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Can I throw my wedding dress out?

19 replies

RafaFan · 12/10/2026 15:54

Wedding dress has been hanging in a wardrobe inside a duvet cover for 25 years. It was dry cleaned after the wedding and has been untouched since. It's in good condition apart from one small mark which would likely come out. It's a very simple, plain style, so not particularly dated. But just...what to do with it?

We have a daughter, but she's only 10 and I would never expect her to want to wear it and maybe she won't get married anyway. I did wonder if we could dye the dress for her to wear to her prom when the time comes but that's another few years away. She also looks likely to be taller and skinnier than me too.

I was in our local charity shop recently and there was a wedding dress which had not been displayed properly and was ruined by dragging on the floor. I can't imagine anyone buying it and I think I would rather recycle mine directly than have that happen to it.

So now I'm thinking I should just throw it out. It seems like a waste of a good dress though...

OP posts:
Thumbtwiddler · 12/10/2026 15:55

Donate to a charity shop that has a bridal boutique.
Sell it on Vinted - someone might want it for a budget wedding or to wear on a hen do.
Put it in the loft just in case your daughter does want it one day.
Don't just throw it away!

InBristol · 12/10/2026 15:56

Pop it on Vinted or FB Marketplace? If it is simple I am sure someone will want it.

SENsupportplease · 12/10/2026 16:33

Donate to one of the charities which makes clothes and shrouds for stillborn babies?

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MadnessInMyMethod · 12/10/2026 16:53

Ebay or Vinted. I bought my wedding dress on eBay. It happened to be unworn but there were worn ones I considered. I didn't want to spend a fortune on a dress I'd only wear once but I did want a traditional wedding dress as it was (all being well) the only opportunity I'd ever have to wear one. I've been married over 20 years now.

FlowerVases · 12/10/2026 16:56

Yes of course you can.

DewDropsAndCobWebs · 12/10/2026 16:56

I gave mine to DD to use as part of a Halloween costume, she went as a zombie bride when she was 10 or 11

AitkenDrum1970 · 12/10/2026 16:58

Donate to a charity like this https://weddingwishingwell.org.uk/ they’re in Exeter and provide wedding out fits for families with life limiting illnesses

HappyToSmile · 12/10/2026 16:59

There are quite a few options!!
Vinted/ebay
There are a few 2nd hand charity bridal shops
Companies who make gowns for still born babies.

MagnoliaTreeBlossom · 12/10/2026 17:01

SENsupportplease · 12/10/2026 16:33

Donate to one of the charities which makes clothes and shrouds for stillborn babies?

Dresses for Angels is one of these charities. You may have others nearby.

Tryagain26 · 12/10/2026 17:05

Donate it, give it away on market place or sell it in hinted, don't throw it away.
There are some specialist wedding dress charity shops. Oxfam have them

malloryknox123 · 12/10/2026 17:08

I had mine vacuum packed into a flat box and keep it on the top shelf of my wardrobe. Nobody else would want it but I do

WhistlerInHisStudio · 12/10/2026 17:17

Local Am Dram society might take it - that’s what I did with mine

Buynow · 12/10/2026 17:20

I agree it would be unlikely any daughter would choose to wear her mother's old wedding dress and I'm all in favour of not keeping stuff for sentimental reasons.
Rather than just throw it away I would first try Vinted or FB marketplace.

ItmightbeOKtostepaway · 12/10/2026 17:25

Gave mine to one of oxfams’s bridal shops.
chippenham, Southampton, Darlington and York https://www.oxfam.org.uk/about-us/faq/oxfam-shops-uk/bridal-shops/

Oxfam GB | Bridal shops

https://www.oxfam.org.uk/about-us/faq/oxfam-shops-uk/bridal-shops/

Iliketulips · 12/10/2026 17:39

Donate it to charity or sell on an online store.

Your DD may never show interest, but my DD suddenly wanted to see mine when she was 23. She asked to see it on me.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 12/10/2026 18:41

Donate it to a place that makes christening gowns out of wedding dresses.

RafaFan · Yesterday 16:09

Thanks everyone. The dress was in my son's wardrobe but he has (rightfully) decided he needs the space, so it has now moved to mine until I decide how to move it on...which will be soon, as I also need the space! I don't think I will just be throwing it out directly though.

OP posts:
Sahara123 · Yesterday 16:53

Buynow · 12/10/2026 17:20

I agree it would be unlikely any daughter would choose to wear her mother's old wedding dress and I'm all in favour of not keeping stuff for sentimental reasons.
Rather than just throw it away I would first try Vinted or FB marketplace.

My daughters friend has just got married in her mothers wedding dress which she’d had updated. It looked fabulous, so original, and not just another strapless style!

Aaloyisha · Yesterday 20:12

Make bunting out of the fabric? Or have it remodelled into a top or something?

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