More Than Just "I Do"

ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA) -- Bridgid Hendrixson remembers the day she and her husband declared their love before friends and family fondly.

"John and I got married here in Arlington at Saint Charles Church."

That was last April. Now, with her house on the market and a new baby on the way, Hendrixson decided to bank those memories.

"I felt a little guilty because I know you can donate wedding dresses," says Hendrixson. "But, I thought, well, let me try to sell it first."

Call it a booming niche business in new economic times. Websites that match buyers with someone else's dream dress.

"A champagne colored wedding dress with a chapel train."

At PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, sellers pay $25 to list their dress on the site. Buyers deal directly with the seller. Plus, they get a national audience and all the proceeds.

"I had quite a lot of emails to send more photos and explain different parts of the dress," says Hendrixson.

Forty four hundred viewings later, the Arlington mom-to-be got about $500 for her $750 gown and a thank you note.

"She loved it, it looked great, it was just what I wanted, so I felt pleased."

As Hendrixson prepares for the next big event in November, there's a lot to do. She says the money from the dress will help outfit a new nursery.

All that from a simple dress. And, a new meaning to the phrase "pay it forward."

If you want to pass your dress on, or consider a gently used gown there are some things to keep in mind.

Josie Daga, the founder of PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com offers these tips.

For Buyers:

Know the gown's market value.

Try it on at a local store.

Ask detailed questions.

Confirm the gown is authentic.

For Sellers:

Provide as much detail as possible.

Offer plenty of pictures.

Be honest about the dress.

Have a reasonable price expectation.