Using Your Wedding to Help Others (Dear Danille...)
In this week's GET ADVICE section, Danille had a terrific question. She wondered if there were places other than Ebay where a bride could go to sell or buy used wedding dresses (like a wedding thrift shop). She also asked if there was anything productive she and other brides could do with any reusable items after the wedding is over. As Danille stated, "I really hate all the waste." This is a great point Danille; and I completely agree with you. I hate all the waste too. The good news is that there is something we can do about it. You can make your wedding whatever you want it to be; and if giving to others is important to you, there are several ways to make that happen.
I did some research on the good ole "internets"; as George W. Bush would say, and found a whole buttload of excellent information and websites where giving is the name of the game. As far as wedding thrift shops go, yes; they do exist in some cities and towns. If your city does not have one, wedding dresses can be brought in any thrift or consignment shop that is near you. Since it would take me all week to list every city's local thrift shop here, I will instead give you this helpful website to find the nearest location. www.consignmentshops.com. If you don't feel like walking yourself down to the nearest store, you can use the "internets" right from your home. At www.usedweddingdresses.com, you can search through hundreds of dresses, jewelry, and accessories for your wedding. The best part is that nothing is over $250.
In my research, I also found a number of great organizations where you can sell or buy wedding dresses; or give them to people in need. In addition, you can also find many other ways to use your wedding to help others. Here's how:
At "Making Memories," go to the section called "Brides Against Breast Cancer"; and read about how to donate your wedding dress to a woman with breast cancer getting married. Go to www.makingmemories.com
At "Just Give," you can do several things. You can sign up for their "charity registry" program, where your wedding guests have the option of choosing their favorite charity and making a donation in lue of a wedding gift. Or you yourself can make a donation on behalf of your guests as your wedding "favor." The best part about this is that you and your guests can choose any charity you want, and everything is optional. In addition, you can donate wedding dresses (or bridesmaids, flower girl dresses, etc), flowers; even leftover food to organizations in need. There are many charities to choose from, so you really have the power to do whatever speaks to you with this organization. www.justgive.org
At "Heavenly Angels," you can literally become one by donating your dress to a grieving family who lost an infant baby. The company uses the dress material and fabric to "create beautiful burial garments and other memorial items" for babies who passed away. Garments are given to local hospitals who then present them to the grieving families; who are able to see their babies wrapped in precious garments one last time. The garments are also used in funerals and ceremonies. On the site, you can view pictures and samples of some past wedding gowns that were transformed into "wraps" or small garments for infants. This is a horrible thing to have to think about; but what a wonderful thing to be able to do with your wedding gown. For more information, go to www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com
Another great way to use your wedding for good: GO GREEN! No, not the NY Jets; the environment! There are plenty of ways that you can use your wedding to help keep our environment a safer, better place; and be insured that you are not wasting anything. At the online organization "EcoMall," there are many excellent suggestions on how to make your wedding more green or eco-friendly. And don't worry; none of them include inviting Al Gore. (Can you imagine how boring that toast would be? Zzzzzzzzz ....) www.ecomall.com
If you have any additional suggestions on how to use your wedding to help; or organizations that you would recommend to others, comment here.
Email Kelley at Kelley@brideorama.com
Brideorama, blog, kelleylynn, online stores, Al Gore, consignment shops, thrift shops, green wedding, used dresses, favors.
Wow Kelley Lynn, There is a lot out there. Thanks for doing the work to find all of those great places. Usedweddingdresses.com has an added benefit, they ignore the size on the tag, measure them, and list them by common sizing. Wouldn't that be cool? They have a lot of samples from bridal stores too. Now if we can just figure out what to do with the miles of tulle brides are using to cover ceilings.
There are actually a lot of other organizations that do similar things with donations, wedding items, etc. I just picked a few that sounded like great finds to me..but there is a LOT out there. Which is a good sign.
Great idea, Kelley Lynn. My daughter's trying to decide what to do with her dress. She mentioned consignment shop. I'll send her this link.
I copied this link and posted it on brides.com so another one of us could use these options - great leg work Kel - and I have decided to donate my dress to the Heavenly Angels - can't imagine a better use for it. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these blogs and the advice you give to us - we really appreciate it :o)
Thanks Lily! You rock. Im so happy youll be using Heavenly Angels.. my own dress still sits in my closet. I feel like because it was made for me by a seamstress; I think Im having more trouble lettin go of it. It feels weird to not have it anymore..but at the same time, I want to do something good with it. There are a lot of options. I have to find the one that speaks to me most I guess...