Rhiannon Hendricks
There are many reasons why someone may want to donate their wedding dress to a charity shop. Some brides want to keep their wedding dress preserved in their closet forever, but others may want to donate their dress to give back to the community, raise money for charities, or give another bride the chance to wear their dream dress. There are countless charities that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, and The Emma and Evan Foundation. The British Red Cross also has charity shops that accept wedding dress donations and sells them in their bridal charity shops. It is important to note that most charities do not accept wedding dresses older than 5 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Charity shops that accept wedding dresses | British Red Cross, Brides Across America, Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, The Emma and Evan Foundation |
| Requirements | Wedding dresses should be less than four or five years old and in wearable condition |
| Additional items accepted | Veils, jewellery, wedding shoes, men's wedding suits |
| Benefits of donating | More closet space, tax deduction, helping someone in need, raising money for charity |
| Preparing the dress for donation | Label the box with the size, brand/designer, year of purchase, and original price |
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What You'll Learn
Where to donate wedding dresses for charity
Wedding dresses are often expensive and one of the bulkiest pieces of clothing you will own, so donating your gown is a great way to free up storage space and support a good cause.
There are countless places to donate your wedding dress for charity, and many organisations will collect and resell the dresses to raise funds. Brides for a Cause, for example, is a nonprofit organisation that accepts donations of new and once-worn dresses from brides, designers, manufacturers and stores. They have locations across the country where you can drop off your dress, or you can mail it to them. They also accept bulk donations.
Another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations is The Emma and Evan Foundation. They transform the dresses into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns, which are offered free of charge to grieving families.
Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organisation that brings churches together to fight human trafficking through awareness, prevention and restoration in communities. They accept donations of wedding dresses, formalwear, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses and wedding accessories, which are then sold to provide anti-trafficking mentoring for youth.
Before donating your wedding dress, it is worth checking the charity's guidelines for preparing and delivering your donation. Most charities will only accept dresses that are no more than five years old, so if you have a vintage dress, you may need to look elsewhere, such as vintage dress shops and consignment stores. It is also worth researching the company to ensure it is reputable and confirm which charity it is benefiting.
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Benefits of donating wedding dresses
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to your community and support a good cause. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, resells donated wedding dresses to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides Across America is another charity that accepts wedding dress donations and passes them on for free to military and first responder brides.
Donating your wedding dress is also an excellent way to help the environment by reducing waste and pollution. Wedding dresses are often one of the bulkiest items in our closets, and by donating them, you can free up storage space while also giving your dress a second life.
Another benefit of donating your wedding dress is that it can be a quick and easy process, with donation centers all across the country. You can also receive a tax deduction for your contribution, which can be claimed while filing your taxes.
Finally, wedding dresses are expensive, and by donating your dress, you can help make another couple's wedding dreams come true. Many brides-to-be are looking for cost-effective options, and your donated dress can be their dream dress.
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Preparing a wedding dress for donation
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to support a cause and a bride in need. It also helps the environment by reducing waste and pollution and frees up storage space. Many brides struggle to afford their dream wedding, and your donation can help provide a dress for a bride experiencing financial hardship.
Assess the condition of the dress
Check for any signs of tearing, fraying, or discolouration. Significant damage may disqualify your gown from donation, but minor issues can often be fixed by a qualified seamstress before donating.
Clean the dress
Even if there are no visible stains, it is essential to have the dress professionally cleaned before donating it.
Research charities and their guidelines
Different charities have varying guidelines for accepting wedding dress donations. Some charities may have specific requirements regarding the age and condition of the dress. Contact the charity or visit their website to understand their criteria and any specific instructions they may have for preparing and delivering the donation.
Package and label the dress
Once your dress is cleaned and ready for donation, carefully package it in a box or other suitable packaging. Label the package with helpful information such as the size of the dress, the brand or designer, the year of purchase, and its original price. This information assists the charity in processing your donation efficiently.
Deliver or ship the dress
Depending on the charity and your location, you may be able to drop off the dress in person or ship it to their location. Follow the instructions provided by the charity to ensure your donation reaches the right place and is properly received.
Remember, each wedding dress donated gives it a "second life" and allows another bride to create new memories. Your donation can not only bring joy to someone else but also contribute to a worthy cause and positively impact the environment.
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Charities that accept wedding dress donations
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations. Many of these organisations use the donations to fund various women-focused charities and causes. Here are some of the charities that accept wedding dress donations:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation based in the US that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for charity. They accept wedding dress donations from brides, designers, and manufacturers. Brides for a Cause has given away over $3,000,000 to various local and national charities across the country since 2012. They have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento.
Brides Do Good
Brides Do Good is a UK-based ethical bridal boutique that supports projects to end child marriage and empower women worldwide. They partner with brides and brands to curate a unique collection of new designer and donated wedding gowns, donating one-third of their profits to charity projects working to end child marriage.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms donated wedding dresses into angel gowns or burial gowns for infants who have passed away. The memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance.
KEMP Hospice
KEMP Hospice is a UK-based organisation that regularly accepts wedding dress donations at their Coventry Street Charity Shop in Kidderminster. All funds raised from sales go back to the Hospice and support families impacted by life-limiting illnesses.
St Ann's Hospice
St Ann's Hospice is a worthwhile organisation based in Greater Manchester, UK. They have a bridal department that boasts a range of new and pre-loved gowns and regularly seeks donations. Funds raised from sales help support the vital work of the Hospice.
Other Notable Charities
- Red Cross: Accepts wedding dresses, shoes, accessories, and other wedding attire at their specialist wedding dress charity shop in Edinburgh, UK.
- The Veterans' Hearing Foundation: Accepts wedding dresses and other formal clothing to help UK veterans with hearing and mental health problems.
- Dresses for Angels: Accepts wedding dresses and other wedding attire, turning them into funeral clothing for babies.
- Something Borrowed: A UK-based wedding dress rental service that promotes sustainability and affordability, accepting high-quality preloved wedding dresses into its collection.
- Brides Against Breast Cancer: Resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
- NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program: Accepts wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses, which seamstresses remake into gowns for photos and burial services honouring infants of bereaved parents.
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Charities that sell wedding dresses
Many charities accept wedding dress donations, which they then sell to raise funds for their cause. Brides for a Cause, for example, is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses from designers, manufacturers, and brides all over the country. The proceeds from the sales support various local and national women-focused charities. Since 2012, Brides for a Cause has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the country. They have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, with over 700 dresses available at each location.
Brides Against Breast Cancer is another charity that accepts wedding dress donations. They resell gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides Against Breast Cancer was founded in 1997 and has helped raise awareness and reduce the impact of breast cancer through early detection and misdiagnosis correction.
Adorned in Grace, based in Oregon and Arizona, is another charitable bridal store that sells wedding dresses, formal attire, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl attire, veils, shoes, jewelry, and more. Their profits support efforts to prevent and raise awareness of sex trafficking. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland donates wedding gowns to Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis. They accept designer gowns less than five years old and do not require professional cleaning before donation.
The Brides Project, based in Michigan, is another charity that raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor through the resale of donated wedding dresses. These programs include support groups, counseling services, and nutrition workshops. They accept gently used dresses from former brides and new dresses donated directly from bridal salons.
When donating a wedding dress, it is important to note that most charities do not accept dresses older than five years. It is also helpful to label the box with information about the dress, including the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price. Donating a wedding dress is a great way to support a good cause, free up closet space, and receive a tax deduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some charity shops, such as the British Red Cross, accept wedding dress donations.
Yes, there are several charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, and The Emma and Evan Foundation.
When donating your wedding dress, it is helpful to include information such as the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price.
Yes, donating your wedding dress can result in a tax deduction. However, it is important to consult with a tax professional to understand the specific regulations in your region.
Some charities only accept wedding dresses that are less than four to five years old and in good condition. It is important to review the guidelines of the specific charity you plan to donate to.
