Kind Woman Passes On Her $3,000 Wedding Gown To A Bride Who Cannot Afford To Have One, Inspires Over 1000 Women To Do The Same

Gwendolyn Stulgis loved her wedding dress so much that she refused to let it disappear into storage after the big day. Instead, the $3,000 gown became the start of something much bigger, and it quickly turned into a story about generosity, community, and brides helping brides.

After spending far more than she planned on the dress, Gwendolyn decided to pass it on to another woman who could not afford one of her own. Her Facebook post, and the conditions she attached to it, ended up inspiring a wave of women to do the same through a growing dress-sharing group.

What began as one bride's kind gesture soon spread far beyond her own wedding. Read on.

Gwendolyn Stulgis once had a beautiful wedding, during which she wore a lovely wedding dress that she loved so much that she says she couldn't just let it be stored in her wardrobe once the occasion was over.

She wanted to feel beautiful on her special day, so she made sure that she had the dress of her dreams. She got it from a local boutique called Evaline's Bridal & Tuxedo in Warren, Ohio.

The champagne dress by Allure Bridals had gorgeous sheer long sleeves, embedded with beads and lace—just the perfect fit and design for someone like Gwen.

Gwendolyn Stulgis

She fell in love with the dress right then and there. However, her budget was only a third of the gown's price—but she made a big decision and took home the dress because it was simply too beautiful not to wear on her wedding day.

She initially had a budget of $1,000, so when her dream dress was priced at $3,000, it was quite a surprise that she still bought it.

“I got emotional looking at it because it was everything I really wanted,” she told Insider. “I don’t think I could have pictured myself in anything else. That dress was just made for me.”Gwendolyn Stulgis

Even though she spent an extra $2,000 on the dress, it proved to be worth it in the end because it definitely stunned everyone on her big day! She and her partner, Frank Stulgis, got married on May 6, 2022.

When the day passed, Gwen lovingly hung her dress up in her wardrobe. But she realized that the dress did not deserve to be hidden away.

Gwendolyn Stulgis

"A wedding dress shouldn't just be kept in a closet," she said. So she then came up with an idea on how she was going to pass the dress on.

“I want someone else to feel the way I did on my wedding day—to look beautiful,” she explained. “I want the person to feel like they are worth something. I want them to get the dress of their dreams without worrying about buying one. A wedding dress shouldn’t just be kept in a closet.”Gwendolyn Stulgis

Just less than two weeks after their big day, Gwendolyn expressed her wishes on Facebook to pass on the wedding dress to a woman who is about to be a bride.

“So after much consideration, I have decided to give away my wedding dress. I want it to go to a woman who deserves to have the dress of her dreams but can’t afford one or has settled for something more within her price range. I felt absolutely gorgeous in it, and I want someone else to feel how I felt.”Gwendolyn Stulgis

But there were three conditions that a future bride must follow in order to receive the dress.

First, she must be able to write a couple of paragraphs explaining why she deserves to have the dress; second, her wedding must be scheduled within the next three months; and third, the lucky woman must pass on the dress, too, to someone who also needs a dress but can't afford to have what they want.

“I have been very fortunate to have the dress of my dreams, and I am forever grateful. There is no real sense in boxing up such a beautiful dress,” she added.

Her husband helped screen the submissions, and they finally picked a winner on June 4—a woman named Margaret Hyde. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Alycia Ashley, had entered the contest secretly for her because she was too indecisive to do so.

“Margaret is just an amazing person. She is the type of person who will give you the shirt off her back. She’s always the one doing the giving,” said Alycia.“I was in complete shock; I feel extremely loved,” Margaret said. “I’m a simple girl who wears jeans and T-shirts, so I don’t normally wear dresses. I’m looking forward to feeling like a princess for a day.”

She was actually set on making her own wedding dress before she saw Gwen's post. Margaret swears that she will pass the dress on to another future bride once she's done using it at her wedding.

Gwendolyn Stulgis

Since then, Gwen revealed that about 12 brides have already offered to do the same with their wedding dresses through a Facebook group called "Shared Dream Dresses."

The Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, emphasizes the importance of community support in times of need, stating, "When we share our resources, we not only help others but also strengthen our own connections." This sentiment resonates within the group, which has expanded to over 1.2k members who are generously donating not just wedding dresses, but also shoes, accessories, and bridesmaids' dresses for those who cannot afford them.

Gwendolyn Stulgis

“I want to help as many women as I can find their dream dress,” Gwen said, and so she did! Her special act of kindness set off a movement of a thousand women doing the same, and that is definitely more than enough.

Gwendolyn Stulgis

It’s a lot like the struggling sister debating whether to decline funding her lavish destination wedding.

People definitely loved the movement that formed and shared their own insights. Check out some of the best comments:

She's a role model!

It's heartwarming to see women all come together to help one another.

It holds such great significance because not all women have the privilege to wear the most beautiful dress they could find.

Something to think about.

This is heartbreaking to read, but it's definitely one of the best ways to make use of your old dresses.

Brides unite!

Let them rage; at least you helped three babies!

Veils are great to pass on, too!

We sure do.

You just need a pair of scissors.

Those dresses deserve to see the light of day!

It's definitely heartwarming and wholesome to see women come together to ensure that future brides will still be able to have such beautiful dresses for their big day, even when their budget does not permit them to. Thanks to Gwen's act of kindness, her contest ignited a force of women helping one another to have the best wedding day ever!

Comment down your thoughts or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

Then brace yourself for the bride who bought bridesmaid dresses, but banned one from wearing it.