7 tips for the consignment bride
Filed under: Fashion, Budget Advice
Jonathan suggests that you might consider a lightly-used wedding gown, but, he says, he's not suggesting you "root through the bins at Goodwill." I shake my head in gentle puzzlement. Now why would he say that? If you're a practical and down-to-earth bride, you know there's no telling where you might unearth a gem. (Particularly since I happen to know that Susan, our fashion maven, recently donated hers to Goodwill.) Being a budget-minded woman, (and because between the two of us my husband and I have brought eight children into this second marriage of ours), I know my second-hand and consignment stores.
Here are my tips for finding what you want in a consignment shop:
1. Start hunting early. Unlike retail, stock in these stores is never assured. You can't just walk in and find what you want on the rack.
2. Call ahead. Generally the staff is willing to take a quick peek for you and save you an unnecessary trip.
3. Be persistent. Deliveries come in to some stores daily, so check in every week or two.
4. Be friendly. If you're nice to the staff, they'll help you out. Give them your number, and they might well hold an incoming dress for you until you get a chance to see it.
5. Shop by neighbourhood. Second-hand shops in nicer neighborhoods have nicer clothes.
6. Put on your creative glasses. You've found a dress, and it's close, but it's not perfect. Yet. Can you alter/embellish it? If you can't do this yourself, perhaps some of the money you've saved on the cost could be spent on a seamstress.
7. Have a Plan B. And finally, because you're a practical and down-to-earth bride, you know this option is not assured. You will have a Plan B.
Weeks into the hunt for my Perfect Dress, it suddenly came to me that I had a dress at home that I loved. I decided then that if I couldn't find anything I liked better than that dress, I would simply wear what I already had. It took all the pressure off, and -- hurrah! -- I was enjoying myself again!
When the Big Day arrived? I looked beeeyoootiful. And so will you!
2. Call ahead. Generally the staff is willing to take a quick peek for you and save you an unnecessary trip.
3. Be persistent. Deliveries come in to some stores daily, so check in every week or two.
4. Be friendly. If you're nice to the staff, they'll help you out. Give them your number, and they might well hold an incoming dress for you until you get a chance to see it.
5. Shop by neighbourhood. Second-hand shops in nicer neighborhoods have nicer clothes.
6. Put on your creative glasses. You've found a dress, and it's close, but it's not perfect. Yet. Can you alter/embellish it? If you can't do this yourself, perhaps some of the money you've saved on the cost could be spent on a seamstress.
7. Have a Plan B. And finally, because you're a practical and down-to-earth bride, you know this option is not assured. You will have a Plan B.
Weeks into the hunt for my Perfect Dress, it suddenly came to me that I had a dress at home that I loved. I decided then that if I couldn't find anything I liked better than that dress, I would simply wear what I already had. It took all the pressure off, and -- hurrah! -- I was enjoying myself again!
When the Big Day arrived? I looked beeeyoootiful. And so will you!
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Dress of the day: Anastasia by Maggie Sottero
Unusual wedding cakes from Dragons and Daffodils
