Deborah Chan
If you're looking to give your old wedding dress a new lease of life, there are several options to consider. You could donate it to a charitable organisation, such as Brides for a Cause, which raises money for women-focused nonprofits, or Brides Against Breast Cancer, which raises funds for breast cancer awareness. You could also repurpose your dress into something new, such as a christening gown, or a family keepsake. Websites such as Unbox the Dress offer a service that transforms wedding dresses into new designs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dresses older than 5 years | Acceptable at Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, The Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, The Emma and Evan Foundation |
| Wedding dresses 5 years old or newer | Accepted by Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, The Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, The Emma and Evan Foundation, The Brides Project |
| Wedding dresses 4 years old or newer | Accepted by Brides Across America, The Brides Project |
| Wedding dresses 3 years old or newer | Accepted by The Brides Project |
| Wedding dresses 2 years old or newer | Sell for 50% of their retail price |
| Wedding dresses less than a year old | Brides for a Cause |
| Other accepted items | Veils, tiaras, accessories, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, formalwear, bridal accessories, bridesmaid dresses, prom and formal gowns |
| What to do with the dress | Donate, repurpose, sell |
| Where to send the dress | Charitable organisations, nonprofits, second-hand stores, boutiques, online marketplaces |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to charities supporting women
Donating your wedding dress to charities supporting women is a great way to give back to the community and help someone in need. Here are some organizations that accept wedding dress donations to support women:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization with locations across the United States, including Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses donated by designers and brides nationwide. The proceeds from the dress sales are used to support various local and national women-focused charities. Brides for a Cause accepts wedding dresses that are five years old or newer, as well as other wedding accessories. You can mail in your donation or drop it off at one of their locations.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, early detection, research, and legislation. The organization has been operating since 1997 and accepts wedding dresses that are no more than three to five years old, as well as veils, headpieces, and other accessories. You can donate to Brides Against Breast Cancer by completing their online donation form and then shipping the dress according to their instructions.
The Brides Project
The Brides Project is a Michigan-based organization that raises funds for the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept wedding dress donations from former brides and new dresses from bridal salons. The dresses are then sold, and the proceeds are used to support families affected by cancer. The Brides Project accepts dresses that are no more than five years old, along with accessories such as veils, headpieces, and jewelry. You can donate by filling out their online form and either dropping off or shipping your dress.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program provides comfort to families who have lost a baby. They accept wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses in light shades and transform them into custom gowns for final photos and burial services. The program is available in 48 states, and you can connect with a nearby seamstress to donate your dress.
These organizations offer a meaningful way to support women in need by donating your wedding dress. You can choose the charity that aligns with your values and help make a difference while also freeing up closet space and receiving tax benefits.
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Donate to charities supporting breast cancer awareness
Donating your wedding dress to charities supporting breast cancer awareness is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. Here are some organizations to consider:
Brides Against Breast Cancer (BABC)
BABC is a charity founded in 1997 and based in Atlanta. They accept wedding dress donations and resell them to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. BABC has sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses, with proceeds going towards their mission of helping people detect breast cancer early and prevent misdiagnosis. They accept gently used wedding gowns that are in good condition and less than four years old.
The Brides Project
The Brides Project is a Michigan-based organization that raises money for the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept wedding dress donations from former brides and brand-new dresses from bridal salons. The donated dresses are resold, and the funds are used to support various programs and services, including support groups, counseling services, and nutrition workshops for those impacted by cancer.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses that are less than five years old. Brides for a Cause has collected over 40,000 wedding dresses and donated over $3,000,000 to charities across the country.
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 held twice a year. They accept donations of wedding dresses, veils, and jewelry that are less than four years old and in good condition. Your donation will help them continue their mission of providing dream wedding dresses to those who serve our country.
Donating your wedding dress to any of these organizations will not only free up space in your closet but also help support breast cancer awareness, early detection, and other important causes. You can also save on cleaning and preservation costs, as most of these organizations accept uncleaned dresses. Consider giving your dress a second life and helping to make a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
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Donate to charities supporting families who've lost an infant
Donating your wedding dress to charities supporting families who have lost an infant is a thoughtful way to bring comfort to grieving families. Here are some organizations that accept wedding dress donations for this purpose:
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation provides comfort to families experiencing the loss of an infant by offering burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns, free of charge. Donated wedding dresses are transformed into these beautiful infant burial gowns and distributed to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families. The foundation accepts wedding dress donations year-round and provides details for mailing or dropping off your donation.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program
NICU Helping Hands is another organization with a similar mission. They accept wedding dress donations and distribute them to their team of seamstresses, who create Angel Gowns for families to wrap their precious babies in for their final journey. Their Angel Gown Program is available across the United States, and they provide these gowns free of charge to hospitals and families.
Brides Across America
While not directly supporting families who have lost an infant, Brides Across America is another charitable organization that accepts wedding dress donations. They pass on the donated wedding dresses for free to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events held twice a year. Since 2008, they have provided wedding dresses to over 28,000 women.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to support charities that invest in women.
When considering where to donate your wedding dress to support families who have lost an infant, organizations like The Emma and Evan Foundation and NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program are dedicated to providing comfort and support to grieving families through the creation and distribution of Angel Gowns. Your donation can make a meaningful difference to these families during an incredibly difficult time.
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Resell to a second-hand wedding dress boutique
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress to a second-hand boutique, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could connect with a specialty store that exclusively deals in pre-owned wedding dresses. Websites like Stillwhite, Borrowing Magnolia, and Nearly Newlywed provide platforms for brides-to-be to find their dream dress at a fraction of the cost of retail. These sites offer a wide range of designer gowns, custom-made dresses, and sample gowns, ensuring that your dress can find a new owner who will cherish it as much as you did.
Another option is to donate your dress to a nonprofit organization that will either resell it or use the materials for a charitable cause. Brides for a Cause, for example, collects and resells wedding dresses, with proceeds going towards supporting various local and national women-focused charities. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another nonprofit that resells wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
When preparing your dress for resale or donation, ensure that it is in good condition and, if possible, professionally cleaned. Some organizations, like Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland, do not require professional cleaning but generally prefer gowns that are less than five years old.
Lastly, if you're looking to sell your dress through a physical boutique, it is worth checking your local area for second-hand bridal stores that may be interested in purchasing your dress or consigning it for a commission. This option may provide a more personalized experience and allow you to connect directly with the new owner of your dress.
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Transform it into a family keepsake
There are several ways to transform your old wedding dress into a family keepsake. You can work with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new piece of clothing that you can wear again and again. For example, you can fashion a charming mini dress or two-piece set from the fabric of your wedding dress and surprise your partner by wearing it on your first anniversary. You could also create a bridal robe, a bridal purse or clutch, or a custom bridal veil using your wedding dress material. These items can be saved and used again, allowing you to relive your wedding day over and over.
Another option is to create household items and accessories from your wedding dress fabric. You can craft sentimental baby blankets, bassinet covers, or christening gowns, or make something functional like pillows, tablecloths, table runners, or napkins.
If you're looking for a unique way to preserve your wedding memories, you can turn your wedding dress into Christmas tree decorations, such as a tree skirt, angel tree topper, or guardian angel ornaments.
You can also pass your wedding dress down to the next generation in your family. Your daughter or granddaughter might appreciate wearing a robe or bridal purse made from your wedding dress on her own wedding day, creating a new family tradition.
If you're unsure about how to transform your dress, consider reaching out to a professional service like Unbox the Dress, which specializes in creating one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces from wedding gowns. They offer a safe-ship DressBox service that includes packing instructions and a prepaid return label, making it easy to send in your dress for transformation. The process typically takes up to 15 weeks, and they work with you to create bespoke keepsakes that will be cherished for generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Unbox the Dress is a women-owned company that helps transform wedding gowns into new designs, modern bridal gifts, and family keepsakes.
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. Brides Across America is another nonprofit that accepts wedding dress donations and passes them on for free to military and first responder brides.
Yes, there are several other organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides Against Breast Cancer, The Emma and Evan Foundation, and Cherie Sustainable Bridal.
In addition to wedding dresses, these organizations may also accept bridal accessories, veils, tiaras, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, and formalwear.
Yes, you could consider selling your wedding dress. Websites like Nearly Newlywed provide a marketplace for brides to connect and buy or sell wedding dresses.
