Your ultimate guide to a sustainable bridal shopping
Say '‘YES'“ to the dress without compromising on luxury
Every bride wants a personalised and memorable gown tailored to their own unique style.
One of the biggest, most difficult decisions a bride-to-be has to make is picking the right dress in accordance to the theme of the wedding. Though I wouldn’t mind spending more on picking on the perfect dress, a big white gown which you’ll only wear once is one of the most unsustainable purchases you can make. Come to think about it, it does makes more sense to either rent or purchase pre-loved gowns that others can barely tell it was secondhand.
Being sustainable doesn’t just apply to saying yes to the dress, but also exploring ways to rework your old jewellery into one where you’ll wear while walking down the aisle. It is also about exploring different environmentally friendly ways to accessorise for the big day.
Beyond the world of bridal fashion, sustainability is a broad concept; so much so, many brands and labels have their own definitions of what it represents. Simply put, every brand and consumer have their own understanding of sustainability and there’s never a right or wrong answer. Some may define sustainability as re-wearing pre-loved gowns, while others may define it as buying brand new gowns that are only made from eco-friendly materials.
However, there are always tips on how you can shop sustainably while finding the perfect dress without breaking the bank - you can spend more on your honeymoon too!
Hopefully this guide will at least make your bridal dress shopping a little easier and more conscious to the environment.
Image by Jeremy Wong
Say Yes to the Dress!
Embrace Rental
Choosing the most suitable wedding gown is already stressful enough. Having the dilemma to rent or purchase a brand new would be the next big question when saying yes to the dress.
A good gown can easily cost more than a few thousands but some would argue that purchasing brand new symbolises the start of a new life in a marriage. However, for obvious reasons, renting would be much cheaper and it doesn’t force you to have a lifetime of commitment to how you have to store the gown.
When renting, you won’t have to stress about how to store in order to maintain the gown. You get to try on a variety of styles, silhouettes and designs and walk down the aisle in your dream dress without breaking the bank.
Quick Tips: While renting a gown means added responsibility, here are some things to consider when you go hunting for a rented gown :
Most boutiques require security deposit, so always check the terms and conditions to understand what you’re signing up for, especially hidden costs.
Upon receiving the gown, be sure to check for wear and tear as well as the overall condition.
Read the rental clause and keep a lookout for the damage policy and compensation policy.
Consider Pre-loved Gowns and Dresses
“One of the biggest pros of shopping pre-loved gowns is more doors are opened to designer brands. I do agree that all brides deserve to walk down the aisle in the most gorgeous designer gown of their choice but not all of them may have the means to do it. Shopping pre-loved allows brides-to-be to purchase their perfect designer gown at a fraction of its original cost.”
While renting may not be for everyone as some bride-to-be may prefer purchasing a gown so they can keep it for memories or pass down to their daughters in the future. Pre-loved gowns do not necessarily mean they are old and worn but most of the times, there are pristine and almost brand new gowns being sold on pre-loved fashion sites such as The Fifth Collection.
One of the biggest pros of shopping pre-loved gowns is more doors are opened to designer brands. I do agree that all brides deserve to walk down the aisle in the most gorgeous designer gown of their choice but not all of them may have the means to do it. Shopping pre-loved allows brides-to-be to purchase their perfect designer gown at a fraction of its original cost.
While preparing for the big day, there will be pre and post-wedding events such as the engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, and even honeymoon. These are events where the bride is still in the spotlight and might still be expected to dress her best while entertaining the guest. As you probably already know, you can save an incredible amount of the wedding expenses while shopping pre-loved looks for these events. And we’re not just talking about any kind of clothing but designer pieces that are classic and timeless which you can wear again for work or social events.
For brides-to-be, bridesmaid and even wedding guest who are considering shopping pre-loved to the main event, we have curated a collection on our site dedicated to connecting you with pre-loved dresses, clutches, pumps and other accessories.
“If you’re planning to purchase pre-loved gowns for the big day or dresses for the pre and post-wedding events, it’s also important to consider the versatility and functionality of your purchase.”
Re-Consider Traditions
When we think about traditional bridal fashion, it is always about the typical big white gowns with long trains that can only be worn once.
If you're planning to purchase pre-loved gowns for the big day or dresses for the pre and post-wedding events, it's also important to consider the versatility and functionality of your purchase. Can it be something you can wear on other occasions? Will it suit the climate you're always in, especially in tropical countries? Are you able to mix and match for work or attending other social events? These are questions that might be helpful if you're planning on having a sustainable bridal shopping.
I would definitely recommend going for a more versatile look or even a two-piece separate set. Bridal separates may just be the answer to your wedding look dilemma. It is a perfect option to personalise and create your own look without having to custom-made, especially for your second look or a quick change for the reception.
Just imagine, having a gorgeous bridal cropped bodice on your wedding day and being able to switch up with flared pants for everyday wear. Or you can even have a bridal flared skirt for walking down the aisle or attending the reception and re-wear it with a fitted camisole for the perfect brunch look! Alternatively, you can go the extra mile to have it altered to suit your everyday look after the wedding.
By getting bridal separates that allow you to mix and match later on, you'll be getting the most out of your purchase in a sustainable way.
Reworked Jewellery
A wedding ring symbolises a lifetime of commitment and love. You would want to consider the design, practicality and versatility for every day when deciding on one. It is easy to purchase a brand new ring or accessories for your wedding and call it a day. But what happens to your great-grandmother’s wedding ring or family heirloom that has been passed down?
“A wedding ring symbolises a lifetime of commitment and love which is why you wouldn’t want to be frivolous when picking the right one. One of the main factors that most brides consider is the design, practicality and versatility for every day.”
Amongst the younger generations, repurposing jewellery is growing increasingly popular as many love preserving something that has meaning to them and giving respect to the history of a cherished heirloom while giving their own modern touch and personal style to make it wearable today.
This is a growing industry for fine jewellers as many consumers are turning to repurposing and reworking their jewellery. There are many ways to go about repurposing jewellery, but the two common ways are to reset the diamonds in your grandmother’s wedding ring into a wedding band, and a combination of multiple jewelleries to create something from scratch.
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has used diamonds from the collection of his late mother, Princess Diana, to customise an engagement ring for his wife, Meghan Markle. Prince Harry designed the engagement ring himself which features a three-carat cushion cut centre diamond from Botswana - A piece that holds a special significance to both of them.
A wedding ring symbolises a lifetime of commitment and love which is why you wouldn’t want to be frivolous when picking the right one. One of the main factors that most brides consider is the design, practicality and versatility for every day.
If you don’t have any heirloom pieces, don’t hesitate to explore into secondhand platforms such as THE FIFTH COLLECTION as you might be able to get some serious ones at a steal. A secondhand diamond ring can often offer much more for your money, allowing you to find a higher quality band or stone for less. Plus, you can always get it reworked into a design that suits you better.
Quick tips when shopping for a second-hand ring: Always make sure you buy from a reputable and certified jeweller and check for existing stamps and hallmarks to help you identify the carat and quality of your ring.
Ready to get started on your bridal shopping? Shop for the curated wedding collecting in the link below!