If you’re decluttering your closet, donating your wedding dress is an easy way to get rid of one of your most sentimental pieces and help others at the same time. Several nonprofit organizations accept wedding gown donations, either to sell or give away.
The Salvation Army is an international faith-based charity organization that operates numerous programs and services throughout the world. In addition to adult rehabilitation and prison ministry work, the charity also provides disaster relief, housing, clothing, food, and other household goods and accessories. Accepted items include wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, and bridal accessories. You can donate your gown by visiting a local Salvation Army thrift store or by completing an online form.
Brides for a Cause is a non-profit bridal store that collects and resells donated wedding dresses to raise funds for dozens of women-focused charities. Since 2012, the company has raised over $1.2 million through the sale of donated dresses. They accept gowns that are less than five years old and professionally cleaned. Donors can drop off their donation in person at a store location or ship their gown to one of their roadshow events.
Adorned in Grace is a faith-based nonprofit that uses wedding dress donations to raise money for anti-trafficking programs in various communities. The donations are used to support victims of human trafficking, provide training for churches on how to recognize and prevent human trafficking, and provide counseling and advocacy services. The nonprofit also needs new and gently-used veils, gloves, and other bridal accessories.
You can drop off your donation in person at the bridal boutique or ship it according to their online instructions. The organization will also accept men’s ties that can be turned into bow ties for bridesmaids, groomsmen, or children’s wear.
Before you donate your wedding gown, make sure it’s in good condition. Look for stains, rips, and tears, and check for mold, which can develop in moist environments like basements. If you notice any damage, have it repaired by a seamstress before you donate it to a charity.
Some brides keep their wedding gowns for sentimental reasons, or because they want to pass them down to future generations. If you can’t part with yours, you could consider preserving it to use for a vow renewal ceremony or other special occasions, or making a baptismal, Christening, or dedication gown out of it. You could also incorporate a portion of your wedding gown into a keepsake like a pillow or purse.
If you don’t have any future plans for your wedding dress, donating it is an easy way to give back and declutter your closet. It’s also a great way to get a tax deduction, if you choose to itemize. However, some brides prefer to take the concept of giving back a step further by planning a charitable wedding. If you’re interested in planning a wedding that supports a certain cause, check out our expert advice page for ideas.