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Wearing your dream wedding gown was probably one of the most important highlights of your wedding day. However, this thrill is often short-lived and as soon as your nuptials are over, the dress becomes another item of clothing that takes up space in your closet. It’s also one you’re probably never going to wear again.
So, what can you do with it?
If you have enough room, you can always keep your wedding gown and pass it on to someone else in your family. But another option is to donate your dress to charity. This will give it new life and make someone else ecstatic on their wedding day.
If you’re not sure about this, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the benefits of donating your wedding dress to help you make your decision.
Why Donate Your Wedding Dress?
While it might be tempting to hold on to your wedding gown, donating it also has its advantages. Let’s take a look at the pros of donating your wedding dress.
1. You give your dress new life.
Someone else will be wearing your wedding dress, giving it another opportunity to shine. Your gown will make another bride happy and look gorgeous on her special day.
2. It boosts your psychological satisfaction.
It’s a great feeling to know that you made another bride’s wedding gown dream come true. If you donate to charity, you will be helping a bride who cannot afford a beautiful wedding gown and that’s a satisfying feeling.
3. You free up storage space.
You may be having trouble fitting all your clothes in your tiny closet space. In this case, donating your dress is a good way to free up a lot of space.
4. You avoid the hassle of reselling the gown.
Reselling a used gown is costly and difficult, especially when it comes to shipping. You also won’t be able to sell it at the same price you bought it for. Granted, you will earn some extra money for a shopping spree, but the process can be exhausting.
5. Donating attracts tax deductions.
Weddings are costly and any money-saving opportunities are always welcome. If you gift your gown to a non-profit organization, you might enjoy some tax write-offs. While you’re at it, make sure to keep a record of all your contracts and receipts, as they will come in handy when sorting your taxes.
6. Donating your dress is a good way to recycle it.
Donating or gifting your dress is an excellent way of saving the earth through recycling. Gifting your dress to someone means one less dress made and it’s also a noble gesture.
Donating Your Wedding Dress to a Charity
If you’re donating your wedding gown to a charity, there are some rules and regulations to follow. For instance, some charity organizations only accept specific types of wedding gowns. Here are a few things to keep in mind when donating your dress to charity.
- Some charities don’t accept dresses that are too old.
- Your dress should be professionally cleaned and in mint condition. Dirty and damaged dresses are unacceptable.
- Vintage dresses are usually turned down.
- Some charities require you to fill out forms describing your gown. You will be asked to include basic details such as the style of the dress, year of purchase, any alterations and the gown designer.
Your wedding gown has sentimental value, so it’s important to find a suitable charity to donate it to. Some charities also accept tiaras, veils and any other accessories that come with the gown. Note that bridal undergarments such as petticoats are usually not accepted for donations.
Most charity organizations will cover the shipping cost of your gown. They also give very clear instructions on how to package and ship your dress. Once they receive it, they examine it carefully to make sure it’s in good condition before sending you donation instructions.
Sometimes, your gown may be rejected even when it checks all the requirement boxes. This usually happens when a charity organization has too many dresses of the same size and design. Plus-size gowns, however, are rarely rejected so if you’re a plus-size, then you’re in luck.
Dealing With Emotional Attachment to Your Wedding Dress
Your wedding gown is a big part of your life. Giving it up for charity or gifting it to a friend in need may not be as easy as it seems. A lot of brides are emotionally attached to their dresses and find it hard to let go. If this is you, one of the best things you can do to make the separation easier is to focus on happy and positive thoughts.
Think of how happy another needy bride will be when wearing your dress. Making someone else happy is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things you could do. Remember how good you felt in that dress and imagine another bride having a chance to feel the same way. By donating it, you’d be making a difference in someone else’s life. Knowing that you’re helping someone else and making them happy will make it easier to let go of the gown.
Before donating your wedding gown, you could wear it one more time to remember how it looked and felt on you. You can then say goodbye with the knowledge that your dress will make another bride’s day, the same way it did yours.
Selling Your Wedding Dress
If you don’t want to donate your dress to a charity, you can always sell it online instead. Finding a customer to buy it is easy since many brides-to-be scout for gently used dresses. If your dress had a simple yet classy design, it might be used for other purposes such as a reception, evening dress or party dress.
Here are a few tips to help you sell your wedding gown:
- Sell your dress right after your wedding is over. If you delay, the dress design might go out of fashion and you might have a hard time finding customers. However, this is easier said than done since you might like to have it for a while to remember your special day.
- Browse for boutiques and online shops that sell your type of gown. There are many online sites that sell pre-loved wedding dresses.
- Make your listing short, precise and clear. Make sure that your advertisement gives clear information about the gown.
- Provide all the necessary details about the gown including gown size, material, color, designers and why you’re selling it.
- Use clear photos of the gown. A good picture will attract customers easily.
- Allows prospective buyers to come and inspect the dress before buying. Be careful about this, however, as some people could end up ruining your dress.
Wrapping Up
There are many brides out there who find it difficult to afford a beautiful bridal gown so donating yours is one of the nicest things you could do. Of course, you’ll need some time to fully let go and move on, but you’ll also know that it’ll mean a lot to the next bride who wears it.
