Brides for a Cause - Seattle

An Ethical Approach With A Stylish Touch

4.9

Verified reviews from real couples

I am so glad I purchased my dress from Brides for a Cause! I came in from out of town and went dress shopping alone, and the staff were extremely helpful and informative. I got a gorgeous dress at a discounted rate and helped other women in the process. Win-win!

Audrey P.

5.0

I visited the Seattle branch, and it was an excellent experience. I had only been to spots before where the dresses are picked out for you, and being able to browse at my leisure for styles I liked was much more to my liking. The staff were all very helpful without being overbearing. I found a dress I love for a much better price, while also supporting a great cause, but I also found way more dresses here that suited me than any other place I'd been to.

Jillian N.

5.0

Erin Scharf

PRESIDENT

AWARD WINNER (3X)

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

Brides for a Cause is a charitable organization with a wedding gown studio located in Seattle, WA, among other locations including Tacoma, Portland, Sacramento and San Diego. Since 2012, they have collected over 35,000 wedding dresses and given away over $2,500,000 to charities throughout the nation. With their approach, they aim to create a more circular, sustainable cycle within the wedding gown industry. This way, they can give back to those in need while also presenting a wide range of stunning gowns at accessible prices. The Brides for a Cause boutique presents a wide variety of stunning gowns for you to choose from. Thanks to their donations, they regularly receive new styles, designs, and sizes for you to enjoy. A large portion of their collection is brand new, offering you exceptional designer dresses at a much-discounted price. Brides for a Cause regularly have over 700 dresses in stock at any one time. They carry a large variety of styles, from sizes 0 to 24, at a range of prices starting at $150. Additionally, they can present you with a selection of accessories, such as veils, jewelry, and garters, for a more complete experience.

Woman-owned Business

Details

Accessories

Hair Accessories

Sashes & Belts

Shoes

Veils

Dresses

Bridesmaid Dresses

Mother of the Bride Dresses

Shower & Party Dresses

Wedding Dresses

Fashion Services

Alterations

Bridal Stylists

Custom Designs

Plus Size Available

Private Appointments Available

Awards and Affiliations

3-Time 'Best of Weddings'

2023.2019.2018.

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

Meet the team

Erin Scharf

President

Erin started Brides for a Cause in 2012! She's currently the Founder & Executive Director. Since 2012, Brides for a Cause has recycled over 35,000 dresses and given way 2.5 Million to charity! Our charity bridal store wouldn't be possible without our donors from around the country who generously donate wedding gowns and to our brides who choose our bridal store to shop for their wedding dresses! Donate or purchase your wedding dress from Brides for a Cause to help raise funds for charity!

4.9

out of 5.0

113 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Brides for a Cause offers a relaxed, welcoming boutique with helpful, non-pushy staff. It has a large selection of designer and sample gowns at steep discounts, easy donation options, and a charitable mission. Many brides found their dream dress or a great starting point; bring a friend for fittings and alteration referrals.

Search reviews

Audrey P

6/10/2026

I am so glad I purchased my dress from Brides for a Cause! I came in from out of town and went dress shopping alone, and the staff were extremely helpful and informative. I got a ...

gorgeous dress at a discounted rate and helped other women in the process. Win-win!

Jillian N

12/10/2025

I visited the Seattle branch, and it was an excellent experience. I had only been to spots before where the dresses are picked out for you, and being able to browse at my leisure f...

or styles I liked was much more to my liking. The staff were all very helpful without being overbearing. I found a dress I love for a much better price, while also supporting a great cause, but I also found way more dresses here that suited me than any other place I'd been to.

Any questions?

Cristina R

9/16/2025

Had a fantastic time and found the perfect dress for an affordable price!

Kieralyn C

6/30/2025

Such a supportive and helpful group of girls working to help you feel so beautiful. So many different dresses to pick from, they really have everything so you're bound to fall in l...

ove with something no matter what you're looking for.

Jen W

5/11/2024

Great experience! I came in towards the end of the day. A wide variety of really beautiful gowns and accessories at great price in a lovely space. They were super helpful with tips...

on how to shop. I had some specific things I was looking for in a bridal gown, and although I had a few maybes, wasn't finding exactly what I wanted in the time spot. There's wasn't anyone booked right after me, and they were gracious giving me more time and helping me look for what I described. The extra time helped, and I left with a beautiful gown! I will need a couple alterations on the gown I chose, which they gave recommendations on seamstresses for. Several of my maybes were a very good fit, though. So if you needed a dress off the rack, this would also be a good option!

Amanda O

4/26/2024

Large selection, great prices, left with my dream dress!

Rachel H

12/15/2023

This place is awesome! You can buy a designer bridal gown at a fraction of the original price, part of the proceeds go to women's charities, and you can donate your gown here and p...

ay it forward to future brides after your wedding. Admittedly, you might not find exactly the dress you're looking for, but if you come with an open mind you might get lucky. I also really liked that it was more low key. You get to look at the available dresses yourself and try as many on as you like in your allotted time. Staff is available to help you if you need it, but they're not fussing over you like in some bridal boutiques. I went to a couple of those earlier, and for me, it was just stressful and painfully awkward. Brides for a Cause was so relaxing. I found a lovely dress that only needed a few alterations. I was so happy in that dress on my wedding day that it was hard to donate afterward. But I'd rather let someone else have the chance to make it theirs than to let it sit in the back of my closet. The donation process was very easy as well - just one form. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to acquire or offload a wedding gown.

Peaches H

11/24/2023

My fiancé and I decided to elope. A good friend told me about Brides for a Cause - Seattle. I booked my appointment and found my dream dress and veil as well! The staff was extreme...

ly kind, understanding, and knowledgeable. The boutique is beautiful and very inviting. The other brides were so supportive and sweet. The entire experience was beautiful. I highly recommend Brides for a Cause to other brides looking to support a local business with a positive environment and meaningful purpose.

Georgia W

11/15/2023

I really enjoyed my experience shopping at Brides for a Cause. It is a great place to start your wedding dress search! I tried on so many dresses and was really able to narrow down...

what I liked and did not like. There is no consultant to help you so bring a friend/family to help you in and out of the dresses. Although I did not find my dress here, I recommend it to brides as their first stop.

Lizzy C

11/13/2023

I was super satisfied with my experience there. The associates were helpful, the selection was shockingly good. It’s definitely a different experience than your traditional bridal ...

store, but I got a sample dress in pristine condition for less than 1/3 of list price.

Cristina Z

7/08/2023

I love this concept! I had two ceremonies, and I got the two dresses from here. Amazing good quality dresses that just needed some cleaning and they were perfect. I loved to wear t...

hem knowing I contributed to something meaningful on my lovely day :)

Katie M

3/04/2023

Love, love, LOVE Brides for a Cause. Not only are there many beautiful dresses in great condition to choose from but, you can feel good knowing that your money is going to a good c...

ause. I found my perfect wedding dress there -- THE dress that I never knew I always needed. And the staff was so friendly and helpful.

Kristen M

11/02/2022

Was so happy to find my wedding dress at Brides for a Cause. Very casual environment to try on different types of dresses. I was able to hold my dress for 24 hours while making a d...

ecision. Would highly recommend!

Megan T

9/06/2022

When I came in I wasn't optimistic at all. I had a tight timeline, a tight budget, a specific list of style requirements...plus I had forgotten my phone and was just overall scatte...

red and a little frazzled! Staff were very nice and helped me navigate the inventory but also let me browse at my own pace, which I appreciated. They were even kind enough to help me into dresses and take a few pics and text them to my phone at home. There were so many gorgeous gowns to look through. (I'll admit I tried on a few out-of-the-box options just for fun.) I was absolutely stunned when I found a Bliss by Monique Lhuillier dress that met all my conditions, fit me perfectly without alterations needed, and was an unbelievable price. It felt like a sign! We're also trying to keep the environmental impact of our wedding as low as possible so I am very happy I could buy a pre-loved dress and donate to a good cause. The online reservation system was easy to navigate and sent helpful reminders. Definitely recommend!

Michelle R

8/11/2022

Such a relaxed way and place to browse for a dress. I'm bad at remembering names, but whoever was working Monday evening July 8th at this location was super sweet, helpful and such...

a great hype up person! Came here after going with another friend/bride to be in June! Note it is a smaller space, but that does not mean the options are - even just after a month I saw some new options available in different sections! Came with three friends (the max at the time of this review) and we went through 15 dresses. We even found THE dress in the bunch! Was surprised as it was my first time going wedding dress shopping, but thank God it was that quick and simple. If you're on a budget, don't want the pressure of buying, and have direct access to a dress ASAP this is a place to be!

Ashley A

7/12/2022

Really enjoyed shopping for my dress here. Felt supported but not pressured. Would recommend you to a bring a friend or someone with you to help try on dresses, zip you up etc. Spa...

ce is small so wouldn’t bring more than 2 people.

Jennifer E

7/08/2022

I bought my dress from Brides for a Cause because I wanted to skip the expensive boutiques and also buy from a place that helps women and gives to charity. So it was without quest...

ion my first place to shop. I found my dress on my first visit and the staff were incredibly helpful and one of the consultants found the dress that I bought. It happened to be a sample dress from a designer from Australia and was made entirely of lace. I fell in love hard with this dress and it was so perfect and a fraction of the original retail price. Plus, I then had money to afford the alterations. Later when I had the dress altered, the tailor said that you cannot buy a yard of the lace fabric for the price I got the dress. So wow, there are truly gems to be found at Brides for a Cause. So save your money, skip the bridal boutiques, give to charity, and use it for alterations.

Nicole C

6/08/2022

I thoroughly enjoyed playing dress up at Brides for a Cause - Seattle! Not only is the staff amazing (shout-out to Lynn the Queen of Clips) but I'm happy to support consignment and...

women-focused charities with the proceeds of my purchase! The selection is amazing, the prices are right, and your money is going to a great cause; what more could you want?

Paula B

4/04/2022

I loved BFAC’s mission, their selection, and their prices. Picking them for my wedding dress was a no-brained. I saw a pic on Instagram of a top and skirt put together to look like...

a dress, instantly fell in love, and tried it on that weekend. It was the only dress I tried on and it was perfect. It needed some altering, but the cost of the dress + alterations still cost much less than a brand new wedding dress and my guests RAVED about how unique and gorgeous my outfit was. I felt beautiful on my wedding day and happy my purchase went to something meaningful. I also brought getting-ready robes for myself and my whole bridal party and everyone LOVED them. So unique. They usually sell for $80 but I got them from BFAC for $15 each.

Keriann D

1/19/2022

Went in by myself, the associate Kaylee was wonderful and very helpful when I couldn't reach to get the top of the dress zipped. There was limited dresses in stock in my size, but ...

the last dress I tried (out of 7 in an hour) ended up being THE dress and Kaylee said it had just come in to the shop a few days prior! It was serendipity! I'm so happy with the whole experience and the dress was half price from its retail value, this is really a great way for a bride on a budget to shop, not to mention the proceeds go to great causes!

Bethany F

1/09/2022

I was able to find the dress of my dreams for a fraction of the cost. In fact, it was so under budget I was able to afford two dresses for my wedding! I received so many compliment...

s on my dress, and people were shocked that it was secondhand as it was in such great condition. In addition, it was hard for me to justify spending so much money for a dress that I would wear once, and so it helped me feel so much better knowing that the cost of the dress was going towards so amazing charitable causes. Now my best friend is getting married and we are going here first to find her a dress!

Erin S

1/04/2022

I went in expecting to have to visit multiple times to find THE dress. The first few I tried on were nice, but I didn’t find one that brought out that glow. They game me a little b...

it of extra time to try on just a couple more dresses, and WHAM! I found the perfect one. I love everything about it and the fit is *almost* perfect. I look forward to trying it on after having it altered by one of their many recommended seamstresses. Shannon was a wonderful asset and helped me without being on top of me while I tried to figure out what I wanted. She is great as assessing what a bride needs from a dress consultant and providing both help and space where needed.

Sanna S

12/16/2021

I cannot recommend Bride for a Cause enough!! The atmosphere, the selection of dresses, and the staff were all SUPERB. The staff particularly was incredible and helped me feel so p...

ositive, informed, and supported throughout the entire process. Thank you so much and if you're in Seattle - GO HERE for your wedding dress!!

Whitney L

10/07/2021

Bought my dream wedding dress at an affordable rate, and I got to take it home on the same day!? Truly fabulous. The fact that the proceeds go to charities I love is an added bonu...

s! Very much recommend.

Denise L

6/28/2021

HIGHLY recommend Brides for a Cause. A nonprofit dress shop with affordable prices, variety, AND they donate to amazing causes? YESSSS! I went to Brides for a Cause for an overskir...

t and one of the employees found my dream overskirt in less than 2 minutes of me entering the salon. Since my wedding got postponed a whole year, I ended up needing to change my dress 2 months before my wedding date (couldn't fit into my original one, oops!) and knew Brides for a Cause would come to my rescue. I found the perfect BHLDN dress and fell in love with it. The price for it was an absolute steal - around $350 for a like-new dress. Since it's off the rack, you take it home right away. What I also love is that they get constant donations so even if you don't find anything on your appointment day, I recommend making another appointment at a later date to see what new shiny inventory has come in since your last visit. Brides for a Cause is a must for brides, especially ones who don't want to blow a ton of money on a dress!

Molly W

9/05/2020

Such a great bargain for the sample dress I got for half off and still never worn! Make sure to bring a couple friends (no more than 2-3 since the space is small) to help you try o...

n dresses since that isn’t part of the experience. Overall Great prices!

Cat Y

8/19/2020

I found my yes dress here! The staff were absolutely wonderful! I actually found my dress shopping for fun by myself but the staff made me feel like I was a queen! I also loved kno...

wing that the cost of my dress was going to a great cause!

Christine M

1/14/2020

I cannot recommend Brides for a Cause enough. I walked in just to browse around after an absolutely awful experience at David's Bridal, and had a wonderful experience here! The gir...

ls were SO helpful, allowing me to browse styles on my own and jumping in to help as needed - nothing overbearing or pushy. One of the girls, Kayla, helped me find my dress and brought me to tears with the style she chose for me. It was everything I ever wanted and I had never felt as beautiful as I did then! Not only was she great, but I LOVE that it is all a fabulous deal while contributing to female-based causes. I left with my dress the same day! I could not be happier!

Guy N

3/12/2019

As soon as I learned about Bride For A Cause I knew that's where I wanted to buy my dress. Supporting business that support causes close to my heart..it was a no brainier. Everythi...

ng about the experience was wonderful. I had a small entourage with me and they treated us really well. The sales women were all very sweet and helpful. They knew their inventory well and gave productive suggestions. I was so excited to find the perfect dress and at an amazing price. I couldn't be more pleased and will recommend them to everyone!

Naomi L

2/21/2019

I loved my experience at Brides for a Cause! I visited the store twice, and both times the staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming. After talking with Megan (who is one of the l...

ead associates, I think) about what kind of dress I was looking for, she immediately had a dress in mind and had a feeling that it would be coming in the next shipment. She took down my name and number and said she would call me if it ever came into the store. Lo and behold, a few weeks later she gave me a call and I was able to put it on hold until the end of the week so I could come in and try it on, and it ended up being the dress I chose! I was really wowed that she held on to my number for so long and thought of me, and thanks to her I was able to find a dress within my budget that aligned with my vision. It definitely takes some sorting through the racks because the selection can be kind of a toss-up, but it was an enjoyable, fun experience. The second time I visited there was definitely a lot of different dresses that weren't there the first time, so there does seem to be a good rotation of dresses! It gives me satisfaction knowing that getting my dress from BFAC was a little less wasteful and that my purchase went beyond just one day. Thank you, BFAC, for a wonderful and seemingly serendipitous experience!

Cindy K

12/05/2018

Amazing honestly there was this $6000 dress I was planning on getting but i'm glad I stepped into this store. My dress was $500 and looked as beautiful as the dress that was $6000....

Not only did the price encourage me to get the dress but the fact that it goes to a good cause! Highly recommend!

Marcelle F

12/03/2018

I am so glad that I started (and finished, in one trip! ) my dress shopping experience at Brides for a Cause Seattle! It was exactly the kind of experience I was hoping for: relaxe...

d, friendly.. I didn't feel pressured in any way, and very quickly found the dress I'd been dreaming of! For the budget and/or eco- friendly bride, this is the place to shop! The prices will keep you smiling, and knowing that you're supporting a nonprofit organization that donates to women-focused charities will add an extra layer of love to your special day! The kind and helpful staff made shopping fun and easy, and they even gave me a list of local shops to check out for my alterations. Though my dress showed a tiny bit of wear on the edges of the train and was two sizes too big, it was completely renewed and fit like a glove after a trip to Zeita Studios! Thank you Brides for a Cause! (More photos to come!)

Isabelle Y

12/02/2018

Brides for a Cause was the perfect place to shop and find that unique dress that I so desperately wanted. They had a large variety of dresses and the staff was incredibly helpful i...

n adjusting them to my body and helping me sort through to find ones I liked. The experience was full of smiles and laughs and I found that perfect dress at such a reasonable price! Even better is that some of the proceeds go back to women in need, so I am paying some money forward to a good cause. Everyone should come look here!

Jessica W

11/21/2018

I love the mission of this store and I especially loved that I could walk off the street and try on dresses without an appointment. The downside of this is flexibility and freedom...

is that nearly each dress I tried on was discolored from make up or damaged. The store didn't have a large selection of dresses for people who wear anything larger than a typical women's pant size of 12, but there are a TON of dress options for smaller sizes. I totally recommend checking out this store and the prices are amazing!

Tara T

10/24/2018

Such an amazing concept and mission. My sister and I went to Brides for a Cause and found the perfect wedding gown for a fraction of the cost anywhere else. The staff was so friend...

ly and helpful. They treated her like a queen and made her feel so special. We had so much fun and enjoyed our experience. The shop was really fun to look through. I highly recommend any bride to stop and take a look here first and see if they can find their dream dress for an affordable price.

Miranda M

10/02/2018

I had a wonderful time buying my wedding dress here. They had a great selection of dresses in a variety of sizes and styles. The prices were also reasonable. It was a beautiful sho...

wroom, very clean. The sales people were very friendly, not pushy, and were as hands on or hands off as you wanted them to be. I would definitely recommend this store to any bride shopping for her wedding dress.

Kailee D

10/01/2018

It helps to go in with no expectations, because you very well might walk out with the PERFECT dress that is well below your budget. If you're in the market for a dress, I 100% rec...

ommend at least looking here first. You never know what you're going to find, and who doesn't want to give back in the process?

Lauren S

9/29/2018

I bought my dress here! I went to 4 different shops and this one had my favorite selection and the best prices, by far. At the end I had two amazing dresses to pick between and I'm...

so happy that the money I spent goes back to a good cause! You can find a gorgeous dress here for $500 or less. These are "used" dresses but in many cases the dresses were sample dresses donated from other boutiques and never left a dressing room. I was able to look up the designer of the dress I bought and it was originally around $1,500 -- and I got it for $600. You can drop in at any point and browse. Do it!

Annie M

8/31/2018

Brides for a Cause offers a great selection of beautiful dresses for a fraction of the price of your typical bridal shop. I found a perfect dress for me there that was ridiculously...

inexpensive and didn’t even need to be altered! I love that my purchase contributed to a good cause and that a bride before me could enjoy it, and hopefully another one after me!

Kimberly S

8/15/2018

Went in early on a Saturday morning and had the shop to myself for about 20 minutes so we could grab dresses! I tried on about 30 dresses before finding the one. They had a seamstr...

ess on site who gave me ideas on alterations and potential costs. I got a $2500 dress for $250. Can’t beat that. The dress was comfortable and was absolutely stunning

Lea B

8/04/2018

I had so much fun trying on dresses here! They let you browse and try on however many dresses you want. Their dresses are all well cared for and in bags. Also they have a huge va...

riety of styles and flavor which I found to be the best part. Have Fun!!!

Tori D

7/27/2018

I am so happy I bought my dress at Brides for a Cause. Of the 3 shops I visited, they were by far the friendliest, most laid back, and most helpful. I would highly recommend starti...

ng your search there!

Brooke C

7/14/2018

I honestly didn’t expect to A. Find my dress so quickly, B. Have my dress PERFECTLY altered to my body as if it were custom made. And C. Be able to afford the dress of my dreams (b...

ought a NEW sample $10,000 designer gown) for my $1100 budget. I looked at several other salons and nothing compares to the individual selection at brides for a cause! Buying a dress I knew not every bride would have meant so much to me and truly made my day so special! By the way, Rainie at Heathers Alterations, was able to meet me at the Portland Brides for a cause location and helped me customize my gown with her expert eye for design!!!

Tanya H

7/11/2018

Brides for a Cause was amazing! I found both my Wedding Dress and Veil ! The selection of dresses was wide in sizes, styles, shapes and trends. I was able to try on all kinds ...

of dresses to figure out my favorite silhouette. We went first thing in the morning and the shop was tidy, organized and the staff was ready to help explain the process. I brought my Mom and sister with me and would recommend bringing someone to help you get into the dresses and offer support. The Staff offered suggestions and showed where in the shop to find the best lighting, sizing clips, undergarments etc. I was able to visit both the Tacoma and Portland shops and thought both were well stocked and gorgeously decorated. For a company that does so much good, I was incredibly surprised at the reasonable prices of their gowns (and veils and shoes!)

Julia P

7/06/2018

I do not regret getting my dress here. They had a good selection and the prices are very cost effective.

Kellsea H

6/27/2018

My experience here was a dream. It’s as simple as that. The Portland shop had so much charm. So many dresses to look through and accessories to try on. LOVE LOVE

Elian V

6/26/2018

Found my dress here! What’s more to say? Nice prices, I got mine half the retail price. A heartmelting experience because of all the variety and the attention from the personnel.

Georgia Q

6/05/2018

I love this incredible organization! I'd done the rounds at the traditional wedding dress boutiques, and wasn't loving the experience. Enter BFAC; they provided such laid-back serv...

ice, and were super accommodating. The selection is diverse and if you don't find something the first time, follow their Instagram for ongoing updates of their inventory. Saying "yes" to the dress was so much easier due to a lower price point, friendly/no-pressure service and the knowledge that my purchase would benefit other women. I heart BFAC!

Sierra E

5/27/2018

Found dream dress and accessories here!

Reesa N

5/02/2018

Walked in with no appointment on a rainy Saturday with just my mom. I'd never tried on dresses before so I figured it would be a nice low-pressure way to dip my toe into trying on ...

dresses and figuring out which styles I like/work on my body. I probably tried on 12 dresses varying in size from "not even close to zipping up" to "I can fit another person in here" just to wrap my head around different styles. One lovely gal hung back up all my dresses after trying them on and she was so sweet and patient. I was getting tired of playing dress up when my mom insisted I go out and look one more time--and I'm so glad I did! I found an adorable strapless dress with a high/low hem and a sweetheart neckline that was an absolute steal--$50!! It was by far the least expensive dress I tried on--I think most of the others were ~$150-800. After $56 for dry cleaning (yes, more than I paid for the dress!), the dress looks like new. I like it a lot but I don't think it is THE dress for my beach ceremony. I plan to use it at the courthouse or another wedding related event. I highly recommend stopping by the shop since you'll never know what you'll find! I would not recommend bringing more than one or two people though, as they're a smallish shop, so there's not a lot of room to have a fashion show with every outfit especially if it's busy.

Service area & Contact info

6514 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA

Open map

(206) 420-1350

Want to book a visit?

Start the convo

*=Required

Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.

Brides for a Cause - Seattle

Erin Scharf

President

Brides for a Cause - Seattle's photos

Why use The Knot to message vendors?

Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure.
Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place.
Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go.
For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.

Brides for a Cause - Seattle

About this vendor

Review Summary

Service area & Contact info

Wedding vendors in Seattle

Why use The Knot to message vendors?