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What Is a Sample Wedding Dress (and Why Brides Love Them)
If you’ve come across the term sample wedding dress while searching for your gown, you might be wondering exactly what it means. Is it second-hand? Has it been worn before? And why are sample wedding dresses often less expensive than ordering a new designer gown?
Sample gowns are one of bridal shopping’s best-kept secrets. They give you the opportunity to find a genuine designer wedding dress at an exceptional price, without the traditional made-to-order wait.
At & She Loves Bridal in Arborfield, near Reading, Berkshire, designer sample wedding dresses are what we do. Here’s everything you need to know before you start shopping.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a Sample Wedding Dress?
A sample wedding dress is a genuine designer gown that has been part of a bridal boutique's collection for brides to try on during appointments.
Bridal boutiques regularly update their collections as designers release new styles, which means these sample gowns can then become available to buy.
At & She Loves Bridal, our designer sample wedding dresses are sold off-the-peg, so the dress you try on is the actual dress available to purchase. If you fall in love with it, there's no waiting months for another gown to be ordered and delivered. You can take your dress home.
Are sample wedding dresses second-hand?
No. A sample wedding dress isn't the same as a pre-owned or second-hand wedding dress.
A sample gown may have been tried on during bridal appointments, but it hasn't previously belonged to another bride or been worn for her wedding.
Because sample gowns have been handled and tried on, their condition can vary, but at & She Loves Bridal our collection is carefully selected and cared for so you know exactly what you're buying.
What are the benefits of buying a sample wedding dress?
1. Designer Quality, Without the Designer Wait
You’re still buying a genuine gown from a leading bridal designer. Our collection includes names such as Made With Love, Jane Hill, Jenny Yoo, Hera Couture and more, but without the traditional 6–12 month ordering times.
2. Designer wedding dresses at exceptional prices
Sample gowns are typically offered below their original retail price, giving you the opportunity to find an incredible designer wedding dress without the full made-to-order price.
At & She Loves Bridal, our sample wedding dresses typically range from £500–£2,500.
3. What You See is What You Get
You’ve tried on the actual dress you’re buying. You know how it looks, how it feels and how it moves.
There’s no wondering whether a newly ordered gown will feel quite the same when it arrives.
4. One of a Kind WEDDING DRESSES
Every sample gown is individual. When a particular dress sells, we can’t necessarily order another one. It makes finding your dress feel that little bit more special.
What’s the difference between a sample wedding dress and an off-the-peg wedding dress?
The terms are closely related, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
A sample wedding dress describes the gown itself. It’s a designer dress that has typically been part of a bridal boutique’s collection.
Off-the-peg describes how the dress is sold. Instead of ordering a new gown from the designer, you buy the existing dress and can take it home.
At & She Loves Bridal, our designer sample gowns are sold off-the-peg, giving you the benefits of both.
Is a Sample Wedding Dress Right for You?
A sample gown could be perfect if you:
want a designer wedding dress at a more accessible price
don’t want to wait months for your dress to arrive
are planning your wedding on a shorter timescale
like knowing the dress you’ve tried on is the actual dress you’re buying
want something a little different from the traditional bridal shopping process
You don’t need to be a last-minute bride or working to a tight budget to choose a sample gown. For many brides, it’s simply a more straightforward way to shop for a designer wedding dress.
What should I check when buying a sample wedding dress?
Because you’re buying the actual gown you’ve tried on, take the opportunity to look at it properly during your appointment.
Check the overall condition of the dress and talk to your stylist about the fit and any alterations you may need. Sample gowns may have been tried on before, so small signs of handling can be completely normal.
Most importantly, make your decision based on the individual dress in front of you. You know exactly what you’re buying before you say yes.
Sample Wedding Dresses in Berkshire
At & She Loves Bridal, we’ve reimagined what shopping for a sample wedding dress can feel like.
Our private bridal studio in Arborfield, near Reading, Berkshire, is home to more than 300 designer gowns in sizes 4–24, carefully selected for modern brides who want beautiful bridalwear without the traditional wait.
Every appointment is private, relaxed and one-to-one, giving you time to explore different designers, silhouettes and styles without crowded rails or pressure.
And because every gown is available off-the-peg, when you find the one, you can take her home.
Ready to find your dress? Browse our current wedding dresses or book your private bridal appointment.
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