Most women begin planning their weddings shortly after birth. What little girl hasn’t fantasized about walking down the aisle in a beautiful, long white dress? How disappointing it must be for those women whose dreams are dashed once they catch a glimpse of the price tag hanging from the sleeve of a designer dress.
Why should a woman on a limited budget have to miss out? Why should a wedding day be any less special just because someone doesn’t see the need to spend $2500 on a dress she’ll wear only once? Fortunately, there’s a solution. Second-hand wedding dresses. I know what you’re thinking. What woman wants to wear a dress someone else has worn before, especially on her wedding day? Before you reject this idea, let’s at least take a look at what’s out there. You may even be quite pleasantly surprised.
Internet auction sites have a wide variety of second-hand frocks; some even designer, for a fraction of the original price. A search in the wedding dress category can bring up hundreds of gowns, most quite affordable. A simple search can find bridal apparel beginning at fifty dollars. Some dresses are a little outdated, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re looking for a vintage gown. There are dresses there to suit all tastes and styles. More than a few of the gowns up for auction aren’t even second hand, but being sold by shops all over the country who are looking to unload older or overstocked items.
The Internet provides plenty of other options when shopping for pre-owned formal wear. There are websites set up specifically for this purpose. Hundreds of second-hand shops and boutiques advertise their wares online. In just about every case, photos of the dresses are provided along with descriptions, and you can always contact the seller with questions, either by email or telephone. This is also a great way to purchase bridesmaid and mother-of-the bride garments.
The best tool for hunting for used finery locally is your Yellow Pages. Thrift and consignment shops hold many inexpensive treasures. It all depends on what’s in stock at any given time. If you call the store ahead of time and ask about their selection of wedding dresses, you may not even have to waste time traveling to a place that doesn’t have what you’re looking for. The best part about visiting the shop yourself is that you can see the dress up close and make sure it’s in good condition. Your best bet is to shop at a second hand shop that’s located in an upscale area. Chances are, the locals donated the goods and you’re more likely to find designer clothes at second hand prices. When shopping for anything second hand, location matters.
There are some things to be aware of when purchasing a second-hand gown, however. Because the dress has already been worn, it may be stained or damaged. If you have the opportunity, examine the dress thoroughly before purchasing. If you’re purchasing your gown over the Internet and this isn’t a possibility, ask the seller if there are any rips, tears, unraveling, stains or other damage. Make sure that any obvious damage can be repaired by your tailor or dry cleaner. If you can, ask for more pictures, preferably close ups, so you examine the dress thoroughly. It might also help to have something in writing prior to your purchase stating there is no irreparable damage to the dress, and if so, the dress can be returned for a full refund. It’s very important to know the store’s refund policy, and make sure you have a written copy of any agreement.
There are plenty of choices out there for the resourceful bride. With an open mind, a little research and a little imagination, anything is possible. A second-hand wedding dress doesn’t have to look second hand. The best part is that with the exception of, maybe, your dry cleaner, no one ever has to know.
