After “I do,” say “I donate” my wedding dress

May 19, 2018
Prince Harry Meghan Markle leave chapel after exchanging wedding vows_Kensington Palace Instagram

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exit St. George's Chapel as husband and wife. (Photo: Kensington Royal Instagram)

I'm not a fashionista, but I was impressed with Meghan Markle's wedding dress. The simple, elegant Givenchy gown was perfect.

So what happens to the hand-stitched dress that reportedly cost around £100,000 (almost $135,000 U.S.)? Will it be sent to a museum? Sealed, boxed and stuck at the top of a closet for use by a next-generation bride? Lent to a friend for her coming wedding?

There's another option, maybe not for the new Duchess of Sussex, but for us commoners. Donate your dress.

This week's Saturday Shout Out goes to three websites with suggestions on giving away your wedding gown.

The Feminist Bride details 10 Ways to Donate Your Wedding Dress. 

Babble looks into 5 Meaningful Places to Donate Your Wedding Dress. 

Here Comes the Guide discusses Wedding Dress Donations. 

There's also your local thrift or consignment shop. And charities such as Goodwill and Salvation Army also accept clothing donations, even fancy formal wear.

Deductible donations: If you do give your wedding gown to a charity, remember that you might be able to deduct the value of the gift on your tax return if you itemize your expenses.

Every tax year, fewer filers itemize on Schedule A than claim the standard deduction. There are likely to be even fewer itemizers under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions that almost double the standard deduction amounts.

Still, if you do itemize and decide to donate your wedding gown, be sure to claim it.

That "I do to donating" could provide you a belated wedding gift at tax-filing time in the form a larger refund.

You also might find these items of interest:

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Comments
  • susan
    8 years ago

    $135,000 U.S. only , to Meghan it is too little,she can keep it in a museum

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