Evolution of wedding dress to be on display

"The dress wasn't really something that I wanted to spend a ton of money on," McCaffrey said. "Plus, I was overwhelmed. I didn't know what I liked or didn't like, but this is our first day going out looking at dresses and we found it."McCaffrey was one of roughly 125 shoppers who swarmed to the Goodwill store when the doors opened at 6 a.m. Saturday for the 2012 Wedding Gala — the first of its kind held in the Hernando County store.Name-brand dresses that typically sell for thousands of dollars were donated to the store, which sold them for between $100 and $395. All proceeds from the event go to the store's programs for people with disabilities.Chris Ward, a marketing manager for Goodwill, said some shoppers began camping outside the store at 10 p.m. Friday and said there was a line that stretched far from the store by the time the doors opened at 6 a.m.
Michael Ann Harvey, vice president of Goodwill's marketing, added that a few future grooms were present at the event too — some of whom were helping shop while others were fast-asleep in the store while their significant others tried on dresses."We wanted to also create a party-like atmosphere for all the brides and their families coming in," Ward said. "There was refreshments available and music playing."This is probably one of the best events that Goodwill does because this allows for brides to be able to select some beautiful, name-brand gowns that they wouldn't be able to afford otherwise. And the proceeds in turn help our store programs, so everybody wins."
McCaffrey's mother, Melissa, said she believed the group did very well for their first-time out shopping for dresses. And while she was happy her daughter found one she loved, Melissa McCaffrey fought back tears after seeing her in the dress."I'm sad and happy. This just makes me realize that she's really getting married and seeing her in front of the mirror — it just hit home," Melissa McCaffrey said.Meanwhile, it's not too late for those who want an opportunity to find a dress for less than $400. The next Wedding Gala event will be at the Oldsmar Goodwill store June 23, located at 3929 Tampa Road.He's helped countless Kleinfeld brides on Say Yes to the Dress, and now, Randy Fenoli is taking his show on the road — literally! — with a new series, Randy to the Rescue (see a sneak preview in the clip below). The bridal pro recently loaded up a truck with 200 chic wedding gowns, hit eight U.S. cities and helped brides in need find their dream dresses.

タグ：Wedding Dress