So, your wedding is fast approaching and you haven’t had time to go dress shopping or you are on a tight budget and dread getting started. You think you can walk into a bridal shop, try on gowns and purchase the dress of your dreams that same day. You’re not wrong… but sometimes it’s just not that simple!

First, most bridal shops require an appointment, and you could be limited on the number of guests you can  bring with you. At The Bridal Manor, we suggest up to four guests – if you have more, please call to confirm availability.

Next, most bridal shops carry gowns in sizes 8 and up, so if you’re a petite bride or a plus size bride you may struggle to find your size. All is not lost however as bridal gown sizing runs approximately two sizes smaller than your average day-to-day clothing, and most gowns need tailoring for an exact fit.

All of the wedding gowns at The Bridal Manor can be purchased off-the-rack, although most brides prefer to place an order for a new wedding dress. Off-the-rack gowns are referred to as ‘samples’.

Sample|Wedding Dresses:

These are the exact floor models that brides try on during regular appointments to determine their size and style before placing a custom order. Sample dresses are dresses we purchase from the manufacturer for inventory for our customers to try on in store. They are brand new upon arrival at The Bridal Manor, but over time they are tried on by other customers, unlike when you order a brand new dress. The sample dresses are sold as is from the store in the color and size we have it in. There is a bridal sample sale section in the front of our store which customers are always free to browse, but we are also able to sell the sample dresses from our main stockroom if that’s where you find your dress! Moms are also able to purchase samples from our formal wear section where we offer both a clearance area and our main inventory.

Pros to Purchasing a Sample Dress

Unique Finds: You can snag rare, limited-edition, or recently discontinued styles that no one else can order anymore. 

Great Price: You’re getting a discount. Everyone loves a sale, including our stylists, so we’re always willing to talk to customers about purchasing one of our sample dresses. The sample dresses from our bridal sale section start at just $499 and our formal wear sample sale is marked down 50%. Gowns from our main stock room are discounted at a rate based on the condition of the dress and how long it’s been with us. The only time we won’t be able to discount a sample dress is if it’s brand new out of the box.

Instant Gratification: Another positive to buying a dress straight off the rack is timing! The dress is yours to store with us or take home. Ordering a bridal gown can take anywhere from four to nine months to come in, but buying a sample alleviates any timeline stress. If you’re a bride with a quick turn around time, samples are going to be your best friend. You can view the available sample wedding dresses directly on The Bridal Manor sale page. 

Cons to Purchasing a Sample Dress

Sizing: There are a wide range of floor sample sizes at The Bridal Manor ranging from 8 to 26, but, if a bride is much smaller or larger, the cost of extensive alterations can eat into the initial savings.

Wear and Tear: Sample gowns have been tried on by dozens of brides, so they may have minor loose beading, scuff marks on the hem, or loose threads that require fixing. 

A big misconception we hear is, “I can’t buy a sample dress, I don’t have the money to pay for it in full and take it home today.” Luckily, that’s not an issue at The Bridal Manor. We only ask for a 60% deposit for the dress to be marked as yours. You don’t need to pay the dress in full immediately, even when buying a sample. To take the dress home with you it would need to be paid in full, but otherwise a deposit will suffice! 

We’ve also been asked, “Will people still be trying on my dress?” Never! Once a deposit is made, the dress is yours and goes straight into our storage room. We would never pull a customer’s dress for another customer to try on, even if it was once our sample. It’s not our sample anymore, it’s your dress.

If you think your dream dress might be a sample you can book an appointment with us through our website or by giving us a call at 856-582-1422. We can’t wait to help you find the one!

With love, 

The Bridal Manor