Why Should I Buy a Sample Wedding Dress?
Planning a wedding is a magical experience, but it’s no secret that it can also be an expensive one. From the venue to the catering, flowers, and photographer, the costs can quickly add up. However, when it comes to finding the perfect wedding dress, there's one sure way to save big without sacrificing style or quality: buying a sample wedding dress!
At special order boutiques, brides try on sample gowns until they find their favorite. Once they say yes to the dress, the boutique puts the sample gown back on the rack and orders a new, customized one in the bride’s size and shade. Six to nine months later, it’s ready for pick-up and alterations.
Buying a sample gown is different! When you find the dress of your dreams, we don’t put it back; we lovingly zip it into a garment bag and send it home with you that very day.
Here's why purchasing a sample wedding dress could be one of the best decisions you make during your wedding planning journey + what makes Luxe Redux the best experience for finding yours:
To Save Money
Weddings can be expensive! When you find a sample dress that you love, you're saving hundreds [+ sometimes thousands!] of dollars to wear one of your favorite designers down the aisle! Luxe Redux Bridal offers high-end designer gowns for 20-90% off retail price, so it’s no wonder our brides leave our boutiques feeling like they won the lottery! Sample gowns are gowns that have been used by special order bridal boutiques as a display or fitting dresses for brides to try on, meaning they've never been worn by a bride on their wedding day.
Luxe Redux partners with hundreds of special order boutiques around the country to assist them in giving new life to their bridal gown inventory that they no longer have room for. These dresses, although still stunning and in great condition, often need to be pushed out to make room for new collections.
With the average wedding dress costing anywhere between $1,500 to $3,000 (and some designer gowns reaching upwards of $10,000), buying a sample can make a world of difference to your wedding budget. You’ll get the same luxury look, minus the heavy price tag.
To Accommodate a Shorter Timeline
One of the best parts of purchasing a sample wedding gown is that you get to take your dream dress home the same day you say YES — no wait time here! Unlike traditional made-to-order wedding dresses, which can take anywhere from four to six months (or even longer) to arrive after ordering, our sample wedding dresses are available right away. If you're working with a shorter timeline or simply don’t want to wait for months before receiving your gown, buying a sample is a fantastic option! Whether you’re planning a wedding in the next few weeks or need a last-minute replacement for a gown that didn’t work out, sample dresses can save you precious time.
Armed with tips for storage and care from our expert stylists, we'll send you with your gown, any bridal accessories that you purchased, and our recommended seamstress in your area!
Need a wedding gown fast? Shop ready to ship last minute wedding dresses online.
To Choose a More Sustainable Option
If you're a bride-to-be who values sustainability, buying a sample wedding dress is a great choice. By purchasing a sample gown, you are giving it a second life and keeping it out of landfills. Sustainable fashion is more important than ever, and opting for a sample wedding dress is a meaningful way to reduce waste while still looking fabulous on your wedding day.
When you say yes to a sample bridal gown, you're purchasing a gown that has already been made, instead of allowing a completely new garment to be put into production! You can rest assured knowing you [+ your wedding] have done your part to shop sustainably!
To Find Something More Unique
One of the most exciting things about shopping for a sample wedding dress is the potential for discovering a one-of-a-kind gown. Some sample dresses are from previous collections that are no longer available, so buying one allows you to own a rare piece. You'll have the chance to find a dress that no one else has, which can make your wedding day even more special. Shopping with a sample bridal boutique gives you the opportunity to find unique, one-of-a-kind wedding dresses that you may not be able to find anywhere else!
Our experience is truly a dream. When you walk in, you're greeted by a sparkling chandelier, beautiful decor + dreamy dresses hung up in a row! You'll have an appointment with one of our expert stylists - who you'll want to be besties with by the end!
FAQs
1. What is a sample wedding dress?
A sample wedding dress is a gown that has been used in special order bridal boutiques for display and try-ons by brides. These dresses have not been worn for a wedding, but they may have been tried on by customers in the store. Luxe Redux partners with authorized bridal retailers nationwide to curate our exclusive collection of designer sample gowns. These stunning dresses, while still in excellent condition, often need to be cleared out of special order boutiques to make space for new collections and styles.
2. Why are these wedding dresses sold at a discount?
We take great pride in our inventory! In fact, each dress that graces our boutiques is personally handpicked, ensuring it meets our high standards. If a gown arrives and it doesn't meet our standards, we send it back to its original home. Now, real talk: we do accept samples that may need a little extra love. This may include a loose button or broken zipper, but we're confident that a skilled seamstress can fix these imperfections. The best part? These minor imperfections mean major discounts! We believe in full transparency, so we’ll always clearly note any flaws or imperfections in the gown’s description as soon as it arrives.
3. Can I alter a sample wedding dress?
Alterations are a game changer and are necessary for any bridal gown, whether you purchase a designer sample gown with us or order a brand new dress from a traditional boutique! All of our stylists are highly trained in understanding what can be altered, and can recommend trusted seamstresses who can modify the dress for the right fit and any other customizations you might want (like adding sleeves, adjusting the length, or changing the neckline).
4. Are sample wedding dresses available in every size?
Luxe Redux Bridal gives our brides even more reasons to purchase a sample gown! While the majority of our samples are bridal sizes 10, 12, + 14, we've made it our passion project to carry gowns from sizes 0 - 28+! We even have our own private label brand of bridal gowns, Luxe Privée, that is intentionally imagined for the Luxe Redux Bride, offering a blend of on-trend styles, inclusive size options, and accessible price points.
Buying a sample wedding dress is a fantastic option for brides who want to save money, enjoy the luxury of designer gowns, and find a unique, high-quality dress that fits their timeline. With the added perks of customization, sustainability, and exclusivity, it’s a smart choice that helps you look and feel your best without breaking the bank. So, if you’re on the hunt for your dream dress for less, visit one of our brick-and-mortar boutiques, or shop online —your perfect gown is waiting for you!
