Hundreds of brides-to-be are expected to take part in Filene's Basement's legendary Running of the Brides? sale in Washington, DC on October 14, all planning to engage in a little smart spending and a lot of fun. When the doors open at 8:00am many brides-to-be and their helpers will literally pounce on dresses priced from $249-$699 that might otherwise cost as much as $9,000.
An annual event in Capital-area for the past nine years, the Running of the Brides? is going semi-annual this year. The second date was added because inquiries about the event have risen dramatically, according to store manager Dana Booker. "When the economy shrinks, so do wedding budgets. Couples have to squeeze more out of every dollar," she said. "A bride who shops here can save big, without sacrificing quality and style," sa women's coats id Booker.
According to The Knot, the Washington, DC area ranks eleventh on the list of most expensive cities in which to hold a wedding, with an average cost of just under $34,000. Because of this, couples are scrutinizing every line item, looking for ways to save and still have the wedding of their dreams.
Shopping for a wedding gown at the Running of the Brides? involves some time-honored rituals. Once inside the store, brides and their helpers are known to empty the racks in less than 90 seconds, then strip down to leotards, sports bras or even underwear to try on gowns right there on the sales floor.
If it doesn't quite fit or needs freshening up, the experts from Anytime Alterations and Imperial Gown Restoration will be there to help, and the bride can still come out way ahead.
But what happens if a petite bride snagged a size 14 dress in pink chiffon when she really wanted a size 4 in white satin? That's when the real fun begins, as the women start bartering to find the right designer or size. It's a ritual that turns Filene's Basement into an old-fashioned bazaar.
For brides who don't like crowds there are plenty of great deals to be found later in the day when things calm down. Whether you want to be there at 8:00am for the 'rush to the racks' or you plan to arrive later, bring a camera—veterans of this sale agree it's an experience worth preserving.
The Running of the Brides? sale takes place Friday, October 14, 2011 at Filene's Basement, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20015. Hours are 8:00am to 9:00pm. Checks, credit cards and cash are accepted. All sales are final. For more information call 202-966-0208 or visit http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides.
About Filene's Basement Filene's Basement is a 102-year-old off-price retailer carrying a broad assortment of designer and brand-name fashion apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories, fragrances, fine jewelry and luggage. The original store, opened in 1909 in downtown Boston, became a world-renown retail icon. The company currently operates 21 Filene's Basement stores and five co-branded Filene's Basement-SYMS Clothing stores in metropolitan areas throughout the northeast, southeast and Midwestern United States, Basement-SYMS Clothing stores is a division of SYMS Corporation, headquartered in Secaucus, NJ. For more information on Filene's Basement visit http://www.Filenesbasement.com or http://www.syms.com
###
No comments:
Post a Comment