Many wedding gowns are worn just once, and end up in a closet or in storage after the big day. But donating them isn’t only a great way to give them new life, it’s also environmentally friendly. According to GreenDrop, when clothing is thrown away it takes years to break down in a landfill and releases toxins into the air. By donating your dress you’ll help reduce your carbon footprint and make room for more clothes that you actually wear.
It’s not just bridal dresses that can be donated, other types of formal wear such as prom and evening gowns are also welcome donations at some charities and thrift shops. While some may have different rules on the minimum age of a dress, most places will accept used items that are still in good condition. It’s recommended that you clean your gown before donating it, but some charities and thrift stores will offer this service for a fee.
In addition to bridal gowns, some charities also accept used bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, as well as accessories like veils, hats, shoes, and jewelry. Some of these charities have specific requirements on the age and condition of a gown, so it’s important to check their website ahead of time. For example, NICU Helping Hands, which accepts donated wedding dresses in the form of infant burial gowns for grieving families, will only accept gowns that are less than two years old.
Another organization that accepts used wedding dresses is Brides Across America. It’s a national nonprofit that outfits military and first responder brides with the wedding dresses of their dreams through its Operation Wedding Gown program. Fill out this online form with details about your dress to find out if it meets the charity’s acceptance criteria.
If you don’t want to donate your gown, you can also repurpose it into home decor items or a cherished keepsake. You could cut the fabric into a fun throw pillow, a baptism or confirmation dress for your child, or even make a DIY wedding bouquet out of it.
Some of these charities will also let you take your gown with you when it’s ready to be picked up, which is helpful for those living in a COVID-19 quarantine zone. However, most will ask that you bring a donation box, and it’s a good idea to label the box with helpful information about your dress so that it doesn’t get confused with other donations.
Donating your wedding gown to a local charity will give it a second life, but if you’re looking for something more unique, consider taking your dress a step further and traveling to an “Angel Gown” group. These groups are comprised of volunteer sewers who create infant burial gowns, or “Angel Gowns,” out of wedding dress donations for grieving families who have lost a baby. There are a few of these groups in New York, including Angel Gowns of the Capital Region, an hour north of Albany.