In the aftermath of your wedding day, many brides choose to donate their dresses rather than hang them up in storage. Not only does this free up space in your closet, but it also helps those who cannot afford to buy a dress their own. And, according to GreenDrop, the production of new clothing and textiles contributes 10% of global carbon emissions, which means donating your used wedding gown is a great way to help save the environment.
Several charities offer a variety of ways for brides to donate their wedding gowns, whether it is by reselling the dress or giving it directly to someone in need. Some of these include:
Brides for a Cause
This nonprofit bridal store resells wedding dresses and raises funds for dozens of women-focused charities in cities across the country. It accepts dresses that are five years old or less, and bridal accessories like veils. The organization has donated more than $1 million since 2012, including to charities that support military wives, single mothers and those impacted by cancer. Donations can be dropped off at a local store or mailed.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
This charity turns wedding gown donations into burial gowns for infants that have died in infancy, as well as bonnets and other keepsake items to give to grieving families. It accepts any type of wedding dress, mother-of-the-bride dresses and flower girl dresses, but the dresses should be no more than five years old. Donations are tax deductible, and the organization has specific instructions for mailing the dress.
Adorned in Grace
This faith-based nonprofit works to bring churches together to fight human trafficking, and they do this by selling used dresses and formalwear at their stores. The sales from these sales help to fund anti-trafficking mentoring for young girls, awareness publications and more. Donations can be dropped off at redesigned boutiques in Washington and Oregon or through the mail.
Before you decide to donate your wedding gown, make sure it is clean and in good condition. This will prevent it from developing mold in the storage facility or becoming a health hazard for those who receive the donation. It is also helpful to label the box with all of the pertinent information, including the size of the dress, the brand or designer and the year it was purchased. This will save volunteers time and prevent them from mistaking your dress for another. It will also keep the charity informed if there are any alterations or repairs that need to be made to the gown. The organization may contact you with these details if necessary.