Bride Transforms Her Leftover Wedding Dress Scraps Into 2 Purses: 'I'll Treasure Them for Years to Come' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Morgan Hafeman holds her purses made out of wedding dress scraps.Photo:Morgan Hafeman (2)

Bride Has Wedding Dress Scraps Transformed into Purses

Morgan Hafeman (2)

A bride transformed her leftover wedding dress scraps into two purses.

Like many brides, Morgan Hafeman, 26, had a few wedding dress alterations ahead of her nuptials on March 16, 2024. Instead of discarding her leftover fabric, Hafeman’s seamstress,Andrea RichterfromR. House Custom Alterations LLC, suggested she upcycle her scraps into a purse.

“I’m someone who holds onto sentimental moments, so I loved the idea right away,” Hafeman tells PEOPLE. “I had found a unique purse style on Pinterest that I really liked, and Andrea was able to bring it to life perfectly.”

Richter worked quickly, and had the purse ready for Hafeman to take home on the same day she picked up her wedding dress. This made Hafeman’s wedding experience “even more special” and “memorable” because she was able to take a piece of her wedding with her on her honeymoon in Fiji.

Along with the purse, Richter gave Hafeman any remaining unused dress scraps. They sat untouched in a box for nearly 10 months until Hafeman decided to have another purse made.

Hafeman wanted her second accessory to be a little different, more of a clutch than a shoulder bag, so she began searching for another designer.

Morgan Hafeman holds her purses made out of wedding dress scraps.Morgan Hafeman

Bride Has Wedding Dress Scraps Transformed into Purses

Morgan Hafeman

While wedding dresses typically cost thousands of dollars, Hafeman spent just $200 total for her two purses.

“Considering the sentimental value and how timeless these keepsakes are, I think it’s an incredible deal,” she says. “I’ll treasure and use them for many years to come.”

Morgan Hafeman’s second purse.Morgan Hafeman

Bride Has Wedding Dress Scraps Transformed into Purses

Hafeman plans to bring both purses on her upcoming first anniversary trip to Hawaii.

“They’re definitely going to be part of all our future anniversary trips, anniversary dinners and any milestone celebrations,” Hafeman says. “It’s such a meaningful way to make those moments even more unforgettable.”

Whenever Hafeman carries her purses, she’s reminded of her wedding day.

“Every time I use one, I’m reminded of our special day, and it makes celebrating our anniversary even more meaningful,” she says. “The thought of passing these purses down to future generations fills me with excitement — imagining the memories they’ll hold and the joy they’ll bring to my children, and possibly even my grandchildren, is truly heartwarming.”

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Morgan Hafeman’s first purse.Morgan Hafeman

Bride Has Wedding Dress Scraps Transformed into Purses

Hafeman believes a wedding dress' lifespan should extend beyond one day, and is grateful that her keepsakes now allow this.

“What I love most about my wedding keepsakes is that they allow me to ‘rewear’ my wedding dress in a meaningful way,” she tells PEOPLE. “Wedding dresses are such precious (and costly) items, and they deserve more than just a single use. It would have been heartbreaking to think about those beautiful scraps being discarded or sitting in a box forever, so transforming them into something sentimental like a purse brings me so much joy.”

source: people.com