Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses are often expensive, and many brides struggle to afford them. Donating your wedding dress can help another bride in need, giving your dress a second life and freeing up closet space. There are several organisations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and The Brides Project. These organisations use the donated dresses to raise funds for various causes, such as breast cancer awareness and support for military and first responder brides. Alternatively, you can repurpose your wedding dress by transforming it into new items such as christening gowns or holiday decorations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to donate | Free up closet space, help the environment, give the dress a second life, support a good cause, get a tax deduction, help someone in need, raise money for charities |
| Where to donate | Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, The Brides Project, Brides Across America, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Unbox the Dress |
| Donation criteria | Dresses should be in good condition, less than four or five years old, and in some cases, brand-new dresses are accepted |
| What to do before donating | Label the box with information about the dress, including size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price |
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What You'll Learn
Donate to a charity shop
Donating your wedding dress to a charity shop is a great way to give back to the community and support a good cause. It is also an excellent option if you're looking to free up some closet space, especially since your gown is likely one of the bulkiest pieces of clothing you own.
There are many charitable organisations that accept wedding dress donations, and they use the proceeds to support various causes. For example, Brides Against Breast Cancer resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Similarly, Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. They have multiple locations across the country, including Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, and they accept wedding dresses that are five years old or newer.
Another organisation to consider is Brides Across America, which supports military members and first responders by providing them with free wedding gowns during their "Operation Wedding Gown Event" held twice a year. They accept wedding dresses that are four years old or newer and in wearable condition.
When donating your wedding dress, be sure to check the guidelines of the specific charity you've chosen. Most charities have certain criteria for the age and condition of the dresses they accept. Additionally, you can help save time for charity volunteers by labelling the box with helpful information about the dress, including the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price.
Donating your wedding dress gives it a second life and helps extend the lifecycle of clothing. It's an environmentally friendly choice that reduces waste and ensures your dress stays out of the landfill. Additionally, you may be able to receive a tax deduction for your donation, so be sure to check with your financial advisor to explore this possibility.
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Give to a bride in need
If you're looking to give your wedding dress to a bride in need, there are several organisations you can donate to.
One such organisation is Brides for a Cause, a bridal store that raises funds for charity. Brides for a Cause operates showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento, reselling donated wedding gowns and distributing the profits to organisations that provide services and assistance to women. Since opening in 2012, the stores have found new homes for more than 35,000 dresses and have made over $2.5 million in charitable donations. Brides for a Cause accepts new and once-worn dresses that are five years old or newer. You can mail your dress or drop it off at one of their locations.
Another organisation is Brides Across America, a nonprofit that supports military and first responder brides by gifting them wedding gowns. Since 2008, Brides Across America has given away over 28,000 wedding dresses to brides in need. To donate, your dress should be less than four years old and in wearable condition. You can ship your wedding dress donation according to the guidelines on their website.
If your wedding dress is in a light shade of blue, pink, or purple, you can donate it to NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown. This organisation accepts wedding and bridesmaid dresses, which seamstresses then remake into gowns for photos and burial services honouring the infants of bereaved parents.
You can also consider donating your dress to a local charity that provides wedding dresses to brides in need. For example, Adorned in Grace in Oregon and Arizona sells wedding dresses, formal attire, mother-of-the-bride dresses, and other wedding accessories, using the profits to support efforts that prevent and raise awareness of sex trafficking. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland donates gowns to Success in Style, a nonprofit that offers professional clothing and basic interview skills to clients in crisis.
When donating your wedding dress, it is helpful to label the box with information about the dress, including the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price. This will help save time for charity volunteers.
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Recycle into burial gowns
If you're looking to recycle your wedding dress into burial gowns, there are a few organisations that can help. One option is to donate your dress to The Emma and Evan Foundation, which transforms wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns. These memorial gowns are provided free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families. The organisation accepts donations year-round and provides details for mailing or dropping off your wedding dress.
Another organisation with a similar mission is the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program. In 2015, they accepted 15,000 wedding dresses, which were remade into gowns for photos and burial services for infants of bereaved parents. The organisation now maintains a waitlist and connects seamstresses with nearby donations of wedding or bridesmaid dresses in light shades of blue, pink, and purple.
If you're interested in repurposing your wedding dress into a christening gown for a new baby, you can explore companies like Unbox the Dress, which offers a range of products and services to transform your wedding dress into lasting mementos. The process typically involves taking a design quiz, selecting your preferred designs, and shipping your dress securely to their headquarters.
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Resell to recoup costs
Reselling your wedding dress can be a great way to recoup some of the costs of the original purchase. However, it can be a lengthy process and there is no guarantee that your dress will sell. Here are some tips and suggestions for reselling your wedding dress:
Online Marketplaces
There are many online marketplaces that cater specifically to the resale of wedding dresses. These sites are targeted at brides looking for a second-hand wedding dress and can be a great way to get your dress in front of a primed audience. Some popular sites include Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, and Once Wed. Nearly Newlywed, for example, charges a $25 listing fee and a 40% commission, but they handle everything from buyer questions to shipping and insurance.
Facebook Groups and Marketplace
Facebook Buy and Sell groups or Facebook Marketplace are great local options for selling your wedding dress. These groups sell almost anything, so you are not limited to marketing to brides only. You will need to include lots of photos, a good description, and a competitive price when listing your dress. You may also need to be prepared to negotiate on the final price.
Consignment Shops
If you would prefer to sell your dress offline, a local wedding dress consignment shop is your best option. These shops focus on selling wedding-related items, so you will be targeting buyers specifically looking for a wedding dress.
Things to Consider
Before listing your dress, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, you will need to get your dress professionally cleaned and mended, which can be costly and time-consuming. Secondly, it is important to set competitive pricing. Used wedding dresses in great condition and under two years old usually sell for 50% of their retail price. Finally, it is important to be aware that there is no guarantee your dress will sell, and the process may take longer than expected.
In conclusion, reselling your wedding dress can be a great way to recoup some of the costs of your big day, but it is important to go into the process with realistic expectations and be prepared for the work involved.
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Give to a military charity
If you are considering donating your wedding dress to a military charity, Brides Across America (BAA) is a great option. BAA is a non-profit organisation that honours military personnel, first responders, and front-line healthcare workers by gifting them wedding dresses and weddings. Since 2008, BAA has gifted over 28,000 wedding dresses to military and first responder brides.
To donate your dress to BAA, you must first ensure that it meets their acceptance criteria. BAA accepts gowns that are three years old or newer, in wearable condition, and in sizes 0-8 and 16-30. If your dress meets these requirements, you can fill out their online form with details about your gown, including the designer, year purchased, size, style, and alterations. After submitting the form, BAA will review your submission and contact you if your gown is accepted. This process can take up to four weeks.
If your gown is accepted, BAA will provide instructions on how to package and ship your gown, as well as the shipping address. They may also request a $175 tax-deductible donation for cleaning if your gown is soiled. Once your gown is received, you will be provided with a tax-deductible donation receipt.
Donating your wedding dress to a military charity like BAA is a meaningful way to express gratitude to those who serve and sacrifice for our communities. It also helps reduce the cost of weddings for military brides and ensures that your dress finds a new home instead of collecting dust in your closet.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and The Brides Project. These organizations either resell the dresses to raise funds for various causes or donate them to brides in need.
When donating your wedding dress, it is helpful to include information such as the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price. This helps charity volunteers and can make it easier for brides to find a dress.
Donating your wedding dress gives it a second life and helps reduce waste and pollution. It also frees up closet space and can provide a tax deduction. Additionally, your donation can help a bride in need, supporting couples who may be struggling financially.
Yes, if you are unable to donate your wedding dress or prefer to keep it, you can consider reselling it or repurposing it. There are websites and marketplaces that connect brides looking to buy second-hand dresses. Alternatively, services like Unbox the Dress can transform your wedding dress into new items such as christening gowns, holiday decorations, or keepsakes.
