Six Awesome Things You Can Do with Your Dress After the Wedding
Congratulations, Ivory & Beau bride! You’ve made it down the aisle and said “I Do” to the person of your dreams. Once the wedding buzz has settled down and you’ve gotten into the swing of married life, it’s not uncommon for brides to ask: “what am I supposed to do with my dress now?” Today, we’re breaking down our top six picks for what you can do with your wedding dress after the wedding!
Photography: Ashley Smith Photography for Ivory & Beau Bride Selena
Donate it.
In our opinion, donation is probably the greatest thing you could do with your wedding gown after the big day. Think of how much joy your gown brought you… now imagine that joy multiplied by two! By donating your dress, you allow another bride to share in the magic of *that* feeling-- you know, the one you felt the very first time you got a glimpse of yourself in the mirror on your wedding day. Click here to learn more about some meaningful ways you can donate your gown.
Transform it.
There are so many incredible ways to repurpose your dress! Create a christening gown for a special little one in your life or turn it into the dress-up gown of any child’s dreams. Take a piece of the fabric and have a keepsake made, such as a locket or a framed piece of art. Some crafty DIYers have even turned their gowns into pillows and teddy bears!
Photography: Elli McGuire Photography for Ivory & Beau Bride Morgan
Have it framed.
We completely understand if you can’t bear to take a pair of scissors to the dress of your dreams. If you can’t stand the thought of it sitting in your closet, why not put it on display? Plenty of brides have built a shadow box to showcase their gown long after the big day. You can even have your bouquet pressed to display alongside your dress.
Preserve it.
If you plan to hang onto your dress for years to come, the best way to maintain its quality and value is through preservation. Delicate fabric can stretch, discolor, and become permanently creased over time if not properly maintained. Wedding gown preservation kits are a wonderful investment for brides who would love to see their gown passed down as a family heirloom. Just check out Ivory & Beau Bride Stephanie’s bridal lineup: these are all gowns worn by her family on their wedding days!
Photography: Julia Hembree Photography for Ivory & Beau Bride Stephanie
Play dress up.
There’s nothing wrong with keeping your dress around for a little dress up! Once you’ve preserved your gown, it will be in mint condition for any future occasions you’d like to have it around for. You may choose to keep it for an anniversary photo shoot or a vow renewal ceremony. And hey… there’s no shame in just wearing it around the house when you feel like you need a bit of a bridal confidence boost.
Trash it.
There are no rules when it comes to what to do on your wedding day, and the same goes for after, too! If you want to send your dress off with a bang, trash it in an epic shoot. Bring some extra padding and wear it for a paintball session or go traipsing through the ocean. If you and your sweetie have a sweet tooth, wear the gown for a cake fight. You could even trim the bottom and take it for a color run or hike to a waterfall for some breathtaking photos!
Photography: Andre Johnson Photography for Ivory & Beau Bride Kasey