Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often expensive, and the cost is simply not feasible for many brides. Donating your wedding dress can help make a couple's dreams come true. Brides Across America, for example, is a non-profit that gifts weddings and wedding gowns to military and first responder brides. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another organization that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. If your dress is vintage, you may need to look beyond charities, which often don't accept dresses older than five years, and consider vintage shops and consignment stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of organization | Charity, non-profit, bridal store |
| Mission | Raise money for breast cancer awareness, support women, provide services and assistance to women, support families who have lost children, help military and first responder brides |
| Location | Atlanta, Michigan, Northwest, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Sacramento, Oregon, Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts |
| Requirements | Wedding dresses less than 4-5 years old, in good condition |
| Benefits | Help others, free up closet space, tax deduction |
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What You'll Learn
Charities that accept vintage wedding dresses
Many charities accept wedding dress donations, but most require the dresses to be less than five years old. If your vintage wedding dress is more than five years old, you may have to look at alternative options, such as vintage dress shops and consignment stores.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a bridal store that raises funds for charity. They operate showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, reselling donated wedding gowns and distributing the profits to organizations that provide services and assistance to women. Since opening in 2012, Brides for a Cause has collected over 35,000 dresses and raised more than $2.5 million in charitable donations. They accept new and once-worn dresses that are less than five years old.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year. Since 2008, they have outfitted more than 28,000 women with wedding dresses. They accept items that are less than four years old and in wearable condition.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. The company is based in Atlanta and has sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses since its founding in 1997. They accept gently used dresses from former brides and new dresses donated directly from bridal salons.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan 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, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge. The foundation accepts wedding dress donations year-round and provides details for mailing or dropping off donations.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program
In 2015, the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accepted 15,000 wedding dresses, which were remade into gowns for photos and burial services for the infants of bereaved parents. The organization now maintains a waitlist and connects seamstresses with nearby donations of wedding or bridesmaid dresses in light shades of blue, pink, and purple.
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Reselling to raise money for breast cancer awareness
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to free up space in your closet, get a tax deduction, and help someone in need. Brides Against Breast Cancer, based in Atlanta, is a great option for reselling your vintage wedding dress to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Since 1997, they have sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses, raising over $40 million. The money raised goes towards their mission of helping people detect breast cancer earlier and prevent misdiagnosis.
Brides Against Breast Cancer accepts gently used wedding gowns, which they resell to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. By donating your dress to this organization, you can help to reduce the impact of breast cancer on women's lives and their loved ones. They utilize mass media efforts in TV and print to reach millions of women with their messaging. Donating your dress also helps the environment by reducing the need to manufacture new dresses and preventing your dress from ending up in a landfill.
Another option for reselling your vintage wedding dress to raise money for breast cancer awareness is The Brides Project, based in Michigan. This organization raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. The programs funded through the resale of donated wedding dresses include support groups, counseling services, nutrition workshops, and more. They accept gently used dresses from former brides and brand-new dresses donated directly from bridal salons.
Additionally, there are other organizations that accept wedding dress donations for various causes. Brides for a Cause, a bridal store with showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, resells donated wedding gowns and distributes the profits to organizations that provide services and assistance to women. Adorned in Grace in Oregon and Arizona is another option, as they use their profits to support efforts to prevent and raise awareness about sex trafficking. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that offers professional clothing and basic interview skills to clients in crisis.
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Donating to bereaved parents
If you have a vintage wedding dress that you no longer want to keep, you might consider donating it to a worthy cause. Many organisations accept wedding dress donations and use them to support a variety of charitable causes.
One way to donate your vintage wedding dress is to give bereaved parents comfort during their time of loss. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program and The Emma and Evan Foundation are two organisations that accept wedding dress donations to create infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families. With 1 in 4 pregnancies ending in loss, these organisations aim to provide compassion and support to families experiencing the tragedy of losing an infant. Your wedding dress donation can be transformed into a beautiful Angel Gown, bringing a little comfort to bereaved parents.
Another option is to donate your vintage wedding dress to organisations that support bereaved parents indirectly through various programmes and services. Brides Against Breast Cancer, based in Atlanta, resells donated wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Similarly, The Brides Project in Michigan uses proceeds from dress sales to fund programmes and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, including support groups, counselling services, and nutrition workshops. Donating your wedding dress to these organisations can help bereaved parents affected by cancer access the support they need during difficult times.
Additionally, you can consider donating your vintage wedding dress to Brides for a Cause, a nonprofit organisation with locations across the United States. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. By donating to Brides for a Cause, you support a range of charities that may provide indirect assistance to bereaved parents through their diverse programmes and initiatives.
Finally, if you are specifically looking to donate your vintage wedding dress to a bereaved parent in need, you may want to explore donation centres near you or reach out to local organisations that support grieving families. They can guide you on how to connect with bereaved parents who may appreciate receiving a wedding dress donation. Remember to check the eligibility criteria and preparation guidelines for donations, as these may vary depending on the organisation you choose.
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Donating to military and first responder brides
Donating your vintage wedding dress to military and first responder brides is a meaningful way to show your appreciation for their service and sacrifice. Here are some organizations that accept wedding dress donations for this noble cause:
Brides Across America (BAA)
Brides Across America is a non-profit organization dedicated to honouring military and first responder heroes by gifting weddings and wedding gowns. Since 2008, they have given away over 28,000 wedding dresses to deserving brides. BAA accepts donations of wedding gowns, veils, and jewellery, provided they are less than four years old and in wearable condition. You can fill out their online form to see if your items meet their acceptance criteria.
Operation Wedding Gown
Operation Wedding Gown is an initiative by Brides Across America. They host giveaway events twice a year, where they distribute free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. By donating to this programme, you can help reduce the cost of weddings for these deserving individuals.
United Service Organizations (USO)
The USO is another organization that accepts wedding dress donations for military brides. They provide support and assistance to service members and their families, and your donation can help make a difference in their special day.
Operation Deploy Your Dress
Operation Deploy Your Dress is a unique programme that collects wedding dresses and deploys them to military brides worldwide. This organization ensures that military brides, regardless of their location, have access to a wedding dress that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
By donating your vintage wedding dress to one of these organizations, you can give back to those who serve and protect our communities and country. Not only will you free up space in your closet, but you'll also bring joy to a military or first responder bride, making their wedding dreams come true.
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Vintage dress shops and consignment stores
If your wedding dress is vintage and over five years old, you may need to look beyond charities to donate it. Most charities do not accept wedding dresses older than five years, so vintage dress shops and consignment stores are a great option.
Vintage Bridal Boutique
This boutique specializes in vintage and unique wedding dresses, and they are always looking for new additions to their collection. They accept dresses in good condition and offer in-store credit or a consignment option for the right dresses. You can contact them to set up an appointment and bring your dress in for evaluation.
Retro Chic
Retro Chic is a vintage clothing store that carries a wide range of styles from past decades. They have a bridal section featuring gowns from various eras. You can contact them to inquire about donating your vintage wedding dress, and they may offer a buy-outright option or a consignment opportunity.
Timeless Treasures
A charming boutique that specializes in vintage and antique clothing, Timeless Treasures has a soft spot for wedding dresses. They accept donations of vintage wedding gowns and often participate in pop-up shops and exhibitions featuring their unique collection. Your dress could become a cherished display piece or be worn by someone who falls in love with its timeless elegance.
Vintage Vogue
With a focus on sustainability and recycling, Vintage Vogue offers a platform for pre-loved fashion. They accept donations of vintage wedding dresses and provide an online marketplace to connect you with buyers seeking one-of-a-kind pieces. This option gives you the chance to pass on your dress to someone who adores its vintage charm.
Remember to contact these shops ahead of time to confirm their interest and any specific requirements they may have for donations. Each store will have its own criteria and processes, so it's essential to inquire before bringing in your vintage wedding dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Many charities do not accept wedding dresses older than five years, so you may have more luck at a vintage dress shop or consignment store. Brides Across America is another option, as they pass on wedding dresses for free to military and first responder brides, but the dresses should be less than four years old and in wearable condition.
Brides for a Cause is a bridal store that raises funds for charity by reselling donated wedding gowns. They have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento.
Yes, Brides Against Breast Cancer resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program and The Emma and Evan Foundation accept wedding dress donations, which are then transformed into burial gowns for infants.
Donating your wedding dress helps another bride, reduces waste and pollution, and frees up closet space. It can also result in a tax deduction.
After choosing a charity, check their website for guidelines on how to prepare and deliver your wedding dress donation.
