If you’re one of the many newlyweds who has a wedding dress that no longer fits, don’t let it go to waste. Instead, donate it. Besides being an environmentally-friendly option that reduces the number of new dresses being made, donating your wedding gown will give it a second life and help someone else. Plus, it’s a potential tax deduction and a nice way to celebrate your marriage.
When considering where to donate your bridal gown, it’s important to do your research. Some organizations accept only certain styles or sizes, and others support specific causes. “You want to make sure you’re donating your dress to an organization that aligns with what you care about,” says Beth Chapman, founder of The White Dress by the Shore.
Some dress donation programs also require that your gown be in good condition. “If you have stains or holes, they won’t be able to use it,” Chapman says. If possible, have the dress professionally cleaned before donating it. This will not only help the charity that receives your dress, but it will help ensure that the gown is in pristine condition when it arrives.
Other donation programs, like the Brides Project, sell used wedding dresses to raise money for families effected by cancer. They only take wedding dresses that have been purchased within the last five years and are in sellable condition.
Still others, like the nonprofit NICU Helping Hands, transform donated wedding dresses into beautiful infant burial gowns (or angel gowns) that are offered to hospitals, birthing centers, and funeral homes at no cost to grieving families who have lost their baby. The organization has about 180 seamstresses around the country who painstakingly convert wedding dresses into these precious gowns.
Before donating your wedding gown, be sure to check out the organization’s website for specific guidelines and requirements. Some have minimum donation amounts and other requirements, such as a certain age or style of dress. Be sure to also check if the organization is registered with the IRS and that you get a receipt for your donation.
Donating your wedding gown to a local charity or non-profit can feel really good, but what about the rest of your dress? If you don’t have a future plan for your dress, it can end up in storage with all your other clothes and clutter your home.
If that’s the case, consider repurposing your dress for another special occasion. Or, have it preserved so that your daughters or granddaughters can wear it on their own wedding days. You can even find companies that will store your dress in an acid-free box, so it’s protected from damage and dust over time. That way, your daughter or granddaughter can feel the same love and sentimentality that you felt on your special day when they look back at it later in life.