Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often only worn once, so donating them is a great way to give them a second life and help those in need. Donated wedding dresses can be resold to raise money for various causes, such as cancer research, disaster relief, human rights, and environmental protection. They can also be given to brides who cannot afford their dream weddings or recycled into new items such as home decor, keepsakes, or clothing. Many organizations accept wedding dress donations, including national groups like Brides Across America and local options like the Salvation Army.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to donate | Free up closet space, gain tax deductions, help someone in need, reduce your carbon footprint |
| Donation criteria | Wedding dresses should be less than 10 years old and in excellent condition |
| Donation options | Charitable organizations, local thrift stores, local high school theatre departments |
| Charitable organizations | Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides Across America, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, The Brides Project, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, Becoming a Cupcake, The Emma and Evan Foundation |
| Causes supported by organizations | Cancer research and support, disaster relief, human rights, environmental protection, support for military members and spouses, sex trafficking prevention, forced marriage prevention |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to a charity supporting a cause that matters to you
Donating your wedding dress to a charitable cause that resonates with you is a meaningful way to give back to the community. Wedding dresses are often only worn once, and donating yours can help someone in need, free up closet space, and even provide tax benefits.
One cause that you may consider supporting is cancer research and support. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Similarly, The Brides Project in Michigan raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, including support groups, counselling services, and nutrition workshops.
If you want to support veterans, consider donating your wedding dress to Brides Across America, which sources gowns for members of the military, first responders, and healthcare workers. You can also donate to charities supporting other causes that are important to you, such as human rights, environmental protection, or disaster relief.
Additionally, you can assist in sex trafficking prevention by donating your wedding dress to Adorned in Grace, a faith-based organization with locations in Oregon and Arizona. They use the proceeds from selling donated wedding dresses and formalwear to fund counselling services for trafficking survivors and raise awareness in local communities.
Another option is to donate your wedding dress to an "Angel Gown" organization, where seamstresses transform the dresses into gowns for bereaved parents to honour their infants during photos and burial services.
When considering where to donate, it is important to research the organizations and ensure that your wedding dress meets their donation criteria, as some charities have specific requirements regarding the age and condition of the dresses they accept.
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Give to a local high school theatre department
Donating your wedding dress to a local high school theatre department can be a great way to give back to your community. Not only will it free up space in your closet, but it can also help students and the school save money on costumes for their productions.
When considering donating your wedding dress to a local high school theatre department, it is important to first contact the school and inquire about their costume needs and donation criteria. While some schools may be grateful for any donation, others may have specific requirements or preferences. For example, some schools may only accept specialty items, vintage items, or accessories, while others may be specifically seeking hoop skirt dresses that can be repurposed as princess dresses. It is also worth noting that some schools may have limited storage space, so your donation may need to be something they plan to use in an upcoming production.
If the school accepts your wedding dress donation, you can rest assured knowing that it will be put to good use and may even become a cherished part of a student's performance. Additionally, if the school is publicly funded, your donation is likely to be tax-deductible, providing further benefit to you and your community.
To get started, simply locate the contact information for your local high school and reach out to the theatre department or faculty member in charge of costumes. They will be able to provide you with specific instructions and express their gratitude for your thoughtful contribution.
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Help a bride in financial hardship
Wedding dresses are often very expensive, and for many brides, the cost is simply not feasible. Donating your wedding dress to a bride in financial hardship can help make a couple's wedding dreams come true.
There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations and pass them on to brides in need. One such organization is Brides for a Cause, a nonprofit bridal store with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses, with the profits going to charities that support women, including women in the military, single mothers, and abuse survivors. Brides for a Cause accepts wedding dresses no more than five years old and offers both mail-in and in-person donation options.
Another option is Brides Against Breast Cancer, a charity that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They accept wedding dresses up to three to five years old, veils, headpieces, and other accessories. You can donate by completing their online donation form and then shipping the dress based on their instructions.
If you're looking to support a cause focused on sex trafficking prevention, consider Adorned in Grace. This faith-based organization provides new and gently used wedding dresses and formalwear, with proceeds going towards funding professional counseling for trafficking survivors, awareness publications, and more. They accept wedding dresses less than five years old, as well as mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, and bridal accessories. Donations can be dropped off in person or shipped to their shop locations in Oregon and Arizona.
Additionally, Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that gifts wedding dresses and weddings to military and first responder brides. They accept previously worn wedding dresses and hold Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year to distribute the gowns.
When donating your wedding dress, it's important to ensure it is clean and properly packed. Some charities offer cleaning services for an additional charge. You can also include helpful information about the dress, such as its size, brand, year of purchase, and original price, to assist the charity. Donating your wedding dress not only helps a bride in need but also provides you with tax benefits and extra closet space!
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Donate to an Angel Gown organisation
Donating your wedding dress to an Angel Gown organisation is a great way to give back to the community and help others in need. Angel Gown organisations accept wedding dress donations and transform them into gowns for bereaved parents to honour their infants during burial services. Here are some tips for donating to an Angel Gown organisation:
Choose an Angel Gown Organisation
There are several Angel Gown organisations that accept wedding dress donations, such as The Angel Gowns Project and Angel Babies. Research these organisations to understand their mission and how they utilise donated wedding dresses. This will help you select an organisation that aligns with your values and interests.
Prepare the Wedding Dress
Most Angel Gown organisations accept wedding dresses of any age, colour, and style. However, it is important to ensure that the dress is in good condition, with minimal staining and no strong odours. Clean the dress if necessary and ensure it is properly packed for shipping or drop-off, following any specific guidelines provided by the organisation.
Understand Donation Requirements
Some Angel Gown organisations have specific requirements for donations. For example, The Angel Gowns Project requests a minimum donation of $100 for their USA and International Programs. They also offer the option to have your wedding dress transformed into angel gowns by their seamstress volunteers. Contact the organisation directly to understand their unique requirements and guidelines.
Explore Other Ways to Contribute
In addition to wedding dress donations, Angel Gown organisations often accept various other items and contributions. For instance, Angel Babies accepts crocheted blankets, knitted hats, sewing supplies, monetary donations, and more. If you cannot donate a wedding dress, consider contributing in other ways to support their mission.
Inquire About the Process
If you wish to receive photos or updates on the transformation of your wedding dress, inquire about this with the organisation. Due to the high volume of donations and the involvement of multiple volunteers, they may not be able to provide individual updates. However, some organisations, like Angel Babies, post photos on their social media pages, so you can follow their journey and see the impact of your donation.
Donating your wedding dress to an Angel Gown organisation is a heartfelt way to support bereaved families and give new purpose to your wedding dress. Your donation will help create beautiful angel gowns and bring comfort to grieving parents during their time of loss.
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Transform it into something new
If you're looking to give your wedding dress a new lease of life, there are plenty of creative ways to repurpose it. Here are some ideas to transform it into something new:
Home Decor and Keepsakes
You can reuse the fabric to create cherished keepsakes, such as pillows, baptism gowns for children, or even a christening gown for a new baby in the family. You can also incorporate your wedding dress into your holiday traditions, such as by turning it into a Christmas tree skirt or angel tree topper.
Clothing
If you're feeling crafty, alter or hem your wedding gown into a fun cocktail dress or formalwear. This way, you can still wear and enjoy parts of your wedding dress, giving it a new purpose.
Photo Prop
If you're not ready to cut up your wedding dress, consider using it as a photo prop for newborn photoshoots. This is a great way to include your little ones in the memories of your special day.
DIY Jewelry and Accessories
Use the buttons, beads, and other trimmings from your wedding dress to create unique DIY jewelry and accessories. This is a wonderful way to keep a piece of your wedding dress with you at all times.
Burial Gowns
Some organizations, such as the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program and The Emma and Evan Foundation, accept donated wedding dresses and transform them into burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns offer comfort to grieving families.
Remember, if you're planning to donate your wedding dress to a charity, it's a good idea to contact them in advance to ensure your dress meets their donation criteria.
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Frequently asked questions
You can donate your wedding dress to an "Angel Gown" organisation, such as the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, which accepts wedding dresses and bridesmaids' dresses and transforms them into gowns for bereaved parents to honour their infants. You can also donate your dress to local organisations such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Brides Across America is a national organisation that helps source gowns for members of the military, first responders, and healthcare workers. Another organisation is Becoming a Cupcake, which helps Ugandan women who have survived sex trafficking and forced marriages.
If your wedding dress does not meet the donation criteria of certain charities, you can transform it into something new. You can reuse the fabric to create home decor and keepsakes, such as pillows and baptism gowns for children. You can also alter the gown into a fun cocktail dress or use it as a photo prop for your newborn.
Donating your wedding dress can help free up space in your closet, provide a tax deduction, and help someone in need. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint by giving the dress a new life instead of throwing it away, which releases carbon dioxide and other toxins into the air.
