When you see or hear about a wedding gown sample sale, you may wonder if shopping during a sample sale is right for you. Should I go to the sale, am I going to find anything in my size, what condition are the dresses going to be in? There are lots of things to think about when deciding if a sample sale is right for you, so today we are going to give you some more details about Sample Sales and tips on how to make the most of these incredible opportunities to shop for your wedding dress.
But first….
Q: What is a wedding gown sample sale?
Bridal stores, such as Charlotte’s Weddings, order wedding gowns each season to join their in store collections as samples for their brides to try on. Typically you try on a sample dress in store and once you say yes, the store will order you that gown in your desired size and color. When stores host a sample sale, they are offering brides to buy the sample gowns from their in store collection right off the rack for incredible discounts as a way for the store to make space for new inventory. At Charlotte's we heavily discount our wedding gown samples to sell to brides off-the-rack during our Sample Sales, which provides HUGE savings for our brides (perfect for those brides planning their wedding on a budget!) These wedding dresses are also perfect if you have a tight timeline. Special order wedding gowns can take up to 8 months to arrive so having a ready to wear dress that you take home the same day you say yes can lessen your stress during wedding planning.
Q: Is it worth buying a sample sale dress?
Yes! It’s perfect for brides who are looking for a more financially accommodating option for their wedding dress! For example, our gowns at Charlotte’s Weddings range between $1,500-$4,000 but during our sample sale, we have gowns with discounts up to 75% OFF their original price. All styles will be under $1500 at a Charlotte's Weddings Sample Sale so if your budget is below our typical range, then this is the perfect opportunity to become a Charlotte's bride!
Q: Will I have a ton of alterations?
Ideally, you should not have much more alterations needed for a gown purchased at a sample sale than you would when purchasing a made to order style. At a sample sale you are buying a gown as-is that has been previously tried on by other brides in store, so you may have some cleaning, minor cosmetic repairs and additional alterations that could cost more than the purchase of the gown. Alterations on special order wedding gowns range from $400-$800. You should at least expect to pay that for standard alterations. See some tips on alterations here.
Quick tips for shopping the sale:
- It's helpful to have an idea of your bridal size before the sale. Bridal gowns do run slightly smaller than your standard street size clothing. So, don’t be afraid to go up a size or two and remember that you can make adjustments in alterations. For example, if you wear a size 12 you may be a 14/16 in bridal. Broaden your horizons, you never know which gown you’re going to fall in love with!
- Choose your companions carefully. Most wedding gown sample sales only let each bride bring 1-2 guests. Your group needs to be positive, supportive and know your style well to help support you in your search. Sample sale appointments are a bit shorter than our standard bridal experience, so it's important to make sure your "I do" crew is aware of your vision from the start.
- Wear the right undergarments. Have your SPANX (if wearing) and strapless bra on under your regular clothes. It saves time and will give you a more realistic idea on fit if you love a dress.
- Inspect your gown carefully. All sales are FINAL at these types of sales so make sure you look over your wedding gown before purchasing. Remember that these gowns are sold “as is” so expect to see some slight imperfections.
- Be ready to buy. Stores won’t hold gowns during a sample sale so if you love something make sure you come prepared to purchase it and take it home. Often times you may find some great accessories on sale as well so keep an eye out for more items on sale you may need to complete your wedding day look!
- Lastly, HAVE FUN!!! Sales are a bit more fast-paced and busy, so it may not be like a typical bridal appointment but finding your dream wedding dress with your favorite people for an amazing price is still memorable. Especially when you shop a sale at Charlotte’s Weddings!!
ready to shop a sample sale? check out our Biggest sale ever happening April 5th + 6th!
