Should You Buy a Sample Wedding Dress? A Bridal Expert’s Honest Opinion

If you’re a bride-to-be shopping for a wedding dress in Southern California or Los Angeles, you may come across a beautiful bridal gown marked as a sample wedding dress and wonder whether buying it is a smart decision. Today, we're getting into all about sample wedding dresses and helping brides feel confidence in their decision to purchase a sample bridal gown.

 

At Lovella Bridal, a top luxury bridal boutique in Glendale and the Los Angeles area, our answer is "yes." A sample wedding dress can be an incredible option for the right bride. It may allow you to purchase a designer bridal gown at a reduced price, avoid a lengthy ordering timeline, or even find the perfect second wedding dress.

 

The key is making sure the style, size, fit, and condition all align with what you need.

 

Watch the Video: Should You Buy a Sample Wedding Dress? A Bridal Expert’s Honest Opinion

 

Wondering whether a sample bridal gown is the right choice for you? Watch the full video to hear our wedding fashion expert explain what a sample wedding dress is, who should consider buying one, and the important details to evaluate before making your decision.

 

 

What Is a Sample Wedding Dress?

 

A sample wedding dress is a bridal gown that a bridal boutique purchases for brides to try on during their appointments.

 

Bridal buyers attend Fashion Week, select wedding dresses from each designer’s new collection, and order samples for the boutique. These bridal gowns are usually ordered near the middle of a designer’s size chart, although Lovella Bridal also carries select samples in plus sizes.

 

Because brides are trying on the available sample sizes, a wedding dress may fit perfectly, be too large, or be too small during an appointment.

 

Why Bridal Boutiques Sell Sample Wedding Dresses

 

Bridal boutiques need to continually make room for new designer collections.

 

A sample wedding dress may be sold because the designer has discontinued the style, the boutique has ordered a newer bridal gown with a similar look, or the store simply needs space for incoming inventory.

 

This is also why brides should shop when they are truly ready to purchase. A sample wedding dress you love may be sold, and a made-to-order bridal gown can be discontinued at any time.

 

If you try on a dress and return several months later, there is no guarantee that the sample or the style will still be available.

 

Sample Wedding Dresses Are Not Used Wedding Dresses

 

One of the most important distinctions is that a sample wedding dress is not a used bridal gown.

 

No bride has worn the dress for her wedding day and returned it afterward. A sample bridal gown has remained inside the bridal boutique and has been tried on during appointments.

 

At Lovella Bridal, we take great care to keep our sample wedding dresses in excellent condition. However, some popular samples are tried on more frequently and may show more signs of wear.

 

Sample Wedding Dresses Can Save You Money

 

One of the biggest benefits of purchasing a sample wedding dress is the potential savings.

 

Sample bridal gowns are typically discounted, with the price reflecting the condition of the dress. A wedding dress that looks almost new may have a smaller discount, while one with more visible wear may be priced lower.

 

For brides who appreciate beautiful designer fashion while also loving a smart purchase, a sample wedding dress can offer tremendous value.

 

The Condition of the Bridal Gown Matters

 

Before buying a sample wedding dress, carefully inspect its condition with your bridal stylist.

 

Some sample bridal gowns may look nearly new. Others may have minor wear, such as a missing bead, slight discoloration, stretched fabric, or a detail that is no longer perfectly aligned.

 

It is important to understand that alterations cannot always make a sample wedding dress look completely new. Certain issues may be repaired, but some signs of wear will remain.

 

If you are a perfectionist who will constantly notice a missing bead or an imperfect detail, ordering a new bridal gown may be the better choice.

 

Who Should Consider Buying a Sample Wedding Dress?

 

Sample wedding dresses are especially valuable for brides with shorter wedding timelines.

 

Most made-to-order bridal gowns require approximately six to nine months for production. Brides should also allow around two months for wedding dress alterations.

 

If your wedding is only a few months away, you may not have enough time to place a traditional order. Purchasing a sample wedding dress allows you to take the gown with you and move directly into alterations.

 

Ideally, we recommend shopping for your wedding dress approximately one year before your wedding. However, a sample bridal gown can create more options for brides who do not have that amount of time.

 

Sample Wedding Dress Sizing Is Important

 

The most complicated part of purchasing a sample wedding dress is determining whether the size will work for your body.

 

A bridal gown that is several sizes too large may have bust cups, a waistline, and other proportions that do not align correctly with your frame. While a skilled bridal seamstress can take a wedding dress down several sizes in some situations, there are limits to what can be altered successfully.

 

A wedding dress that is slightly too small may sometimes be altered by letting out available seam allowance or adding a corset back. However, the front of the bridal gown still needs to fit your proportions correctly.

 

Trust Your Bridal Stylist’s Advice About Fit

 

An experienced bridal stylist should be honest about whether a sample wedding dress is a realistic option for you.

 

At Lovella Bridal, we will tell a bride if we do not feel comfortable selling her a particular sample because the alterations would be too complicated or the proportions would not work.

 

On the other hand, when a sample bridal gown fits a bride beautifully and is in excellent condition, we may offer the sample even if she did not originally ask about purchasing one.

 

When the wedding dress, the condition, and the bride’s body align, buying the sample can be a wonderful win for everyone.

 

You Will Still Need Wedding Dress Alterations

 

Buying a sample wedding dress does not eliminate the need for bridal gown alterations.

 

Whether you order a new bridal gown or purchase a sample, the wedding dress will still need to be tailored to your body. You may need body adjustments, a hem, a bustle, strap alterations, or other refinements.

 

The money you save by purchasing a sample wedding dress may help offset the cost of alterations, but those alterations should still be included in your wedding dress budget.

 

Be sure to get our tips on the 5 most common wedding dress alterations that every bride should know.

 

Do Not Compromise Just for a Discount

 

A sample wedding dress is only a good purchase if it is still the bridal gown you truly love.

 

You should never choose a wedding dress simply because it is available immediately or offered at a reduced price. The style should still reflect your vision, make you feel beautiful, and be something you are excited to wear on your wedding day.

 

The discount should be an added benefit, not the only reason you choose the dress.

 

Sample Wedding Dresses Can Be Perfect for a Second Look

 

A sample bridal gown can also be an excellent option for a reception dress, after-party look, welcome party outfit, or another wedding weekend fashion moment.

 

Many bridal boutiques have dedicated sample sale sections with designer wedding dresses available at reduced prices. This can make it easier to add a second bridal look without investing the same amount you spent on your ceremony wedding dress.

 

Should You Buy a Sample Wedding Dress?

 

A sample wedding dress can be a beautiful and practical choice for the right bride.

 

It offers the opportunity to save money, take the bridal gown home without waiting through a lengthy production timeline, and potentially purchase a designer wedding dress that may otherwise be outside your original budget.

 

The most important factors are the condition, size, fit, and style of the bridal gown. If all of those pieces come together and you are not compromising on the wedding dress you love, purchasing a sample can be a no-brainer.

 

At Lovella Bridal, we are huge supporters of sample wedding dresses when the match is right. With honest guidance from your bridal stylist and a clear understanding of what you are purchasing, a sample bridal gown may be one of the smartest decisions you make during your wedding dress journey.