Community Corner

Bride Searches For Wedding Dress Accidentally Donated In Somerset Co.

Laurie Wilson was moving from her Basking Ridge home when she purged and donated her dress. She is hoping someone can return it to her.

Laurie Wilson in her wedding gown in 1987.
Laurie Wilson in her wedding gown in 1987. (Courtesy of Laurie Wilson)

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — While moving from their Basking Ridge home, Laurie Wilson donated her wedding dress from 1987 and is hoping by some miracle to get it back.

Wilson and her husband Tim lived in Basking Ridge for 20 years in a 2,500-square-foot house and were downsizing and moving to a beach bungalow down the Shore.

"I lost more than half of my living space and storage was at a premium," said Wilson to Patch.

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She got caught up under the pressure to purge and donated her (preserved in a white box) wedding dress from her wedding on July 24, 1987, at Assumption Church in Roselle Park.

The dress was donated to Habitat to Humanity in Manville back in 2021. After her donation, Wilson said she had regrets.

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"Maybe I could use it for a christening gown, fabric around my daughter's wedding bouquet," said Wilson. "I just kept thinking about it and I didn't even ask her if she wanted it."

Wilson reached back out to Habitat in Manville about six months after her donation. They checked through their inventory and couldn't find it.

While she knows it is a "long shot," Wilson is posting on social media in various community groups in hopes of being reunited with her dress.

"I kept it for 35 years and I’m desperate to get it back," said Wilson. "Hoping the person who bought it has used it and will return it with compensation of course."

If anyone recognizes the dress they can contact Wilson at [email protected].

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