Deborah Chan
There are many places to buy wedding dresses, from niche bridal boutiques to major retailers. One in three brides chooses David's Bridal for its online and offline selections, while Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City has been a go-to for thousands of brides over 70 years. Nordstrom carries a small collection of wedding gowns from big names like Tadashi Shoji and Amsale, and you can book an appointment at one of their in-store wedding suites. Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. For those looking for a more sustainable and affordable option, Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned wedding dresses, offering designer gowns at a fraction of the cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress marketplaces | Stillwhite, Lulus, Kleinfeld Bridal, David's Bridal, Azazie Wedding Dresses, Eloquii, Reformation, Revolve, Nordstrom, Anthropologie |
| Wedding dress styles | Traditional, modern, casual, boho, plus-size, budget, custom-made, pre-owned, designer, non-white, ball gown, slip dress, jumpsuit, pantsuit, sundress, A-line, sheath, trumpet |
| Additional services | Bridal stylists, alterations, online and in-person shopping, shipping, returns, discounts, accessories, silhouette guides, wedding dress quizzes |
| Price range | $2000-$4000 (average in the US), under $100, $500 (average), $2000 (elegant), under $200, under $600 |
| Charity options | Brides for a Cause |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Online marketplaces for preowned dresses
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress online, there are several marketplaces that can help connect you with interested buyers. Here are some popular options:
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is one of the largest online marketplaces for preowned wedding dresses, featuring over 60,000 listings from various designers. The website offers a straightforward browsing experience by allowing users to filter dresses by their condition. To sell your dress, you can create a listing for $25 or upgrade to a premium listing for $35 for added promotion on the site. Stillwhite does not charge any commission, so sellers keep the majority of their sales.
Borrowing Magnolia
Borrowing Magnolia is a transparent and user-friendly platform for buying and selling second-hand wedding dresses. The website offers a wide range of styles, colours, and silhouettes, with dresses available at significantly discounted prices. To sell your dress, you can create a listing with multiple photos and use the secure online messaging system to communicate with potential buyers. Borrowing Magnolia offers various listing upgrades to help your dress stand out, with prices ranging from $10 to $40.
Nearly Newlywed
Nearly Newlywed is a combination of a used wedding dress boutique and an inspirational blog. They handle all buyer interactions and shipping, saving sellers time and stress. The application process is simple, requiring sellers to submit measurements, a dress description, and photos. Nearly Newlywed charges a flat fee for listings, but the exact amount is not specified on their website.
PreOwnedWeddingDresses
PreOwnedWeddingDresses is one of the largest online marketplaces for preowned wedding gowns, facilitating over 40,000 sales with an average selling time of 70 days. They charge a flat fee of $25 to list your dress, plus a 20% commission to cover shipping, logistics, payment processing fees, and sale support. Payments are made via PayPal, and the platform provides a prepaid and insured shipping label. They also offer a wedding dress value calculator to help you determine an appropriate selling price.
Other Options
In addition to the dedicated preowned wedding dress marketplaces, you can also consider more general resale platforms like Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace. Poshmark allows you to create free listings and provides prepaid labels for shipping. They take a 20% commission on sales over $20, which covers shipping, payment fees, and buyer protection. Facebook Marketplace is ideal for local sales, allowing buyers to try on the dress before purchasing, but keep in mind that your pool of buyers may be smaller.
Hot Car, Wedding Dress: What's the Verdict?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nonprofit organisations for dress donations
There are several nonprofit organisations that accept wedding dress donations. Here are some options:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses up to five years old. Brides for a Cause has several locations across the country, and you can either drop off your dress in person or ship it to them.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organisation that supports military and first responder brides by providing them with free wedding gowns during their "Operation Wedding Gown Event". They accept wedding dresses that are no more than four years old and in wearable condition. You can ship your wedding dress donation to them or drop it off at their outlet in Andover, MA.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They accept dresses that are no more than four years old and offer a tax deduction for your donation. You can ship your dress to them or drop it off at their location in Atlanta, GA.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms donated wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns, which are offered to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge. They accept donations year-round and provide details for mailing or dropping off your wedding dress.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that offers professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis. They accept designer gowns that are less than five years old and do not require professional cleaning before donation. You can mail your dress or drop it off at their store in Maryland.
Mermaid Wedding Dresses: Dance-Friendly or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Niche bridal boutiques
If you're looking for niche bridal boutiques, there are several options to consider.
For instance, The Formal Niche offers an extensive collection of new and consigned dresses, catering to various tastes, styles, body types, and budgets. Their inclusive sizing ranges from timeless classics to the latest trends, ensuring that every bride can find a dress that reflects their unique style and personality. The Formal Niche provides a stress-free and comfortable environment, allowing brides to explore their stunning collection at their own pace with expert advice and assistance from their dedicated team.
Lovely Bride is another boutique that stands out for its designer brands and celebration of body positivity, inclusivity, and self-love. With 19 locations in the US and one in the UK, Lovely Bride offers modern and stylish wedding dresses and bridal accessories, carrying various silhouettes, fabrics, and designers. Their approachable stylists ensure that brides feel welcomed and well-taken care of during their dress search.
Viero Bridal is a couture bridal boutique with shops in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas. They offer couture wedding dresses and gowns at affordable prices, catering to brides looking for a combination of luxury and value.
Additionally, for those seeking a more sustainable and affordable option, Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for charities supporting women. They offer a wide variety of second-hand dresses at impressive quality and reasonable prices, providing a unique and fulfilling experience for conscious brides.
These boutiques showcase a range of niche options for brides-to-be, ensuring that finding the perfect wedding dress is a memorable and enjoyable journey.
Sweater Dresses: Wedding-Appropriate or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Department stores
Nordstrom, for example, is a popular department store that offers a one-stop shop for your entire wedding day ensemble. They carry a small collection of wedding gowns, featuring big names like Tadashi Shoji and Amsale. You can also find a range of styles for other wedding events, such as embroidered cocktail dresses for black-tie weddings or laid-back styles for summer nuptials. Nordstrom also provides in-house alterations, making it convenient for any last-minute adjustments.
Saks Fifth Avenue is another renowned department store known for its designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. They offer a sophisticated selection of bridal attire, including styles from Amsale, Bronx and Banco, Sachin & Babi, and A.L.C. Their silhouettes range from sleek column gowns and wrap dresses to modern jumpsuits and tasteful mini dresses.
Anthropologie is also a highly recommended department store for wedding attire. They offer size-inclusive dresses for various wedding themes and venues, with curated pages that make it easy to filter styles by dress code, neckline, color, price, and size. Additionally, Anthropologie carries bridal styles for different tastes, such as boho, classic, plus-size, and budget-conscious brides.
For those looking for a more luxurious experience, Bergdorf Goodman in New York City is a famous upscale department store. Their bridal salon features gowns by renowned designers such as Ines Di Santo, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Marchesa, with prices starting at around $5,000.
Lastly, don't underestimate your local mall department store, which can be a convenient option for wedding dress shopping, especially if you're short on time or have a specific style in mind.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Dress in the UK
You may want to see also
Explore related products
In-person bridal salons
If you're looking for an in-person bridal salon to find your dream wedding dress, there are several options to choose from.
One option is to visit a well-known bridal retailer such as Kleinfeld Bridal, which offers a wide selection of dresses and accessories, as well as VIP packages for bridal appointments. They curate a selection of over 1,500 dresses from around the world to ensure each bride finds the perfect dress. You can also find bridal salons at major retailers like Nordstrom, which carries a small collection of wedding gowns from big-name designers. Nordstrom offers the convenience of booking appointments at their in-store wedding suites and provides alteration services as well.
For a more sustainable and affordable option, you might consider Brides for a Cause. This nonprofit organization collects and resells new and once-worn wedding dresses, with the mission of supporting women-focused nonprofits. They offer a wide variety of dresses at impressive quality and affordable prices, and their staff is known for being extremely helpful and welcoming.
Another option is to visit a store that merges online and in-person shopping, such as Anthropologie. You can browse their bridal styles online and then make a free appointment to try on dresses at your local store. This allows you to explore styles from significant designers before visiting, saving time and providing a more informed shopping experience.
Lastly, for plus-size brides or those seeking non-traditional options, Eloquii's bridal collection is worth considering. They specialize in sizes 14 to 28 and offer a range of wedding gowns, pantsuits, jumpsuits, and accessories. While their dresses are not made to order, they do take additional time to ship, so it's important to plan accordingly.
Azazie Wedding Dresses: Are They Worth It?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are many online retailers that sell wedding dresses, including Lulus, David's Bridal, Azazie, Eloquii, Reformation, Revolve, Nordstrom, and Kleinfeld Bridal.
David's Bridal has nearly 300 stores across the country. Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City is another option. You can also try niche bridal boutiques, or major retailers like Nordstrom.
It's recommended that brides start looking for their dress 9-12 months before the wedding to allow time for alterations. You can take a wedding dress quiz or browse a silhouette guide to get a sense of what styles you like. Then, book an appointment with a personal stylist to try on gowns in your favorite fits, fabrics, and sizes.
![Zilink 72" Wedding Dress Garment Bag Dress Bags for Gowns Bridal Dress Travel Bag with 12”Gusseted and Accessory Pockets for Wedding Dress, Puffy Gowns [Upgraded Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XK76FMZoL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
