Whether you’re still in love with your wedding dress, or you’ve decided that it’s time to pass it on, you might be wondering how to give it another life. There are many options, including donating it to charity, re-purposing it as a baby gown or other heirloom, or having it professionally cleaned and preserved for sentimental reasons. Taking care of your wedding gown after the big day is also environmentally friendly, since clothing and textiles that are discarded often end up in landfills where they release carbon dioxide and other toxins into the air.
There are numerous charities that accept wedding dresses, but it’s important to contact them in advance and ask what their specific requirements are. For example, a charity like Brides Against Breast Cancer sells donated gowns to raise money for early detection and awareness programs. Their online donation page lists the minimum age, condition, and size requirements for the gowns they accept. They also explain that you may need to have your dress professionally cleaned before bringing it to them. Other thrift stores, like Goodwill, accept general donations of clothing and accessories, but it’s best to call or visit the store in person to get details on their dress guidelines.
One local option is the Angel Gown organization, based an hour north of Albany. The volunteer seamstresses at this organization turn donated bridal gowns into burial gowns for babies who die in infancy, a heartbreaking but important service. They’re also known as memorial or angel gowns, and they’re a fitting way to honor a baby lost too soon.
While reselling or repurposing is a great idea for keeping wedding gowns out of landfills, donating them is even better. It saves the charity a lot of work, money and space, since they don’t have to purchase and clean the dress themselves. It’s also a very kind act that can be very meaningful for the recipient.
If your dress doesn’t meet the specific criteria for most charities, consider repurposing it as a baby gown, cocktail dress, or other heirloom. Some of these repurposed gowns are worn as photo props for newborns, while others are used to make home decor items or clothing for children. You can also have your dress made into a christening gown for a family member or transform it into a fun bag, shawl, or other accessory.
Another popular option is to donate your wedding dress to a general charity, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. This is a more traditional approach, since you’ll be giving your dress to a non-bride-specific charity and can receive a tax receipt. The Salvation Army specifically calls for alterations to be done before donating, and they also require your dress be professionally cleaned.
Regardless of where you choose to donate your wedding gown, it’s important to pack it carefully so it arrives in perfect condition. This is especially true of white dresses, which are easily ruined by water, dirt and other substances. Be sure to pack it in a box or suitcase that you won’t be using anymore, and label the box with helpful information about the dress. This will help save the charity volunteers time, and it will also make it easier for them to identify your dress in a pile of other donations.