Discount Wedding Gowns 
Have you always wanted that Cinderalla wedding with a princess gown, but you don't want to mortgage your whole kingdom to get it?
 There are some wonderful bridal gown outlet stores, with the largest located in California and New York.
Check out this web site for an outlet in your state or area: http://tms.ecol.net/wedding/dr_natl.htm
Here is a sample of the San Francisco stores and what the critics have to say:
Gunner Sax outlet (the flagship Jessica McClintock store)
San Francisco (415) 495-3326
Jessica McClintock Company Stores
San Francisco (415) 737-2525
Mont Clair (909) 982-1866
Huntington Beach (714) 841-7124
All outlet stores carry past-season styles of bridal gowns, bridesmaid's dresses and accessories. We recently visited the Gunne Sax outlet in San Francisco and were impressed. This is a factory outlet in the original sense of the word -- on the third floor of an old warehouse in a downtown business district.
They stock over 1,000 bridal gowns (priced from $225 to $500), plus bridesmaids dresses, flower-girl dresses, party dresses and more. Most of the bridal gowns were discounted 10 percent to 25 percent, but we're told periodic sales offer even better deals.
We've seen large racks of informal gowns on sale for just $80 eac. Trains ($20 each) are sold separately. Or find material to make your own on the other side of the store where you can find bridal fabrics and laces at incredible prices.
Don't forget to look for a pair of white shoes with lace trim, on clearance while we visited for just $5 a pair.
Bridal Warehouse
625 2nd St., Suite 218
San Francisco (415) 882-4696
In business since 1992, this second-story warehouse has 600 gowns in stock in sizes 6 to 20. Prices start at $99 and most average $300.
Proteus' Discount Bridal Store
300 Brannan St.
San Francisco (415) 495-7922
You can buy off-the-rack and save 40 percent or more -- or special-order a gown at a 25 percent discount.
Discounted headpieces can be bought for $25 to $90. Owners Harlan and Yvonne Russell have been in the business since 1986, and you'll find the staff friendly and helpful.
Happy hunting for that Cinderella gown. You'll feel like a princess with savings you can spend on the honeymoon.  |
