5 Tips for Shopping a Bridal Sample Sale

But first, what is a sample sale?

SAMPLE SALE 101

A sample sale is a special event at the boutique where you have the chance to shop the gowns we no longer need, or those that have been discontinued. These gowns have been tried on and are marked way down for the sale! 

If you find “the one,” you can take your dress home as-is that day! Most of the dresses are bridal sizes 8-14 (with a plus size selection also available) and will need alterations. 

Do you have a short engagement and/or a wedding date approaching quickly? A sample sale is perfect for you! Most gowns ordinarily take 16-22 weeks to be made and delivered without a rush fee, so this is a rare opportunity to take your dress home the exact day that you find it.

Now, 5 sample sale tips that every bride needs to know…

1. Do your research first

This tip goes hand-in-hand with tip #3 - come in with an idea of styles you like! Research silhouettes, dress details and even designers that appeal to you the most. Also, if you come in with photos of gown styles that you’re looking for, our stylists can point you in a similar direction.

2. Come in ready to buy

Unlike floor samples that remain on our racks for brides to try on year-round, sample sale gowns are the very last of their kind in the boutique. Once any particular sample sale gown is sold, we will no longer have it in the shop to try on or order. AKA if you find a gown at the sample sale that you absolutely love, then the time to buy it and take it home is now - before it’s gone!

3. Go gown shopping beforehand

If you’ve never been gown shopping before and aren’t sure what styles you’re liking, a sample sale is typically not the best place to start. Going to another bridal appointment or doing some shopping first will allow you to narrow down a silhouette, details, and more to better guide you on your gown search!

4. Choose your shopping companion carefully

Sample sales get very crowded very quickly, especially in our boutique space. Bringing along just one or two trusted companions is our recommendation! You will have that extra opinion to weigh in on the gown decision, take photos of you, etc...without getting overwhelmed or overcrowded.

5. Wear proper undergarments

For hygienic purposes, we do require undies to be worn during the entire gown trying process. When in doubt, nude seamless underwear is always the best option for remaining hidden under the gowns. Bras are not required, as many gowns already have bust cups sewn in! 

We can’t wait to have you in the boutique for a sample sale weekend!

Check out our events page for upcoming dates.

Real Bateau Bride | Tessa & Lane's Wedding

Wedding date: 6/15/2019
Gown designer: Truvelle
Venue: Cornerstone Church
Photographer: Sarah French Photography
Florist: Lane’s grandma + Wild Poppy AK
Tailor: Celestial Designs

Best part of the venue: “Being able to become husband and wife in the front yard of the church we both love and have grown so much in was truly a blessing!”

Favorite part about the dress: “I loved the open back of my dress! It made me feel so elegant and modest at the same time. It definitely made all of my dress dreams come true!”

Three words to describe your day: “Unique, dreamy, and memorable”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “We wanted it to feel homey and unique to us. We also wanted it to be very family-oriented and suitable for children since we knew a lot of the families we’re close to have little children.”

How you met: “We met on a bus ride on our way to take the ferry to Kodiak for a cross-country meet in 2015!”

How they proposed: “Lane made the phrase “Will you marry me” out of 2x4 boards wrapped in lights so they’d stand out in the dark! When he got down on one knee and opened the ring box, my first thought was that there was no ring! When he popped open the ring box, the engagement ring had flown up into the cap, but I couldn’t see that because it was so dark! Lane had quite the scare when he turned the box around and couldn’t see it either! We still laugh about it today.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “I loved seeing all the kids be able to play and the parents enjoying themselves instead of being stressed about their kiddos!”