Wedding Dresses and Bridal Party Attire

The Wedding's Over, What Do I Do with My Dress?

You have dreamed about wearing the most beautiful bridal dress in the world since you were a little girl. Now, that day has come and gone. Looking at your wedding dress, you have to decide what will become of it. There are many options available, depending on financial and personal needs.

If looking to keep your wedding dress, it needs to be professionally cleaned and preserved at the cleaners. This will prevent the dress from yellowing and having a foul odor. It is also a good idea to have a wedding dress cleaned if looking to sell, as most wedding consignment shops will not accept clothing that has not been professionally cleaned.

Consigning a wedding dress may be a good idea if looking to recoup some of the costs involved with the wedding. Online classified listings and auction sites are also another possibility for resale. When selling, factor in the overall commission costs involved with the sale and market first to the site that takes the least.

For women looking to save their wedding dress for the future, many have plans for their dresses. In some cultures, women fashion their child's Christening gown from their wedding train. They may also save it to be passed down from mother to daughter, or be saved as a family heirloom. If looking to celebrate again, a wedding dress can also be used for a renewal of vows or second wedding event.

Bridesmaids are often left with a dress they will never wear again. Thanks in part to a more prom-like or cocktail design, bridesmaid dresses are able to be reused as black-tie formal wear. This may take some altering of the dress' length, but if looking to keep the dress may be worth the expense. Bridesmaid dresses can also be sold to local bridal resale shops. If looking to resell the dress, check with other members of the bridal party and try to sell them as a lot, rather than by individual sales. This will better the chances of a bride selecting your gown for her attendants.

Sometimes, bridesmaids do not want to go through the hassle of selling a dress. It sits in the closet forever until it becomes another retro piece of clothing. Instead of this happening, consider donating it to a good cause. Many organizations accept prom-looking bridal gowns to donate to underprivileged high school students looking for prom attire. A quick search on the Internet using the terms "donate your prom dress" will help you find local non-profit groups in your area.

Whether keeping or selling your wedding dress or bridal party attire, be sure to remember that this was a huge investment and treat it as such. This way it will either command top-dollar or be around for years of memorable enjoyment.