What To Do With Your Wedding Dress On Your 10-Year Anniversary

Ten years.

That’s 3650 days of sharing food, inside jokes, having hard conversations, those reassuring hand squeezes, and all the other tiny little things that make up a life together. 

And somewhere in your closet, folded in a box or hanging behind the door, is the dress that started it all.
The one you wore when you said “I do.”

Now that your 10th anniversary has rolled around, what are you going to do with it? Leave it in its box, untouched? Or do you give it a second spotlight, bringing it out to become a part of another milestone in your life?

The best part is that you’ve got options. Whether you wear it again, refresh its look, preserve it professionally, repurpose it, ot pass it along, your gown still has more to give.  

Wear It Again ‑ Relive the Magic

Nothing brings back those wedding day butterflies quite like slipping into the dress again.

Try It On at Home

Dim the lights, step into your dress, put on your first-dance song, and invite your partner to join you.
What matters is those memories and feelings that rush back to you while you also make new ones; whether your dress zips perfectly or not doesn’t matter at all. 

Do an Anniversary Photo Shoot

Recreate your wedding photos with a fun twist—maybe add your kids or your dog this time! A “then and now” photo series will melt hearts.

Private Vow Renewal

Have a mini vow renewal ceremony. It doesn’t have to be lavish. Simply head to the backyard of your home or a local beach. You don’t need guests. Just your heart and the dress.

Throw a Wedding Dress Party

Invite friends to pull out their gowns, too! A BYOWD (Bring Your Own Wedding Dress) party is a sweet and silly way to celebrate friendship, love, and fashion choices of the past.

Before You Dress Up:

• Check the fit a few months ahead in case you want tailoring.

• Use gentle steaming to smooth it out—no irons!

• Handle with clean gloves to avoid oils or stains.

• If it’s yellowed, aged, and damaged, get it professionally cleaned. 

• Consider re-preserving the dress after wearing it.

Refresh & Alter for a Second Life

Maybe the full-length lace gown doesn’t feel quite “you” anymore. That’s okay—your style has evolved, just like your marriage.

Transformation Ideas:

• Shorten it to tea-length or cocktail style.

• Dye it a soft neutral or bold jewel tone.

• Change the neckline or sleeves for a modern vibe.

• Convert it to a two-piece set or even a chic jumpsuit.

• Add embellishments like beading, lace sleeves, or a dramatic belt.

Think of it as a fashion-forward rebirth. New look, same soul.

Check out what this Reddit bride did for her 10-year renewal.

Professional Preservation (DIY Window Has Closed)

If the dress has been sitting in a closet or attic for a decade, it’s time to call in the experts. Wedding gowns aren’t made to last forever without care, especially not with age, humidity, and hidden stains (like sweat or champagne) at play.

Why Go Pro?

• DIY fixes won’t cut it after ten years.

• Professional cleaners use gentle restoration techniques to lift old stains safely.

• Acid-free packaging protects the gown from future damage.

• Many services offer lifetime guarantees.

Repurpose into Heirlooms & Keepsakes

Now, not everyone wants to wear their wedding gown again, but that doesn’t mean it can’t live on in meaningful ways.

Ideas to Consider:

• Family Milestones: Turn it into a christening or baptism gown outfit for a child, or a special-occasion dress for your daughter or niece

• Home Décor: Stitch a lace-trimmed quilt, sew a few decorative pillows, or frame a panel of lace with your vows and bouquet petals.

• Holiday Magic: Tree skirt, ornaments, or stockings made from your gown? Yes, please.

Pass It On: Donate or Sell

If your heart is ready to pass it on, your dress can be someone else’s dream come true.

Donation Ideas:

• Nonprofits supporting military or first-responder brides

• Programs that turn wedding dresses into NICU or angel gowns

• Bridal thrift stores that benefit charity

If You Plan on Selling Your Dress: 

The first step is to have your dress professionally cleaned. Then you can take clear, well-lit photographs and share them using trusted resale platforms. Make sure to mention the story behind it because buyers love meaning. 

Your Story And Legacy

As you celebrate a decade of building a life together, your gown deserves to breathe again and continue being a part of your journey. 

Because all through your 10 years of love, laughter, change, and growth, your gown has waited quietly, still holding on to the memories of the day it all started. 

Whether you choose to re-wear your dress, preserve it, repurpose it, or donate it, let your dress serve as a reminder to reflect who you’ve become, and to live on in a way that still feels meaningful.

Let your dress be more than a memory. Let it be part of the legacy you’re still writing, ten years in and forever to go.