Beverly Hills — Georgia Etheridge, a soon-to-be bride, is filled with joy as she approaches her wedding day. The reason behind her radiant smile is her decision to wear a secondhand gown.
“This dress was originally intended for another bride, but due to the COVID situation, it was never worn. So, I am giving it the opportunity it deserves,” explains Etheridge.
According to Zola, an online wedding planning site, the average wedding cost in the U.S. this year amounts to $29,000. With the ongoing inflation, Etheridge is among a growing number of brides who find happiness in pre-loved wedding dresses.
“Traditionally, bridal industry sales were considered final, and no exchanges or returns were allowed for the dress,” Sarah Ghabbour explains. She opened Loved Twice Bridal, a consignment shop in Beverly Hills, California, during the peak of the pandemic.
“The perception of value has shifted in the market. Nowadays, the bride herself usually pays for the gown,” Ghabbour adds.
The environmental aspect also plays a role. Ghabbour highlights that a single wedding dress requires 2,300 gallons of water to produce.
“If you can reduce your carbon footprint by choosing a secondhand gown, why not take that opportunity?” Ghabbour suggests. The trend is gaining momentum, with secondhand retailers reporting a 23% increase in sales of white cocktail and special occasion dresses compared to 2019, according to thredUP, an online resale platform.
Ghabbour points out that preowned dresses can be purchased for up to half the original price.
“I strongly believe secondhand dresses are here to stay,” affirms Ghabbour.
By opting for a used dress, Mrs. Stephens saved $4,000, which she plans to allocate towards other wedding expenses.
“When my fiancé found out about the money we saved, he congratulated me and said, ‘well done,'” Etheridge recalls. She also cherishes the fact that her dress has its own unique story within their love story.
Jokingly, Etheridge adds, “It’s like joining the sisterhood of the traveling wedding dress.”
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
