SOMETHINGOLD
Many brides on a budget are turning to charity shops to buy the dress of their dreams. Newlyweds Andi and Jaclyn had double the expense but they reckon a trip to Barnardo’s dedicated bridal shop saved them thousands of pounds...
felt amazing on their big day. The pair who live in nearby Saltcoats, met through work and Jaclyn, 26, who is mum to Jack, 11, proposed on a night out.
Andi, 46, explained: “We were out laughing and joking and Jaclyn said, ‘Life’s too short I think we should get married’, and I said, ‘Yes’.
“We’d been together for just over a year and we didn’t want a long engagement.”
The couple decided on a small family wedding at Gretna Green and set about looking for their perfect dresses.
Andi, 46, is an area business manager for Barnardo’s Scotland and had worked with the wedding dress shop manager Shona Paterson on helping to create the specialist charity store.
She said: “We had some dresses donated from a couple of bridal shops, such as the dresses the brides try on and some of them were in great condition.
“And we had a Vera Wang designer dress worth thousands of pounds it was absolutely stunning. There were lots of big names in there.
“I never thought I’d buy myself a wedding dress out of a charity shop but I’d helped set up the shop so I knew the quality.
“We were only having a small wedding and doing it ourselves and watching the budget so to spend over £1000 on a dress wasn’t realistic – I couldn’t justify it.
“At first we planned to keep our dresses a surprise from each other – but we ended up seeing them beforehand as we were getting them cleaned – although we didn’t see them on each other.
“When I saw Andi in her dress on the day I was a blubbing wreck.
“She had got her hair and make-up done and she looked beautiful. I remember saying to her, ‘You look beautiful and stunning’.”
Andi had previously checked out the dresses in regular shops. “There was nothing they didn’t have in the shop in Irvine,” she explained.
“Jaclyn had already been in the shop with her friend and had a wee look around and said she’d put a dress by. So I thought I need to go in with a new set of eyes.
“I tried on things I didn’t initially think I would like before I decided on the one I wanted. It said on the label it would have cost £699 – but I paid £199 for it and it was brand new.
“Jaclyn’s dress was new but it didn’t have a label and cost £99. We paid to get them dry cleaned and I paid £50 for alterations. It’s a huge saving, it really is, and they’re absolutely stunning.”
Andi was shocked at some of the prices of wedding dresses in regular bridal shops. She said: “Some of them have jaw-droppingly huge price tags – why would you go and pay that kind of money in some of these stores?”
“We had so many compliments for our dresses. I’m still really pleased I chose the dress I did. And it’s raising money for a worthwhile cause.
“You’re giving something back and you’re doing something for the environment by recycling.”
Jaclyn revealed why she decided to propose. “We were out for a meal and although it was early on, I just thought I’ve never felt like this before – so why not propose. I just thought you know when you know. I knew we were feeling the same way.”
She now works for a different charity and loves going to charity shops. But she didn’t imagine that’s where she’d find her dream wedding dress.
“It’s a lot to do with people’s perceptions – I’d urge people to give it a try,” she said.
“It takes a huge expense away and you only wear it for one day. I felt like a million pounds in my dress – I loved it. I could have spent 10 times that price for feeling the same.
“When I told people I’d got my dress from a charity shop they couldn’t b When I show people our we photos they say the dresses gorgeous.”
Shona Paterson, Irvine w shop manager, said: “With t an average wedding dress e to be over £1300, we’re enco savvy shoppers to pay a visi shop.
“We offer the bride a fittin and just like any other wedd ours can be nipped and tuc the brides shape. We also o amazing bargains on outfits entire bridal party including choice of gorgeous dresses, accessories for the motherbride and bridesmaids and for the other VIP at the wed the groom.”
All profi shop go di towards B Scotand’s supporting and famili
The B Scotland w shop is at 2 Bridgegate Irvine. For informatio shona.pate barnardos call the sho 01294 276514.
I’m so pleased I chose the dress. And it’s raising money for a worthwhile cause