For couples looking to hand on their dress, "where can I donate my wedding dress" is a common question. Once your wedding day is over, countless beautiful memories and a, of course, a collection of stunning wedding photographs remain. But it can be tempting to hold onto as many mementoes as possible, and if you are still unsure how to celebrate your dress, please check out our wedding dress guide for several ideas. Wedding dress donation can be a great option, but where do you start looking?
Beautiful reminders of
Places we’ve been
And people we’ve loved
If you have decided you wish to donate your wedding dress read on. Not only are you taking an eco-conscious approach, but wedding dress donation supports many charitable initiatives that bring support and happiness to others.
Gifting as a donation can be one of the most emotionally rewarding things you can choose to do with your wedding dress. Below we have compiled a comprehensive list of charities and organisations that accept donations. Each of those listed can put your wedding dress towards a spectacular cause. As a result, you are giving your wedding dress an even more meaningful second life.
Wedding Dress Donation
If you have decided you wish to donate your wedding dress read on. Not only are you taking an eco-conscious approach, but wedding dress donation supports many charitable initiatives that bring support and happiness to others.
Gifting as a donation can be one of the most emotionally rewarding things you can choose to do with your wedding dress. Below we have compiled a comprehensive list of charities and organisations that accept donations. Each of those listed can put your wedding dress towards a spectacular cause. As a result, you are giving your wedding dress an even more meaningful second life.
1.
Wedding Dress Donation Via Brides do Good
| Based: | London |
| Charitable Goal: | Empowering women and ending child marriage |
| Donate Via: | The website |
Created as an ethical bridal boutique, Brides Do Good supports projects to end child marriage and empower women worldwide.
Partnering with brides and brands to curate a unique collection of new designer and donated wedding gowns, they donate 1/3 of their profits to chosen charity projects working to end child marriage.
Brides Do Good has worked with organisations including Plan International UK, Sanitation First and Huru International. Purchasing just one dress from Brides Do Good can help fund 10,000 days of education for a young girl.
Donating your dress will give it a second wedding and provide education to some of the world's most vulnerable young girls. You can apply to donate your wedding dress via their website.
2.
Wedding Dress Donation Via Gift of a Wedding
| Based: | Greater Manchester |
| Charitable Goal: | Weddings For Those With Terminal Illness |
| Donate Via: | The website |
Since its conception in 2012, Gift of a Wedding has helped over 200 couples facing terminal illnesses to enjoy a happy and memorable wedding day.
This fantastic charity's mission is to create a no-fuss, central focal point for people with a terminal or life-shortening illness who wish to marry. Bringing together suppliers and donations, they provide everything the couple needs to say "I Do", including wedding dresses.
Currently, the organisation is not accepting wedding dress donations due to the very high level of generous contributions they have received. They will be starting to accept donations, once again from January 2024
3.
Wedding Dress Donation Via Cherished Gowns
| Based: | Dover |
| Charitable Goal: | Funeral Clothing for Babies |
| Donate Via: | The website |
Each year over 3,000 babies in the UK pass away far too young. Cherished Gowns aims to support grieving families by making beautiful clothing for babies who tragically passed away. Donated wedding dresses can be re-imagined as baby gowns with matching booties, cloth nappies, blankets and hats or sold in their Kent Bridal Boutique.
The charity then donates the baby gowns to grieving parents and UK hospitals, who often struggle to find appropriate clothing. Brides-to-be can also support the charity by purchasing pre-loved wedding dresses and other wedding items, with proceeds going to the running of Cherished Gowns.
4.
Wedding Dress Donation Via The British Red Cross
| Based: | UK-wide (Edinburgh bridal store) |
| Charitable Goal: | Humanitarian work |
| Donate Via: | Donate In-Store |
Active for over 150 years, the British Red Cross has aimed to help people suffering from crises and disasters. The humanitarian organisation's work has included supporting those facing hunger, natural disasters, and global conflict.
As well as local Red Cross stores where bridalwear may be donated, The Red Cross has a specialist bridal charity shop in Edinburgh. The charity accepts wedding dresses, shoes and accessories, and other attire such as men's wedding suits and mother-of-the-bride outfits.
5.
Wedding Dress Donation Via Dresses for Angles
| Based: | Sheffield |
| Charitable Goal: | Burial Gowns for Babies |
| Donate Via: | The Website |
Set up in 2016, after the couple's daughter was sadly stillborn, Dresses for Angles donates beautiful outfits for sleeping babies. Each donated item is lovingly re-imagined as funeral clothing for babies that have sadly passed away.
As well as wedding dress donations, the organisation also accepts bridesmaids' dresses. In addition, a full pack is created for families and provided free of charge.
6.
Wedding Dress Donation Via Wedding Wishing Well Foundation
| Based: | Devon |
| Charitable Goal: | Weddings For Those With Terminal Illness |
| Donate Via: | The Website |
Naomi's world was turned upside down in 2009 with the devastating news that she had Breast Cancer. Despite desperately wishing to marry her fiancé of 3 years, Graham, the financial burden of cancer meant it was all but impossible. However, in late 2011 a local wedding planner offered to help Naomi organise her wedding and find suppliers who would work for free.
She succeeded, and on 6th June 2012, Naomi & Graham married.
After the success of her big day, Naomi was determined to turn her experiences into something positive and set up The Wedding Wishing Well foundation. Existing since 2012 to support those suffering from a terminal illness, the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation is a fantastic Devon-based charity that relies on donations.
Donated wedding dresses are either gifted to a bride in need or sold. 100% of the proceeds raised go towards funding the organisation's work.
7.
Wedding Dress Donation Via KEMP (The Wyre Forest Hospice)
Based in the heart of the Wyre Forest, the KEMP Wyre Forst Hospice offers support and care to patients, families and carers who are experiencing life-limiting illness and bereavement.
KEMP Hospice regularly accept wedding dress donations. For brides looking to choose one of their pre-loved dresses, they dedicated Bridal Floor at our Coventry Street Charity Shop in Kidderminster.
All funds raised from sales go back to the Hospice and support families when they need it the most. So when you donate a wedding dress to this UK organisation, you help to make the wedding sector more sustainable. You also help to support the vital work of the Hospice across the Wyre Forest.
8.
Wedding Dress Donation Via St Ann's Hospice
Aiming to make a difference with those impacted by life-limiting illnesses, St Ann's Hospice is a worthwhile organisation based in Greater Manchester.
The Hospice in Stockport hosts several speciality shops, including a bridal department. The bridal department boasts a range of new and pre-loved gowns and attire and regularly seeks donations.
Everything purchased from these stores helps fund the vital activities of St Ann's. So donating your wedding dress to St Ann's will help to improve the last days of someone's life.
09.
Wedding Dress Donation Via Oxfam
Oxfam is a global organisation that believes in a kinder and radically better world where everyone has the power to thrive, not just survive. They strive to overcome poverty by fighting the injustices and inequalities that fuel it.
As well as an online presence and over 700 stores across the UK, Oxfam has eight shops with bridal departments. These are stocked with good quality fashionable bridal wear and accessories, new and pre-loved.
The charity accepts wedding dresses, shoes and accessories, and other attire such as men's wedding suits and mother-of-the-bride outfits.
10.
Wedding Dress Donation Via St Catherine's Bridal
Providing In-Patient and In-community care, St Catherine's aims to make a difference with those impacted by life-limiting illnesses. Covering Chorley, Preston and South Ribble, their services touch the lives of approximately 2,000 patients and families each year.
St Catherine's Bridal store offers a selection of pre-loved and new gowns, all of which have been donated, and they regularly seek donations.
Everything purchased from these stores helps fund the vital activities of St Catherine's. So donating your wedding dress to St Catherine's will help to improve the last days of someone's life.
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