George Boyle
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. Some brides want to keep their wedding dress preserved in their closet forever, while others may want to sell or donate their dress. If you're leaning towards the latter, there are many charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides Across America, which provides dresses for military and first responder brides, and Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells dresses to raise money for breast cancer awareness. You could also sell your dress to a preowned wedding dress seller such as Nearly Newlywed, or pass it down to your daughters or nieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to keep your wedding dress | To pass it down to your daughters or nieces, to re-wear for a vow renewal, or to admire |
| Reasons to sell your wedding dress | To recoup some of the money spent, to give it a new life, to free up closet space, to avoid the hassle of storing or moving it |
| Reasons to donate your wedding dress | To give it a second life, to help someone in need, to free up closet space, to receive a tax deduction, to support a good cause, to reduce waste and pollution |
| Charities that accept wedding dress donations | Brides Across America, Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, The Brides Project, Every Girl's Dream, Operation Prom, Cinderella's Closet, Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity, The Emma and Evan Foundation, Cherie, Charity's First Picks, Fairytale Brides Boutique |
| Considerations when selling or donating | The number of alterations made to the gown, whether it has been professionally cleaned and preserved |
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What You'll Learn
The practicality of keeping it
There are several reasons why you may want to keep your wedding dress. Firstly, it is a very personal article of clothing, and selling it is a permanent decision that cannot be undone. You may want to pass it down to your daughters or nieces to wear at their own weddings, creating a cherished heirloom that is passed down through generations. Alternatively, you could keep it to re-wear for a vow renewal, bringing yourself and your spouse back to your wedding day.
Another reason to keep your wedding dress is that it may be difficult to part with something from such an important day in your life, especially if it cost a lot of money. Additionally, if you have made significant alterations to your gown, it may not be alterable to another bride's body, making it less marketable if you plan to sell it.
If you decide to keep your gown, it is important to have it professionally cleaned and preserved to maintain its beauty long-term. Even if stains are not immediately visible, they can oxidize and become more prominent over time.
Keeping your wedding dress also gives you more time to reconsider your options. You can always choose to donate or sell it later, but once it's gone, you can't change your mind. You may decide to donate it when a worthy cause comes along or sell it when you truly need to.
In conclusion, there are several practical reasons to keep your wedding dress, including its sentimental value, the option to pass it down or re-wear it, the difficulty of selling a heavily altered gown, and the ability to reconsider your options at a later time.
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Charities that accept wedding dress donations
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations. Here are some options:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that operates showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. Brides for a Cause accepts wedding dresses that are five years old or newer and offers both in-person and mail-in donation options.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that supports military and first responder brides by providing them with free wedding gowns during their "Operation Wedding Gown Event." They accept wedding dresses that are four years old or newer, as well as veils, tiaras, and other accessories. Donations can be shipped according to the guidelines on their website.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity that helps raise funds for breast cancer awareness, early detection, research, and legislation efforts through the sale of donated wedding dresses. They accept wedding dresses that are three to four years old, as well as veils, headpieces, and other accessories. Donations can be made by completing the donation form on their website and then shipping the dress based on their instructions.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program provides custom-made gowns for final photos and burial services for families who have lost a baby in the NICU. They accept wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and formal attire in light shades of blue, pink, and purple. Donations can be made by connecting with seamstresses or organizations in your area that are involved in the program.
Fairytale Brides Boutique
Fairytale Brides Boutique offers affordable and accessible wedding gowns to couples planning their weddings. They accept wedding dress donations that are no more than five years old. Donations can be dropped off in person or shipped to their boutique.
These charities provide an opportunity to give your wedding dress a second life and support various worthy causes. Be sure to review each charity's specific guidelines and acceptance criteria before donating.
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The pros and cons of selling it
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. Here are some pros and cons of selling it to help you make a decision.
The Pros of Selling Your Wedding Dress
One of the main benefits of selling your wedding dress is the extra money it will bring in. Brides can expect to make back up to 60% or even 70% of the retail price, according to Grace Richmond, co-founder of The Loop. This is especially true if your dress is from a popular designer, such as Oscar de la Renta or Vera Wang. Another financial benefit is that you won't have to worry about storage costs, which can be significant, especially for larger ballgowns. Selling your dress will also free up space in your home, which can be valuable if you're short on closet space.
The Cons of Selling Your Wedding Dress
Selling your wedding dress is a permanent decision and you may later wish you had kept it, especially if you plan to renew your vows or pass it down to your children. If you do decide to sell, you'll need to ensure your dress is in pristine condition, which may involve professional cleaning and mending, adding to the overall cost and time involved in selling it. There are also no guarantees that your dress will sell, and you may feel it's more work than it's worth.
Alternative Options
If you're unsure about selling your wedding dress, you could consider donating it to a charitable organisation. This will allow another bride to enjoy it and give your dress a second life. There are many organisations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides Across America, which provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides, and Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells dresses to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Donating your dress will also give you a tax deduction.
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How to repurpose your wedding dress
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress, there are several options to consider.
One option is to donate your dress to a charitable organization. This not only frees up space in your closet but also helps someone in need. Several organizations accept wedding dress donations, including Brides Across America, which provides free wedding gowns to military and first responder brides, and Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Other organizations, such as Cherie and Fairytale Brides Boutique, provide affordable wedding gowns to individuals from marginalized communities. Donating your dress to one of these organizations allows you to support a worthy cause and receive a tax deduction.
If you're feeling creative, you can also repurpose your wedding dress into something new. Unbox the Dress is a company that specializes in transforming wedding gowns into modern bridal gifts, family keepsakes, or new designs. You can also opt to dye and refashion your wedding dress into a formal dress that you can wear again. Additionally, you can turn your dress into a pendant or a lampshade, creating unique accessories that hold sentimental value.
Another option is to pass down your wedding dress to future generations. You can offer it to your daughters or nieces to wear at their weddings, creating a cherished heirloom that carries special memories.
Lastly, if you're not ready to part with your dress, you can choose to keep it as a memento. Many brides choose to preserve their wedding gowns as a reminder of their special day. However, it is important to have it professionally cleaned and preserved to maintain its beauty over time.
Remember, the decision to repurpose your wedding dress is personal, and it's essential to consider what holds the most value for you.
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The sentimental value of your wedding dress
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your wedding can be a difficult decision, especially if it holds a lot of sentimental value for you. Wedding dresses are often the most personal article of clothing a person will ever own, and it can be hard to part with something that holds so many memories.
Some people choose to keep their wedding dress as a cherished heirloom, passing it down to their daughters or nieces to wear at their own weddings. This can be a beautiful way to keep the memory of your wedding day alive for future generations. However, it is worth considering that wedding gowns can only undergo so many changes before they begin to lose their structural integrity, and trends and styles may change over time, making it less likely that future family members will want to wear the dress.
If you are considering selling or donating your wedding dress, it is important to carefully ponder this decision, as it is a permanent one. Selling your wedding dress can be a way to recoup some of the money you spent on it, and it can help another person get their dream dress for a more affordable price. However, it can be a lot of work to sell a wedding dress, and there is no guarantee that it will sell. Donating your dress, on the other hand, can be a way to support a good cause and help someone in need. There are many charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides for a Cause, which resells dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities, and Brides Across America, which gives dresses to military and first responder brides in need. Donating your dress can also free up space in your closet and reduce waste.
Ultimately, the decision of what to do with your wedding dress is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. If you are unsure, you can always hold onto the dress for a while and reconsider your options later.
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Frequently asked questions
Giving away your wedding dress can free up space in your closet, help someone in need, and allow you to receive a tax deduction for the donation.
Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, The Emma and Evan Foundation, and Goodwill are some of the many charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations.
You may want to keep your wedding dress to pass it down to your daughters or nieces, or to re-wear for a vow renewal.
Selling your wedding dress can help you earn back some of the money you initially spent on it. It can also help another person get their dream wedding dress for a lower price.
