12 Best Sustainable Wedding Dress Ideas For An Eco-Friendly Wedding

sustainable wedding dress ideas

02/08/2024

Danielle Alvarado

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Are you looking for some sustainable wedding dress ideas, shops, or inspirations? We’ve got you and your dream day covered!

From this sustainable wedding dress shopping list, we added many different eco-friendly and ethical ways to find your perfect match.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the 50+ beautiful sustainable wedding guest dresses to wear on repeat!

sustainable wedding dress

Best Eco-friendly & Sustainable Wedding Dress Ideas In 2024

Let’s be honest – bridal dress shopping is so exciting!

The exploration of various designs, silhouettes, and details. The heartwarming bonding experience with your family, friends, or bridesmaids.

For many brides-to-be, the quest for the perfect dress is akin to finding a soulmate. Hey, I get it!

However, beyond the dazzling lights of bridal boutiques lies a deeper narrative – the environmental impact of chasing fleeting trends in the wedding dress industry. 

The quest for the perfect gown often leaves behind a trail of carbon footprints, from resource-intensive fabric production to the rapid turnover of designs. 

In fact, the average US wedding produces a massive 400 pounds of garbage and 63 tons of CO2! That’s A LOT!

Don’t fret! You won’t be a part of the statistic! We’re here to debunk the myth that your wedding dress must conform to fleeting fads.

Lucky for you, there are more sustainable wedding dress ideas than you might have thought, and you’ll surely find one that works for you today.

No matter what your budget or style is, one of these eco-wedding dresses will absolutely work for you!

What is sustainable wedding dress shopping?

Sustainable wedding dress shopping is all about making eco-conscious choices at various stages of the wedding dress journey to minimize the environmental impact.

For example, renting used wedding dresses allows brides to enjoy a beautiful gown without the need for long-term ownership, reducing the demand for new production and promoting the reuse of dresses. 

Also, opting for wedding dresses from local and sustainable brands supports businesses that prioritize ethical and environmentally friendly practices.

Another good idea is to choose secondhand or vintage wedding dresses. This way, you will actively help reduce the demand for additional resources and minimize the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transportation.

How do wedding dresses affect the environment?

Wedding dresses and the process of wedding dress shopping as a whole can significantly impact the environment through various stages of production, consumption, and disposal.

Traditional wedding dress materials, such as silk, satin, and lace, often undergo resource-intensive production processes.

Silk cultivation, for example, requires a substantial amount of water and energy. Additionally, the use of pesticides and chemicals in conventional fabric production can contribute to environmental pollution.

The manufacturing process itself involves cutting, sewing, and embellishing the dresses, which requires energy and water.

The efficiency of these processes and the energy sources used can significantly influence the overall environmental impact.

In cases where dresses are produced in one location and then transported globally, the carbon footprint associated with transportation further adds to the environmental toll.

Furthermore, the wedding industry’s emphasis on new and trendy designs contributes to a culture of fast fashion. Many brides opt for new dresses for their weddings, wearing them only once.

This single-use nature of wedding dresses results in a considerable amount of waste, including leftover fabric scraps and dresses that go unsold.

Mass-produced dresses that are not purchased may end up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation.

This blog post is all about sustainable wedding dress ideas.


12 Amazing Sustainable Wedding Dress Ideas


1. Wear What You Already Own

sustainable wedding dress ideas

This option is one of the most looked-over options on the list, and I am happy to announce, the option that I personally took for my own wedding! 

My sustainable wedding dress was not planned to be from my own closet, and it was completely last minute, but it worked out beautifully. 

The dress is a 3-year-old linen dress that I have worn several times throughout the years – but not too many times as it is bright white, and I have two boys who are always playing in the dirt. 

When my husband and I received the appointment for our wedding date (we decided to wed very last minute because we felt it was just “time”), I reached for that dress without a second thought.

The shoes were gifted to me from a favorite shoe brand, Bhava Studio (I’ll link the shoes here) and they made the entire outfit come together like perfection. A bit of a vintage look to them! 

My jacket is my normal day-to-day jacket that I ordered secondhand from Vestiaire Collective, and the one item I purchased new was the white scarf from a local seller. 

I have never felt more beautiful in my life than in this simple wedding dress. It was a magical day.


2. Rent A Sustainable Wedding Dress

best eco-friendly wedding dress ideas

Let’s talk about the most affordable and eco-friendly “trend” that’s sweeping through the wedding scene– renting your dream wedding dress!

Many modern brides are saying “I do” to the idea of renting stunning used wedding dresses for their big day.

Let’s face it, gorgeous as they may be, wedding dresses are a one-time affair.

So, why splurge on something that’s going to hang in your closet, patiently waiting for a moth friend to drop by?

Instead of ending up in a landfill after a single-use, rental dresses often get a second life.

You’ll find a plethora of styles, designs, and even designer labels available for rent, making it a sustainable bride’s dream come true.


Best Sustainable Wedding Dress Rental Brands:


3. Share/Borrow A Wedding Dress

best sustainable wedding dress

If you have a friend in a similar size to yours (or multiple such friends), why don’t you buy the dress together to both wear on your special days? 

This cuts the footprint of your dress by exactly one-half – as well as your budget.

This may not be a very common practice, but it can help a lot if you’ve found that dream dress that doesn’t come from a very sustainable label. 

A few of our sustainable friends on Instagram got together and purchased one dress together in a size 14 and shared the dress – it was amazing!!


4. Alter A Hand-Me-Down Wedding Dress

best sustainable wedding dress

Here’s one of the easiest sustainable wedding dress ideas.

A hand-me-down wedding dress is basically a treasure trove of memories waiting to be rekindled.

Now, if your mom did the incredible and held onto her wedding dress, consider yourself one lucky bride-to-be.

It’s like stepping into a time capsule filled with love, lace, and a touch of nostalgia.  

Feel like changing up the silhouette? Go for it! Want to keep it classic but with a twist? The alterations are entirely up to you!

So, whether you’re into sleek and chic or boho and whimsical, that vintage dress can be reborn into something uniquely you.

Who knows, hidden under layers of tulle and satin, there might be a gem waiting to dazzle the world once again.


5. Choose A Reusable Wedding Dress

sustainable wedding dress ideas

Let’s shake things up a bit and step away from the traditional “wedding dress” hunt.

It’s time to rethink your sustainable wedding dress shopping tactics.

Why search for a one-time dress when you can snag a showstopper that will dance through the seasons with you?

Personally, I’ve got a soft spot for the ever-versatile white linen dress.

It’s like the superhero of the fashion world, ready to conquer casual brunches, beach strolls, and yes, even your “I do” moment. But hey, the choice is yours!

Whether it’s a subtle ivory, a dance of delicate florals, or a burst of vibrant colors, your dream dress should be as unique as you are.

The gorgeous Valeria of WaterThruSkin wore a gorgeous and BOLD Brazilian dress by Farm Rio.

Couldn’t have loved that wedding dress and ceremony more!


Best Sustainable Wedding Dress Brands:


6. Find A Secondhand Wedding Dress

best sustainable wedding dress shopping

If you buy your sustainable wedding dress second-hand, you’ll have more choice than with hand-me-downs. With the same benefits, of course!

Long gone are the times when your only options were cheaply made-garments shoved into the corner of a thrift store!

With a quick Google search online, you can find a wide variety of options.

Or, better yet, you can search for any second-hand stores specializing in wedding dresses in your area. 


Best Secondhand Wedding Dress Brands:


7. Shop From Sustainable Brands & Boutiques

best reusable wedding dress

Some sustainable fashion brands and boutiques are making waves, crafting gorgeous, eco-friendly wedding dresses that don’t just look good but also do good. 

Some options you can find online include Grace Loves LaceWear Your Love, Indiebride London, or The Cotton Bride

You may also find wedding dresses from broader sustainable companies such as Christy Dawn or Reformation.

So, whether you’re into fairytale ball gowns or sleek, modern silhouettes, there’s a brand out there ready to dress you in elegance with a side of conscience. 


8. Have A Tailor-Made Sustainable Wedding Dress

sustainable wedding dress shopping

Granted, this isn’t the most affordable option. However, if you have a little more money to spend, you could ditch sustainable wedding dress shopping altogether and have your dream wedding dress made at a local tailor shop. 

This way, you can have more control over the fabrics being used and their environmental impact.

Additionally, having a garment made to measure, based on your taste, also ensures that the dress you end up with will truly be exactly what you dreamed of! 

To save money, you can find fabrics secondhand for the tailor to create with.


9. Make A Sustainable Wedding Dress Yourself

sustainable wedding dress

Next up is one of the most unusual but equally amazing, eco-friendly wedding dress ideas.

Why just say “I do” when you can also say “I sew”?

Now, I get it, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you wield a sewing machine like a pro or have a crafty friend willing to join the adventure, why not take the plunge into the DIY bridal experience?  


10. Just Buy A Local Wedding Dress

best sustainable wedding dress shopping

Sometimes, the perfect eco-wedding dress is just around the corner, waiting for you to discover it in a nearby boutique.

By choosing to buy locally, you’re supporting small businesses and reducing that pesky carbon footprint.

No need for international shipping headaches or anxiously tracking your package halfway across the globe.

Your dress is right there, ready to be part of your love story from the very beginning. 


11. Choose A Minimalist Design Wedding Dress

used wedding dresses

The magic of a minimalist dress lies in its simplicity. Its unembellished beauty makes it a chameleon of style – perfect for your wedding day and equally fitting for other special occasions. 

From anniversary celebrations to fancy date nights, this dress is your trusty companion, adapting effortlessly to each moment.

And let’s not forget the sentimental value. A minimalist gown has the potential to become a family heirloom, passed down through generations like a timeless treasure.

It’s not just a dress; it’s a piece of your story, ready to create new chapters with each wearer.


12. Dyeable Dresses

best eco wedding dress

A dyeable, reusable wedding dress? We’ll take it!

Choosing a dyeable dress means your gown becomes a canvas for future memories. 

Post-wedding, transform it into a whole new outfit for special occasions, ensuring its journey doesn’t end at ‘I do.’

This type of dress is made from fabrics like silk or other natural fibers that readily accept dyes.

So, let your love story continue to unfold in vibrant hues, shall we?


This blog post was all about sustainable wedding dress ideas.

There you have it – a list of amazing and sustainable wedding dress ideas for eco-conscious brides.

Whether it’s through the use of sustainable fabrics, the revival of vintage treasures, the choice of recycled wedding dresses, or the creation of an eco-wedding dress that tells your unique story, there are so many great options!

If you enjoyed this article on Sustainable Wedding Dress Ideas, check out these other articles below!

sustainable wedding dress

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  1. Sandra Ans says:

    I really like the idea to have a wedding dress made by a local tailor shop or bought on Etsy. One more interesting idea is to have a wedding dress, that you can later remake and use as an evening dress or for some party. You can cut it also into 2 parts and use it separately as a skirt and blouse. That’s what I think, I would like to do! 🙂

    • That is a brilliant idea, Sandra!! I purchased a wedding dress off of Etsy about 6 years ago but the wedding never happened (thank goodness haha) and I will be getting it “updated” for our current wedding. The dress is just stunning and very vintage looking – I could ABSOLUTELY have them turn it into a skirt and top – I’m going to go see about this!

  2. Jericka A says:

    I love the idea of having a wedding dress made on Etsy. I honestly never thought of doing that until your post!

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