Vintage Wedding Dresses: Where To Find Yours

where to find old wedding dresses

There are many places to find old wedding dresses, whether you're looking for something vintage, pre-owned, or just a bargain. Online, you can find a wide range of options on sites such as Borrowing Magnolia, Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, and Etsy. Facebook groups and marketplaces are also a great place to look for second-hand wedding dresses, as well as your local thrift store. If you're looking for something vintage, Miranda's Vintage Bridal in Cleveland, Adored Vintage, Madly Vintage in Venice, and June's Uniquely Yours in Cape May, New Jersey, are all boutiques specialising in vintage bridalwear.

Characteristics Values
Online marketplaces Stillwhite, Borrowing Magnolia, Nearly Newlywed, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace
Brick-and-mortar stores Miranda's Vintage Bridal (Cleveland, OH), Adored Vintage (LA and New York), Madly Vintage (Venice, CA), June's Uniquely Yours (Cape May, New Jersey)
Other Local thrift stores, antique shops, farmers markets, craft fairs

shunbridal

Online marketplaces

There are many online marketplaces where you can find old wedding dresses. Here are some popular options:

Nearly Newlywed

Nearly Newlywed is an online marketplace that connects brides with dresses. It offers a seamless process for both buying and selling used wedding dresses. Sellers can submit their measurements, a description, and photos of their gown. Nearly Newlywed then handles all buyer interactions and shipping, making it convenient for sellers. The website also features a dress value calculator to help determine the potential worth of your dress. There is a $20 listing fee, and once the dress is sold, the seller earns 70% of the final price.

Stillwhite

Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned wedding dresses, offering over 97,000 wedding gowns for sale. It provides a platform for sellers to connect directly with buyers, facilitating safe communication and secure payments. Stillwhite does not charge any commission, and dresses are listed until they sell. There is a one-time listing fee, with options for standard and premium listings, allowing you to showcase your dress with photos or videos.

Borrowing Magnolia

Borrowing Magnolia is an online platform for buying and selling pre-owned wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and wedding embellishments. It offers a user-friendly experience, allowing sellers to create listings with photos and interact securely with potential buyers. Borrowing Magnolia provides various listing upgrades to enhance the visibility of your dress, such as additional photos, homepage features, and search optimization.

Poshmark

Poshmark is an online marketplace for second-hand fashion, beauty, and home decor, including a selection of used wedding dresses. Listing on Poshmark is straightforward, as you can upload photos and write a product description without any fees or approval processes. For sales over $15, the seller keeps 80% of the sale price, while buyers cover shipping costs.

Other Options

In addition to dedicated wedding dress marketplaces, you can explore more general online platforms such as Craigslist, Facebook Buy and Sell groups, or the Facebook Marketplace. These options may provide a broader reach, but they may also require more effort in finding qualified buyers and negotiating prices.

shunbridal

Local thrift stores

When visiting a thrift store, it is important to keep in mind that the sizing of older wedding dresses may not reflect modern sizing. For example, a vintage size 12 from the 1960s may fit more like a modern size 6. It is also a good idea to try on the dress before purchasing it, if possible. If the store does not allow try-ons, consider taking your measurements and measuring the garment to ensure a proper fit.

To find the best selection of dresses, timing is key. The off-peak wedding season, typically November through March, is the best time to find a wide variety of gowns at unbeatable prices. January, in particular, is the holy grail for thrift store wedding dress shopping, as boutiques and retailers often donate excess inventory to thrift stores during this month.

In addition to timing, having a basic knowledge of the styles of different decades can help you spot your preferred era on the racks. For instance, the 1950s were known for voluminous skirts and fitted waistlines, while the 1970s embraced the cottagecore trend with empire waists and flowing sleeves.

While you may not find a large selection of real wedding dresses at local thrift stores, with perseverance and the right timing, you can increase your chances of finding that special, sustainably sourced dress.

How to Travel with Your Wedding Dress

You may want to see also

shunbridal

Bridal boutiques

If you're looking for a bridal boutique that offers vintage wedding dresses, there are several options to consider.

Lovely Bride

Lovely Bride is a modern bridal shop with 19 locations in the US and one in the UK. They carry a variety of wedding dress styles, including romantic, sleek, chic, bohemian, unique, sexy, clean, and refined designs. They cater to all body types and offer a selection of samples in plus sizes. Their price range generally falls below $5,000, with most dresses priced under $3,000, and an opening price point of $2,000. Their common wedding dress fabrics include crepe, lace, tulle, chiffon, satin, beaded, embellished, embroidered, organza, and more.

June's Uniquely Yours

Located in Cape May, New Jersey, June's Uniquely Yours is a family-owned boutique specialising in romantic styles from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. They offer a wide variety of second-hand wedding dresses ranging from the 1800s to the 2000s, as well as vintage accessories, shoes, and jewellery. Their prices are very affordable, ranging from $38 to $1,098.

Adored Vintage

Adored Vintage, originally a vintage boutique in LA and New York, has evolved into a full-fledged bridal shop. They offer custom gowns infused with new and old components, designed by Shareen Mitchell. Their gowns are priced at $2,000 and below.

Madly Vintage

Madly Vintage, founded by Maddy Anderson, is a Venice, California-based fashion and bridalwear destination. They offer vintage lovers a selection of non-traditional, antique bridal finds.

Stillwhite

Stillwhite is the largest global online marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses, with over 97,021 wedding gowns available. It offers designer wedding dresses at affordable prices and provides a platform for secure payments and direct communication with sellers.

Nearly Newlywed

Nearly Newlywed is another online marketplace for new, used, and sample wedding dresses, connecting brides with dresses since 2004.

These bridal boutiques provide a range of options for those seeking old wedding dresses, whether it's a vintage style or a pre-owned gown, allowing you to find your dream dress within your budget.

shunbridal

Facebook groups

One popular Facebook group for wedding dresses is Shared Dream Dresses, founded by Gwendolyn Stulgis. This group connects brides-to-be with previous brides who are donating their dresses for free. The group has since expanded to include bridesmaid, mother-of-the-bride, and flower girl dresses, as well as wedding accessories like veils, shoes, and jewellery.

There are also local Facebook groups for buying and selling wedding items, which can be a great way to find a dress in your area. These groups often have a variety of dresses available, and you can also use them to find other wedding-related items.

Additionally, some Facebook groups are dedicated to vintage or second-hand wedding dresses specifically. These groups may have dresses that are older or more unique in style, offering a one-of-a-kind look for your special day.

When joining a Facebook group to find a wedding dress, it's important to read the group rules and guidelines. Some groups may have specific processes for requesting or donating dresses, and it's essential to respect the community and its members.

Overall, Facebook groups provide a great platform for connecting with other brides and finding your dream wedding dress at an affordable price. With a wide range of groups to choose from, you can browse various dresses and accessories to make your wedding day extra special.

shunbridal

Friends and family

If you're looking for an old wedding dress, asking your friends and family can be a great place to start. They may know of someone who is selling a dress that would be perfect for you, or they might even have a dress that you can borrow. It's always worth asking around to see if anyone has any leads.

Another option is to check with your local community. Many towns and cities have Facebook groups or other online forums where people can buy and sell items. You can post a wanted ad or keep an eye out for any dresses that come up for sale.

You can also try searching for vintage wedding dresses in your area. There may be specialty shops or boutiques that carry older styles. These shops often have a wide range of dresses from different decades, so you can find something that fits your unique style.

If you're lucky enough to have a family heirloom wedding dress, that could be an excellent option as well. Many family members would be honoured to have someone in the family wear their wedding dress, and it can be a special way to connect with your heritage.

Lastly, don't be afraid to ask your friends and family for help directly. If you know someone who is particularly crafty or good at sewing, they may be able to help you alter a dress to fit your vision. Or, if you're looking for a specific style, they might be able to keep an eye out for you at thrift stores or other second-hand shops.

Frequently asked questions

You can find vintage wedding dresses online at Miranda's Vintage Bridal, Stillwhite, Borrowing Magnolia, Nearly Newlywed, and Facebook Marketplace.

You can find vintage wedding dresses in-store at June's Uniquely Yours in Cape May, New Jersey, Adored Vintage in LA and New York, and Madly Vintage in Venice, California.

You can find vintage wedding dresses on a budget at June's Uniquely Yours, where prices range from $38 to $1,098. You can also find affordable vintage wedding dresses on Facebook Marketplace and Etsy.

You can sell your old wedding dress on Borrowing Magnolia, Stillwhite, or Facebook Marketplace.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment