Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses often hold sentimental value and memories of a special day. However, if you're not planning on wearing your wedding dress again, it's just taking up space. Donating your wedding dress is a great way to free up closet space, get a tax deduction, and help someone in need. Your donated dress can provide a bride experiencing financial hardship with an affordable, sustainable, and charitable option. There are several charitable organizations and thrift stores that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and Bride Across America. These organizations support various causes, such as women-focused initiatives, cancer research, and military veterans. You can also choose to sell your wedding dress online through platforms like Stillwhite, which offers a simple and secure way to connect with buyers and keep your contact details private.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress age | No more than 3-5 years old |
| Other accepted items | Veils, tiaras, accessories, engagement rings, wedding favors, formalwear, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses |
| Donation methods | Drop off in person, ship or mail to any of their locations, fill out a donation form |
| Causes | Cancer research, breast cancer awareness, early detection, disaster relief, human rights, environmental protection, support for veterans, military members, first responders, single mothers, abuse survivors, Alzheimer's Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Johns Hopkins' Suburban Hospital Breast Center, women-focused nonprofits |
Explore related products
$46.99 $49.99
$33.99 $36.99
What You'll Learn
Donate to a charity supporting a cause that matters to you
Donating your wedding dress to a charitable organization is a great way to support a cause that is close to your heart. Not only will you be helping others in need, but you'll also free up closet space and may even receive a tax deduction. Many organizations accept wedding dress donations and use them to raise funds for various causes. Here are some options to consider:
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Based in Atlanta, Brides Against Breast Cancer accepts donated wedding gowns and resells them to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They have sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses and are dedicated to helping people detect breast cancer early and prevent misdiagnosis.
The Brides Project
The Brides Project, based in Michigan, raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept donated wedding dresses from all over the country, including gently used and brand-new dresses. The funds raised through the resale of these dresses support various programs, including support groups, counselling services, and nutrition workshops.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization with showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses, with the profits going to organizations that provide services and assistance to women. They accept new and once-worn dresses, and you can mail or drop off your donation locally. Since its opening in 2012, Brides for a Cause has found new homes for more than 35,000 dresses and raised over $2.5 million in charitable donations.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. They accept donations of wedding gowns, veils, and jewelry to be passed on to deserving brides. Since 2008, they have outfitted more than 28,000 women with their dream wedding dresses. Your donation will help them continue their mission of honouring our heroes and expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal, based 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 sell donated dresses to raise funds for their cause.
Little Angel Gowns
Little Angel Gowns is a charity that creates burial gowns for babies from donated wedding dresses. These burial gowns are provided to families, hospitals, and funeral homes across the country, offering a small act of comfort during a difficult time.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation invites you to donate your wedding dress for angel gowns and offers you the opportunity to keep a part of your dress as a lovely keepsake.
These organizations provide a meaningful way to give back and support causes that matter to you. By donating your wedding dress, you can make a difference in the lives of others while also gaining the satisfaction of knowing your dress will be cherished again.
Chiffon Beach Wedding: A-Line, One-Shoulder, Empire Waistline Dresses
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resell to a bridal store that raises funds for charity
If you're looking to give away your wedding dress, consider reselling it to a bridal store that raises funds for charity. One such store is Brides for a Cause, a nonprofit organisation with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. Brides for a Cause collects and resells wedding dresses, with proceeds going towards various local and national women-focused charities. They accept wedding dresses that are no more than five years old, and you can either mail your dress or drop it off at one of their locations.
Another option is Brides Against Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organisation that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They accept wedding dresses that are 3-5 years old and in excellent condition. You can donate your dress by filling out the donation form on their website, emailing them, or contacting their client service.
Additionally, there are other bridal stores that support various causes, such as Adorned in Grace in Oregon and Arizona, which uses its profits to support efforts against sex trafficking, and Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland, which supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that helps clients in crisis by providing professional clothing and interview skills training.
By reselling your wedding dress to a bridal store that raises funds for charity, you can not only free up closet space but also help support worthy causes and give back to the community.
Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress: Tailor-Made for You
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$49.99
Sell on an online marketplace
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress online, there are several marketplaces you can use. Here are some options to consider:
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses. With over 96,000 wedding gowns for sale, you can list your dress and connect with buyers from all over the world. Stillwhite offers a safe and secure platform for transactions, and you can keep your contact details private. They accept wedding dresses of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and there is no commission fee, meaning you keep all of your sale profits.
Nearly Newlywed
Nearly Newlywed is another online marketplace where you can sell new, sample, or used designer wedding dresses, as well as accessories and bridal party gowns. They have been in business since 2004, providing a platform for brides to buy and sell their dresses.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for charities supporting women. You can donate your wedding dress to them, and they will resell it to benefit various local and national nonprofits. They accept dresses that are five years old or newer, and their mission is to provide an affordable and sustainable option for brides while supporting worthy causes.
When selling your wedding dress online, it is important to provide detailed and attractive listings. Include multiple photos and, if possible, a video to showcase the dress's movement and details. Clear and honest descriptions will also enhance your listing, and ensure a smooth transaction for both the buyer and seller.
Tipping Your Wedding Dress Tailor: Is It Necessary?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Give to a local consignment salon or thrift store
If you're looking to give your wedding dress to a local consignment salon or thrift store, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can reach out to bridal stores in your area that accept dress donations. These stores then resell the dresses and use the profits to support various charitable causes. For instance, Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They accept donations of new and once-worn wedding dresses and use the proceeds to support women-focused nonprofits.
Another similar organisation is Brides Across America, which gifts wedding dresses and weddings to military and first responder brides. They have accepted donations of over 28,000 wedding dresses and distribute them to deserving brides for free. They also accept donations of veils and jewellery. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland is another bridal store that accepts wedding dress donations, with all proceeds going to charity.
Additionally, you can consider donating your wedding dress to organisations that create burial gowns for infants. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program and The Little Angel Gown charity are two examples. These organisations accept wedding dress donations and use the material to create burial gowns for babies, providing comfort to bereaved families.
When donating to a consignment salon or thrift store, it's important to consider the condition of your dress and any specific criteria the organisation may have for accepting donations. Some stores may have requirements regarding the age, brand, or style of the dress. It's also worth noting that some organisations may focus on dresses with high resale value to maximise their charitable impact.
Overall, giving your wedding dress to a local consignment salon or thrift store is a wonderful way to support charitable causes and help those in need. Your donation can make a significant impact and bring joy to someone else, all while freeing up space in your closet!
Russian Wedding Dresses: Traditional Colors and Their Meanings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Donate to a community centre
Donating your wedding dress to a community centre is a great way to give back to your local area. Many brides choose to donate their wedding dresses to support a good cause and help brides in need.
One option is to donate your dress to a community centre that supports adults and children impacted by cancer. The Brides Project is a bridal boutique that offers eco- and budget-friendly wedding gowns to shoppers, with proceeds going towards providing free programs for families affected by cancer. They accept wedding dresses within five years old and bridal accessories. You can drop off your donation at their shop or mail it to their Cancer Support Community division.
Another option is to donate your wedding dress to a community centre that assists with sex trafficking prevention. Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organization with a mission to help sex trafficking victims and bring awareness to local communities. They accept wedding dresses less than five years old, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, bridal accessories, and formalwear. You can drop off donations in person or ship them to any of their shop locations in Oregon and Arizona.
If you're looking to support families who have lost an infant, you can donate your wedding dress to The Emma and Evan Foundation. Their volunteers transform wedding dresses into Angel Gowns, which are burial gowns for infants. These gowns are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families.
When donating your wedding dress, it's important to research the community centre or organization to ensure they are reputable and confirm the cause they are supporting. You may also want to consider the condition and age of your dress, as some organizations have specific criteria for acceptance.
RSVPs: A Guide to Wedding Guest List Management
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are many charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and Brides Across America. These organizations often support various causes, such as cancer research, disaster relief, human rights, and environmental protection.
In addition to wedding dresses, these organizations typically accept formalwear, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, and wedding accessories such as veils, belts, and headpieces. Most organizations accept items that are no more than five years old, although some may accept items up to four or three years old.
Depending on the organization, you may be able to drop off your donation in person or ship it to their location. Some organizations provide specific instructions on how to pack and mail your dress. It is recommended to check their websites or contact them directly for more information.
Yes, you can also choose to sell your wedding dress online through platforms such as Stillwhite. This option allows you to set your selling price and receive messages from buyers while keeping your contact details private. Selling your dress can help recoup some of the costs, but it may require additional efforts such as professional cleaning and photography.
