2nd hand wedding dress - Vancouver Wedding Forum

danica · 2006-10-20, 10:20 AM

hi there...ive been here in the forum for a while now but i think i havent posted anything coz basically my questions are answered already...

anyways, my problem is..is it bad to buy a 2nd hand wedding dress?we're just starting and we dont have money yet...that's why our wedding is until may, 2008...i dont want to spend alot on wedding gown that i will only wear for a day.

thanks

K8park · 2006-10-20, 11:43 AM

I think it depends on your preferences and beliefs.

Personally, I can't justify breaking the bank on a dress I will only wear once, so I have tried on several secondhand dresses. However, some cost as much as new depending on what you are looking for, so if you are uncomfortable with a second hand one, start looking now and you can find new for under $500 if you look (that's my budget and I have found dozens - just not "the one" yet).

I took a friend with me to look at one second hand I particularly like, and she had a really hard time staying impartial because she can't imagine wearing somebody else's dress, however for me it's not a big deal. If you think it will bother you, don't do it - you have enough to worry about. (But, if it doesn't bother you - no one else has to know where it came from if you are worried about the "stigma" of a used dress!!)

tanya777 · 2006-10-20, 01:04 PM

I think that if you find a second hand dress within your budget, GO FOR IT!! In all reality, no one would ever know that it was second hand except you (and whom ever was with you-while buying it). I would still look around at new dresses because if the second hand dress needs cleaning and/or alterations it could be the same price as a new dress; if not more.

You still have a while to go until your wedding, i'd wait until after x-mas. Dress prices after x-mas are way cheaper......good luck

K8park · 2006-10-20, 04:16 PM

Are dress prices after Christmas cheaper? I was told now is the "slow" season as most weddings have just happened (summer peak) but that a peak time for engagements is Christmas time and then all the new brides-to-be head out dress shopping so January starts picking up and builds through the summer months.

This dress shopping business is going to drive me nuts! I have seen so many lovely dresses, but so far none of them have stood out for me. I'm starting to think I should just buy the next one I try on that fits and is in my budget for my peace of mind!!

danica · 2006-10-21, 11:03 PM

thanks guys for the advice...im still in delemna

elaine · 2006-12-13, 11:24 PM

I bought my dress new from Rivera in Metrotown. I always find they have the best deals on dresses.

They have 'last years model' wedding dresses and the one I found was simple and was drastically reduced from $750 to $230 as it was after Prom and Christmas and someone had put a lipstick mark on the inside when trying it on. It was really easy to get it out the lipstick out. Thank you Tide pens. It is an A line off the shoulder with gold flowers and minor bead work. It looked amazing when I tried it on and I fell in love with it on the shelf.

That is the key. If you love it and it looks amazing on you, it's 'the one' regardless of if it is second hand or not.

I am going to embellish it with more bead work as like you, I'm not getting married until summer 2008. It is one size small (motivation for me to get in shape and I've shunk and fit it but gained back as it's winter) however a tailor can easily fix the dress if necessary come 2008.

On another note, a friends daugther just got married and used her aunts old wedding dress to get married it. I was a classic off the shoulder A-line style and cost her a dinner and dry-cleaning. She embellished it a bit with beadwork. That is also another option.

2times · 2007-02-08, 06:08 PM

no one will know unless you tell them!

You can by a gown, off the rack at any of our local bridal shops.
Do you have any idea how many ladies have tried on that gown before you?

If you buy a gown "off the rack", then you would have it professionally cleaned & pressed and alterations done before your wedding day. Exactly the same process if you buy a previously loved gown.

Check out Bliss Consignment on Columbia Street in New Westminster - wonderful young ladies there, very knowledgeable & helpful, too. They have new & used gowns.
http://www.blissconsignment.com/

Or if you have your heart set on a new gown, look at this website for great styles and reasonable prices.
http://www.paradisestylegroup.com/

Finally, if you want great variety & lots of sizes, try Tiffany NY Bridal at Hastings & Kootenay in Vancouver.
http://www.tiffanybridal.ca/home.html

Happy Shopping!

mogenta · 2007-02-08, 08:35 PM

Hi, no sure how much you are wanting to spend, but I bought my dress during the Boxing Week sale at Bryans Bridal and it only cost me $450 including all the taxes and a free veil. I will pay about another $100 for alterations, but this is a screaming deal for a new name brand dress. So if you can wait either do that or David's Bridal across the border.