Many brides choose to save their wedding dresses as heirlooms or even to pass them down to their children. But, if you’re not interested in storing your gown in a box and never wearing it again (or engaging in the popular “destroy the dress” tradition that involves splashing it with water, burying it in mud, and other artfully trashing it), consider donating it instead. Rather than taking up valuable closet space, your dress could go to someone who will appreciate it more and help support a worthy cause.
The main reason to donate your dress is to give it a second life, and there are plenty of organizations that would love to take it off your hands. Here are a few surprising places you can send your dress to, all of which will help make a difference in other people’s lives.
This nonprofit bridal boutique resells bridal gowns that are three years or newer, and all sales proceeds go towards women’s causes. They accept wedding dresses as well as veils and headpieces.
You can find a list of local charities that take wedding dress donations at their website, and they’ll also tell you how to get the dress ready for donation. Some charities may ask that you have the dress professionally cleaned to avoid any potential stains.
Another way to repurpose your gown is by having it stitched into something else, such as a keepsake robe or pillow. Companies like Unbox the Dress offer this service, but you can also contact your local dry cleaner, such as Janet Davis Cleaners in Royal Oak, to do it for you.
Some charities take your gown and turn it into tiny baby burial gowns, called Angel Gowns, for parents who lose their babies too soon. They can be given to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families.
If you have a religious background, you can donate your dress to Adorned in Grace, which resells used dresses with all sales proceeds going to sex trafficking awareness and victim support efforts. You can donate your dress, veils, and accessories to the organization’s online store or by calling client service for shipping instructions.
As a bonus, your wedding dress donation can be a tax deduction, depending on the charity to which you’re sending it and the specifics of your situation. (Just make sure you’re donating to a registered charity during the COVID-19 pandemic and that it meets certain requirements for tax-deductible donations.)
While it’s easy to think that your donated dress is going to a worthy cause, you should always research different charities before making a donation to ensure they’re reputable and a good fit for your dress. And, as the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, be mindful of the guidelines that your donation recipient might have in place for social distancing. To avoid putting yourself and others at risk, it’s best to stick with well-established options like a Goodwill or Salvation Army store in your area.