Filene's Basement Bridal Event: AKA Running of the Brides

• We got there at 4:15am, and there were about 30 people in line already, and when the doors open at 8, the racks are cleared in about 60 seconds, so suffice to say, it's worth going early.
• There wasn't all the pushing/shoving you would expect. The wait went by quickly, it was like tailgating or waiting for concert tickets. When the doors were about to open, a woman tried to cut the line and was given the bum rush by security which was fair. In general people were polite throughout, it wasn't as aggressive and frantic as I was expecting.
• I wasn't looking for myself since my wedding isn't for over a year and I haven't ever tried on a dress. I just wanted to scope out a real strategy for my turn and help out my friends...but oh my was it tempting once I was in there because there were SO MANY gorgeous dresses for so cheap. I was good and played my role of the helper though.
• Our group was interviewed by TV stations twice, partially I think because the friends I was helping are lesbians who are getting married to each other (MA allows gay marriage), so that's still a novelty for a lot of people (though lots of fun for me since I get TWO wedding buddies all at once). Incidentally, there was this hateful woman in front of us who said some very nasty things while they were doing the interview, and they had to restart. First time I've ever seen that kind of prejudice in action, it really turned my stomach that someone couldn't mind their own business and let my friends enjoy a very exciting day.
• As soon as you get in get as many dresses as you can, doesn't matter what size or style. There will be a few in the pile worth trying on and then you'll have extras to trade.
• Be selective about trading - I know it sounds mean, but other people will be and if you give away your great dresses in exchange for crap, soon no one will trade with you - white strapless A-Lines are solid trading gold.
• I loved the matching shirts/hats people were wearing. We just did bunny ears, but when my group goes I'd like to do shirts as well, it's a festive party atmosphere.
• It's kind of sad how some of the dresses get trampled...so I guess this is more a PSA than advice, but take the extra moment (or have a helper do it) to put the dress back in the bag so it doesn't get dragged around.
• Bring as many people as you can - there is a lot to do and you really can't have too many if you want to find that perfect dress. Jobs include dresser, trader, sorter, and not least - guard
• Which brings me to the only negative aspect of the day...it's a pretty big negative: one of my friends found The Dress. Gorgeous strapless ivory A-Line with a triple tiered chiffon/satin skirt, wonderful embroidery/beading/train...the whole shebang - $4500 -> $250...and it was stolen right in front of her. She had set it down right beside her, turned to help rebag another dress, and a girl who had been sharing our mirror the WHOLE TIME (basically casing the joint), grabbed it, walked to another mirror, put it on, announced it was perfect and that she was taking it. First we were speechless, then we were pissed, but she wouldn't budge on the issue, claimed since we weren't physically holding it, it was up for grabs. Zero Shame. We wished her a happy divorce, she's obviously not a good person and thus has problems no dress will solve, whereas we can keep shopping, and that was that. Very sad.

***still waiting... just be zen about it***

***if you love someone... do you love because you need them or do you need them because you love them...***

***I love this addiction... PS, diamonds, paves, e-rings, proposal stories... I just can't get enough!***

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

-- Philo of Alexandria

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

-- Philo of Alexandria

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

-- Philo of Alexandria

*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~* "It's all buena"

*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~* "It's all buena"