Nashville weddings

Is a Sample Gown Right For You? We Ask the Expert, Oakwood Cleaners

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

With how the economy is these days, we aren't as quick to splurge as we might have been before.  Brides are becoming more budget conscious with wedding planning and luckily there are plenty of ways for budget brides to bring down the total cost with D.I.Y. ideas and making smart decisions! 

One approach we're seeing more is buying a gown from a sample sale where you could find your dream designer gown at a much lower price.  With that lower price tag comes a few caveats - the gowns have been worn over and over and are by no means pristine.  They may even be a discontinued style.  However, they are still original designs from big names like Amsale or Badgley Mischka or even Vera Wang and you really can't beat that.

To help you make smart decisions when going to the upcoming sample sales we spoke to Surendra Kumar, owner of Oakwood Cleaners the go-to wedding gown care specialist for many of Nashville's best bridal boutiques.  As a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (which you should learn about), we got his sage advice for you on shopping for a sample sale gown:

Has there been an increase in girls bringing sample gowns to you?
We see tons and tons of sample gowns and we're seeing more now because in this economy stores can’t afford to keep them sitting around for too long. They have sample sales to move the bridal gowns from prior seasons.

What should girls expect when going to a sample sale?
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 and things like that because some gowns have so many layers you might miss it, so make sure you look at them carefully.

Should these stains be cause for concern?
Most of it is surface dirt so cleaning it won't cause the gown to lose its lustre.  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 experienced gown cleaners) will clean and fix what they can.

How much can this cost?
It varies based on material and layers.  The more complicated the gown, the more work that goes into cleaning it.

Are there limitations to what can or cannot be fixed? For example, beading or elaborate embroidery on gowns?
The gown in these pictures is from a sample sale (SEE UPDATE BELOW).  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.  For gowns with individual stones set in large prongs, you can't take them off and it's harder to clean around it.  Be aware of these details and check with the cleaner you are going to.

Flaws can be gotten rid of! Oakwood Cleaners will mend any tears and modify the neckline to hide two very tiny rips right above the bust.

How much time does should the bride allow between time of purchase, cleaning and alterations?
In this current case, the bride is getting married in the fall so her first fitting will be in June.  She is opting to have the modifications and alterations done first, with the cleaning done after the final fitting.  Some brides will opt to go for the other route of cleaning it first, then alterations. Allow 8-12 weeks including tailoring.

"The bride is petite so any wear and tear in the hem will be fixed when we hem the gown." - Surendra Kumar

What should the girls keep in mind?

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. Two or three sizes bigger and it’s not going to alter well.

3) Ask whether price 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.

4) Ask your gown specialist the cost for alterations.

5) Ask yourself if you are willing to compromise a (new) gown for a good price on a sample gown.

So ladies, this weekend when you head to the Goodwill Gala or to b. Hughes Bridal's sample sale, or next week to the sample sale at The Bride Room, keep these tips in mind and enjoy the shopping process.  You never know, you may just find your dream gown and come out ahead of your wedding budget!

UPDATE: The lovely bride whose sample gown is in this post has made the gown available for purchase for $475. The gown is by Lazaro, Style 3164 in a size 10 (street size 8) originally priced at $2,970.  The gown has never been worn outside of the boutique it was from. This is a fantastic deal!  Leave a comment and we will put you in touch with the bride.

About the Author:

Tabitha

Blogging is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. My interests lie mostly in lifestyle related topics like fashion, style, design, food and weddings. When I heard Ashley was looking to bring on new members to the ABG team, I jumped at the opportunity - I can’t think of a better way to stay involved in weddings than to write about them and to stay in touch with the trends and new ideas. Lucky for me, Ashley likes my blog and trusts my experience to bring me on and so far, it’s been a blast.

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send   Posted on March 16, 2010 | Filed under: Advice & Planning, Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories