Weddings are often considered the best day of many couples’ lives, but they produce over 180kg of waste and roughly the same carbon emissions as a cross-country flight. Having a more sustainable wedding doesn’t mean you have to elope; it just means planning more mindfully, starting with your outfit.
The rise of the wedding outfit change has made pre-loved dresses a perfect choice for brides who care about the planet. Beyond the practical benefits, vintage and upcycled gowns are unique and offer a way to stand out.
Vintage Dresses with a Story
Tara Rowe, vintage curator and owner of Call Me the Breeze, says, “What makes a vintage dress special is having something ancient that holds history.” She loves dresses with a story behind them or pieces that show a ton of work put into them.
Grace Corby, owner and curator of Art Garments, agrees that vintage bridal feels romantic and meaningful, but most of all, exclusive. “I’m just neurotic about singularity,” she says. “Hunting for a vintage dress is thrilling, and you avoid feeling like a bride on an assembly line.”
Lizzie Langridge, owner of the vintage bridal boutique Love James, adds, “Great vintage never gets old.” These experts emphasize the value of finding a dress with a unique history and character.
Finding the Perfect Vintage Dress
London-based photographer Lottie Spencer found her vintage dress on eBay, a beautiful floor-length gown with an asymmetric hem and corseted bodice. She admits it wasn’t an easy find, but she’s glad she took the chance.
Florence Mangan, an interior designer based in New York, had a similar experience, searching high and low on pre-loved platforms until she landed on a ‘layer cake’ vintage couture dress on Vestiaire Collective. She took a risk buying a non-returnable gown, but it paid off in the end.
Nowadays, more brides are choosing gowns from online sellers like Call Me The Breeze. Tara Rowe says that online shopping gives brides more independence, removing the noise of unwanted opinions often associated with a crowded bridal appointment.
Vintage Jewellery and Accessories
If your heart is set on a dress from your favorite designer or a custom-made gown, there are other ways to incorporate ‘something old’. Lucciane Surtees wore a set of vintage pearls that she’d first received as a gift from her aunt and uncle, 10 years before her wedding day.
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Kate O’Loughlin‘s gold bracelet was equally sentimental, inherited from her husband’s grandmother and given to her by her mother-in-law. She wore it to her Las Vegas elopement and again for her Sydney celebrations back home, adding to the bracelet’s history.
Bride Matilda Elgood found her wedding earrings on Facebook Marketplace for only $30. Having originally purchased them two years before her wedding day, she decided moments before her ceremony that they were the perfect fit.
As the wedding industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more brides opting for sustainable and unique vintage options. With a little patience and creativity, it’s possible to find the perfect vintage dress or accessory that not only reduces waste but also tells a story.
The wedding industry is evolving.
More brides are opting for sustainable options.
They are choosing vintage dresses and accessories.
This trend is expected to continue.
The experts, including Tara Rowe and Grace Corby, agree that vintage bridal is a great way to reduce waste and have a unique wedding.
Lizzie Langridge also emphasizes the value of finding a dress with a unique history and character.
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It’s not just about the dress, though. Vintage jewelry and accessories can also add a special touch to a wedding.
Lucciane Surtees and Kate O’Loughlin are examples of brides who have incorporated vintage jewelry into their weddings.
Matilda Elgood found her wedding earrings on Facebook Marketplace, which shows that you can find unique and affordable options with a little patience and creativity.
The key is to be open to different options and to take the time to find the perfect vintage dress or accessory.
With a little effort, you can have a beautiful and sustainable wedding that tells a story.
The story of your wedding will be unique and special.
It will be a reflection of your personal style and values.
And it will be a great way to reduce waste and have a positive impact on the environment.