Any Experience with Brides Against Breast Cancer?

LindbeES

I came across the Brides Against Breast Cancer website recently and am excited about the opportunity of attending one of their upcoming shows in Minneapolis, MN. I love the idea of supporting the breast cancer cause when purchasing my dress and recycling beautiful wedding dresses! 

But I also am unsure of what to expect with this event. The site mentions being able to try on the dresses, but I am assuming this is nothing like a bridal boutique experience. Has anyone attended a Brides Against Breast Cancer show and would you be willing to share your thoughts on it?

 I guess I am unsure of how many people I should bring with me too (Mother, soon to be mother-in-law, and Grandmother??) and if I should consider going to a bridal boutique first to get a better idea of what I want. Thank you!!

Maggie0829

I have never been to one of these events but what you mentioned about trying on dresses before hand to have an idea of what you would like is a great idea.

I am guessing at this event dresses are hung on racks and placed around a room and then it is kind of like a free for all for the brides attending.  A great thing to do would be to find out about what size you are in bridal dresses.  A range would be a great thing to know so you can easily pass by some dresses because you know that they just won't fit unless you decide to pay an arm and a leg for alterations.

As for how many people...I wouldn't bring too many but I would bring at least 3.  This way you can relay to them what you are looking for and what your size and budget is and they can help pool dresses for you to try on.

Good luck in your search and I hope you find "the one"!

itzMS

Think of it like buying a designer pair of jeans at Marshalls or TJMaxx versus at the designer's shop.

At the designer's shop, you'll likely get individualized attention and it will feel "fancier".  They will order your exact size if they don't carry it. At a TJMaxx or Marshalls, it's kind of a free for all and you fend for yourself. It's possible they won't have your exact size or exactly what you're looking for.

At the end of the day, though, you get the same item.

It's worth a shot, if you have the time. I wouldn't make a special trip though.

weddingmuse

I went with my DD to a Brides Against Breast Cancer dress event near Seattle.  Here's info based on our experience; your mileage may vary, depending on where yours is being held:

Be prepared for a communal dressing area, with some mirrors and chairs.  Plan what you will wear accordingly.  Also, the room was very, very crowded - I would not recommend bringing an entourage with you, one or two people tops.  There were plenty of volunteers to help.  Most brides there just came with their mother or one friend.  You can swap dresses with other brides while you are there, too.

Don't pay a whole lot of attention to the sizes - look everywhere for dresses (they are divided by size).  Most of the dresses are very stretched out from being tried on, the designers are all random and have their own sizing, plus many of the dresses have been altered.  It's a complete crapshoot.

It's a good opportunity to try a varied number of designers and styles. My dd did not find her dress there, although she did find a brand new with tags Mori Lee for $195 that fit her perfectly and would have worked - it just wasn't her style. Other girls there did find dresses.

It's fun - I recommend going.  Go early, and line up.

mandi195

I went to ours here in Milwaukee and thought it was a waste of time. I don't know if they have the same dresses that travel to each event, or how they get their inventory, but most of the dresses I saw were in styles that I haven't seen anyone wearing in years. I tried on a few, and while they were all the same size on the tag, some were too big, some too small, etc. 

cayharrop

Here is the thing, this is your wedding day, don't you want the experience and service of feeling like a bride or how about a princess--its one day in your life.  Go to a bridal salon with new designer gowns where you get the benefit of experience and a private dressing room.Used gowns with damage and trying on dresses in front of other women--just to get a "bargain"  ?!?  Not worth your time and effort if you ask me. Second rate gowns and service, are not worth better than that?

QueerFemme

In Response to Re:Any Experience with Brides Against Breast Cancer?:[QUOTE]Here is the thing, this is your wedding day, don't you want the experience and service of feeling like a bride or how about a princessits one day in your life.nbsp; Go to a bridal salon with new designer gowns where you get the benefit of experience and a private dressing room.Used gowns with damage and trying on dresses in front of other womenjust to get a quot;bargainquot;nbsp; ?!?nbsp; Not worth your time and effort if you ask me. Second rate gowns and service, are not worth better than that? Posted by cayharrop[/QUOTE]


This is incredibly rude and in my opinion, very arrogant. There are a lot of brides on budgets and hoping to find a good deal on a beautiful gown. Just because they are on a budget, or trying to support a good cause, doesn't mean they are not "worth it" or second rate.

LindbeES

Thank you all for the info and opinions! I agree that something of the "bridal experience" will be lost if I just go and get my dress at a Brides Against Breast Cancer event. That is one reason why I think I will go to at least one bridal shoppe before that so I can still get that experience. I appreciate the suggestion to only bring one or two people with me to the event. I was hoping I could bring my grandma with because I want her to be a part of helping me find my dress, but I think I might ask her to come to the bridal shoppe and possibly a fitting instead. Thanks again for your input!!