With the season of sales almost upon us, everyone will be primed and ready to bag themselves a bargain. It’s not just last-minute gifts that you can grab, however. Christmas is a great time to purchase ‘off the rack’ wedding dresses at a hugely discounted rate, with many bridal boutiques and designers hosting seasonal sample sales at this time of year.
There is an art to shopping the sales, especially when purchasing something as important as your wedding dress. Read on to discover our top tips for buying ‘off the rack’ and finding the wedding gown of your dreams without busting your budget.
Choose your sample sale wisely
In preparation for the new trends 2023 promises, many bridal boutiques will be gearing up to host their sample sales in the coming weeks and months, which means you’ll have more sample sales than ever to choose from.
Selecting the sample sale you’ll attend based on their stock levels alone however isn’t always the best approach as bridal boutique owner Holly Johnson details:
“A boutique may be just having a bit of a refresh to make space ready for some new styles to land, or it might be an all singing and dancing sale with the majority of styles up for grabs so they can re-stock with the new season’s collections. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, though! You may find your dream aisle style tucked away next to just a couple of gowns, waiting for you to find her.”
Shop before you sample
Attending a sample sale is a world away from the iconic wedding dress shopping experience. So, if you’re sentimental about enjoying this rite of passage as it is meant to be enjoyed, browse a few boutiques before you hit your chosen sample sale.
Scheduling in a few browsing sessions unlocks more perks than you think. As well as giving you the chance to relish being a bride-to-be with your loved ones in tow, it’s an important fact-finding mission that’ll help you shop the sample sales with confidence later down the line.
By browsing before you buy, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the dress shapes and styles that work for you, and those that don’t. With this information, you’ll be more decisive about your choice of sample sale gown.
Keep an open mind
Whilst attending a few regular boutique appointments will have opened your eyes to your preferences, it’s important to keep an open mind when shopping for a sample sale. Trying alternative dress styles that don’t look particularly great on the peg is a must, and the results may just surprise you!
Be ready and willing to buy
At sample sales, you have to be able to make decisions quickly. Most boutiques won’t save sample dresses so you can mull over your choice. Instead, you have to be ready and willing to buy on the day itself – no pressure!
Choosing who accompanies you to the sample sale could help or hinder your decision-making skills. Shop with a friend or relative whose judgement you can trust, and have others on standby via FaceTime to get those second or third opinions if you need them.
Stick to your budget
Sample sales are great opportunities for bagging a bargain wedding gown, but you should still have a budget in mind. In your budget, you should not only account for the cost of your wedding dress but the cost of alterations and dry cleaning, which are common requirements when purchasing a sample design.
Inspecting the gown before you commit to buying is one step that should never be skipped. It’s likely that the sample dresses on offer have been tried on by lots of brides, which means they may have some wear and tear as a result.
If you’re looking for a dress that is pristine and perfect, choosing a bespoke wedding dress instead of shopping for a sample sale may be the better option for you.
