There are many reasons that you might want to sell your wedding dress. Whether it is due to an unhappy relationship or because you just don't have the room for it, there are a few things to know about this somewhat common and popular activity. First, you will have to decide how and where to sell the garment. The Internet is full of websites where registered sellers are allowed to list their "pre loved" wedding dresses. These sites are very similar to the many auction sites in that they allow the seller to post photographs of the gown, and to generally ask the price that they need for the dress.
So, the next question is "how much do I ask for the gown"? That depends on its age, the designer, the materials from which it was made, and its overall condition. It will also have to include the fees charged by the website too. Many charge commissions, listing fees, and buyer's premiums, which can add up to a hefty portion of the profits. It is best to scout around to see which sites seem to have the best looks and the best terms.
Let's first look at the most essential issue where a used wedding dress is concerned — its condition. If you were intending to pass the dress on to someone, or if you just wanted it to remain in pristine condition, you probably had the gown treated by a knowledgeable dry cleaner. This will mean that visible and invisible stains from the wedding day were professionally treated, and that the gown was thoroughly cleansed. The dry cleaning method actually improves the looks of the fabric of most dresses, and this will show up plainly in any photographs you post to the sales site. Your cleaner should have also wrapped the gown in an acid-free paper and stored it in a pH neutral box. Be sure to indicate this in the listing as it reveals the care with which the gown was treated.
If, however, you didn't clean your gown you might be surprised to find yellow spots, areas of deterioration, and even stiffness in the fabric. Consider that champagne, sugar, and even bubbles can cause problems with delicate fabrics, and if the dress wasn't thoroughly cleansed before being put away those materials will have caused visible problems. If you are going to try to sell the gown you must "own up" to any such marks or stains.
If the gown is a designer label you can feel free to mention this in the description, but be fair and reasonable about it. Do a bit of research to see what brand new models from this design house are going for and then adjust downward allowing for the age and looks of the dress. You must also take a clear photograph of the label in order to ensure that you are not just trying to pass off something with similar looks. Although wedding gowns don't change dramatically from decade to decade, it is only realistic to understand that a specific brand from ten years earlier cannot be priced at today's unworn rates.
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