Thinking about Selling? What To Know Before You Even Wear Your Wedding Dress

1.  ASK Questions - When you purchase your gown, make sure you ask the salon/ seller for all of the pertinent information.  In order to sell your gown you will need to know the designer's style number/name (not the salon issued style number), the collection season and year, and the retail price.  In addition, if  you are purchasing a pre-owned wedding dress, ask if the dress has been altered from the original style or size, and if the gown has been cleaned.  You'll also want to get a copy of the original owner's receipt for future proof of authenticity and retail price.

2.  Keep Receipts - Keep Receipts for your dress, accessories, and alterations and put them in a folder or binder labeled "Wedding Receipts".  Keep your receipts for tangible goods for at least 5 years after your wedding.

3.  Find The Right Cleaner - You have the best chances of selling your wedding dress if it is as close to new condition as possible.  That means that you need to choose a cleaner that specializes in cleaning wedding dresses.  This is most likely not the neighborhood cleaner that has been cleaning  your pants and party dresses for the last few years.  Expect to pay more, but know you'll be getting your money's worth.  Better to have your dress looking like new for $400 then not fully cleaned, or worse, ruined, for $150.  Of course you don't have to have your wedding dress preserved if you are going to sell it.  Get referrals for a cleaner before your wedding.  If you are getting married out of town or will be on an extended honeymoon, consider giving a trusted family member or friend the task of sending your dress to a cleaner you've chosen.  More information about wedding dress cleaning.

4.  Notify Your Seamstress - Make sure to tell your seamstress that you may sell your gown after your wedding.  There are things she may or may not do when altering if she knows you might sell it.

5.  Begin Preparing to Part - Prepare to part with my gown before I've even worn it?  May sound a little silly, but the emotional and mental process of passing on your gown can take time.  You'll receive the most money for your gown in the year after your wedding - exactly when you're feeling the most sentimental about it.  Used gowns sell for about 50% of the retail price, depending on the collection year.  They depreciate about 10% every year after your wedding.  So, in approximately 5 years your gown will be worth....

Want more information about how to sell your wedding dress fast and easily after your wedding?  Seller Info Page.