Many girls dream of growing up and getting married in a beautiful wedding dress. Some brides keep their gowns as a keepsake or even pass them down to the next generation. Others give their dresses a second life by donating them to charities and thrift stores that support a variety of causes including breast cancer research, environmental protection, helping military brides, and aiding abuse survivors. Many of these donation organizations accept used wedding dresses as well as other bridal accessories.
According to Zola, there are many reasons why brides choose to donate their wedding dresses including lack of storage space, wanting to get a tax deduction or the desire to help others. It’s also important to remember that every time a dress is thrown away, it takes hundreds of years for it to break down and the production of new clothing contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions.
One of the most popular places to donate a wedding dress is through a nonprofit bridal store. Brides for a Cause resells used wedding dresses and other bridal attire to raise funds for more than a dozen women-focused charities. The store has several locations and roadshow events where brides can drop off their unwanted gowns.
Other donation organizations that accept used wedding gowns include Adorned in Grace, a faith-based organization with a mission to fight sex trafficking. The charity has a few dress shops in Washington and Oregon where it sells used wedding gowns as well as prom and formal dresses and accessories. The sales proceeds help fund professional counseling for trafficking victims and awareness publications for local communities.
Another option is to donate your gown to the Brides Project. This Michigan-based bridal boutique with a heart supports adult and pediatric cancer patients with programs and services that include support groups, nutrition workshops and more. The store sells a mix of gently used dresses from former brides and newer gowns donated directly from bridal salons.
While a lot of charity and thrift stores accept wedding dresses, not all of them have the capacity to keep them in good condition. It’s important to inspect your dress before donating it to make sure there are no significant stains or damage. If there is, it’s a good idea to have the gown professionally cleaned before donating.
Before you drop off your dress, it’s a good idea to call the charity or shop ahead of time to see what their guidelines are. Many of them require that the gown be less than five years old and be in excellent condition. Others have specific requirements for the color and style of the dress as well.
COVID-19 Update: While many of the charities and thrift stores listed on this page are still open, some are asking that you contact them to learn their guidelines regarding how to donate your dress during the pandemic. You may want to ask about their COVID-19 policies and if they’re following the CDC’s guidelines for sterilizing donations.