Why Pre-Selling a Wedding Dress Makes Sense for Some Brides

A wedding dress can be one of the most joyful, as well as one of the most expensive single purchases a bride makes, often totaling thousands of dollars. Many brides prefer not to skimp on this once-in-a-lifetime purchase, but find that financial limitations make it difficult or impossible for them to afford the dress of their dreams. Others simply find it problematic to justify spending so much on a dress that will be worn only once.

Today, some of these brides are turning to a new financial option: pre-selling wedding dresses. In a wedding dress pre-sale, which might bring about half the retail price of the dress purchased new, the buyer usually pays a deposit and signs a contract agreeing to pay the balance of the purchase price by a certain date. The bride is obligated to deliver the dress on a set date in an agreed-upon condition.

While the idea of selling a wedding gown before it has even been worn may seem unusual, for many brides, there are numerous benefits to making this choice.

Get the Dress You Want. Pre-selling a wedding gown can make the difference between getting the gown that you really want and settling for a less expensive alternative.

Raise Cash for Other Needs. Pre-selling a wedding gown can provide needed cash, which can be used for other wedding expenses, for the honeymoon, to furnish a first home together, or for other financial needs.

Ease Your Guilt. Pre-selling can help to assuage the guilt the financially practical bride feels about spending so much on a gown that she will wear for only a few hours.

In Vogue Styles Easier to Sell. It can be easier to pre-sell a wedding gown than to resell the gown later, since it will be a style that is up-to-date and still being featured in bridal showrooms, where potential buyers can see it, try it on and further appreciate the bargain they will be getting by buying from you.

Make Alterations with Buyer in Mind. If you pre-sell your wedding gown before it is altered, the alterations can be done with the buyer in mind. For example, the seamstress could leave extra material along the seams, so that the gown can be let out later, if need be, and she can add discreet sweat guards. Also, you can ask her to return any material that is removed during the alteration process to you so that you can give it to the buyer, who may find it useful when she has the dress altered to fit her figure.

Wear with Care. Knowing that her dress is pre-sold, a bride can treat it with extra care on her wedding day.

Get the Most for the Dress. Pre-sold wedding dresses generally sell for more than dresses sold after the wedding for the reasons already mentioned, the dress is likely to be a current style, easily alterable, in good condition, and priced right relative to what a bride-to-be would have to pay at the local bridal shop.

Pay the Joy Forward. Pre-selling your wedding gown can help you pass on the joy of your special day to another bride-to-be. It can be a good feeling knowing that your wedding gown soon will bring happiness to another bride.

If you want to pre-sell your wedding dress, start by letting friends and family know about your decision. Also, check out Internet options such as www.preownedweddingdresses.com.

Sources:

www.preownedweddingdresses.com, Pre-Sell a Wedding Dress? (Yes)./PreOwned Wedding Dresses

Jennifer Saranow Schultz, www.nytimes.com, Field Notes - Brides Sell Their Gowns before the Wedding - NYTimes.com