Many brides choose to keep their wedding dresses in storage after their big day, but if you’re looking for more closet space or want to feel good about your dress getting a second life, consider donating it. Several nonprofit organizations accept wedding dress donations and either give them to those in need or sell them at a discount to help raise money for their causes. In some cases, you can even claim the donation on your taxes (though it’s become more difficult due to recent changes). Other bridal gowns that can be donated include flower girl and bridesmaid dresses as well as veils and tiaras.
Brides for a Cause is a national organization that operates boutiques across the country that sell wedding gowns and other formalwear to raise money for dozens of women-focused charities. Proceeds from the sales support women in the military, single mothers, abuse survivors and more. The organization accepts both new and gently used wedding dresses, as well as bridal accessories and shoes. You can drop off your donation in-person at a store location or mail it using the instructions listed on the website.
The Emma and Evan Foundation turns wedding dress donations into infant burial gowns, bonnets and other keepsake items for families who have lost an infant. The foundation also works to provide financial assistance to grieving parents who cannot afford funeral costs. If you’re interested in donating your wedding dress to the Emma and Evan Foundation, be sure to contact them first to get their mailing address and donation release form.
Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring is a nonprofit wedding gown retail store that sells gowns at a discount to benefit a variety of charities, including Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital Breast Center. The store also sells preowned gowns from former brides and repurposes them into other wedding accessories. The store is located in Rockville, Maryland and accepts donations in-person by appointment only, with strict health and safety precautions.
Another way to donate your wedding dress is to send it to Michigan-based The Brides Project. This nonprofit bridal boutique carries both eco- and budget-friendly gowns, with proceeds from the sale of each helping to support programs for adults and children impacted by cancer. The store is open by appointment only and requires that you book your visit through the website.
If you’re interested in donating your old wedding gown to support the efforts of this faith-based organization, which is dedicated to preventing sex trafficking, be sure to reach out to Adorned in Grace ahead of time. The organization has stores that sell wedding dresses and other formalwear to raise funds for local organizations that assist sex trafficking victims with professional counseling, awareness publications and more.
Although the resale of your wedding dress can be a great way to recoup some of your initial investment, it can also end up being more work than it’s worth. Between having to professionally clean and mending the dress, taking high-quality photos and waiting for it to sell, you might find it’s better to just donate your dress.