GUIDELINES FOR BUYING A ‘ONCE WORN’ GOWN
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I love receiving emails from the cafe readers….and yesterday I received the sweetest email from Amanda, who resides in FL….Amanda wrote in to say that she is getting married June 2010, (congrats to you Amanda) and she’s contemplating on purchasing a ‘Once Worn’ gown for her big day. Amanda, your email came at the perfect time….I went to the experts at Dream Bridal LA….one of the cafe’s AMAZING sponsors, and asked owner Britta Barts, if she would stop by and share some guidelines to help Amanda out…let’s check out all the wonderful ‘tips’ from Britta!! ‘Buying a gently worn wedding gown from a recent bride is a great way to acquire your dream gown, but at a fraction of the price. There are however some very important steps to remember when moving forward with this type of purchase. It is a large sum of money and more importantly, it is a very emotionally charged transaction. This isn’t your casual Ebay ‘Buy It Now’ purchase which doesn’t generate sleepless nights and possible panic attacks. |
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| Buyer Beware. When it comes to purchasing a wedding gown from an individual or a third party, be sure to ask lots, and lots, and lots of questions. It is a ‘buyer-beware’ type of purchase, and selling brides don’t generally offer a return policy if the gown turns out to be something it isn’t. Many brides do take good care of their gowns and there are many sellers who do represent their gowns truthfully. However, we have both acquired and consigned gowns that were definitely not as represented to us. If a bride would have acquired the same gown, well, she would have freaked to put it mildly.
A Picture is Priceless. Make sure the selling bride offers photos of the actual gown she’s selling, and not just stock photos of the dress on a runway model. These types of photos give the illusion that the gown is in runway perfect condition. Plus, it is important to get full length and close up shots of both the front and back of the gown to determine that the gown is, in fact, the gown that is being sold. |
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| Authenticity Is Key. Unless you are in the market for a replica gown, it is important to get comfortable that the gown you are buying is the real designer deal. Ask the selling bride for receipts from her purchase, or ask if she has the original store/designer tags to the dress. Also, ask to see a photo of the designer label inside the gown. If the seller balks at these types of requests, it’s just not the right dress for you.
Condition, Condition, Condition. It is a party, and all party dresses will have some wear and tear after the party ends. Ask the seller whether she had the gown professionally cleaned and don’t be shy to ask whether she has the receipt for that cleaning. Be sure to ask about material defects – tears, stains, rips, zipper issues, hemline imperfections or other potentially big ticket repair items that need to be addressed. Any unknown can add extra expense to the price of the gown. Remember, there is no such thing as a “perfect” once worn gown. A “great condition” or “refreshed to look like new” once worn gown are more realistic and accurate descriptions. |
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| Devil in the Details. Get a clear understanding of the altered measurements of the gown. Confirm the altered bust, waist and hip measurements, and the selling bride’s height with heels. Confirm the color of the gown, or the color combination in case the gown is made of multiple materials. Also, if the bride is pictured wearing a veil, sash or other accessory, ask whether those items are included in the sale. It never hurts!
Keeping these five steps in mind will ensure a smooth, seamless, and most importantly, stress-free transaction. A buying bride, with fulfilled expectations, is a happy bride. Finding the dress of your dreams is just the icing on that already delicious wedding cake. Let the good times roll! ‘ Amanda, I hope these five guidelines from Britta will be of help to you and all the cafe readers….and make certain you visit Dream Bridal LA’s blog site to find so many more wonderful tips and inspiration to guide you through the process of purchasing a ‘Once Worn’ gown…..Let Dream Bridal LA help make your ‘Dream Dress’ come true! Britta, thanks SO much for stopping by today and sharing your expertise with us…it was truly very helpful…we look forward to your next visit. Photo credits: A DBLA bride wearing our fab Jim Hjelm ‘JH8903’ gown. Photography by Sherman Chu (www.shermanchu.com). Image #1 A DBLA bride wearing our amazing Monique Lhuillier ‘Mona Lisa’ gown. Photography by Leigh Miller Photography (www.leighmillerphotography) Image #2 A DBLA bride wearing our gorgeous Monique Lhuillier ‘Melissa’ gown. Photography by the bride’s family. Image #3 |