Pros and Cons of buying your wedding gown in a thrift shop

For many brides, the wedding day is one that is anticipated from childhood. A dream image has been created that is often centered more on the bridal gown than on the man who will be prince charming. Finding this perfect gown is so much a part of the bridal experience that several shows that have grown out of it. If you ever watched  "Say Yes to the Dress" and wondered how you were going to be able to create that same experience yourself within your budget, then there are several options for you to consider. Finding a wedding gown at a thrift shop is one of them. While this may not be the perfect option, there are some very important points to consider.

Pros

The most obvious positive of getting your wedding gown at a thrift store is the price. If you have been watching TV shows you know that gowns can cost thousands of dollars. At a thrift shop, a gown will be much less. Depending on the shop, it can be well under $100. If you are on a strict budget, this can be a very strong incentive. It is possible that you can find a gown that has never even been worn.

Buying a wedding gown at a thrift shop is also a very "green" option. You are basically recycling a wedding gown and all the material that went into it.

If you have an unclear vision of what you want, enjoy the vintage style, love saving money and are thrilled to find something that has been previously loved then, buying a wedding gown at a thrift store may be a really good idea for you.

Cons

The main con of buying a wedding gown at a thrift shop is fit. Finding a gown that is your size is going to be a tricky proposition. Since most wedding gowns need to be tailored, this is not so unusual, but there is likely not going to be someone in the shop who can tell you if it is possible and where to get it done. It is probably a very good idea to have a seamstress already available before you go to look for gowns and it might even be a good idea to ask her to come with you when you try on the gown at the shop.

If you are superstitious, wearing someone else's wedding gown may seem like bad luck to you, especially if the gown is obviously new and it is likely that the wedding was canceled.

Finding a style of gown that matches your dream dress can also be a matter of sheer luck at a thrift shop. If you have a certain vision in mind, it can be even harder to fill that vision when counting on finding that gown at a thrift shop.

You need to allow plenty of time before the wedding to begin your search. Unless you really don't care about the style, it can take months to find the right gown at a thrift store. You are counting on someone bringing in the gown that you want, which may not happen. You need to allow yourself at least six months just in case you can't find anything and need to order a gown from a traditional shop.

Buying a wedding gown at a thrift shop has both pros and cons and it is important that you consider all of them before choosing that option. This is one of the most important days of your life, and you want it to be everything that you always dreamed of.