Wedding Blog
Weddingbee reader Anne L. kindly emailed me about this amazing sale going on in Pennsauken, New Jersey, this Saturday (Valentine’s Day!). The Goodwill location at 5461 Route 70 will be selling wedding gowns. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and these are not just any wedding gowns that women donated from their 1986 wedding (complete with puffy sleeves). Nope, the good people of Goodwill went door-to-door to area bridal stores asking for donations, and acquired modern gowns to sell to the public at very, very generous prices.
This article from 6abc.com says:
Used gowns will sell for about $50, while new designer sample gowns will cost up to $300. A Reem Acra New York that originally sold for about $1200 will cost $250 at the sale. A Jasmine Haute Couture gown that originally sold for about $900 will cost about $200 at the sale.
The store will also have tuxedos, flower girl dresses, and accessories at significant discounts.
Of course, a sale like this does not happen every day, so you might want to arrive before the doors open at 9 AM if you are hoping to get your hands on one of these bargains…. it’s worth a shot, as you never know what a great deal you may find!
These photos aren’t the greatest, but give you a small glimpse into what they’ll be offering. If the sale is successful, it will become an annual event.
Happy shopping!
Goodwill Industries
5461 Route 70
Pennsauken, New Jersey
(856) 662-1650
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Share this post: Attention Philly/NJ brides!
A quick warning to anyone planning to call and ask for more info. I just called to ask if they’ll have anything in plus sizes (I really don’t want to drive 45 minutes first thing on a saturday morning and find they have nothing in my size) and got a giant load of attitude from a store employee, and the answer that no-one has any idea what they have or how many dresses period, because they’re not putting it out on the floor until tomorrow morning, so I should just show up and see.
OR you could let the people who normally shop at Goodwill, who HAVE to shop at Goodwill buy beautiful dresses there that they would never, ever be able to afford anywhere else…
Goodwill does not just exist for people who “have” to shop there. When you buy something from goodwill you are supporting the organization, they hire mentally and physically handicapped workers. So, you aren’t hurting people by buying there, you are helping.
@Deux.: Please don’t judge people so harshly without knowing their situation. I’m well aware that quite a few people on this site will spend more on their dress than we plan on spending on our entire wedding. If they have that to spend, then great… buy the dress of your dreams.
With dresses needed for both my fiancee and I, this is a viable option for us. We’ve already been looking at used dresses online and planning to work on alterations with our mothers, but being able to actually try something on before I buy it would be preferred.
I work in social services, and some of the wedding budgets here exceed my yearly salary. I refuse to go into debt for this (especially since there is no parental contribution to this). Since my girlfriend refuses to elope, we plan on a budget. A very limited budget. Our goal has always been to find both our dresses for less than $750.
So again, please keep your judgments to yourself. You only know YOUR circumstances, not those of any other posters.
That was EXACTLY my point, PsychoCelloChica, that if you truly can’t afford a high-priced wedding dress, then this is a viable option for you, but if you can, and you’re just looking for a good deal, then please let those people who genuinely can afford to spend just $50 on a dress buy their dress at goodwill.
I went to Goodwill this morning in search of a good deal, and I left with a new found respect for the store and their workers. They were all very organized and fully prepared for the chaos that could happen with a line full of brides waiting for their chance to find a deal. Security was there early at 7AM, and they were giving out tickets to people in line by 7:30AM. We were then free to leave and return back at 9AM with our place in line secure without freezing in the cold. Only 15 brides and their party were allowed at a time, and this was great. It gave each bride enough time to look through the racks and not fight each other for the same dress. Workers often came up to me and asked if I needed help. They were all so genuinely nice, and they really wanted to part of each bride’s special bridal dress adventure.
I personally did not find much in my size, but that is to be expected (0-2 street size). The quality of gowns did not impress me either, but I did find a beautiful diamond in the rough. I left with a vintage wedding dress for $24.99! I will post in the boards later about my find.
Thank you Mrs. Cupcake for reminding me about the Goodwill sample sale. It was a great wedding adventure, and I left with such a great story and amazing dress.
@Yin: I’m so glad it worked out for you! It’s nice to know that they were organized and friendly. I would LOVE to see your vintage find!!! Please post in the boards (I’m nosy, hehe). I hope some other brides also left there with gowns they may not have been able to afford otherwise.
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Mrs. Cupcake, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 27, Graphic Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Construction Project Manager
Engagement Date: February 10, 2007
Wedding Date: September, 2008
Blogging Since: December 7, 2007
Venue: The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA
About Me: Mr. Cupcake and I hit it off at a Halloween party and immediately began a long-distance relationship. After two years, he moved to my neck of the woods, and a year and a half after that, he proposed at the “place we fell in love.” I am a true perfectionist who enjoys designing and creating more work for myself, so wedding planning is my perfect outlet. Mr. Cupcake and I are both old souls, and we hope to weave that aspect of our personalities into our wedding day.
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