Going for Seconds

One can expect the nature of the times to result in a greater awareness of the option to rent a wedding dress or to purchase – and possibly revamp – a second hand gown. Some establishments may even offer a discount on alteration work. Then, once your big day has come and gone, you have the choice to return your dress to the trade. Think of it as a continually transferable organ donation – with or without the frills.

Tip: If you find yourself severely restricted by your budget, you might want to consider purchasing a used ivory wedding dress.

As with any other second-hand purchase, you are well advised to scrutinize the dress before you commit yourself to the purchase. You might consider taking a friend along for the purpose of a double check. It is also imperative that you conclude a contract with the dress seller so that you are covered in the event of a hidden flaw being discovered.

Tip: Make sure the dress you want has measurements as close to yours as possible, so that alterations are minimal.

The Internet is without doubt the best place to search for used clothing. Auction sites, in particular, have an abundance of used clothing items for sale. Have a look at South Africa’s Bid or Buy to get an idea of the extent of the online offering. A major advantage of such online listings is the fact that they are almost always accompanied by images, enabling you to make quick comparisons and to quickly dispense with unsuitable or undesirable dresses. They also boast an outstanding search functionality, allowing you to specify such details as design and brand name. On the down side, online shopping does not offer you the practical advantages of trying the dresses on or inspecting them for imperfections. The bride should also be aware that, given the bidding process that needs to take place, purchasing items through an auction format can be a protracted business.

Those online shoppers who have less time on their hands might prefer to pay a direct visit to online consignment shops that offer immediate purchase and shipping. As a rule, their selection, quality and affordability are on a par with the auction medium.

Did you know? High-end designer wedding dresses sold online can be discounted by as much as 70% off the retail price.

It is a good idea to take your dress to the cleaners as soon as you take delivery of it. After all, the dress is a used one, and you have no way of knowing whether or not it was cleaned after use by its previous owner.

Times are tough, and an ‘abbreviated’ wedding is fast becoming the order of the day. Typically, the wedding dress carries one of the biggest wedding expenses. The second hand gown option replaces that cost with a combination of choice, quality and supreme affordability.

Going for Seconds | Wedding Articles