While the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly had a significant impact on the wedding dress market, business is booming again. The bridalwear sector is expected to reach over US$79 billion by 2027.
However, despite the often hefty price tags, brides can be left wondering what to do with their wedding dresses after their special day is over. Some brides are choosing to repurpose their gowns. There’s a growing trend of turning dresses into jumpsuits, christening gowns, or even keepsake homewares.
Another popular choice is to sell used bridal gowns. While selling or re-purposing dresses helps to keep bridal clothing out of landfill, donating bridalwear offers an even kinder approach.
As well as providing an eco-conscious approach, wedding dress donation platforms support a range of charitable initiatives. This helps to give an even more meaningful second life to wedding dresses.
Where to donate wedding dresses in the UK
So, you want to give a gift of love after your nuptials and have decided to donate your wedding dress to charity. Good for you! Here are some of the great causes in the UK making that possible.
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1. Red Cross
Based: UK-wide (Edinburgh bridal store)
Charitable concept: Humanitarian work
How to donate: Donate in-store
As well as local Red Cross stores where bridalwear may be available, Red Cross also has a specialist bridal charity shop in Edinburgh. The charity accepts wedding dresses, shoes and accessories, as well as other wedding attire such as men’s wedding suits and mother-of-the-bride outfits.
Red Cross helps people suffering crises and disasters from a range of causes. The humanitarian organisation’s work includes supporting those facing everything from hunger to natural disasters to conflict globally.
2. Brides Do Good
Based: UK – London
Charitable concept: Empowering women and ending child marriage
How to donate: Contact the company website to apply to donate your dress
A sustainable bridal boutique, Brides Do Good supports the funding of projects to end child marriage and empower women. While the organisation has both new and second-hand dresses, the company’s sustainable outlook challenges the over-consumption mindset of the fashion sector.
A third of profits go to supporting charity projects. Brides Do Good has worked with organisations including Plan International UK, Sanitation First and Huru International. The purchase of just one dress from Brides Do Good can help to fund 10,000 days of education for a girl.
3. Cherished Gowns
Based: UK – Dover
Charitable concept: Creates funeral clothing for babies that are stillborn, miscarried or that have passed shortly after birth
How to donate: Contact the company (current pause due to high number of donations) – bridal shop donations are still open
To note: Accepts dresses that are in good condition, under 10 years old and in white or ivory. Unable to accept dresses with full tulle skirts.
Working to support grieving families, Cherished Gowns makes beautiful clothing for babies that have tragically passed away. Gowns are made from donated wedding dresses and each gown comes with booties, a cloth nappy, a blanket and a hat, all free of charge. The organisation also supplies UK hospitals.
As well as making these gowns, Cherished Gowns also runs their Preloved Bridal Boutique in Kent. Here, brides-to-be can purchase pre-loved wedding dresses and other wedding items with proceeds going to the running of Cherished Gowns.
4. Dresses for Angels
Based: UK
Charitable concept: Creates buriel gowns for babies that have passed away
How to donate: Contact the organisation to donate
When donating your wedding dress to Dresses for Angels you are supporting the work of this valuable organisation. Dresses for Angels also turns donated wedding gowns into funeral clothing for babies that have sadly passed away. The charity accepts other wedding attire, such as bridesmaid dresses, that can be turned into angel gowns.
To donate your dress, for more information on dress requirements or to find out how you can get involved, contact them through their email or website.
5. Wedding Wishing Well Foundation
Based: UK – Devon
Charitable concept: Organising and funding weddings for the terminally ill
How to donate: Contact the charity for a courier collection
Started in 2012, Wedding Wishing Well Foundation exists to support those suffering from terminal illness to have their dream wedding. The organisation assists with the planning and funding of weddings.
Donations of wedding gowns to the organisation are either gifted to a bride in need or sold with 100% of the proceeds going into funding the organisation’s work.
6. Gift of a Wedding
Based: UK – Greater Manchester
Charitable concept: Wedding services and vow renewal to those with terminal and life-shortening illness
How to donate: Contact the company (current pause due to high number of donations)
Having gifted over 200 weddings, Gift of a Wedding also helps those facing terminal illness to enjoy a happy and memorable wedding day. This lovely charity provides, sources, and funds wedding services and items, including wedding dresses for those in need.
While the organisation is not currently accepting wedding gown donations due to high donation levels, it is a worthwhile charity helping everyone to have the wedding of their dreams.
7. KEMP (The Wyre Forest Hospice)
Based: UK – Kidderminster
Charitable concept: Supports the KEMP Hospice
How to donate: Contact the organisation to donate
With a dedicated Bridal Floor at its charity shop in Kidderminster, KEMP’s Coventry Street Charity Shop makes pre-loved wedding clothes accessible. Donated wedding clothes are made available for sale through the store with proceeds supporting the valuable work of the KEMP Hospice.
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 important work of the Hospice across the Wyre Forest.
8. St Ann’s Hospice
Based: UK – Stockport
Charitable concept: Supports St Ann’s Hospice
How to donate: Contact the organisation to donate
Making a difference in the lives of those impacted by life-limiting illness, St Ann’s Hospice is a very worthwhile organisation based in Greater Manchester. The organisation hosts speciality shops, including a bridal department in Stockport that hosts a range of new and pre-loved gowns and attire.
Purchases from the store help to fund the activities of St Ann’s, making this somewhere to donate wedding dresses in the UK that helps to improve the last days of someone’s life.
9. Something Borrowed
Based: UK
Charitable concept: Reducing waste in the wedding attire sector
How to donate: Fill out the form on the company’s webpage to get started
Offering a sustainable solution to acquiring a beautiful wedding dress that would otherwise likely only be worn once, Something Borrowed offers a high-class wedding dress rental service. The brand promotes a more circular and affordable approach to the wedding clothing market, giving an eco-friendly option for brides to be.
Something Borrowed is happy to accept high-quality preloved wedding dresses into its curated collection. These dresses will then be available for brides to rent out for their big day. The platform also accepts donations of bridesmaid and mother of the bride dresses.
10. Oxfam Bridal
Based: UK
Charitable concept: Global poverty alleviation
How to donate: Items can be dropped off at your local charity shop or sent in via courier
Oxfam is a well known organisation in poverty alleviation efforts. The platform has programmes in areas as diverse as providing clean water for vulnerable communities to tackling issues of gender violence and climate change around the globe. Funds generated from Oxfam’s preloved platforms go towards supporting its vital poverty alleviation work.
The organisation has a dedicated bridal boutique, selling a variety of preloved wedding attire and formal wear to suit any style. As well as gowns, other wedding clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as bridesmaid dresses, can be donated.
11. St Richards Hospice
Based: UK – Worcester
Charitable concept: Hospice care and support
How to donate: Drop off in-store
Funds from the St Richard’s Hospice charity store go towards the organisation’s important work of supporting patients and their families across Worcestershire. The preloved bridal boutique, located in Worcester, is open seven days a week and hosts a variety of pre-loved wedding styles.
To donate a wedding gown to St Richard’s, the organisation asks that it is in a clean and undamaged condition. Donations can be dropped off to the store, however it is recommended to call ahead first to ensure the organisation is open to the specific donation you are making.
12. Tenovus Cancer Care
Based: UK – Bristol
Charitable concept: Cancer care and support
How to donate: Call or visit the store to arrange donation
Located in Bristol, Tenovus Cancer Care Bridal Department is the home of beautiful pre-loved wedding attire. As well as wedding gowns, the charity store also hosts a range of other wedding outfits, including mother of the bride outfits, bridegroom suits, and bridesmaids dresses.
Tenovus Cancer Care offers support and advice to those living with cancer and their loved ones. In the last year, the organisation has supported over 1,000 people through its Benefits Advice service and delivered nearly 2,000 treatments through its mobile support units.
This post first appeared on Good Maker Tales: Sustainable & Ethical Fashion, please read the originial post: here
