The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

Bridal
Yes
Say
The spring may bring rain showers,
but that doesn’t stop prom
goers and wedding planners
from having a ball. Each year the dresses
become more extravagant, the parties
push the limits, and girls love having
a reason to get dolled up even if it’s
just for one night. The downfall of this
special time for many families is that
with extravagant design, the price tag
makes even the prettiest of dresses seem
undesirable. The good news though is
that through the power of social media
and online shopping many buyers can
now find dresses that make every budget
happy.
Here in SWLA, every year between
December-May you can usually find a
plethora of formal dresses being sold
on Facebook groups. These ‘sale groups’
as they are known often have a number
of items listed by people all over the
community, but there are also groups
that are specifically for formal wear.
Members of Facebook post to these
groups with an asking price, description
and condition of the dress, and photos.
Through comments and direct messages,
members can schedule time to purchase
and pick up, try on the items, or even just
to view it in person. Many of the dresses
that are listed from SWLA residents have
only been worn one time for 3-4 hours.
With Mardi Gras balls each year, there
for Le$$
By Tori Hebert
Beads, sparkles, and lace! Oh my!
is never a short supply of used, great
condition dresses to choose from!
Check out these Facebook sites to see
what your neighbors have to offer:
• SWLA Formal Wear
• SWLA Formal Swap Shop
• Luxury Ladies of Lake Charles
For a more traditional shopping
experience that can keep your wallet
from a major hit, check out local
businesses for you next formal gown
purchase.
Online shopping is taking over the retail
world, but RentTheRunway.com has
completely changed the game. With this
site, you can search their inventory of
dresses, rent the dress for a significantly
lower price than retail value, and then
after your event simply send the dress
back. You will want to order your dress
in time to send it back if there are any
fitting problems, or you can choose to
order a ‘back-up’ size in case there are any
complications.
Like prom dresses, wedding dresses can
often be a struggle for a tight budget.
Here are some tips to help you find a dress
that will make you, and your budget,
happy on your big day.
It doesn’t take a lot of
money to look your best.
Besides, fabrics fade, but
memories are forever.
1. Talk with other brides
2. Sites like OnceWed.com allow
future brides to see dresses for sale
from previous brides. Some dresses
may have never been worn, and
are often sold at highly discounted
prices.
3. Consider looking at other dresses
that are not specified as bridal
dresses
4. Fashion experts often
recommend looking at bridesmaid
dresses as an alternative to a full
wedding gown. A simpler style cuts
down on cost. Traditional white
may not be available, but Blush and
Ivory dresses are popular alternative
colors for brides.
5. Attend a Sample Sale
6. A sample sale is when a bridal
store sells the dress that brides try
on in store. When you try on a dress,
you are really trying on a sample.
That sample is then ordered in
your size and fit from the designer.
Once the dress is discontinued, the
sample must be sold. These samples
are often reduced by a large margin.
For example, at the time of print,
David’sBridal.com had a dress
listed for $149.49 that is regular
price $449.00. While the dress has
been tried on many times, almost
all the clothes you buy have been.
Don’t let a ‘tester’ dress deter you
from a great deal!
You don’t have to let a tight budget
hold you back from the most
exciting events. It doesn’t take a lot
of money to look your best. Besides,
fabrics fade, but memories are
forever.
Volume 4 • Number 5 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM February 2017 11