Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, and your wedding dress is a symbol of that day. But what do you do with your dress after the big day? If you're not planning on keeping it as a keepsake, there are many ways to donate your wedding dress to a worthy cause.
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to the community and help others. There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations, so you're sure to find one that aligns with your values. Some organizations that accept wedding dress donations include:
Once you've chosen an organization to donate your dress to, you can follow their instructions for donating. Most organizations will ask you to clean and press your dress before donating it. You may also need to provide a photo of yourself in the dress so that the organization can use it for marketing purposes.
Where to Donate Wedding Dresses Near Me
Many organizations accept wedding dress donations. Here are 10 places to consider:
- Goodwill
- Salvation Army
- Brides Across America
- Operation Prom
- Helene Fuld College of Nursing
- Dress for Success
- Wounded Warrior Project
- Military Order of the Purple Heart
- American Red Cross
- Local thrift stores
Before donating, contact the organization to confirm their donation guidelines.
Goodwill
Goodwill is a non-profit organization that accepts donations of clothing, furniture, and other household items. Goodwill sells these donated items in its stores, and the proceeds from the sales are used to fund job training and other programs for people with disabilities.
- Accepts wedding dresses: Yes
- Conditions: Goodwill accepts wedding dresses that are clean, pressed, and in good condition.
- How to donate: You can donate your wedding dress at any Goodwill store or donation center.
- Tax deduction: You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes.
Goodwill is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a well-known and reputable organization. Goodwill also has a wide network of stores, so you can easily find a donation center near you.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a non-profit organization that provides social services to people in need. The Salvation Army accepts donations of clothing, furniture, and other household items, which are then sold in thrift stores to fund the organization's programs.
The Salvation Army accepts wedding dresses that are clean, pressed, and in good condition. You can donate your wedding dress at any Salvation Army thrift store or donation center. The Salvation Army also offers a free pick-up service for large donations, such as furniture or appliances. You can schedule a free pick-up online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
The Salvation Army is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a well-known and reputable organization. The Salvation Army also has a wide network of thrift stores and donation centers, so you can easily find a location near you.
You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. The Salvation Army will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a non-profit organization that provides wedding dresses to military brides and brides-to-be who are facing financial hardship. Brides Across America accepts donations of new and gently used wedding dresses, as well as accessories such as veils, shoes, and jewelry.
To donate your wedding dress to Brides Across America, you can either mail it to the organization's headquarters or drop it off at a participating bridal salon. Brides Across America also offers a free pick-up service for donations of 10 or more wedding dresses.
Brides Across America is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable organization that helps military brides and brides-to-be in need. Brides Across America also has a wide network of participating bridal salons, so you can easily find a drop-off location near you.
You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. Brides Across America will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Operation Prom
Operation Prom is a non-profit organization that provides free prom dresses and accessories to high school students in need. Operation Prom accepts donations of new and gently used prom dresses, as well as accessories such as shoes, jewelry, and handbags.
To donate your wedding dress to Operation Prom, you can either mail it to the organization's headquarters or drop it off at a participating bridal salon or school. Operation Prom also offers a free pick-up service for donations of 10 or more prom dresses.
Operation Prom is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable organization that helps high school students in need. Operation Prom also has a wide network of participating bridal salons and schools, so you can easily find a drop-off location near you.
You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. Operation Prom will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing
Helene Fuld College of Nursing is a private nursing school in New York City. The college accepts donations of wedding dresses, which are used to create gowns for the college's nursing students.
To donate your wedding dress to Helene Fuld College of Nursing, you can either mail it to the college's address or drop it off in person. The college also offers a free pick-up service for donations of 10 or more wedding dresses.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable institution that uses the donations to support its nursing students. The college also accepts donations of all types of wedding dresses, regardless of their condition.
You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. Helene Fuld College of Nursing will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Dress for Success
Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that provides professional attire and career development services to women in need. Dress for Success accepts donations of new and gently used professional clothing, including wedding dresses.
- Accepts wedding dresses: Yes
- Conditions: Dress for Success accepts wedding dresses that are clean, pressed, and in good condition.
- How to donate: You can donate your wedding dress at any Dress for Success location or by mail.
- Tax deduction: You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes.
Dress for Success is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable organization that helps women in need. Dress for Success also has a wide network of locations, so you can easily find a donation drop-off point near you.
Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization that provides support and services to wounded veterans and their families. The Wounded Warrior Project accepts donations of wedding dresses, which are used to fund programs and services for wounded veterans.
- Accepts wedding dresses: Yes
- Conditions: The Wounded Warrior Project accepts wedding dresses that are clean, pressed, and in good condition.
- How to donate: You can donate your wedding dress online or by mail. The Wounded Warrior Project also offers a free pick-up service for donations of 10 or more wedding dresses.
- Tax deduction: You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes.
The Wounded Warrior Project is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable organization that helps wounded veterans. The Wounded Warrior Project also accepts donations of all types of wedding dresses, regardless of their condition.
Military Order of the Purple Heart
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a non-profit organization that provides support and services to veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal. The Military Order of the Purple Heart accepts donations of wedding dresses, which are used to fund programs and services for Purple Heart recipients.
To donate your wedding dress to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, you can either mail it to the organization's headquarters or drop it off at a participating bridal salon. The Military Order of the Purple Heart also offers a free pick-up service for donations of 10 or more wedding dresses.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable organization that helps Purple Heart recipients. The Military Order of the Purple Heart also accepts donations of all types of wedding dresses, regardless of their condition.
You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. The Military Order of the Purple Heart will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that provides disaster relief and emergency assistance to people in need. The American Red Cross accepts donations of wedding dresses, which are used to fund disaster relief and emergency assistance programs.
To donate your wedding dress to the American Red Cross, you can either mail it to the organization's headquarters or drop it off at a participating bridal salon. The American Red Cross also offers a free pick-up service for donations of 10 or more wedding dresses.
The American Red Cross is a great option for donating your wedding dress because it is a reputable organization that helps people in need. The American Red Cross also accepts donations of all types of wedding dresses, regardless of their condition.
You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. The American Red Cross will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Local thrift stores
Local thrift stores are a great option for donating your wedding dress because they are convenient and easy to find. Most thrift stores accept donations of clothing, furniture, and other household items, including wedding dresses.
- Accepts wedding dresses: Most thrift stores accept wedding dresses, but it is always best to call ahead to confirm.
- Conditions: Thrift stores typically accept wedding dresses that are clean, pressed, and in good condition. Some thrift stores may also accept wedding dresses that are damaged or stained, but they may not be able to sell them.
- How to donate: You can donate your wedding dress to a thrift store by dropping it off in person or by mailing it to the store. Some thrift stores also offer a free pick-up service for donations of large items, such as furniture or appliances.
- Tax deduction: You may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. The thrift store will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Donating your wedding dress to a local thrift store is a great way to give back to your community and help people in need. Thrift stores often sell donated items at a low cost, which makes them a great option for people who are on a budget.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about donating wedding dresses:
Question 1: What condition does my wedding dress need to be in to donate it?
Most organizations that accept wedding dress donations require that the dress be clean, pressed, and in good condition. Some organizations may also accept wedding dresses that are damaged or stained, but they may not be able to sell them.
Question 2: How do I find a place to donate my wedding dress near me?
There are a few ways to find a place to donate your wedding dress near you. You can search online for "wedding dress donation near me" or "donate wedding dress near me." You can also contact local bridal salons or thrift stores to see if they accept wedding dress donations.
Question 3: Can I get a tax deduction for donating my wedding dress?
Yes, you may be able to deduct the value of your wedding dress donation from your taxes. The organization that you donate your dress to will provide you with a receipt for your donation, which you can use to claim the deduction on your tax return.
Question 4: What happens to my wedding dress after I donate it?
After you donate your wedding dress, it will be sold in a thrift store or used to fund programs and services for people in need.
Question 5: Can I donate my wedding dress if it has been altered?
Yes, you can donate your wedding dress even if it has been altered. However, some organizations may not be able to sell altered wedding dresses, so it is best to call ahead to confirm.
Question 6: What should I do if I have a non-traditional wedding dress?
If you have a non-traditional wedding dress, you may have a harder time finding an organization to donate it to. However, there are a few organizations that accept non-traditional wedding dresses, such as Brides Across America and the American Red Cross.
If you have any other questions about donating your wedding dress, please contact the organization that you are planning to donate it to.
Tips
Here are a few tips for donating your wedding dress:
Tip 1: Clean and press your dress before donating it. This will make your dress more appealing to potential buyers and will help it to sell more quickly.
Tip 2: Contact the organization that you are planning to donate your dress to ahead of time to confirm their donation guidelines. Some organizations may have specific requirements for the condition of the dress or the way that it is donated.
Tip 3: If you have a non-traditional wedding dress, be sure to contact the organization that you are planning to donate it to ahead of time to see if they accept non-traditional wedding dresses. Not all organizations accept non-traditional wedding dresses, so it is important to call ahead to confirm.
Tip 4: Consider donating your wedding dress to a charity that supports a cause that is close to your heart. This is a great way to give back to your community and help others.
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to the community and help others. By following these tips, you can make sure that your dress finds a new home where it will be cherished and loved.
Conclusion
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back to the community and help others. There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations, so you can easily find a place to donate your dress near you.
When donating your wedding dress, be sure to clean and press it beforehand and contact the organization ahead of time to confirm their donation guidelines. You may also want to consider donating your dress to a charity that supports a cause that is close to your heart.
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give back and help others. By following these tips, you can make sure that your dress finds a new home where it will be cherished and loved.