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Step 1
Send your gown to a dry cleaner that specializes in bridal wear. Do this immediately after the wedding--perspiration or a teeny splash of champagne can yellow and set quickly. Point out and identify visible stains for treating.
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Step 2
Invest in a dust-proof heirloom box if you must store your dress even briefly. Some dry cleaners can hermetically seal it. Avoid plastic bags and hangers--they seal in humidity and can damage or stretch delicate fabrics.
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Step 3
Go to a consignment store that sells once-worn and never-worn bridal wear. Expect it to turn away any dress that isn't cleaned, pressed, with buttons intact and in near-mint condition.
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Step 4
Agree on a selling price. The store will take into account its styling (a fading fad or timeless statement), condition and age.
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Step 5
Sign a contract, usually for three months. Often you will receive 50 percent of the sale price. If it remains unsold at the end of the agreed-upon time frame, you or the store can extend the arrangement or end it.
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Step 6
Advertise your dress online. You'll need a full-length color photograph that really shows it off and a full description right down to the beading, condition, price paid and size.
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Step 7
Give your gown to a charity thrift shop if you don't need the cash. You will be doing a really nice deed for a bride on a budget (some say it's good luck to pass along your happiness), and you'll get a tax write-off. See How to Sell Used Clothing.
Comments
skippityskaps said
on 12/31/2008 You can sell your wedding dress for free at www.smartbride.net :-)
skippityskaps said
on 12/31/2008 You can sell your wedding dress for free at www.smartbride.net
she-dog said
on 7/23/2008 Step #2 above is very bad advice. With modern fabrics, heirlooming is unnecessary and a total waste of money. And you can't sell a dress in a sealed box. The theoretical idea of the sealed "heirloom box" was to preserve a dress for 20 years until your daughter would be ready to wear it. Hello! Your daughter is not going to wear it. Are you going to wear your mother's dress? Anyway, no consignment shop will accept a dress in an heirloom box.
www.usedweddingdresses.com will sell your dress with no fee until it sells. And there is a link that tells how to clean your own wedding dress for about $5.
Mariyah said
on 3/21/2008 There is a new site dedicated to selling new and used gowns online. You can find overstock dresses from bridal boutiques and dresses that are being sold by owners as well. Check it out!!! www.buymygown.com
jemma23 said
on 2/26/2008 Try Idonowidont.com. I heard they are great as well.