Rhiannon Hendricks
Many charities accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, which has boutiques across the country, the British Red Cross, which has shops in Edinburgh, Brides Across America, and The Emma and Evan Foundation. These charities use the donations to raise money for women-focused nonprofits, to support people in crisis, to provide free wedding dresses to military members and first responders, and to create burial gowns for infants who have passed away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wedding dresses | 700 |
| Age of wedding dresses accepted | Less than 5 years old |
| Other items accepted | Wedding shoes, accessories, veils, jewellery, men's wedding suits |
| Types of shops | Online, physical, specialist bridal shops, local charity shops |
| Organisations | Brides for a Cause, British Red Cross, Brides Across America, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, The Emma and Evan Foundation, Brides Against Breast Cancer |
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What You'll Learn
Charities that accept wedding dress donations
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations. Many of these organisations use the donations to raise funds for various causes. Here are some of the charities that accept wedding dress donations:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused nonprofit organisations. The organisation has boutiques across the country, offering affordable, sustainable, and charitable wedding dresses to nearlyweds. They accept wedding dresses that are no more than five years old, as well as bridal accessories. You can drop off your wedding dress at one of their locations or send it by mail.
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross operates a bridal charity shop in Edinburgh, offering a selection of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and mother-of-the-bride outfits. They also have local charity shops that may carry bridal wear. They accept donations of wedding dresses, shoes, accessories, veils, jewellery, and men's wedding suits. You can drop off your donations at their shops during opening hours or contact them to see if they can collect your donation.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America accepts wedding dress donations and passes them on for free to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events held twice a year. They have outfitted more than 28,000 women with wedding dresses since 2008. To donate, you can fill out their online form with details about your gown, veil, and jewellery to see if they meet the acceptance criteria. Items should be less than four years old and in wearable condition.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance. They accept donations year-round and provide details for mailing or dropping off your donation.
It is important to note that most charities have specific guidelines for donating wedding dresses, including age and condition. Be sure to check with the charity of your choice to understand their requirements and prepare your wedding dress donation accordingly.
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Charities that sell wedding dresses
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations and sell them in their shops.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation with boutiques across the US. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused nonprofit organisations. Brides for a Cause accept wedding dresses that are no older than five years and also take bridal accessories. They have shops in four locations, each with over 700 dresses.
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross has a specialist bridal shop in Edinburgh, selling wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, mother-of-the-bride outfits, and morning suits. They also have an online shop where you can buy wedding dresses and accessories. The British Red Cross also accepts donations of wedding clothes and accessories at their charity shops.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America accepts wedding dress donations and passes them on for free to military and first responder brides. They have outfitted over 28,000 women since 2008. To donate, fill out their online form with details about your gown, veil, and jewellery. Items should be less than four years old and in wearable condition.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. The memorial gowns are offered to grieving families as a source of comfort and remembrance.
It is worth noting that most charities do not accept wedding dresses that are older than five years, so if you have a vintage dress you may want to consider donating it to a vintage dress shop or consignment store.
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Preparing a wedding dress for donation
Firstly, it's important to note that each charity has different guidelines for how you should prepare and deliver your wedding dress donation. So, before you do anything, call or email your chosen charity to clarify any specific requirements they may have.
Next, assess your wedding dress for any signs of tearing or fraying. Check for mould, which can develop in moist and humid environments, and for discolouration, especially if the dress is over a few months old. Significant damage may disqualify your gown from donation, but minor issues can usually be fixed by a qualified seamstress prior to donation. Even if there are no visible stains, it's important to have the dress professionally cleaned before donating it.
Some charities will have specific age requirements for donated dresses, often accepting only those that are 3-5 years old and in excellent condition. So, before donating, check with your chosen charity to see if your dress meets their criteria.
Remember, donating your wedding dress not only gives it a second life but also helps the environment by reducing waste and pollution and freeing up storage space in your closet.
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Charities that accept wedding dress donations for infants' burial gowns
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations to create burial gowns for infants. Here are some notable organizations:
NICU Helping Hands' Angel Gown® Program
NICU Helping Hands is an organization that provides support and resources to families who have lost a baby. Their Angel Gown® Program offers custom-made burial gowns for families to use during final photos and burial services. The program utilizes donated wedding gowns to create these special outfits, providing comfort and support to grieving families during their difficult time.
Little Angel Gowns
Little Angel Gowns is a charitable organization that creates burial attire for babies from donated wedding gowns. Their dedicated team of volunteer seamstresses across the United States transforms these wedding dresses into beautiful and practical burial gowns, known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are designed to meet the specific needs of medical and burial professionals. Little Angel Gowns works with hospitals, funeral homes, and individual families to provide this special service, bringing comfort to families experiencing immense loss.
Brides For a Cause
Brides For a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. While their primary focus is not on creating burial gowns, they contribute to various local and national nonprofits that support women through the recycling of wedding dresses. By donating your wedding dress to Brides For a Cause, you can help raise funds for these important initiatives.
These organizations offer a meaningful way to support bereaved families and honor the memory of infants who have passed away. They transform wedding dresses into something that can bring a small amount of comfort during an incredibly challenging time.
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Charities that accept wedding dress donations for military brides
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations to benefit military brides. One such charity is Brides Across America (BAA), a non-profit organisation that has gifted over 20,000 wedding dresses to military and first responder brides since 2008. BAA accepts wedding dress donations and also holds Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year, where donated dresses are passed on for free to military and first responder brides.
Brides for a Cause is another charity with a mission to invest in local and national nonprofits that support women. They accept wedding dress donations that are five years old or newer to raise funds for women-focused nonprofits.
The Brides Project is a Michigan-based charity that raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept wedding dress donations from former brides and new dresses from bridal salons to fund various programs, including support groups, counselling services, and nutrition workshops.
Additionally, NICU Helping Hands has an Angel Gown program that accepts wedding dress donations. Seamstresses remake these dresses into gowns for photos and burial services for infants of bereaved parents. This program maintains a waitlist and connects seamstresses with nearby donations.
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Frequently asked questions
Brides for a Cause, British Red Cross, Brides Across America, and The Emma and Evan Foundation are some organizations that accept wedding dress donations.
Most charities only accept wedding dresses that are less than five years old. Some charities also require the dress to be in wearable condition.
The donated wedding dresses are either resold to raise funds for charity or given to brides in need for free.
Yes, many organizations accept in-person donations. You can also mail your wedding dress or contact the organization to see if they can collect it.
It is helpful to include information such as the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price when donating your wedding dress.
