After the big day,
what becomes of your wedding gown?

The wedding is over. The gown, however, is still there, hanging in its garment bag, as if waiting for a decision. Many brides ask themselves the same question in the weeks that follow: what should I do with this piece that meant so much, but that will never, by definition, be worn in quite the same way? There are several options, and each one says something about the life you want to give it.

Wedding gown hanging in the lounge of the Maite Bailleul atelier near Lille, France

Keep, pass on, transform or sell: your options after the wedding

01
Keep

Properly cleaned and stored in a breathable garment bag, away from light, the gown can last for years unchanged. This is the option of pure memory, with no particular plan behind it.

02
Pass on

To a daughter, a niece or a close friend. The piece then carries two stories at once: that of the first wedding and that of the second.

03
Transform

Shorten the skirt, remove a sleeve, dye the fabric… For a civil ceremony, a christening or an evening event. An option that is increasingly popular, especially for bespoke pieces.

04
Consign

Rather than staying in a closet, the gown joins another woman’s wardrobe, and she will in turn live her own wedding day in it.

Why consignment makes sense for a designer gown

Maite Bailleul Mathilde wedding gown at the Blanche & Brune showroom near Lille

A bespoke or designer wedding gown is often a significant investment, worn only once. The luxury second hand market has grown considerably in recent years, driven both by brides who love the idea of giving a second life to the pieces they cherished, and by those looking for a designer gown in impeccable condition at a more accessible price.

This is exactly what Blanche & Brune offers: the private showroom founded by Maite Bailleul near Lille. The selection is careful: gowns by designers such as Atelier Swan, Maison Maelie, Camille Marguet, Mira Zwillinger, Danielle Frankel or Cortana, chosen with the same eye as for a bespoke creation. For a bride who wishes to entrust her gown, it is the assurance that it will be presented with care, in a setting worthy of its value.

Private showroom by appointment · Lille

How to entrust your gown to Blanche & Brune

It is simple. Get in touch through the website (in French) and describe your gown: designer, size, overall condition. The gown is then assessed and presented in the private showroom near Lille, by appointment, alongside a selection of designer gowns in perfect condition. Once it is sold, you receive your share of the sale according to the terms agreed when you entrusted it.

Entrust my gown

Frequently asked questions about a wedding gown’s second life

Maite Bailleul Hestia wedding gown at the Blanche & Brune showroom near Lille

Can any wedding gown be entrusted?

The gowns accepted for luxury consignment are generally designer or bespoke pieces in excellent condition. Blanche & Brune applies a careful selection, in the same spirit as a bespoke creation.

Should the gown be cleaned before it is entrusted?

Yes, professional cleaning by a specialist in bridal fabrics is recommended before any consignment. A clean, well presented gown sells more easily and on better terms.

How long after the wedding can I entrust my gown?

There is no set deadline. Some brides entrust their gown a few weeks after the ceremony, others several years later. What matters most is the condition of the piece.

Donation or consignment: how to choose?

Donation suits you if you wish to pass the gown on with nothing in return, to a person or a charity. Consignment gives the gown a second life while also letting you recover part of its value.

A bespoke wedding gown carries hours of work, carefully chosen fabrics and a unique moment in life. Whether it is lovingly kept, transformed, or sent on to another bride through Blanche & Brune, it continues, in one way or another, to tell a story.

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