Spending thousands of dollars on a gown you only wear once can feel unsettling for some brides. Have you considered shopping for your wedding gown at a discount bridal shop? For many of our brides, shopping at a discount bridal shop is a fantastic way to keep costs down to accommodate their budget, without sacrificing the service and personalized experience touted by boutique dress shops.
Are you curious about where you can find discount bridal shops? You just might be one of the many brides who start their search by Googling “discount bridal near me” and hoping to find just the right discounted bridal shops. Heck, you might have found THIS article from that search! Here is a better way to start your search; we recommend checking out the shops that make up the Reading Bridal District outlet area, near Cincinnati, Ohio, which is North America’s largest bridal district.
We’ve put together a list of seven of the best discount bridal outlet stores in Ohio, many near the Reading Bridal District, to help you know what to expect when you visit, and to learn more about the appeal of discount wedding dresses.
It’s important to note that for fashion-forward brides, wearing luxury designer brands doesn’t need to break the bank. Purchasing your bridal wear from a wedding dress warehouse doesn’t mean you won’t receive exceptional service from knowledgeable and experienced bridal consultants. Brides of all kinds shop at discounted bridal shops, where the range of prices and styles often far exceeds those of luxury designer stores and boutiques. You may save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by shopping at bridal outlet stores in Ohio, and though there may be a few potential drawbacks (there’s a chance that more alterations may be required or that sizes of certain styles may be limited, and you may not be the first to try on the dress you wear down the aisle), many brides find the dress of their dreams and have an exceptional time doing it!
Sourced from www.readingbridaldistrict.com
More about the Reading Bridal District at our sister blog:
The official website for the Reading Bridal District:
https://www.readingbridaldistrict.com/
Have you considered and decided on a budget for your gown? This is a critical step in the wedding planning process, as dresses can range from several-hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Prices for bridal gowns can vary widely depending on the designer, line, fabric, style, and embellishments on the dress, as well as if the gown is a sample or consigned item. Establishing a budget early in the process and sticking to it doesn’t need to feel limiting - many of the Reading bridal outlet stores below offer discounted samples from high-end designers at luxury boutiques, and are offered at a fraction of the price. Since almost all dresses, not only those that are samples or purchased from bridal consignment shops in Cincinnati, OH, require alterations, don’t forget to account for tailoring in your budget. We also recommend budgeting for accessories, such as your veil, shoes, and jewelry, as part of your wedding attire.
If you’re considering purchasing a discount bridal gown for your wedding day, you can choose to look online or to check out in-person shopping options, such as the bridal stores and outlets in the Reading Bridal District. Online options can be even cheaper than in-person dress warehouses and consignment shops, but lack the customer service and appeal of a day of dressing up in beautiful gowns with your best friends present. We appreciate the expertise of a professional wedding stylist’s ability to provide dress options that enhance your appearance and make you feel stunning. Sometimes, brides are surprised to find out that a consultant’s suggestion for a style they’d never imagined liking is the perfect dress!
Wedding dress retailers generally require appointments. When calling to request and schedule an appointment, it can be helpful to be prepared with some basics about your wedding and your style. When and where are you getting married? Is there a neckline or silhouette you already know that you love? If not, don’t worry, but it can help the stylists get a feel for how to select the perfect array of dresses for you to try on. Are you petite or plus-sized, or require certain appointment accommodations, such as wheelchair access? This information can also be helpful for the wedding stylists who will be assisting you during your appointment.
We recommend limiting the number of appointments in a day to two to three. Not only can the day-of be physically and emotionally tiring for you and those who join you - but a long day of appointments can result in visits (and dresses) that blend together, making it more challenging to recall which you loved and may want to see again.
As you schedule your appointments, we recommend asking how many guests can join you and whether or not snacks and drinks or champagne is allowed or is provided. We find the sweet spot for group sizes is two to four trusted guests who know your personal style and can give you honest feedback, while respecting your opinions.
Are you ready to start making appointments? Read on to learn more about the best bridal outlets and discount bridal stores in Ohio!
https://www.somethingnewborrowedblue.com/
Instagram: @snbbbridal
There’s a reason why Something New Borrowed & Blue is known as “Cincinnati’s Bridal Outlet.” Our store, which is located in the heart of the Reading Bridal District, carries overstock items for brides of every body shape and size, all curated from top designers. Most of the designer gowns we carry are around $999, and are 30-60% off retail prices. Something New Borrowed & Blue is a sister store of Blush Bridal Ohio, a couture boutique in the Love building of the Bridal District, and the staff of both stores are passionate about ensuring that every bride feels beautiful on her wedding day.
At Something New Borrowed & Blue, we want your shopping experience to be enjoyable from start to finish. We keep an online bridal gallery of our gowns, displayed by styles, so you can know what to expect to see on our racks. From A-line and ballgown to sheath and boho, our styles range from traditional to modern. With gowns from size 2 to 32 and an inventory that is constantly changing, a visit to Something New Borrowed & Blue is one that you won’t forget. Bonus tip - check out our monthly promotions page here for even more savings.
During your appointment, you and your guests will be joined by our professional bridal stylists, who will make you feel comfortable and guide you through the process of finding the gown of your dreams. With five employees (more than most bridal shops), you can be sure that you’ll connect and feel relaxed with your consultant. We advise that you bring along shoes similar to the height that you intend to wear on your big day, and we carry accessories, such as veils, jewelry, and more, so you can get a feel for how you might appear on your wedding day.
Schedule your appointment today and look forward to enjoying our friendly atmosphere from the ease of your private fitting room.
Check out our Sale Rack Gallery: https://www.somethingnewborrowedblue.com/featured-gallery/sale-rack
https://www.kuhnsbridalandformaloutlet.com/
Instagram: #kuhnsbridalandformaloutlet
With more than 4,000 dresses at a time on their formal wear shop salesfloor, Kuhn’s Bridal and Formal Outlet has options for weddings and events of all kinds. The store, which is located in Mansfield, OH - exactly halfway between Columbus and Cleveland, carries sizes 0 to 34-plus. Adhering to their guiding belief that everyone should feel beautiful in their dress, the stylists at Kuhn’s Bridal and Formal Outlet will navigate you through the process of selecting the gown that makes you shine on your wedding day. With regularly-occurring sales that stretch their bridal gown discounts even further, Kuhn’s features the variety, professionalism, and prices to appeal to brides who don’t want to compromise quality for the cost. Bonus - Kuhn’s also carries mother-of-the bride, bridesmaid, and other formal wear for special occasions, so there’s a chance it could be a one-stop shop for you and your whole bridal party!
http://www.affordablebridals.com/
Instagram: #affordablebridals
From ordering assistance and alterations to custom-made gowns, Karen Lockwood, of Affordable Bridals, can assist with your wedding wear preparations in a multitude of ways. Located in North Olmsted and drawing brides from throughout the Cleveland and Northern Ohio region, Affordable Bridals appeals to brides who wish for personalized assistance and services. Walking you through the process of choosing a gown, considering bridal party styles, ordering, and alterations, Karen will provide unbiased, practical advice from her decades of experience in the industry.
Working with Affordable Bridals for your wedding dress selection or tailoring needs means that your figure will be flattered, no matter what. Karen is widely regarded as an expert seamstress, and by bundling your dress purchase and tailoring services with Affordable Bridals, you can be sure that your dress will fit like a glove on your wedding day. Reviews of Affordable Bridals overflow with appreciation for the motherly care with which Karen approaches her work - you can be sure you’ll be treated like family!
Instagram: @luxereduxbridal
Luxe Redux Bridal, a women-owned Cincinnati wedding dress outlet in the Reading Bridal District, is a designer sample boutique that features an ever-evolving inventory of designer gowns. Purchasing a sample from a high-end designer boutique is a way to find and achieve the perfect balance of style and quality while remaining in or below your budget. Since the wedding dresses carried at Luxe Redux Bridal are designer samples, they are heavily discounted from the original price, with most of the gowns ranging from $1,000 to $3,500. You may worry that since your dress is discounted, your shopping experience might be sub-par, but at Luxe Redux, you’ll find quite the opposite, with tasteful decorations, attentive consultants, and rows of luxurious gowns ready for you to try on. With their Luxe in a Box options, you can have the Luxe Redux stylists curate accessories to try on at home or even select three gowns to have shipped to your house. With your purchase of a $1000+ gown, you can apply the $99 Luxe in a Box fee toward your purchase! It’s a win-win!
https://www.offwhiteofdublin.com/
Instagram: @offwhitebridal
Located in Dublin, a suburb of Columbus, OH, Off White of Dublin Bridal is the luxury boutique White of Dublin’s sister store. This cozy and charming shop features samples of high-end designer gowns at significant bridal discounts of 40-90% off retail prices. The experts at Off white of Dublin Bridal accept consignment wedding gowns, as long as they’re new with tags, making your purchase an act of generosity toward other brides. While you try dresses on in the shop, you and your guests can peruse the discounted accessories and bridesmaid dresses also available at the boutique. If the dress of your dreams requires alterations (and most do, whether they are samples or new gowns), the consultants will refer you to well-respected tailors in the area. Known for its staff’s customer service, you can count on honest feedback and efficient, attentive service. Making an appointment at Off White of Dublin Bridal means you won’t compromise the high-end shopping experience for the chance to walk away with an exclusive designer gown.
https://amarabridalboutique.com/
Instagram: @amarabridalboutique
Located in a suburb North of Cincinnati, Amara Bridal Boutique caters to brides of all body types and sizes who are looking for a gorgeous gown at a budget price. With 90% of their inventory under $1000 and expert consultants ready to assist you in finding the dress of your dreams, an appointment at Amara Bridal Boutique may be an ideal place to start your discounted wedding dress shopping journey if you’re in the Cincinnati area but not quite ready to explore the Reading Bridal District just yet. Reviews of Amara rave about the relaxed and un-pressured atmosphere of the shopping experience. Being surrounded by your best friends while trying on lines such as Enchanting Bridal, Monica Loretti, Sincerity by Justin Alexander and Amara’s private label Willow collection is a special experience indeed - especially with discounted outlet prices. With special order gowns by these designers available in expanded size and color options, it is evident that the consultants at Amara Bridal Boutique are invested in finding the best dress at the best price point for you and your budget.
Instagram: @sgebridalboutique
With more than 200 new and pre-owned gowns in its Columbus-area bridal consignment shop, SGE Bridal is a promising option for brides on a budget. Purchasing a consigned wedding dress eases the industry’s environmental burden, helps other brides recoup some of their money, and you may even get to wear a vintage or custom piece for a fraction of the retail price. SGE Bridal’s inventory also includes veils, head pieces, jewelry, shoes, and other wedding-related items that, when purchased new, can quickly add up to a significant portion of your bridal wear budget. The friendly and professional staff at SGE Bridal are knowledgeable about how much fabric can be taken in on wedding dresses of all kinds and can advise about tailors in the area who specialize in vintage or custom alterations.
With so many discounted bridal gown options and outlets in the Reading Bridal District and throughout Ohio, finding your perfect gown for your special day doesn’t need to break the bank or bust your budget. The stores, warehouses, and consignment shops featured offer a range of discounted gowns and accessories, as well as shopping experiences that won’t compromise the quality of high-end boutiques.
At the beginning of the dress-shopping journey, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed, along with all the excitement. Just remember the tips we shared at the beginning and set a budget, do some investigation about styles and designers you like, reach out to some of the stores and outlets we’ve shared here, and you’re already on your way! If you don’t find a great store by the end of this article (which we sincerely doubt), you can always go back to Googling “discount bridal near me.” When you are ready, grab your heels and best gals and get ready to find the dress of your dreams.
Don’t forget the champagne!
Additional Reading:
9 Things to Know Before Shopping for a Wedding Dress >>
Three Reasons to Book a Weekday Appointment >>