Many brides have the heartfelt desire to give their wedding dress a second life, donating it instead of selling it or keeping it stuffed in the closet. Donating your gown can help people in need, or support a charitable cause. In addition, donating your dress can help you get a tax deduction, depending on how you choose to donate it.
Many charities accept wedding dress donations and sell them in their thrift stores at a low price. Many of these charities have specific causes that they fund with proceeds from dress sales. For example, Brides Against Breast Cancer focuses on early detection and awareness of the disease. The organization also provides financial assistance to women fighting breast cancer. Other charities may focus on helping those in need, or providing opportunities for young girls and women. Goodwill, for instance, uses proceeds from its clothing donation sales to provide jobs, housing, and other support services for the homeless, veterans, and other people who need it most.
Some of these charities offer online platforms for donors to connect with potential brides looking for their dream dresses. For example, Shared Dream Dresses was created by Stulgis to match up pre-loved bridal gowns with new brides. The private Facebook group has more than 19,000 members, with about 200 successful dress connections made so far.
These online resources allow brides in need to find the dress of their dreams while allowing donors to feel good about helping others. In addition to bridal gowns, some charities also accept flower girl and bridesmaid dresses and even accessories such as veils and tiaras. Some of these organizations have a specific focus on giving back, while others aim to make the wedding industry more sustainable.
The cost of a wedding gown can be overwhelming for many couples. With so many individuals experiencing financial hardships due to the pandemic, a donation can help a bride in need have her wedding day without breaking the bank. Other charities, such as NICU Helping Hands, transform donated wedding dresses into beautiful infant burial gowns, called angel gowns, to be given to families who have lost babies too soon.
In addition to helping others, donating your wedding dress can also help the environment. According to GreenDrop, producing new clothes and textiles releases toxins into the atmosphere that can affect air quality and human health. By donating your dress, you can help reduce the amount of waste in landfills and the world.
As with any charitable donation, it’s important to be aware of the requirements of each charity before donating your dress. Be sure to follow all guidelines, including dry cleaning your dress before donating it and packing it appropriately for shipping. Don’t forget to keep copies of any correspondence, agreements, or receipts for your records. If you have any questions, contact the charity directly to get a better understanding of its procedures.