Your wedding dress is the one item of clothing that will always be a part of your wedding day memories. But once your big day is over, you might find yourself with a used gown that no longer fits or that you simply don’t want to wear any more. If you’re looking to donate your wedding dress, there are many organizations that can help.
Give your wedding dress a new life
Some charities and thrift shops accept wedding dresses, but most require them to be five years old or less. This is to ensure that the charity is able to resell the dress for profit. If you have a dress that’s not five years old, you can still donate it to one of these organizations, but be sure to follow their specific instructions on how to pack and ship your donation.
Share your wedding dress with a bride in need
If you have a beautiful dress that you’d like to see a bride in, consider donating it to a friend or family member who is getting married soon. This will help save them money on their own wedding expenses and allow them to feel the joy that you felt on your wedding day.
You can also donate your wedding dress to a nonprofit that resells the dresses for a fraction of their original price. For example, the Brides Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan, sells donated dresses to fund free programs for families affected by cancer.
This is a great option if you’re looking to support breast cancer research. The organization resells pre-owned wedding dresses at affordable prices, and the proceeds go to breast cancer causes.
Donate your wedding dress to an anti-sex trafficking nonprofit
If you’re looking for a way to help prevent sex trafficking, consider donating your wedding dress to Adorned in Grace. This Christian-based charity sells new and gently used dresses to raise money for counseling, awareness publications, and other resources.
Donate to a military or first responders’ charity
If your wedding dress is in good condition, consider donating it to a nonprofit that supports members of the military and first responders. This organization distributes 2,000 wedding dresses each year and covers the costs of the weddings for the military and first responders who receive them.
Another option is to donate your wedding dress to a nonprofit that provides clothes for low-income women. Some of these nonprofits provide clothing to women in the workplace, while others focus on supplying women who have lost their jobs with brand-new attire.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland is a good choice for those looking to donate their wedding dress. This store sells pre-owned bridal and formal wear and supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing to low-income clients. It also doesn’t require you to have your gown professionally cleaned before donating it.
The Angel Gown Program by NICU Helping Hands is a unique program that turns donated wedding dresses into funeral gowns for babies who die prematurely. They’re offered to hospitals, birthing centers and funeral homes, and they are provided free of charge to the grieving parents.