At Goodwill's annual Bridal Showcase on Saturday, more than 150 brides lined up at the St. Paul headquarters for a chance to score a dress for a fraction of the original price, many of them never-worn donations from bridal shops. Unlike Filene's Basement's famous "Running of the Brides," the annual event was well-organized -- with nearly as many volunteers as brides -- and far more civilized. (See related slideshow for a few of the brides-to-be who found their dream dresses.)
Finding the perfect fit Whether you've paid $100 or $10,000, most wedding gowns need some sort of tailoring.
Karen Boehne of Wedding Gown Care Specialists in New Hope has volunteered at the Goodwill Bridal Showcase for five years. She has been altering clothes for 30 years, concentrating on wedding gowns for 10, and advises brides-to-be as they try on gowns.
"Every dress is very unique, just as every bride is very unique, and deserves to be treated that way," she said.
Here are her tips for gown shoppers:
Understand important alterations. Most gowns -- new or used -- need hems and sides taken in or let out.
Add a bustle. Dresses are not sold with bustles. Having a proper bustle keeps your gown from getting stepped on, torn and being used as a mop to clean up the dance floor.
Fit the bust. Gowns must fit in the bust properly. A seamstress can let out a gown on the sides and put in a corset-type back, but they usually can't put more fabric in the front.
