If you’re a recently married bride who wants to give back, there are plenty of charities and thrift stores that accept wedding gowns as donations. Before you drop off your gown, do a little research to ensure that the charity you’re giving it to is legitimate and worthy of such an important piece of clothing. In addition, you should make sure that the dress is in good condition, preferably new or almost new. It won’t do anyone any favors if it has holes or visible stains.
One of the biggest benefits of donating your wedding dress is that it can help you cut down on textile waste. According to a survey by the Council for Textile Recycling, more than half of the bridal dresses sold at bridal outlets are bought secondhand. While it may seem like a hassle to clean and mend your dress before donating, this is a great way to give it a second life and keep it out of the landfills.
The Emma and Evan Foundation repurposes wedding dresses into angel gowns—burial gowns for infants who die before their first birthdays. The foundation provides these memorial gowns to grieving families to provide comfort and a sense of closure. Gowns are accepted year-round, and the foundation provides instructions for mailing or dropping off your donation.
Another excellent charity that accepts wedding gowns is NICU Helping Hands, which converts donated dresses into tiny burial gowns for babies who have passed away before their first birthdays. The organization has about 180 seamstresses from all over the country who painstakingly transform wedding dresses into tiny burial gowns for newborns to use on their final journey. Each dress can be used to create around 12 tiny baby burial gowns for families in need.
Many thrift stores also accept wedding gowns as donations, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. However, it’s essential to contact the store in advance to find out their specific requirements and donation process. For example, some thrift stores require that your dress be professionally cleaned before it can be donated. Others require that you fill out a form and wait for their approval. Some stores will only accept certain types of fabric.
If you want to donate your wedding gown, choose a cause that’s close to your heart and that makes you feel passionate about making a difference in the world. The money raised from the sale of wedding dresses can go toward a variety of charitable causes, including breast cancer research and women’s shelters.
You can also support veterans and first responders by donating your gown to a nonprofit like Brides Across America. The charity holds free wedding dress giveaway events for military and first responder brides twice a year.
If you’re donating your wedding dress during the COVID-19 pandemic, you should have it dry cleaned before sending it off to a charity or thrift store. If possible, you should place the gown in a garment bag to protect it and prevent any accidental spills or rips.