Many girls dream of growing up and having the perfect storybook wedding, complete with a gorgeous gown. And while some brides choose to save their dresses to pass down to their daughters, others are opting to donate their gowns. This is for a variety of reasons, including a lack of storage space and the desire to help others in need. The good news is, there are a number of places where you can do just that, according to Zola.
Aside from the obvious locations like Goodwill and Salvation Army, some bridal stores, nonprofits, and even the bride’s family can also accept donated dresses. Many of these charities resell the dresses to raise money for various missions, such as fighting breast cancer, helping military brides, and fabricating baby bereavement gowns. The advantage of these charities is that the dress has a greater chance of getting used by another bride, rather than being packed into a box, sold by weight, and shipped to a foreign country, which is often what happens at larger thrift chains.
While donating your dress to charity can be a great idea, it’s important to check the condition of your dress before handing it over. A few stains or minor damage shouldn’t disqualify it, but significant stains, mold, or even rips may require it to be professionally cleaned before being donated. Some companies, such as The White Dress by the Shore, can do this for you.
The Bridal Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan, accepts dresses in excellent condition and resells them to raise funds for free programming for families impacted by cancer. They’ve raised more than $1 million since 2012. The company offers a variety of styles and sizes for brides, as well as a selection of maternity dresses.
Most bridal shops and non-profits that resell wedding dresses are accepting donations during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s best to check with individual places before making a donation. The Salvation Army, for example, requires donors to call ahead before dropping off a gown. Some stores are also requiring donors to get their gowns professionally cleaned before donating them.
There are a few options in New York for brides to donate their wedding dresses, one of which is a local Angel Gown organization called The Emma and Evan Foundation. Its volunteers transform wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, known as Angel Gowns, which are given to grieving families for their little angels who have passed away. This charity, based about an hour north of Albany, NY, is currently accepting gowns, and its website has details on how to mail or drop off your dress. Other New York organizations include Adorned in Grace, which sells used gowns to support anti-trafficking initiatives and bring awareness to communities through outreach events and more. Its shop in Washington and Oregon also helps fund youth mentoring programs, professional counseling for victims, and other efforts to combat human trafficking.