There’s no better way to honor a once-cherished dress than to give it new life. Rather than storing it away for a couple years and then fondly fawning over it during a once-a-year decluttering session, consider donating your gown to a worthy cause. In addition to helping others, this move will also keep your dress out of the landfill and free up storage space.
While most charities accept wedding dresses, some specific guidelines should be followed when preparing to donate. It is always best to contact the organization directly to discuss its dress acceptance criteria and donation instructions.
For instance, the Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring nonprofit boutique raises money for Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital Breast Center by selling discounted bridal gowns from donors. It has strict requirements for gown cleanliness. The website has a checklist and provides detailed instructions for gown donors.
Another option is the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program. This initiative outfits military and first responder brides for their big day with wedding gowns donated by former brides for free. Seamstresses repurpose the dresses into infant burial gowns or “angel gowns,” bonnets and other keepsake items that are gifted to families who’ve lost their newborns in the NICU. It has a waitlist and accepts dresses in light shades of blue, pink and purple on an as-needed basis.
In addition, the Adorned in Grace charity focuses on survivors of human and sex trafficking. It has three boutiques in Oregon and Washington state that sell gently used bridal dresses, formal attire and accessories. The proceeds from the sales go towards professional counseling for sex trafficking survivors, awareness publications and other efforts.
Some thrift stores are also willing to take your used dress donation, such as The Salvation Army and Goodwill. They use the funds raised from the sale to support job programs, housing and other services.
You can find local thrift stores by searching online. They often have specific drop-off bins and instructions for delivering donations. Other charitable organizations, such as Goodwill, host charity-related events throughout the year that include wedding dress pickups and donations.
Once you’ve decided where to donate your dress, it’s time to get it ready. Most charities require the dress to be less than five years old and professionally cleaned. Some will schedule a pickup or have you mail the gown. Depending on the charity, you may also be able to make an appointment at the boutique to try on the dress before you donate it.
Lastly, you can also donate your dress to a vintage or consignment shop. This option is a great way to avoid the cost of storing and cleaning your dress, but you may not be able to receive a tax deduction.