Dressed for Success
The reasons brides-to-be shop for a wedding gown at Second Time Around, 136 S. Main St., are as varied as the reasons the gowns themselves wind up in the consignment shop's downstairs.
Grace Wright, the owner, runs the business with her daughter, Lindsay Briceland.
They say some women bring in gowns because they need the space or need the money or a marriage has ended and the gown is a painful reminder.
Briceland said, “Right now I would say we have about a hundred new or slightly used gowns.”
“They are not all consignment dresses,” Briceland added. “Some come from bridal shops that have closed Some come from brides that haven't gone through with their weddings.
“And we have brides that have ordered gowns and have changed their minds about their dress. We have a lot of different scenarios,” she said.
Wright said Second Time Around's clientele is just as varied.
“We get all kinds of people. Second weddings. People on a budget. People who are into buying clothes for the second time around,” Wright said.
“And they are getting more dress for their money. They are getting a dress that might cost $1,500 for $300,” Wright said.
When women bring their gowns in to sell on consignment, Briceland said the payment is a 50/50 split between the gown's owner and the business.
Prices are based on the original cost of the dress.
“We take dresses on consignment, but we try to keep the styles pretty current. Five years back is the limit on gowns,” Briceland said.
And for all the talk of June weddings being the most popular ones, Wright and Briceland said the demand for wedding gowns is constant year round.
Briceland said, “I think in the past few years that's changed a lot. People aren't getting married in the summer anymore.
“There are a lot more fall or winter weddings.”
She said the increased popularity of barn weddings makes fall weddings more numerous because the couples want autumn leaves to complement their wedding's rustic surroundings.”
Wright said many weddings take place throughout the year because of military commitments.
“A lot of military people come in for a dress because people want to get married before they are deployed,” Wright said.
Whatever the reason, Wright and Briceland are certain they have a style and a size to meet just about any future bride's needs.
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Briceland said they can offer strapless gowns, A-line gowns and halter styles.“A lot of people want a simple, long white dress for beach weddings, ”she said. Gown makers include Morilee, David's Bridal and Maggie Sottero.Sizes can range from 0 to 22.Wright said gowns can be altered to fit.Second Time Around also offer veils, flower girl and mother of the bride dresses and shoes.And the store has layaway plans.Wright said, “A lot of times a woman will come in alone to sort of scout the place out, then they will come back with their mother or their maid of honor to shop.”And it's not just the bridal party that can be outfitted at Second Time Around.Briceland said, “We started doing tuxedo rentals this past year. We're new at it, and people don't know we do that.”“We need two weeks' notice for a tux and packages start at $117 for a rental package: shoes, tie, shirt, vest and damage waiver,” she said.And, believe it or not, Wright and Briceland said, after Christmas is a busy time for brides planning nuptials and shopping for dresses.Wright said, “A lot of women get engagement rings for Christmas.” And then women like to plan weddings six months to a year in advance.Second Time Around is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
