Preparing To Buy a Pre-Owned or Sample Dress? Learn What Can be Altered, Cleaned, Fixed from Oakwood
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Brides have been finding more and more ways to save money while still having the wedding of their dreams. One way that many brides are choosing to cut costs is to buy their wedding dress at a sample sale. You can find a designer dress at a much lower price tag, as long as you are comfortable with the dress possibly being less-than-perfect.
To help you learn what you need to know before considering a pre-owned gown or sample sale, read today's advice from Rhonda Wernick, owner of Nashville's Oakwood Cleaners. Oakwood is the go-to gown care specialist for many of Nashville’s best bridal boutiques.
ABG: Have you seen an increase in brides bringing sample gowns in?
Oakwood Cleaners: We see a plethora of sample gowns. Purchasing a sample is a great way for the bride-to-be to acquire a dress they might not have even looked at before and an effective way for the bridal boutiques to refresh inventory.
ABG: What can brides expect when going to a sample sale?
Oakwood Cleaners: Expect some stains around the arms and the hem where the gowns have made contact with shop floors - the more popular a gown, the dirtier it will be. Watch for tears, snags, and other imperfections that might not be apparent at first glance. Be sure to check all the layers thoroughly to make sure you recognize any existing problems; most will be insignificant, but some might make a difference in cleaning or altering the gown.
ABG: Should stains or tears be cause for concern?
Oakwood Cleaners: Most of it is surface dirt so cleaning it won't cause the gown to lose its luster. These gowns weren't dragged in dirt and aren't as soiled as a gown worn on an actual wedding day - most gowns can be cleaned, modified and altered to hide any signs of damage. Even if a lace gown has a tear, as long as you are aware of what you have purchased, Oakwood (and other experienced gown cleaners) will clean and fix what they can.
A bow on a sample dress that was torn.
ABG: How much can this cost?
Oakwood Cleaners: Cost can vary based on material and layers. The more complicated the gown, the more work that goes into cleaning it. We are more than happy to offer consultations with no obligation so you know how to move forward.
The same sample dress bow, after Oakwood Cleaners fixed it!
ABG: Are there limitations to what can or cannot be fixed? For example, beading or elaborate embroidery on gowns?
Oakwood Cleaners: The gown in these pictures is from a sample sale. In this case, the beadwork is all one piece, so it is easier to clean because we will remove the entire piece, clean the gown, and sew the beading back on. Individual stones set in large prongs on gowns cannot be removed and add to the difficulty of cleaning. Be aware of these details and check with the cleaner you are going to for their opinion.
ABG: How much time should the bride allow between time of purchase, cleaning and alterations?
Oakwood Cleaners: There are two options that brides have when they purchase a dress from a sample sale. First, they can have the dress cleaned and then altered as needed. The other option is to have the modifications and alterations done first, with the cleaning done after the final fitting. To be safe, you should allow 8-12 weeks including tailoring.
ABG: What should brides keep in mind when deciding to purchase a sample gown?
Oakwood Cleaners:
1) First and foremost, you need to know whether the gown can be cleaned. Yes, it almost always can be.
2) You don’t want to buy something that’s more than one size bigger. Altering a gown larger than that can cost more than the gown and also might compromise the way the gown hangs.
3) Ask whether price of the gown includes cleaning or will you have to clean yourself.
4) Ask whether the cleaner specializes in bridal gowns. Know that not every cleaner knows how to clean wedding gowns; there are very few dry cleaners who will take the risk of cleaning something with elaborate work. Oakwood Cleaners uses an environmentally friendly cleaning process that is gentle on delicate fabrics, has no odors and will help insure that your gown looks as good as new.
5) Ask your gown specialist the cost for alterations.
6) Ask yourself if you are willing to trade having a new gown for a good price on a sample gown.
Take Rhonda’s advice and be aware when purchasing a sample gown. Have fun shopping and good luck finding your perfect dress!
All images courtesy of Oakwood Cleaners.
About the Author:
Newlywed Sara
I was so excited when I came across Ashley’s Bride Guide during my wedding planning process. I had been in a bunch of weddings, but hardly any in Nashville so I was starting from scratch. It was a great resource for us to get ideas and find vendors as we planned our big day. I am so excited to be able to add to the information for Nashville brides and help them create the day of their dreams! As a newlywed (3 weeks down!), I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to all those brides-to-be out there! I loved weddings before, and after going through the planning and execution of our own wedding, I feel blessed to be able to share everything we learned with other Nashville couples!
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Posted on March 28, 2012 |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, DIY & Budget Wed Finds
