Five unusual ways to repurpose your wedding dress after the big day

It’s that time of the year.  The flowers are in full bloom, the wedding season is upon us and blushing brides abound. But what happens to that beautiful, expensive, perfect dress that you only wore for one day? 

The traditional method of having your wedding dress preserved, and storing it in the closet is long gone. Today, modern brides are opting for different ways to get the most out of their perfect dress.  So without further ado...here are the top 5 unusual things you can do with your wedding dress, from Jean Paldan

1. Frame it. 

Yep, you read right, frame it.  Take it to a bespoke framer and work with them to create something truly unique. We spoke to the  Andrew Hitchman at the Oxford Framing Studio in central Oxford.  He said, ‘ The options are endless when framing a dress. You can put the dress in, as well as the invitations, flowers, photographs, mementos from the wedding. It’s a wonderful,  personal way to remember the wedding, and pass down to future generations’,

2.  Destroy it (and photograph it).

Get ready like you would be for your wedding day...but then get messy. Photographers all over the world have been on hand for brides to capture ‘wedding dress destruction’ photos.  Ideas range from playing in the mud, having people throw paint at you, eating very messily with chocolate, to riding on roller coasters.  Find your favourite thrill and do some damage. Just make sure you have someone with a camera to get the shots. 

3.  Think of your future children. 

You’ve married the man of your dreams, in the perfect dress.  And you’re going to have perfect children together.  What better way to show your love than to find your local seamstress,  and have her make it into something for a special occasion for your children.   Christening gowns, and first communions, and other religious ceremonies are easy if the gown is in white or cream satin or organza. Not religious, not a problem. Naming ceremonies deserve a beautiful dress as well, as do first birthdays.

4.  Fancy dress. 

 Just because it has been five years since your wedding, doesn’t mean you can’t break out the dress to be a ‘blushing bride’ for the evening.  Maybe your husband can wear it, and you can wear his tux. Just ideas, people. 

5.  Repurpose it. 

You loved this dress so much it might have made you cry. (At the very least it made your mother cry).   Instead of the above...make it into something useful for you.  See your favourite seamstress and talk about ways of altering it, or using bits of the beadwork to make into the perfect cocktail dress that you can wear whenever you fancy. If you are lucky, maybe you will have enough material left over for a bag to match.