Buying the Perfect Second Hand Wedding Dress

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Secondhand_Dress The average Australian wedding costs approximately $30,000 with the wedding dress being one of the biggest purchases. In recent years a huge number of brides have decided to opt for buying their wedding dress second hand. Modern Savvy Brides still want to look like a million dollars but are taking a more practical approach.

For many, spending thousands and thousands on a dress that will only be worn for a few hours is just not something they (or their fiancé) can justify doing. Plus there are the added benefits of reducing the carbon footprint for your wedding by recycling what can be a very labor intensive dress. Luckily for these brides finding a second hand wedding dress is so easy and no longer feels like a budget option. Gone are the days when brides have to trawl through thousands of St Vinnie stores in the hope that they may stumble across an undiscovered treasure. These days there are second hand wedding dress stores that do all the hunting for you and find all the second hand designer wedding dresses in excellent condition so that you just have to pick the one you love best.

From Savvy Brides experience in the second hand dress business, here are a few tips to help you find your dream preloved secondhand wedding dress.

Do your research

Before you begin your search for a preloved second hand wedding dress make sure you do your research. There a plethora of resources for you to use to research what wedding dress appeals to you. The internet and bridal magazines are two good starting points. Look at lots of pictures to see what gowns appeal to you and what styles you like. Try and consider the colours, cuts and types of materials that always stand out for you. This will help you when your search begins.

Be open-minded

After you have done your research and have an idea in your head of what dresses you like, you can begin your hunt for your preowned second hand bridal gown. When you begin, you should try on a number of different styles. For most of us this is the very first time we are buying a long, white dress, so it is hard to know exactly what styles suit us. Try a number of different colours and designs. For some this will confirm that the original style they have in mind is correct, others will be very surprised by the dresses they end up liking.

Think with your head and your heart

A wedding dress is a very emotional purchase. Many girls have fantasized about this day and the dress they will wear since they were a little girl. Others feel that this dress will define them for years to come, but all brides want to look the absolute best they possibly can. When you are trying on preloved second hand wedding dresses it is important that the gown makes you feel beautiful and special. It should put a very large smile on your face! Now for the head part - you also need to think of the type of wedding you are having and what second hand wedding dress will be practical. A heavily beaded gown may not work for a beach wedding and a very large princess style gown may not be ideal for a garden wedding. You also want to make sure you are comfortable. You are going to wear the dress for a whole day and if you feel self conscious or uncomfortable it can really affect your enjoyment of the day.

Take an honest friend or relative

Make sure you take someone with you to look at dresses. Most girls really need a second opinion when choosing their second hand bridal gown. The person you take should be honest and you should value their opinion. Usually a mum, sister or best friend is ideal. If you happen to know someone that has sewing experience, bring them along too. Often second hand wedding dresses need some minor alterations or could do with some small changes. If you have someone with you that can give you some clear advice about this, it can make your search so much easier. It is probably not a good idea to take your mum, aunts, sisters and entire bridal party. With so many different opinions, you will probably get confused and overwhelmed. Just one or two people should be enough.

Be prepared

When you go to try on preowned second hand wedding dresses be sure to wear underwear you feel comfortable in. Try and wear skin-toned or light coloured underwear. It is hard to get an idea of how a delicate lace dress looks when your stark black underwear is showing through! The shop assistant will normally have to help you into your dress and so you want to make sure you are wearing underwear that you are happy for someone else to see you in. It is also a good idea to take a strapless bra and some shoes that are a similar height to what you would like to wear on your wedding day. They don’t have to be the exact shoes, but you want to be able to get an idea of height and whether a dress is going to be too short. Do not wear make-up. The second hand dresses you are trying will all have been dry cleaned and you don’t want to get lipstick or foundation on it.

Be imaginative

It is amazing how much a small alteration can completely change a second hand wedding dress. If you have your heart set on a one shoulder gown, make sure you try on all the strapless dresses. Often these can be altered to have a beautiful strap added which will not only add extra support, but change the whole style of dress. So too can little lace cap sleeves or an added halter neck. A jeweled sash can completely lift a dress and highlight your waist, similarly a contrasting coloured sash can add a modern edge to a second hand wedding dress or match your colour scheme. A vintage broach can add a wow factor to your second hand bridal dress and become your ‘something old’. There are so many things you can do including adding beading or silk flowers or altering the neckline. The options are endless so make sure you get your creative juices flowing!

Think quick

Second hand wedding dress shops usually only have one of each dress. Some can move very quickly and so, when you find the dress you love, it is important to you don’t spend weeks trying to make up your mind because you may miss out. It is a big decision and not one to be taken lightly, but when you find a second hand wedding dress you love, make sure you snap it up quickly!!

Savvy Brides has a large range of beautiful second hand designer wedding dresses. See Our Dresses, make an appointment, and find your dream gown at a fraction of the price.


	Savvy Brides - Designer dresses without the price tag Search Home About Us About Savvy Brides In the Press Testimonals Our Boutique Savvy Buyers Savvy Sellers Our Dresses Size 6 Size 8 Size 10 Size 12 Size 14 Size 16 Accessories Sold Register Contact Us Buying the Perfect Second Hand Wedding Dress Tweet Do you like this? The average Australian wedding costs approximately $30,000 with the wedding dress being one of the biggest purchases. In recent years a huge number of brides have decided to opt for buying their wedding dress second hand. Modern Savvy Brides still want to look like a million dollars but are taking a more practical approach. For many, spending thousands and thousands on a dress that will only be worn for a few hours is just not something they (or their fiancé) can justify doing. Plus there are the added benefits of reducing the carbon footprint for your wedding by recycling what can be a very labor intensive dress. Luckily for these brides finding a second hand wedding dress is so easy and no longer feels like a budget option. Gone are the days when brides have to trawl through thousands of St Vinnie stores in the hope that they may stumble across an undiscovered treasure. These days there are second hand wedding dress stores that do all the hunting for you and find all the second hand designer wedding dresses in excellent condition so that you just have to pick the one you love best. From Savvy Brides experience in the second hand dress business, here are a few tips to help you find your dream preloved secondhand wedding dress. Do your research Before you begin your search for a preloved second hand wedding dress make sure you do your research. There a plethora of resources for you to use to research what wedding dress appeals to you. The internet and bridal magazines are two good starting points. Look at lots of pictures to see what gowns appeal to you and what styles you like. Try and consider the colours, cuts and types of materials that always stand out for you. This will help you when your search begins. Be open-minded After you have done your research and have an idea in your head of what dresses you like, you can begin your hunt for your preowned second hand bridal gown. When you begin, you should try on a number of different styles. For most of us this is the very first time we are buying a long, white dress, so it is hard to know exactly what styles suit us. Try a number of different colours and designs. For some this will confirm that the original style they have in mind is correct, others will be very surprised by the dresses they end up liking. Think with your head and your heart A wedding dress is a very emotional purchase. Many girls have fantasized about this day and the dress they will wear since they were a little girl. Others feel that this dress will define them for years to come, but all brides want to look the absolute best they possibly can. When you are trying on preloved second hand wedding dresses it is important that the gown makes you feel beautiful and special. It should put a very large smile on your face! Now for the head part - you also need to think of the type of wedding you are having and what second hand wedding dress will be practical. A heavily beaded gown may not work for a beach wedding and a very large princess style gown may not be ideal for a garden wedding. You also want to make sure you are comfortable. You are going to wear the dress for a whole day and if you feel self conscious or uncomfortable it can really affect your enjoyment of the day. Take an honest friend or relative Make sure you take someone with you to look at dresses. Most girls really need a second opinion when choosing their second hand bridal gown. The person you take should be honest and you should value their opinion. Usually a mum, sister or best friend is ideal. If you happen to know someone that has sewing experience, bring them along too. Often second hand wedding dresses need some minor alterations or could do with some small changes. If you have someone with you that can give you some clear advice about this, it can make your search so much easier. It is probably not a good idea to take your mum, aunts, sisters and entire bridal party. With so many different opinions, you will probably get confused and overwhelmed. Just one or two people should be enough. Be prepared When you go to try on preowned second hand wedding dresses be sure to wear underwear you feel comfortable in. Try and wear skin-toned or light coloured underwear. It is hard to get an idea of how a delicate lace dress looks when your stark black underwear is showing through! The shop assistant will normally have to help you into your dress and so you want to make sure you are wearing underwear that you are happy for someone else to see you in. It is also a good idea to take a strapless bra and some shoes that are a similar height to what you would like to wear on your wedding day. They don’t have to be the exact shoes, but you want to be able to get an idea of height and whether a dress is going to be too short. Do not wear make-up. The second hand dresses you are trying will all have been dry cleaned and you don’t want to get lipstick or foundation on it. Be imaginative It is amazing how much a small alteration can completely change a second hand wedding dress. If you have your heart set on a one shoulder gown, make sure you try on all the strapless dresses. Often these can be altered to have a beautiful strap added which will not only add extra support, but change the whole style of dress. So too can little lace cap sleeves or an added halter neck. A jeweled sash can completely lift a dress and highlight your waist, similarly a contrasting coloured sash can add a modern edge to a second hand wedding dress or match your colour scheme. A vintage broach can add a wow factor to your second hand bridal dress and become your ‘something old’. There are so many things you can do including adding beading or silk flowers or altering the neckline. The options are endless so make sure you get your creative juices flowing! Think quick Second hand wedding dress shops usually only have one of each dress. Some can move very quickly and so, when you find the dress you love, it is important to you don’t spend weeks trying to make up your mind because you may miss out. It is a big decision and not one to be taken lightly, but when you find a second hand wedding dress you love, make sure you snap it up quickly!! Savvy Brides has a large range of beautiful second hand designer wedding dresses. See Our Dresses, make an appointment, and find your dream gown at a fraction of the price.

Savvy Brides - Designer dresses without the price tag