Many newly married brides save their wedding gown as a memento or pass it down to a younger sibling. Others may even choose to destroy it, using the dress as a canvas for an artfully trashed photo shoot or by taking it to a local landfill. However, there are also plenty of ways to give your old gown a new life, by donating it to a nonprofit organization that distributes or sells dresses to help people in need.
Some organizations even accept bridal accessories, such as veils and tiaras. If you are looking for a way to give back, consider donating your wedding gown, or other bridal items, to these organizations instead of a thrift store or a sale. Moreover, you can get a tax deduction for your donation.
Before donating your wedding gown, research each organization thoroughly to determine whether or not it fits with your goals and values. It is also important to know how your dress will be used by the organization. Some groups only accept certain types of dresses or sizes, while others will repurpose the fabric for other purposes, such as making christening gowns, cocktail dresses, or bags and shawls.
Donating your wedding gown to a charity is one of the best ways to help those in need and feel good about yourself at the same time. However, it is essential to make sure that the organization has transparent operations and a strong reputation. Lastly, before donating your gown, you should have it professionally cleaned to ensure that it is in excellent condition for its new owner.
One option to donate your wedding dress is to a charity that specializes in helping terminally or seriously ill patients plan and execute their dream wedding. This group will work with suppliers to provide a no-fuss, central hub for couples who wish to marry despite a serious or life-shortening illness.
Another option is to donate your wedding dress to an organization that repurposes dresses into infant burial gowns for babies who tragically die in infancy. The Albany, New York-based NICU Helping Hands is one such organization that accepts donated wedding gowns for a variety of services for families who have lost a premature or stillborn baby.
Other organizations that accept wedding gown donations include Shared Dream Dresses, which provides dresses to cash-strapped brides and bridesmaids, and Becoming a Cupcake, which helps Ugandan women who have survived sex trafficking or forced marriages.
Some bridal or wedding expos host special events to give brides the opportunity to find a discounted gown. Reach out to the event organizers and inquire about their dress donation policies.
Alternatively, some individuals post their unwanted wedding gowns to buy/sell/trade groups on social media platforms or online forums. Be sure to read the guidelines carefully before posting your gown, as some of these groups are reputable, while others have been known to exploit or scam buyers.