To be honest, lining up before daybreak outside a department store with 1,000 to 1,500 other women, waiting to burst through the doors, race to the racks, and grab every wedding dress in sight probably isn’t how I’d choose to shop for a bridal gown, if I were in the market again.

However, thousands of brides-to-be and their “helpers” eagerly do just that. For many, a slashed-prices sale on a big-ticket wedding item is incentive enough to venture out while it’s still dark.

Anyway, this morning, I received a press release from Filene’s Basement. And I thought I’d pass along some details that might be helpful to any fashion- and cost-conscious bride-to-be who can embrace the idea of wedding gown shopping as a contact sport. (Or who, like me, relishes the idea of saving a fortune, but who’s not into body checking on the sales floor.)

First, the next Filene’s Basement bridal event will be on February 27th, in New York City. Similar events are planned for other major cities. (Click here for details.)

Next, most gowns are available after the stampede is over: After the first couple of hours, the mayhem subsides. And most of the gowns are still there.

Here’s the helpful Q&A about that point, from the Filene’s Basement Web site:

Q.  What if running and grabbing is not my idea of fun? What if I have to work and can’t get there till later in the day? Will there still be dresses left after the initial “rush to the racks?”

A.  Yes, there will be plenty left to choose from!  When the store opens, the racks get cleared quickly because people take as many as their arms can hold. Not knowing what they’ve grabbed, they quickly relinquish the sizes and styles they don’t want, putting them back on the rack or giving them to empty-handed brides. If a bride gets impatient waiting, we suggest that she and her helpers go have a cup of coffee and come back later–by late morning most of the dresses are back on the racks and you can go through the gowns one by one. Even if you’re not able to come till after work, most of the gowns will still be available. Remember, most of the people in line are helpers, not brides-to-be. For instance in Boston, usually the biggest event, there may be 1000 people in line but only 250 of them are brides-to-be and there are 3000 gowns for sale. The odds are great no matter what time of day you shop.

If you or someone you know decides to go, happy shopping and good luck!

Image courtesy of Filene’s Basement

Filed under: Bridal shower, Family, Uncategorized