Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 21 > Entry
What makes “Running of the Brides” fun?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Three hours waiting in the cold weather, a lost vacation day and some sacrificed dignity: That’s all I had to show for my experience at Filene’s Basement’s 2007 “Running of the Brides.”
The brides-to-be ran again
this year (click here for Friday’s story), braving more cold weather, flying fingernails and general retail mayhem at Filene’s Basement, which annually clears out its racks to accommodate the sprawling wedding dress sale.
Last year, in the 2 to 3 minutes it took my mother and me to get inside when the doors opened, eager brides and their teams had picked the racks clean. We were left to circle the store like vultures, waiting for women to cast off any unwanted dresses.
One bride, who held multiple dresses in wrong sizes, refused to let go of her rejects because I had nothing to trade her. That’s the rule, she said, even though the “rule” is just Filene’s suggestion to make the day fun. What about the rule that says you can’t do anything with a dress that doesn’t fit you?, I wondered.
Meantime, unwilling to wait for a fitting room, women began undressing and trying on gowns right there on the floor, in front of store staff, parents, and husbands-to-be. Some wisely wore jog-bras and bike shorts; others - let’s just say modesty wasn’t among their hangups.
I refused to leave that day without trying on at least one dress, so I grabbed the first unclaimed dress I saw, two sizes too big and several years out of date. Finding it took more than an hour.
“Running of the Brides” probably appeals to younger, less cynical brides with fewer expectations and far more patience - at least that’s what I tell myself.
Have you ever run with the brides? Did you find the dress of your dreams? Or did you fall victim to flying fingernails and impatience? What made your experience fun?
Comments
By Rene
March 21, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
I’ve read the stories year after year about this age old tradition and still I think you and they are all crazy to participate in something like this. Just plain stupid.
By Jamie
March 21, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
I think the run of the brides is just ridiculous. Do you really think you’re going to find THE dress in the seconds that you have to get into the store? And even if the prices are deeply discounted, what is the sacrifice? An ok dress @ half the price? I got married last year, and I wouldn’t have been caught dead at that store.
By Voiceofreason
March 21, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
I would never ever do that. I’m not going to allow myself to be exploited to save a couple hundred dollars. I just bought a wonderful dress at a trunk sale for $350 less than what it usually is. I still saved some money and the experience was very pleasant, the dresses were plentiful, the staff was helpful. I will never act a fool, no matter how much the savings.
By val
March 21, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
No, I would not. I wouldn’t even buy a gown I could wear only once. Just my opinion.
By Rick A.
March 21, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
You can click here and see why these women will have a horrible wedding, even if their dress is nice.
By jill
March 21, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
I have no clue why this would be fun. I don’t even want to buy a wedding dress if I get married. Weddings are too expensive. Here’s a thought: Go to city hall, get married, and then throw a lavish reception so you still get the gifts — while not breaking the bank doing it.
By cydney
March 21, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
As the mother of the Bride I was skeptical this would work but my daughter found the dress of her dreams that was less than $700 and listed as $5000 with one of the top designers in New York. Was it worth it, most definetly. We made memories and I would not trade this day for anything.
By Jim
March 21, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
I think American attitudes to weddings and marriage are out of whack. The fantasy wedding seems to be the only focus. I wonder if the number of failed marriages would go down if we stopped having big weddings? It is all a fairy tale. The only thing that matters is that you are binding your life with another person (ostensibly for the rest of your life).
By gracie
March 22, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Running of the brides is just another example of vain women who have perverted the meaning of a wedding into “their day” and “all about me”. They should spend more time worrying about the MARRIAGE than the wedding.
By gracie
March 22, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Running of the brides is just another example of vain women who have perverted the meaning of a wedding into “their day” and “all about me”. They should spend more time worrying about the MARRIAGE than the wedding.
By justme
March 24, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
I was too smart for this! I found my dream dress….found a “sweat shop” in Shanghai (via Ebay) to get a quote to make this dress (same places that make the designer dresses, minus the tag)….865 here in the states….70 bucks via Ebay….ran off to Jamaica to get married….wedding & honeymoon for a week…plus his suit (overstock) and all the extras, outside wedding photographer…under 3 grand…and had a fabulous time….no stress!
By Beth
April 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
I am a mother of the bride. We went with a group of 5. It was the memory of a lifetime. AND we did find the perfect dress with the memory of camping out in front of a store all night laughing and enjoying the moment.
By Beth
April 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
I am a mother of the bride. We went with a group of 5. It was the memory of a lifetime. AND we did find the perfect dress with the memory of camping out in front of a store all night laughing and enjoying the moment.
By Beth
April 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
I am a mother of the bride. We went with a group of 5. It was the memory of a lifetime. AND we did find the perfect dress with the memory of camping out in front of a store all night laughing and enjoying the moment.