Many brides-to-be want to look fabulous on their big day, but don’t want to spend a ton of money on a dress they will only wear once.
Why not consider buying a used wedding dress? Buying a pre-owned or once used wedding dress usually saves a bride to be about 50%.
Many destination brides are hoping to do a little post-wedding adventure photo shoot, so a used wedding dress might help you feel a little less guilty as you charge into the ocean or climb that coconut tree!
Here are the Top 5 Tips to Buying a Used Destination Wedding Dress from our friends at SmartBride Boutique. With these tips you can have your cake and eat it too!
Tip #1: A Clean Dress is Best
Look for dresses that have already been cleaned, so that you know if there are any permanent stains and whether or not they will be visible on your wedding day. This way you won’t have to pay a potentially costly dry cleaning bill.
Tip #2: Shop Local
By shopping locally you can inspect the dress closely for stains and damage from insects or improper care. Be sure to treat going to an individual seller’s home the way you would if you were visiting a bridal boutique. Bring a friend or your mom with you so you can get an honest opinion from someone who wants to make sure you look and feel fabulous on your wedding day.
Tip #3: Ask About Alterations
Keep in mind that alterations can completely change the fit of a gown and that some alterations are reversible while others are not. Be sure to get the name and number of the seamstress who did the initial alterations because she will know the dress inside and out. In fact, it might be a good idea to call her with questions before you buy the dress.
Tip #4: Do Your Research
If you’re buying a designer or brand name gown, ask the seller to provide you with a style number so you can reference the manufacturer’s website. Visit bridal boutiques to find out the average cost of the designer dresses you’re searching for online. Generally, if you’re buying a dress that is less than one, has not been damaged, and has only been worn once, you should pay no more than 50% of the original retail cost for the dress.
Tip #5: Be Ready to Negotiate
Are you willing to pay the seller’s original asking price if the dress is exactly as the seller described and it’s the perfect dress for you? Or do you have a lower price in mind based on your research and budget? Be prepared to negotiate, but remain fair with the seller so both of you can be happy with the sale.
About SmartBrideBoutique.com
SmartBride Boutique is a premium wedding classifieds website, helping today’s savvy brides create the wedding day of their dreams on a realistic budget without sacrificing designer names, fabulous style or the environment. Past and present brides connect online to buy, sell and save on everything wedding.