Preloved Bridal Salons

Personally I’d love it. I buy loads of 2nd hand stuff on eBay but just don’t think I’ll be risking it for a wedding dress as fit is so critical and not being able to try it on (or return it) puts me off of buying higher cost stuff. I’d love to be able to go somewhere that I can actually try before I buy.

I went to a pre loved bridal shop in Edinburgh called Bliss and it was amazing! There was a mix of preloved dresses, ex sample dresses etc and the shopping experience was better than some of the standard shops I went to. Unfortunately I didn’t find my dress there, but I would definitely recommend it!

I would definitely have been interested in a pre-loved boutique you could visit and still have the 'experience'. I spent a lot of time looking at Still White (online) but was absolutely put off that you couldn't try before you buy!

I would definitely be interested in shopping at a pre-loved shop if I had the option in my local area. I think it's a great idea! If I could find a great dress second-hand I'd be delighted and it's much more environmentally friendly.

Hi everyone, and thank you for your comments!

Personally, I would have definitely bought a pre-loved dress, but as you've all mentioned, the on-line experience is such a negative one, with not being able to try before you buy and not return an item if it doesn't fit or suit.

I bought my dress at Wed2B because of their price point, I really was adamant that I didn't want to spend crazy money on a dress which would (in all honesty) only be worn the once. Yes, I know dresses "can" be altered to be worn again, but I wonder how many actually are? I still think that paying £500 is too much (my dress was £599 and it will need another £125 worth of alterations!), and I would love to be able to give brides, MOGs, MOBs, and BMs the opportunity to buy a preloved item at a variety of price points.

If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. I am seriously thinking of conducting some online market research to investigate this further. Budget conscious, environmentally friendly Brides and their entourages DESERVE the full shopping experience just as much as those with more money to spend, in my opinion!

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I’m looking there too, and have the same problem. Because I’m short, it’s really difficult to know how dresses will look or how much they could be altered.

View quoted message I’ve bought my dress from Bridal Reloved and it was a very positive experience. As a second time around 50 something, I had no interest in spending a huge amount on a wedding dress but I still wanted something bridal. Buying a dress is a very personal and emotional purchase and I didn’t want to be short changed on that experience just because I’m older. I went along to a store near me and I was given a very personal experience, it was just me and the shop owner and she pulled lots of dresses for me to try. There was no pressure to buy but eventually she pulled one which was everything I said I didn’t want and that was it. I bought it there and then. My dress will need to be altered and I’m using the recommended seamstress so I’m confident it’s going to be right, if my wedding day ever arrives! I think far more people are open to preloved these days, my dress is brand new, it was just end of stock and I think the pandemic will make a lot of people reprioritise their spending so I think it would be popular.

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Hi Jacqueline,

I'm so glad you had such a positive experience! I'm an older and second time bride, too. My Wed2B experience was fine, but obviously there are no "frills" in the experience there!

The more I think about this idea, the more excited I am getting about it! Even been researching potential premises - more likely to rent a commerical unit somewhere appropriate than a shop front, though!

Here I am again, ladies!

I have been online researching potential premises, and commerical units are much more affordable than a traditional shop front. More along the lines of Curves & Couture in Curvy Brides - somewhere I can customise, has plenty of free parking and is relatively easy to get to.

Would just like to ask you all, do you think that a commercial unit would be off-putting to potential customers as opposed to a shop front?

I am thinking of approaching a couple of farms on the very outskirts of Liverpool as they have reinvented themselves as Farm Shops, Coffee Shops and one is even a Wedding Barn now!

So they would be semi-rural (pretty), with plenty of free parking, easy to find, and very close to home for me. Downside would be no passing footfall (but if you work on an appointments system is that really an issue?) may need to refit a space, may be restricted by the opening times of the main concerns.

Once again, I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

Cheers

Ali xx

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Personally I think I’d prefer it in some ways as you will probably have more room and there’s a bit more privacy with people not walking past all the time. Maybe you could decorate the outside of the building if there are no windows to make it feel a bit special? If you can get somewhere with nearby complementary businesses so much the better. I’m disappointed you’ll be the opposite end of the country to me! Good luck, sounds a great idea.

View quoted message I wish you all the good luck with your new venture in my home city! Did you buy from Wed2B at the Pier Head? I bought my bridesmaids dresses from there and they were perfunctory rather than personal I have to admit but it was fine for what I wanted. That said I think we all deserve a special experience when it comes to your bridal dress. A lot of bridal shops down here charge £200 plus to store your dress after you’ve bought it which I think is outrageous but the store I used didn’t do that. Good job really because she’s had it for over 19 months!

Sorry just read your post about premises. Personally I don’t think it matters if you’re in a rural setting. I’d much rather go to a seller who gives me an appointment and the time to give me the personal experience so I would seek that out. I’d rather that than a big store rammed with people all fighting for attention. I know it’s slightly different but we bought our engagement ring from a work shop. The ‘shop’ part of which is set in an out of the way old barn in the countryside in Oxfordshire. The address isn’t on the website, you’re given that once you’ve booked an appointment. We chose him because he was more than half price of a chain jeweller who pay huge rates etc and pass it on to the customer. The Curvy Brides shop is lovely on the inside but it’s their customer service that really sells it rather than the shop front.

Hi Jacqueline,

Yes, I did get my wedding dress at the Pier Head Wed2B. Unfortunately, it has now been stuck in a dress box at the bottom of my wardrobe since May 2019, as we had to postpone our September 2020 wedding. Not sure whether this dress will make it to the new date! Maybe it might end up as the first of my stock instead?

I've worked in Customer Service for long periods in between other ventures and careers, and I have been self employed before as a vintage homewares sole trader, so I think I have all the necessary skills. Just need to find suitable premises!

I'll invite you all to the launch party!

Many thanks for all your feedback, much appreciated as always!

Ali xx

View quoted message Hi Ali
If you do go ahead I have a brand new never work dress called Constance from Wed2b plus an underskirt and two belts and veil and veil topped that I am looking to sell - they were for a postponed wedding and our new wedding is so different I have brought a second dress! Xx

Hi Helen

Thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that! It's VERY early days yet, but who knows what will happen!

I'm just excited at the prospect of helping Brides recoup some of their costs, help new Brides find a quality, affordable gown, give them a great experience, and reduce waste! I'm also keen to provide body-postive gowns and shopping experiences for those of us (me included) who are more buxom and plumptious!

I looked at the (very) few stores which sell pre-loved wedding gowns, and I have to say that some of them (most, actually), were very snobby about not accepting dresses from anyone other than high-end names.

Even pre=loved high-end gowns still retail at way beyond quite a lot of Brides' budgets, so I am hoping to be as inclusive, encouraging, welcoming and environmentally friendly as possible.

I have even found a few suppliers of second hand retail fixings and furniture!

Last thought - I have a name for the (potential) business, please let me know what you think about

"Brideal Boutique"

I thought it encompassed the "Bridal", "ideal", and "deal" ideas, without making me sound like a bargain basement store! I want to let people know that they will get value for money without having to compromise on their ideas and choices.

Cheers

Ali

I think it's a great idea. I really wanted to buy second hand, but there wasn't anywhere near me and I didn't want to buy online when I couldn't return. I did end up finding a dress for under £300 from a mail order company, and I'm hoping I can dye it and rewear it to make it more sustainable, but pre-loved would have been my preference.

Regarding location, I'd rather visit an out of town place for something like wedding dress shopping. It's not the kind of thing you just do on a whim, so most people are going to be researching online where they would like to shop and calling or emailing to enquire first. And although having a nice location adds to the experience, I'd rather somewhere more basic with lower prices than feel I'm paying £££s extra for all the trimmings!

Well, they do say to strike whilst the iron is hot! I'm viewing potential premises next week!!!

Hi Ali,

I love your idea!

I bought my dresses at Bridal Reloved in Wakefield and ended up buying 3 dresses instead of one (ceremony dress, evening dress and townhall wedding dress) and still spent less than a new dress without the waiting time of 6-12 months.

There are smaller pre-loved salons dotted around where I am (Oxford), but I think there could definitely be more. I can't understand why anyone would pay 3k for a dress if they can get the same dress for less than 1k and will only need minor alterations.

Your concept of an affiliated seamstress and free parking sounds great, as does giving the wedding dress trying on experience. There is also a gap in the market for dresses in sizes 16 and up, so if I were to open a salon, I'd offer a wider selection of these alongside a good portion of "you're beautiful as you are and don't need to change for a dress" like the ladies at the Curvy Brides Boutique.

I love your ideas and would love to discuss if you like ( I work in Brand Marketing) and am happy to help!

Christine xx

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Oooh, that's exciting! Let us know how you get on! I think it's a really good time to be starting something like this, as the wedding business is going to go crazy in the next year or two with all the couples who have postponed from 2020 and 2021. And your Hitched buddies will all be rooting for you xxx

View quoted message I hear you, sister! I'm now a size 14 from a size 24, and I know what it's like trying to fing formal/occasion wear as a curvier gal!


Brideal Boutique strapline is "gowns that don't cost the earth". I'll be all about Pre-Loved, Curvy and Vintage gowns!

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This is amazing!

I love your concept!

I love the idea of a Preloved wedding dress, good luck with your venture! I went to 2 boutiques that had preloved wedding dresses, however both had very limited choices (I was looking for something quite modern), so I ended up with a new dress on the end. I would love to sell my dress eventually- with the right advertising it could be a physical version of still white (which is great, but of course you can't try anything on)

View quoted message Thanks! Super excited /nervous!

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I love the strapline because it sums up all the benefits in one line - gowns that cost less AND help protect the environment. Fab.

Well, first premises viewed and it's a "No" from me. I would have to install a false ceiling, flooring, heating and air con. I went to view a newly refurbed industrial unit (there's a wedding bakery 2 doors down), but was concerned about the noise and dirt from my neighbours. The unit size was ideal, but I would need to spend about £5000 just to make it habitable!

I'm going to view my preferred location on Tuesday, a former office building, circa 1918, with large Georgian style windows. Plenty of free parking and it's on a main road, quite near the motorway, so handy for out-of towners! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Ali xx

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Could be the best of both worlds - parking but also lovely windows for displays!

Hi all.

I have started a new discussion asking for people's experiences of bridal shopping. If you could spare me literally 2 mins to tell me about your experiences, I would be very grateful!

Invites to the launch party all round!

Cheers

Ali xx

HI all

Just a quick update to let you know that with your support, I am about to open my pre-loved bridal boutique! In just the 6 weeks since I first posted on here, I have found premises and furniture, sourced stock, created social media accounts, a website and I'm about to order my stationery!

Please say hello to Blue & Sixpence Bridal! Launch party to follow! I'd put a link to the website but I don't want people to think this is a scam post, been too many of them on here lately!

Thanks for all your advice, support and feedback, you've all really helped!

Cheers

Ali xx

Hello
I am looking for bridesmaids dresses and live locally.
When do you open. Please message me your Web address or details. Thanks

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How exciting! Good luck to you - I only wish I lived anywhere near Liverpool, as this is exactly the kind of wedding dress shopping experience I would be looking for!

I've found your website and think it looks fab - so professional and informative yet personable too. I am a huge believer in a good website and will choose one company over another based on the quality of its website, so well done on that too!

View quoted message That’s amazing! Congratulations on your new venture

Oooh, I've just managed to track down your website - it looks AMAZING!!!!

All the best for the launch xxx