Ways to Repurpose Your Wedding Dress

Metro Detroit brides share how they transformed their wedding gown into a dress they could wear again and again.

 By Chelsie Dzbanski

Erin Cohen

Photography by Dan Lippitt

Hometown: Milford

Wedding gown: Lovely in New York City

Repurposed by: Lyudviga Couture in Birmingham

Wore repurposed dress for: North American International Auto Show Charity Preview

Courtesy of Erin Cohen

“I knew I wanted an A-line dress but had not considered a two-piece until I went into this dress shop and found the skirt and matching corset. I loved both pieces individually and kept staring at them in my closet for a few months after my wedding. It’s hard to find party dresses with the same level of detail as a wedding gown, and I had some black-tie events coming up. I took the skirt to Lyudviga Couture, and she trimmed the skirt to be tea length (no easy feat — there was a lot of tulle!) I paired it with a nude bodysuit, a rose gold metal belt and nude pumps. The corset was also very easily repurposed with high-waisted tuxedo pants!”

Jessica Lundberg

Photography by J & N Studios

Hometown: Royal Oak

Wedding gown: Ines Di Santo dress from Roma Sposa in Birmingham

Repurposed by: Lyudviga Couture in Birmingham

Wore repurposed dress for: Another wedding and cocktail parties

Courtesy of Jessica Lundberg

“Originally an Ines Di Santo wedding gown from Roma Sposa, I wanted to be able to enjoy my dress for more than one day. I took it to Lyudviga, and we came up with the idea of covering it with another fabric (selected from Haberman in Clawson) and cutting it to a cocktail length. Needless to say, I’ve worn it many times over and love the memories that come with it.

At the time, every one that got married typically preserved their dresses and tucked them deep into their closets, and I’m sure most still do that. I did preserve and save the material that was cut off but loved repurposing it so that I had a one-of-a-kind dress.”