George Boyle
There are many places to donate a wedding dress, and while you may not get any money for it, you will be helping a good cause and freeing up space in your closet. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Brides for a Cause is another nonprofit bridal store that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms donated wedding dresses into angel gowns, or burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are offered to grieving families free of charge. If you're looking to get money for your wedding dress, you could try selling it online via a Facebook free group.
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What You'll Learn
Charities that accept wedding dress donations
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give it a "second life" and allow another bride to wear it. It also helps the environment by reducing waste and pollution and frees up storage space. Many charitable organizations accept wedding dress donations, passing them on to brides in need or selling them at a discount to raise money for various causes. Here are some charities that accept wedding dress donations:
- Brides for a Cause: This nonprofit organization collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for dozens of women-focused charities across the country. They accept wedding dresses no more than five years old and bridal accessories. You can mail or drop off your donation at one of their store locations or events.
- Brides Across America (BAA): BAA is a nonprofit organization that supports military members and first responders by providing free wedding dresses during their monthly giveaway events. They accept wedding dresses less than five years old, accessories, engagement rings, and wedding favors. To donate, fill out their online donation form to receive shipping instructions.
- Brides Against Breast Cancer: This organization resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They accept dresses that are in good condition and less than five years old.
- The Brides Project: Based in Michigan, The Brides Project raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept gently used and new wedding dresses from all over the country.
- Adorned in Grace: With locations in Oregon and Arizona, Adorned in Grace uses the profits from the sale of donated wedding dresses, formal attire, and accessories to support efforts to prevent and raise awareness of sex trafficking.
- Cherie Sustainable Bridal: Located in Maryland, Cherie Sustainable Bridal supports 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 bridesmaid dresses.
- The Emma and Evan Foundation: This foundation transforms donated wedding dresses into Angel Gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are offered to hospitals, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge.
In addition to these national organizations, many local thrift stores, such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army, also accept wedding dress donations to support various causes. You can contact your local thrift store to inquire about their donation process and accepted items.
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The benefits of donating your wedding dress
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to your community and support a cause that is close to your heart. Here are some benefits of donating your wedding dress:
Supporting a Worthy Cause
By donating your wedding dress, you can support various charitable causes. Many organizations use the proceeds from donated wedding dresses to fund important initiatives. For example, Brides Against Breast Cancer resells donated wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Similarly, The Brides Project uses the funds to support cancer programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. Brides for a Cause is another nonprofit that collects and resells wedding dresses, with proceeds going towards women-focused charities that support military members, single mothers, and abuse survivors.
Helping a Bride in Need
Donating your wedding dress can also directly help a bride who may be struggling financially. Wedding dresses are expensive, and many brides cannot afford the cost. By donating your dress, you can give another bride the opportunity to wear a beautiful gown on their special day. Brides Across America, for instance, passes on donated wedding dresses for free to military and first responder brides.
Environmental Benefits
Donating your wedding dress helps reduce waste and pollution by extending the lifecycle of clothing. Instead of your dress sitting in storage or, worse, ending up in a landfill, it can be given a "second life" and cherished by another bride.
Freeing Up Closet Space
A wedding dress can take up a lot of room in your closet. Donating it frees up valuable storage space, allowing you to use that space for other items or simply declutter your wardrobe.
Tax Benefits
Donating your wedding dress to a federally certified charity can also provide you with a tax deduction. When you receive a receipt for your charitable contribution, you can claim it when filing your taxes.
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Preparing your wedding dress for donation
- Research and Select a Reputable Organization: Begin by researching charitable organizations that align with your values and interests. Examples include supporting brides in need, raising funds for cancer research, aiding victims of human trafficking, or assisting military members and first responders. Ensure that the organization is reputable and transparent about how donations are utilized.
- Understand Donation Criteria and Requirements: Different organizations have varying criteria for accepting wedding dress donations. Some may have specific age limits, such as accepting dresses that are no more than three to five years old. Others may have requirements regarding the condition of the dress, including factors like tearing, fraying, mold, or discoloration. Assess your wedding dress honestly against these criteria to ensure it meets the requirements.
- Address any Necessary Repairs or Cleaning: If your wedding dress has minor damages, consider having them repaired by a qualified seamstress before donation. Even if there are no visible stains, it is generally recommended to have the dress professionally cleaned before donating it. Check with your chosen organization, as some may offer cleaning services for donated items.
- Complete Donation Forms and Follow Instructions: Most organizations will require you to complete a donation form, either on their website or through direct contact. After your donation is approved, they will provide specific shipping or delivery instructions. Some organizations may also offer the option to drop off your donation in person at designated locations or events.
- Consider Creative Repurposing if Necessary: In cases where your wedding dress does not meet the donation criteria, consider repurposing it creatively. You can reuse the fabric for home decor, transform it into a keepsake like a baptism gown, or even alter it into a new garment, such as a cocktail dress.
Remember to review the specific guidelines provided by your chosen charitable organization, as they may have unique requirements or suggestions for preparing and delivering your wedding dress donation.
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Charities that give wedding dresses to those in need
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give it a "second life" and help another bride who may be in need. It also helps the environment by reducing waste and frees up storage space. There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations and give them to those in need. Here are some notable ones:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit bridal store that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for dozens of women-focused charities. They accept wedding dresses no more than five years old and bridal accessories. You can mail or drop off your wedding dress at one of their store locations or roadshow events. Since 2012, Brides for a Cause has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated more than $3,000,000 to charities.
Brides Across America (BAA)
Brides Across America is a nonprofit that donates 2,000 wedding dresses annually and covers the wedding costs of its recipients. Military members and first responders can register to receive a free wedding dress during their monthly giveaway events. They accept wedding dresses less than five years old, accessories, engagement rings, and wedding favors. To donate, simply fill out and submit their donation form to receive shipping instructions.
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. These memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance. They accept donations year-round and provide details for mailing or dropping off your wedding dress.
Adorned in Grace
Adorned in Grace is a company with stores in Oregon and Arizona 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
Cherie Sustainable Bridal is a store in Maryland that stocks designer gowns less than five years old. They support Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis. They accept donated wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses and do not require professional cleaning before mailing or dropping off.
In addition to these charities, many thrift stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to support various causes, including job programs, housing, and veterans.
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Charities that resell wedding dresses
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to support a good cause and help a bride in need. There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations and resell them to raise funds for various causes. Here are some notable charities that you can consider for donating your wedding dress:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit bridal store that collects and resells wedding dresses to support women-focused charities. The organization has boutiques across the country and accepts wedding dresses that are no more than five years old, as well as bridal accessories. You can mail or drop off your donation at one of their store locations. Since its founding in 2012, Brides for a Cause has donated over $1.2 million to charities supporting women in the military, single mothers, abuse survivors, and more.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity based in Atlanta, Georgia that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, early detection, and misdiagnosis prevention. The organization has been in operation for over two decades and has sold more than 50,000 donated wedding dresses, raising over $40 million. They accept wedding dress donations within four years of the wedding to ensure the dresses are still in fashion.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland accepts donated wedding gowns to support Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis. They stock designer gowns less than five years old and do not require professional cleaning before accepting donations. Cherie Sustainable Bridal also sells donated bridesmaid dresses at a partner store.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance.
Bride Across America (BAA)
Bride Across America (BAA) is a nonprofit organization that supports military members and first responders by providing free wedding dresses and covering wedding costs during their monthly giveaway events. They accept wedding dresses less than five years old, accessories, engagement rings, and wedding favors. To donate, simply fill out the donation form on their website to receive shipping instructions.
Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring
Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring is a nonprofit boutique in Rockville, Maryland, that sells reduced-price wedding gowns. All net proceeds from the sales are donated to the Alzheimer's Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Johns Hopkins' Suburban Hospital Breast Center.
Goodwill and The Salvation Army
Goodwill and The Salvation Army are well-known thrift stores that accept wedding dress donations. These organizations use the proceeds from donation sales to support various causes, including job programs, housing, and veterans' services. They have locations across the country, and you can schedule a pick-up, use a drop-off bin, or deliver your donation in person.
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Frequently asked questions
You won't get any money for donating your wedding dress. However, you may be eligible for a tax deduction.
Charities that accept wedding dress donations include Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, and Goodwill Industries.
Some charities resell the wedding dresses and use the profits to support various causes. Others may give the dresses directly to brides in need. Some organizations also transform the donated dresses into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns, which are provided to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families.
Most charities accept wedding dresses that are no more than five years old and in good condition. Some organizations may have specific criteria regarding the age and condition of the dress, so it is best to check with the charity before donating.
