How to Recycle a Used Wedding Gown
According to statistics released in 2011 by WePay, the average American wedding gown costs upwards of $2,000. Some brides even break the bank by spending money on two separate dresses for this single-day occasion. Unfortunately, a white formal gown has little versatility and can rarely be worn outside of a wedding ceremony and reception. Maximize the possibilities of this likely extravagant purchase. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Sell your dress and recover some of the money spent on its original purchase. Post it for sale online -- either by using a retailer or selling it yourself -- or sell it to a consignment shop.
-
2
Donate your dress to a less fortunate bride who cannot afford retail prices. Give the gown directly to someone you know planning a wedding, drop it off at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army location, or donate to an organization that offers resale profits to charities. Contribute your used dress to the costume department of your local community theater for use in a play or musical.
-
-
3
Capture uniquely artistic and memorable photos of you and your new spouse immediately after your wedding with a "trash the dress" photo session. Wear your dress for a second time and create everlasting art without worrying about stains and spills. Opt for a session that allows your dress to be cleaned and reused. You could trudge through a muddy field, splash around in a pool, or destroy it completely with a scenario using paint.
-
4
Get more use out of your white gown with a slight alteration or two. Have it dyed for use as an evening gown or shortened into a cocktail dress. Wear the top of the wedding dress separately with jeans and heels for a night out, and use the skirt with a dark or colored top for a special occasion.
-
5
Turn your dress into something else entirely. Make a wedding quilt that can be gifted to a child upon his wedding day. Alter it for your daughter's christening gown. Use it for many years to come as a reminder of your special day in the form of a bedspread, tablecloth or pillowcase set.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
