At Camille's of Wilmington, we spend our days helping brides find the gown they'll wear on one of the most memorable days of their lives. As new collections arrive, some styles are retired from our showroom. While those gowns may no longer be available to order, we believe their story doesn't have to end there.
Each year, Camille's donates discontinued bridal gowns to Church Street Bridal in Lynchburg, Virginia, where they begin a second chapter—one that helps brides, supports women and families, and creates lasting impact within the community.
A Partnership with Purpose
Founded in 2002, Church Street Bridal was created with the idea of offering beautiful sample gowns at accessible prices while supporting a greater mission.
Today, Church Street Bridal serves as the primary fundraiser for the YWCA of Central Virginia. Proceeds from gown sales help support programs that provide safety, advocacy, and resources for women affected by domestic violence.
For Camille's, this partnership provides a meaningful home for gowns that have completed their time in our showroom. For Church Street Bridal, those same gowns help fund programs that make a real difference in people's lives.
What is Church Street Bridal's mission?
"Our goal is to eliminate domestic violence against women while building up their self-worth and helping them get back on their feet." — Jessica Boardman, Church Street Bridal
How does Church Street Bridal support the YWCA of Central Virginia?
"Church Street Bridal is the main fundraiser for the YWCA of Central Virginia. All the proceeds from our gown sales go directly to the YWCA and help us keep our two safe houses and other programs running."
More Than a Wedding Dress
When a shipment of gowns arrives from Camille's, the excitement is immediate.
"When a donation arrives from Camille's, we all get excited because Camille's sends us some of the best gowns ever—no, literally," Jessica shared.
The gowns are inventoried, prepared for sale, and often featured in unboxing videos for the Church Street Bridal community. From there, they are given the opportunity to help another bride find the dress of her dreams while supporting an important cause.
What happens when a donation arrives from Camille's?
"We usually do an unboxing or two and tag Camille's. Once we have inventoried the gowns, we send a thank-you letter and prepare them for the sales floor."
Every gown sold helps support programs that make a meaningful difference in people's lives. What begins as a discontinued gown in Wilmington becomes part of something much bigger in Lynchburg.
The Impact of a Second Chance
Recently, Church Street Bridal shared the impact these donations have helped create over the past year.
According to the organization, more than 60 gowns donated by Camille's helped support programs that housed approximately 23 women and children, assisted advocacy efforts for survivors, and contributed to improvements within housing facilities that serve women rebuilding their lives.
Along the way, 42 brides found their wedding dress through Church Street Bridal while supporting a mission they believed in.
Those numbers are a reminder that every gown has the potential to do more than create beautiful memories. It can help create hope, opportunity, and support for others.
A Safe Space for Every Bride
While the mission behind Church Street Bridal is powerful, what happens inside the boutique matters just as much.
What do you want brides to know about Church Street Bridal?
"We are not just a bridal store, but a safe space for women to shop and feel beautiful no matter who they are."
"I always say being a bridal stylist is also being a part-time therapist for our brides, and we truly love it. Our goal is to build women up while giving them hope and goals for their future. We love each and every bride that enters our doors—and her entourage."
The team at Church Street Bridal also stays connected to the women they serve through community initiatives, including food drives and efforts to help stock pantries for residents in YWCA housing programs.
Looking Ahead
At Camille's, we believe a wedding dress can be so much more than a gown hanging on a rack.
Through our partnership with Church Street Bridal, these dresses continue their journey—helping brides find the gown of their dreams while supporting programs that provide safety, advocacy, and hope for women and families in need.
We are grateful for the work Church Street Bridal and the YWCA of Central Virginia do every day, and we are honored to play a small role in supporting their mission.
Because sometimes a dress deserves a second chance.
And sometimes that second chance helps change a life.
