When deciding what to do with your wedding gown after the big day, there are many options. Some brides sell their dresses, while others donate them to charities or thrift shops. But which is the right choice for you? Before donating, you should research different organizations to find out their donation guidelines. They may have specific requirements regarding dress condition, age, or size. Ensure that your gown meets these requirements to give it the best chance of being accepted by the organization.
The Salvation Army accepts donated wedding dresses that they will resell at their local thrift stores. The sale of the dresses will help raise money for programs that support local families including support groups, nutrition workshops, and more. Each Salvation Army location has a slightly different dress acceptance policy, so be sure to check with your local store before bringing in your gown.
Some dress donations go towards a specific cause such as breast cancer or military brides. This allows the gown to have a second life and gives you a sense of pride that your gown is helping others in need. Brides Against Breast Cancer is one such charity that resells used wedding dresses and uses the proceeds to fund early breast cancer detection and education programs.
Other dresses are repurposed into infant burial gowns called Angel Gowns. These are then offered to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families for free. Some gowns are even recycled into other fabrics to make home decor like pillows or refashioned into a fun cocktail dress.
If you decide to donate your gown, it is important to keep the dress clean before sending it off to a charity or consignment shop. Dresses that are dirty or moldy will most likely be rejected. If you are unable to get your gown professionally cleaned, make sure it is packaged carefully. Use a garment bag if you have one, or purchase a box online to ship the dress in. Also be sure to include a written note to let the charity know why you chose to donate the dress.
If you are considering selling your dress, be aware that it could take a while for it to sell. And the process can be expensive. It’s also not a guarantee that your dress will sell, so be sure to weigh all the pros and cons before making your decision. If you’re still on the fence, you can always hold onto it and make it a keepsake. You can always repurpose it later to a fun photo shoot or turn it into a piece of clothing you’ll wear again.