A wedding dress is a major purchase for anyone and is usually a one-time wear. If you’re not planning to wear your bridal gown again, consider donating it! Not only is this a great way to declutter your closet, but you can also feel good about giving back and possibly getting a tax deduction. Several nonprofit organizations and thrift stores accept wedding dresses to sell or distribute, as well as wedding dress accessories like veils and tiaras. Several of the companies listed below are also based locally, so you can give your wedding dress a second life and support a local community in the process!
If you’re looking to get rid of a used wedding dress that you no longer want, consider selling it online! Websites such as Stillwhite and Once Wed make it easy to sell your dress at a price that’s right for you. The best part is that you can donate the money from your sale to a charity of your choice!
Many couples are struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic and may not be able to afford their dream wedding. Donating your old wedding dress to a couple in need can help them have the happy day they deserve! The money from your donation can also be used for other expenses such as food, shelter, utilities, and medical bills.
There are plenty of charities and thrift shops that accept wedding dress donations, including national organizations such as Goodwill. Locally, you can find more options by doing a quick Google search for “wedding dress donation near me.”
Some of the organizations that accept donated wedding dresses specialize in repurposing them for other purposes. For example, the Angel Gown Program at NICU Helping Hands turns wedding dresses into burial gowns for infants who pass away shortly after birth.
Another organization that resells wedding dresses for breast cancer awareness and prevention is Brides Against Breast Cancer. The proceeds from their resale help fund early detection education, research, and legislation. They also donate the dresses to organizations that support those who have lost a child during pregnancy or after birth.
Most of the charities and thrift stores that accept donated wedding dresses have specific requirements. Most require the dress to be in new or almost new condition and less than five years old. Some will also require the dress to be cleaned before reselling it. If you’re unsure about the requirements for a particular charity, contact them in advance to confirm your wedding dress meets their needs. Also, be sure to store your dress properly for safe transport. Wedding dresses are bulky and fragile, so they can easily be ripped or damaged in transit if they’re not packed correctly. A simple wrinkle can rip lace or pull beads apart, and they’re white so even small stains can show up easily. To prevent this, be sure to store your dress in a garment bag or box that’s specifically made for this purpose.