Wedding dresses are expensive and many brides aren’t financially strong enough to buy a new dress after the big day. That’s why some brides choose to donate their bridal gowns after the wedding. Donating your gown not only gives you more closet space, but it also helps others in need.
There are several places where you can donate your wedding dress. These include thrift stores, charity organizations and wedding gown charities, says Zola. The latter are often specialized and have one mission, like providing breast cancer patients with free dresses or fabricating baby bereavement gowns.
In addition to the above options, you can also look for local bridal or fashion expos that sell pre-owned dresses. You can also check online forums and social media groups for wedding dresses that are available for sale or trade in your area. Just make sure you do your research. Look for reputable organizations with a track record of transparent operations and an established reputation.
If you decide to resell your gown, be prepared to spend a lot of time and energy on the process. Whether it’s getting your dress professionally cleaned and mended, listing it on different websites, interacting with potential buyers or waiting months for it to sell, there’s a good chance that you won’t get back as much money as you invested in the gown.
Donating your gown to a charity or a wedding gown charity, however, can give you a better return on your investment. Besides helping others, these organizations usually give you a tax deduction and some even offer a pick-up service for your dress.
For example, the Bridal Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan, accepts donated gowns from local bridal salons and sells them at a discount to support families affected by cancer. The organization’s founder says that she wants “to ensure that every woman who would like to wear a gorgeous dress to her special day has the opportunity to do so.”
The Emma and Evan Foundation in Kingston, NY, repurposes wedding gowns into infant burial dresses called angel gowns and bonnets for families who have lost their babies. The foundation’s website explains that these keepsakes are a way to “remember their little angels and share the memory with the rest of their family.”
Before you donate your gown, ensure that it’s in good condition. A worn or damaged gown won’t be of use to someone else, especially if it’s full of holes or has visible stains. It’s also a good idea to have the dress inspected by a seamstress for any repairs before donating it. Also, be sure to remove any embellishments or other sentimental elements before you donate your dress.