If you’re a bride who has recently married, or even just a bride-to-be and have been hanging on to your wedding dress – don’t be afraid to donate it! Many organizations, especially those who resell used dresses for charity, will accept wedding gowns and give them new life. It is a great way to declutter your closet, and it gives someone else the chance to experience the day they’ve always dreamed of. Some of these organizations are so popular they have a waiting list and may close to donations during certain times of the year.
The main goal of these groups is to help those who are unable to afford a dress for their special day or have been impacted by tragedies like the pandemic. Most of these dress charities also use their proceeds to support other causes such as cancer research, women’s empowerment, and other worthy causes. It’s important to do your homework and find the right charity for your gown before donating it.
Most dress shops and charities that accept donated dresses have specific requirements for their donations, including age and condition. Some will charge a fee for cleaning and others will require that the dress is professionally cleaned before they will accept it. If you’re unsure of the best way to go about cleaning your dress, it is recommended that you contact the organization ahead of time and ask what their protocol is.
Some of these dress shops will resell the dresses they receive to customers, while others donate them to other local charities, such as women’s shelters or those that aid women who have been victims of domestic violence. These dress reselling companies have websites that allow you to browse their collections and select the dresses you want to purchase. The prices for the dresses vary depending on the brand and style.
Then there are other organizations such as NICU Helping Hands in the US, which have seamstresses across the country that painstakingly turn old wedding gowns into beautiful infant burial gowns for babies who pass away while stillborn or shortly after birth. They can be worn at the baby’s memorial service, as well as for photos. This is a very touching and heartwarming way to give your old bridal dress a second life.
When choosing a company to sell your wedding dress, make sure they have a good reputation, and are reputable with the charities they work with. Those are the only ways to be confident that your gown is in safe hands and will help a deserving bride.