In the lead up to your wedding, you would’ve spent months trying on different dresses to find The One, you undoubtedly spent an unreasonable amount of money once you found it, and then some more thanks to last-minute alterations, and then comes the wedding, you wear it, and… then what?

While it can feel like the life of your wedding dress has ended the moment the night ends, it doesn’t always have to be the case. Whether you want to cherish your dress and its memory, or you couldn’t care less, here are the 5 things you can do with it once your wedding is well and truly over.

1. Keep It Safe

For the sentimental bride, the thought of doing anything other than storing away your wedding dress is simply unfathomable. Sometimes, it’s just too hard to part with something so expensive special. If that’s the case for you, then carefully packing it away in a box will do, and who knows, you might be able to pass it down to any future daughters.

2. Sell It

Think of it as a sort of gift to yourself. You sell your wedding dress, that you’ll definitely never get any use of it anymore, and you end up with a nice amount of money that you can put towards a handbag maybe? A gorgeous pair of Louboutins? Maybe both?

Yeah, we’re liking the sound of this one too.

3. Repurpose and Recycle

If you’re not keen on keeping your gown and having it take up space, but you’ve still got a sentimental attachment to it, then a great option is to repurpose it.

You can either have it made into lingerie or completely re-work into an adorable Christening gown for your future babies. There are also ways to take bits of material and incorporate it into jewellery, so you have plenty of options to choose from here!

4. Turn It Into Art

Now we’re not saying to frame your entire wedding dress, because please don’t, but there are ways to turn your dress into art. Pieces of material can be framed up, or you can have the dress illustrated, giving you a unique way to remember it, without having to keep it in the back of your cupboard.

5. Donate It

What better way to get rid of your wedding dress than by donating it? You can take it down to the Salvation Army, or to a charity like Angel Gowns Australia, which transforms your dress into gowns for babies who have sadly passed away. It’s a beautiful cause, and one worth looking into.

Cover photo by: @berta