Running of the Brides in Feb

libs20_12120005

Hi. this is my first post since getting engaged in November. I am a limited budget and do not want to spend a lot of money on a dress but would like something nice. My friend told me about Filene's semi-annual running of the brides in February and I saw youtube videos and I was horrified. I heard that an alternative to avoid some of that would be to go around 10 or 11am when some dresses are put back on the racks. 

What do you guys think? Is it worth going to? Do brides really find their dress or do they usually go away empty handed?

thanks for your help

jenwindy

It's worth the trip. There are some great finds if you're lucky. There are still plenty of dresses left at 10-11am.

Galaxy8227

I've had friends go at 10 to avoid the crazy bridezillas and there have been plenty of dresses left.  However, if you're looking for something specific you might want to go earlier when all of them are out, if you aren't too picky then 10 or after should be fine. 

Karen's MOH

There is no way I would go early and be part of the madness (but I get freaked out in crowds.) I have always heard you can go any time after 10 or so and there are lots of nice dresses left, and  they hung up on racks, not being clutched by a crazy bride and bartered for your first born. Also, I have heard it is easy to get carried away with the deal you are getting, only to get home and realize it isn't really the dress you want after all. I would think going later when you can be slightly more relaxed would help to avoid that. But I do know people who have found dresses they loved so I would say it's worth a shot.

kmm2150

I went to the crazy rush, thinking it would just be a fun experience, but found a dress that I loved and was a perfect fit in under an hour for $250.  It was crazy, but fun and (most) people were very nice - another girl's mom helped me get zipped and unzipped while my friends were away bartering - definitely bring friends. There were plenty left later in the day (I left my credit card at the counter and had to go back around 10:30).  I would say though, that if you're "average" sized (in the size 4-10 "normal clothing size" range), and if you want something that's pretty in-style right now - strapless, a-line, etc., you'll have a harder time - those are what go first, while larger and smaller sizes and more unusual dresses are left later in the day.

DirtyWater

Bella Sera in Danvers, MA just extended their version of the Running of the Brides.  For This weekend I believe.  Give them a call.  They're offering up to 70% off.  They are awesome to work with. 

raphninja

I got my $6,000 gown there for $700 and I went at 4:30 in the afternoon.  I love it.  It's so much fun!  I've been 4 times!  Just for fun.  lol.  Go for it.  You never know.  Good luck!

libs20_12120005

thank you everyone for all your advice! i'm definitely going to do it and maybe go to bella sera  as well

LoveAdopted

I was going to go to the ROB in August, same as you around 10-11. I ended up finding my dress the week before, but here are some tips I heard from when I was planning to go:

Wear a swimsuit/tight shorts + tank because there are no dressing rooms, so you certainly won't be alone when trying on dresses.

Bring a mirror.. I don't remember if there are any at all or if they were hard to come by

Bring a digital camera so you can look back and compare them

Bring as many people as you can, and if you need to, designate one person to "guard" your gowns while others look for more. I don't know how necessary this would be later in the day though.

HTH!

heleng5

Hello, I'm new to this board
I love bargains! especially for my wedding dress
I'm very petite, so just wanna ask from your experience, are there a decent selection of size 0/2/4 dresses to choose from? I was told from a bridal store which sells sample dresses that it will be hard (and expensive) to alter a size 8 or larger dress to fit me
I understand that most sample dresses are 8-10 so i am still deciding whether i should go

junelley

@heleng5 - expect to have to alter the dresses.  Most of the samples are size 8 up.  I am a size 2/4, and bridal size 8 would have worked for me (so I was told).  I would have gotten a dress if I had found one I loved at the RotB.  The rule of thumb is to not buy something that's 2 sizes bigger than your size, otherwise, the seamstress should be able to alter it.  Also a good seamstress would seem to be able to work wonders, just as jenwindy, whose seamstress altered her size 10 dress (if I rememeber correctly) down to size 0 and it looked marvelous on her!