What to Know Before Buying a Sample Wedding Dress

Perhaps you’ve heard about sample wedding dresses and what a steal they can be on the financial front, or maybe you’ve heard from brides with regrets over the whole experience. Or maybe you’re completely new to the sample scene. Whatever you may or may not have heard, Avery Austin is here to fill you in on all you need to know before buying a sample wedding dress so both you and your budget can be happy! Whether you’re buying a sample wedding dress off the rack or online, there are several things you should keep in mind in order to get the gown of your dreams at a price that makes you smile. For starters, let’s be clear about what a sample wedding dress is, then we’ll jump into everything else you need to know to make an educated purchase.

What is a Sample Wedding Dress?

Sample wedding dresses are typically last-season styles that bridal retailers are looking to clear, usually at bargain prices that brides are sure to love! Since they first came out the previous season, these styles have been on the rack or shipped out for brides to try on, so this is factored into the discount too.

Is it Worth Buying a Sample Wedding Dress?

It’s absolutely worth buying a sample wedding dress as long as you are prepared and focused on settling for nothing less than what you want within your budget! Jumping right into buying a wedding dress off the rack without the proper preparations can lead to buyers remorse later, so let’s make sure you’ve got the knowledge you need to snag a stunning gown at a price that makes you happy too. We’ll start by checking out some of the benefits of buying a sample wedding dress, then we’ll check out what you need to know before buying a sample wedding dress to make the whole experience totally worth it.

Perks to Buying a Sample Wedding Dress

• Quality Designer Brands Become Affordable: Maybe there’s a certain wedding dress designer you have absolutely adored since long before you were engaged, but the pricing for that brand has been hundreds or thousands of dollars out of reach. Sample wedding dress sales can make those dreams financially possible for brides every year! Wondering how much cheaper sample wedding dresses are? On average, sample wedding dresses are 20 to 40% off the original retail price, which can absolutely save brides hundreds or thousands of dollars in many cases!
• Immediately Available: Since you are buying a sample wedding dress right off the rack, you are walking out with your bridal gown the same day you decide to purchase it. This means zero worries about whether or not your gown will be shipped and delivered in time for your wedding day, and it makes it possible for brides who have a really tight timeline to get a gorgeous style right away.
  
• Last-Season Means One-of-a-Kind this Year: Since sample wedding dresses feature the popular designs of previous seasons, there’s a good chance you’re about to get your hands on beautiful designs and features that have been discontinued and are no longer available this year. This is particularly special for brides who had fallen in love with a discontinued feature and have been searching for it among this season’s styles in vain. In this sense, sample wedding dresses really are like getting your hands on something you won’t find anywhere else, because they simply aren’t being made like that anymore.
• Eco-Friendly: Instead of special ordering a style to have a whole new gown made, buying a wedding dress off the rack that has already been produced is a great way to make an environmentally-conscious choice.
• Shop Bridal Salons or Online: While most of us assume that sample wedding dresses are purchased off the rack during special event sales at bridal salons, you can actually also shop sample wedding dresses online. The availability of sample wedding dresses both in person and online makes them easily accessible to brides everywhere. When shopping for sample wedding dresses online, you can often purchase them directly from sale collections listed on your preferred bridal retailer website. For example, Avery Austin’s collection of wedding dresses on sale includes an assortment of affordable styles and sample gowns at prices you’re sure to love! Any styles that are discounted samples are clearly labeled in the dress descriptions, so you know exactly what to expect. Another way to buy a sample wedding dress online is to purchase a style you’ve tried on at home. Avery Austin’s Try at Home Program allows you to try on up to three sample wedding dresses at a time, and if you fall in love with one of the samples, you have the option to purchase it at a 15% discount!

6 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Sample Wedding Dress

1. The Condition of the Sample: Most bridal retailers, like Avery Austin, conduct a thorough inspection of their sample wedding dresses before listing them for sale in order to ensure that their brides are still receiving a high-quality design at a great deal. Even so, it’s still in a bride’s best interest to give a sample bridal gown a good look over before making a purchase since many of these styles have been available for brides to try on for up to a year. You want to be aware of anything that might need to be repaired or altered, so you can decide if you want to bring up any concerns with your seamstress or if you want to just return the sample to the rack and continue shopping for another style that might be easier for you to have altered to suit you. Key areas to check over closely include the train and hem for any dirt or damage from sweeping against the floor, the armpits for any sweat or deodorant stains, the side seams and zipper for any strain, and intricate beaded embellishments, lace, or netting for damage.
2. The Return Policy: Honestly, most sample wedding dresses are final sale items, which means the purchase is final and the dress cannot be returned. It’s best to be 100% sure of this before buying a sample bridal gown, as this might make or break your decision to move forward with your purchase since you can’t just change your mind later.
3. Your Budget: Include more than just the discounted price of the gown, as alterations will most likely be needed and maybe even some minor dry cleaning (if the hem or train, for example, is in need of some TLC). Not only might the sample wedding dress need some repairs for minor imperfections, but you might need to have it altered down to the proper size for you since your actual size might not have been available. Knowing your budget right from the start means you are ready to buy a sample wedding dress you love right then and there, which is important because there are no holds for the limited availability of the discounted styles and sizes. For more advice on making your budget and preparing for your wedding, check out Avery Austin’s blog that covers 10 wedding planning tips from our experts (making a budget is tip #2!).
4. What You Want: Samples are first come, first served, and what’s available is what you can get…so you need to know what you are looking for in terms of style and size, as well as what you are willing to spend, so that you can make a decision on the spot to either purchase it or pass on it. This means doing your research and trying on dresses before diving into any sample sale events. By going dress shopping in advance, you have a good idea of the sizing and features you love ahead of time and can focus on looking for what you want at a price you love instead of jumping into a purchase impulsively simply because it’s a great deal. Take a look at Avery Austin’s How to Prepare for Wedding Dress Shopping blog for everything you need to know before you go to try on dresses.
5. You Can Ask Questions: You’re allowed! Any and every concern from how a style fits to recommendations on how to style a sample dress with coordinating accessories—you can ask it all before buying a sample wedding dress just like you can for any other gowns. Did you already inquire about the return policy? How about holding policies? While most bridal retailers will not hold sample wedding dresses, some will allow you to put a deposit down on a dress for them to hold. You won’t know until you ask!
   
6. To Prepare for Crowds: Just imagine how many other bargain-savvy brides are out there ready to get a gorgeous designer gown at a discount, just like you! Especially during sample sale events, prepare to encounter crowded racks, pop-up fitting rooms, and limited sizes for coveted styles that can make you feel even more pressured to act fast. The best way to avoid an impulsive choice that you might later regret is to be fully prepared regarding the previous tips on your budget and what you want, to shop on weekdays, or to shop for your sample wedding dress online!

 

With everything you need to know about buying a sample wedding dress circling your mind, give yourself a chance for the information to settle, then, when you’re ready, have fun diving into the research and dress shopping experience! Don’t hesitate to ask our bridal stylists any and every question on your mind when it comes to buying sample wedding dresses and more—we love helping brides find their dream gowns!