A bride says she had a 'meltdown' after her wedding dress was accidentally donated to Goodwill just months before her big day
- A bride's wedding dress was accidentally donated to Goodwill after a garage sale.
- She was able to track down the dress thanks to a social media campaign.
An Arkansas bride almost lost her wedding dress forever after a mishap at a garage sale.
As 5 News Online reported, Bailey Dobson's family had a garage sale at the beginning of August, and her prom dresses were included in the sale.
After the garage sale, the family decided to donate the dresses they didn't sell to Goodwill. But somehow, Dobson's wedding gown for her upcoming nuptials got donated along with the prom dresses.
"I had a meltdown for sure," Dobson told 5 News Online of her reaction to finding out the dress was gone. "I had a little bit of freakout."
The wedding is on December 19, so Dobson didn't have time to replace the dress, 5 News Online reported. It typically takes 9 to 12 months to make a wedding gown.
The family decided to take to social media to find the dress, and the Goodwill Industries of Arkansas also shared a post on its Facebook page to spread the word.
"We need your help," the post said. "A wedding dress for an UPCOMING wedding was accidentally donated and was purchased at our Walton Store & Donation Center in Bentonville (1400 SE Walton Blvd) last Saturday, July 29. Please privately message us if you recognize or purchased this dress. The family is willing to pay for its return."
Thanks to the post from Goodwill, a social media user said they saw the dress on eBay, so the Dobsons were able to reach out to the seller to see if she would give the dress back, as 5 News Online reported.
"So we had contacted the seller, and she was willing to take it down and give it back to us," Dobson told the outlet. "Thank goodness. She's been amazing and super helpful. And we've appreciated every bit of it."
The dress was returned on Monday, and Dobson told 5 News Online that she invited the seller to her wedding to thank her for her help.
"We're hoping that she will show up and support us because she did make the experience happen," she told the outlet. "And it does only happen once."
Dobson also shared the news in a comment on Goodwill's Facebook post, voicing her appreciation for those who helped her track down the dress.
"It has now been found and I am so thankful for everyone's help! I cannot express it enough," she commented. "Love you all! Thank you for taking time to share as well as all the thoughts and prayers!"
Bailey Dobson did not respond to Insider's request for comment.