After the Wedding: What to Do with Your Wedding Dress

Your guide to honoring, preserving, or reimagining the gown you wore at the Historic Hampton House 1908.

Your wedding gown holds memories stitched into every seam—moments spent getting ready in the Love Room, first looks on the staircase, portraits in the Ladies’ Parlor, and time spent walking the grounds of the Historic Hampton House 1908. But once the vows are said and the celebrations fade, many brides ask the same question:

What should I do with my wedding dress now?

Whether you want to preserve it, repurpose it, or give it a new life entirely, here are the best post-wedding options to consider.

1. Professionally Clean & Preserve Your Dress

If you want to keep your gown in its pristine condition, preservation is the way to go. Professional cleaners treat stains, restore fabric, and carefully box your dress so it remains beautiful for decades.

And after seeing your gown sparkle in the soft light of our bridal suites or sweep down the Hampton House staircase—preserving it is a wonderful way to hold onto those moments.

Why Brides Choose This Option:

• Protects delicate lace and beading

• Keeps fabric from yellowing over time

• Perfect for future generations

2. Display It as a Keepsake

More brides are choosing to display elements of their dress in keepsake frames or shadow boxes. You can include:

• Lace appliqués

• Buttons or beading

• A swatch of fabric

• Your veil or hairpiece

• Invitation suite, photos, or florals

It’s a beautiful way to honor the day—especially when your gown was part of such timeless Historic Hampton House 1908 moments.

3. Repurpose It into Something New

If you love creativity, consider transforming your gown into:

• A christening or baptism outfit

• Anniversary lingerie or robes

• A decorative pillow

• A clutch or accessory

• Heirloom Christmas ornaments

Brides who get ready in the Love, Joy, or Calm Rooms often feel deeply connected to their dress. Turning it into something new helps that feeling continue long after the wedding.

4. Donate Your Dress

If you want your gown to make a difference, donating is a meaningful option. Many organizations accept gently worn wedding gowns for:

• Military brides

• Brides facing financial hardship

• NICUs (for angel gowns)

• Charity boutiques

It’s a beautiful way to pay forward the love you felt celebrating at the Hampton House.

5. Schedule a Styled Anniversary Photoshoot

One of the most fun ways to reuse your dress? Put it back on!

Many couples return to the Historic Hampton House 1908 for anniversary portraits because the venue’s timeless architecture and gardens make it easy to recreate the magic of their wedding day—or create something entirely new.

Whether it’s the wraparound porch, the gardens, or the staircase, your gown will feel right at home here again.

6. Create an Heirloom for Your Future Family

Your gown could one day become:

• A daughter’s “something borrowed”

• A fabric ribbon tied around your child’s bouquet

• A handkerchief for future generations

• A veil transformation for a niece or granddaughter

When your wedding day takes place in a venue rooted in history, like the Hampton House 1908, it just feels fitting to pass something down.

7. Sell Your Wedding Dress

There’s no shame in giving your dress a new life with someone else. Selling your gown:

• Helps another bride find her dream dress

• Gives your gown more than one beautiful wedding day

• Keeps clutter to a minimum

Some brides choose to do this after storing their dress for a few months and feeling ready to let go.

Your Dress, Your Story

Whether you choose to preserve it, repurpose it, or pass it on, your wedding dress will always be a piece of your story—and a piece of the day you celebrated at the Historic Hampton House 1908.

From the moment it hung in your bridal suite to the moment you walked down the aisle, it served you well. Now, it’s your turn to decide how the life of your dress continues.