit it again” each year.
Or make it social — gather friends who are also married and have a joyful dress-up photoshoot together!
Sydney’s wedding dress, photo by Basilico Studio.
Resell
If you’re ready to part with your gown, selling it can be both practical and eco-friendly.
Consignment shops can help, but timing matters — list it while the style is still current.
Expect to receive around 50–80% of the original price (minus fees).
Or try online resale platforms such as Stillwhite, PreOwnedWeddingDresses, or Vinted, which connect you with modern brides seeking pre-loved gowns.
Sustainability is stylish — and second-hand wedding dresses are becoming more and more cherished by conscious couples.
Sydney’s wedding dress, photo by Basilico Studio.
Donate
Donating your gown can give it an even deeper meaning.
Some charities resell dresses to fund important causes, while others gift them to brides in need.
Organisations like Brides Against Breast Cancer continue to make a wonderful impact.
You can also look into Angel Gowns — volunteers who transform donated wedding dresses into tiny burial garments for babies who have passed away. One gown can become several of these small, heartfelt creations.
Search for “Angel Gowns” or “NICU Helping Hands” in your area to see how you can contribute.
Zarna and her wedding dress, photo by Wabi Sabi.
Share Your Story
Have you done something special with your wedding dress? We’d love to hear your story.
And if you’re thinking about donating your gown, PearlSandals can help you connect with the right organisation. Just reach out — we love seeing love stories continue in new ways.