Bridal frenzy: Hundreds line up overnight for bargain designer wedding dresses at Vinnies
Hundreds of women lined up outside Vinnies Waverley for hours yesterday, some even camping overnight, for a chance to buy a donated wedding dress at a fraction of the price.
NSW
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It was literally a case of first in, best dressed after 700 brand new designer wedding gowns went on sale for a fraction of the price at an op shop.
Hundreds of women lined up outside of Vinnies Waverley for hours yesterday, some even camping overnight, for a chance to buy a donated wedding dress for a fraction of the price.
The opportunity store was transformed into a bridal wonderland, offering an extensive selection of brand-new and preloved wedding gowns, suits, bridesmaids’ dresses, formalwear, and accessories including jewellery and shoes — all at unbeatable prices.
Jessica Hanh took out the title for best bridesmaid ever, spending the night outside the store to guarantee she was first in line.
“I waited 12 hours,” Ms Hanh said.
“Last night at 9:30pm I rocked up out the front of Vinnies in my car and I slept it out.
“And then another car came in front of me and I thought ‘that chick, she’s not getting in front of me, so I grabbed my camp chair and went straight to the front of the line.”
Like many women, she expected to walk into a frenzy. Dresses snatched out of hands, heels thrown like daggers, veils ripped off heads. The reality was much different.
Guests entered under a bouquet of balloons and flowers and were greeted with a lolly bar and bottle of water.
The only tears were happy ones, as the brides-to-be helped each other, swapping dresses, and complimenting each other.
Those who exited the store with a successful purchase received a chorus of cheers from the women still in line.
“It’s a sisterhood,” Ms Hanh said.
They came from far and wide. Lilly Boisen travelled from Wagga Wagga, her mother flying in from Cairns for a chance to purchase a “big ol’ dress” without the exorbitant price tag.
“Spending $5000-plus on a dress is not reality for me. I have thrift shopped for ever.
“Everyone is being so supportive and kind, everyone is complimenting each other. We were worried people would be elbowing each other. It’s been really good,” she said.
“We went to a boutique yesterday and the dress I loved was pretty much the dress I just found here, but it cost $9k. This dress is just $300 bucks,” Ms Boisen said.
For 21-year-old uni student Kasey Tong, the bargain prices were a big weight off her shoulders.
“It’s really helpful, its helped us be able to afford the wedding. I was expecting to pay upwards of $1000 on a dress, so it was really awesome to find something I felt really beautiful in for $200,” she said.
“I am really pleased for the price.”
Nadya Meszes drove to Sydney from Canberra to snag a frock.
She waited outside the store from 5am, determined to find the dress of her dreams.
The only twist? She isn’t engaged.
“I haven’t been proposed to yet … it’s in the works. But I saw this and I asked my partner if I should go and he said yes. It saved us money and we can have more for the honeymoon,” she said.
The blushing not-yet-bride-to-be found her dream dress. The price? Just $120.
Vinnies area manager Cheryl Cole said the event was her favourite day of the year.
“It’s the most exciting day ever we have so many bridesmaid and wedding dresses donated from a store that closed down. We have brand new, we have preloved, it’s the most exciting experience ever, everyone is so excited to find their perfect dress,” Ms Cole said.
Brand new wedding dresses were priced at $300, regardless of their original recommended retail price (RRP), while preloved gowns started from just $50. All of the dress sales will be donated to charity.
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Originally published as Bridal frenzy: Hundreds line up overnight for bargain designer wedding dresses at Vinnies
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