If you have a beautiful wedding dress sitting in your closet that you never plan on wearing again, or you’re just decluttering for the 365 Items in 365 Days challenge, consider donating it instead of throwing it away. There are a number of charities that accept donated dresses, which can then be sold on or used to help brides who cannot afford their dream dress. Additionally, you can receive a tax deduction for your donation.
If you’re looking to make a bigger impact with your dress, try the Angel Gowns for Angel Babies charity, which uses donated gowns to create tiny baby gowns for babies who are born too soon or pass away. These beautiful little gowns can bring comfort to parents and are a reminder that they’re not alone.
Another great option is to donate your gown to a bridal boutique that specializes in selling wedding dresses. Many of these retailers have a charitable program where they sell the dresses and use the funds to support other local programs and projects, like cancer research, women’s shelters, and aiding abuse survivors. They’re also a good choice for brides who want to ensure that their dress goes to a good cause and doesn’t end up at a thrift store where the proceeds are used to support other, less worthy causes.
You can also donate your gown to a local thrift store, which can then sell it on or give it to a bride who needs a dress. Many of these stores are part of larger nonprofit organizations that have been around for years and raise funds for a wide range of social services, including job training and placement, housing, veterans’ assistance, and more. They’re often run by volunteers who can be a big help to you in finding the perfect dress for your day.
There are also many charities that specialize in reselling used wedding dresses. Some of these groups, such as Michigan-based The Brides Project, use the money raised from the sales of donated dresses to support their free programming for people impacted by cancer, while others, like the Wishing Well Foundation and Gift of a Wedding, use the funds to grant wedding wishes to terminally ill individuals.
Some of these charities, such as The Brides Project, will also accept gently worn or brand-new dresses that were unused or returned from bridal salons. They may be able to offer you a higher price for a newer dress than what a consignment shop might pay, but keep in mind that you’ll be spending time and energy on listing the dress and dealing with potential buyers.
The main thing to remember when deciding where to donate your wedding dress is that each charity will have its own guidelines for how to prepare the gown for donation, so be sure to contact the organization before you start packing. They can answer any questions you might have and give you the details of what they’re looking for.