I’m not sure how to introduce today’s newest sponsor, Encore Bridal, without making some sort of high-pitched squealing noise like one of those goats that sound like humans. An online consignment boutique specializing in upcycled couture wedding dresses, Encore Bridal sells new and gently used designer wedding dresses at a fraction of their normal cost (anywhere from $700–$6,000, with most averaging around $2,000), plus they donate a portion of their profits to charities that support women’s causes, and to top it all off, the dresses they sell are all smoking hot. Guys, this is my happy place.
So let’s cut right to the chase. The dresses Encore Bridal sells? GORGEOUS. In fact, what Encore Bridal does is actually really different from most of the other online wedding consignment stores out there. The shop is carefully curated by shop owner Julie, which means that instead of having to thumb through hundreds of photos trying to find the dress you like best, Encore Bridal does the work for you and features a small, revolving collection of only the most awesomely awesome dresses, mostly from couture designers, and all up to Encore’s strict condition standards. And let me just say, Julie’s taste makes me wish she dressed me every day. Plus, she gets that everyone is looking for something different, so Encore’s styles range from short and simple to long and glamorous and everything in between.`
But the best part about Encore Bridal is that they make the shopping process insanely easy. First, while the selection is highly edited, it’s definitely varied. There are dresses ranging in sizes from 0–16 and prices start at $700, going all the way up to $6,000 for Vera Wang at a third of the normal retail price, and all in a huge variety of styles. When I was looking through their current selection of dresses, I found at least three that I would have snatched up in a heartbeat when planning my own wedding, and I was surprised to find that they were actually in my real dress shopping budget. (FYI, I’m mad at whoever grabbed this amazing thing this week. I wanted one of you guys to get your hands on it!)
Not to mention, Encore Bridal goes the extra mile and lists all their dresses in actual street sizes, which means you can shop online confidently knowing that a size 8 at Old Navy is going to be pretty close to a size 8 at Encore. Plus, Encore Bridal’s selection of dresses in sizes 12 and up is equally as beautiful as the dresses they carry in smaller sample sizes (which is really hard to pull off in bridal consignment). Of course, if you prefer the experience of being able to try on dresses in a store, Encore Bridal has its very own by-appointment-only showroom right in San Francisco. And since they only take in one client at a time, you won’t end up like I did that one time I tried to go to a bridal consignment store, changing in the closet of a warehouse building, trying to squeeze into the one size 8 dress that was too small anyway. I mean, that alone makes me want to hug Julie and take her out for a drink.
The funny thing is, all this isn’t even what makes me love Encore Bridal. I mean, yes the dresses are gah-mazing, and the prices don’t make me want to cry, but then to top it all off Encore Bridal is a business you can feel really good about supporting. Julie explained to me, “Being involved in and giving back to the community supports Encore Bridal’s mission. Right now we are holding a dress donation drive for Brides For A Cause to support Wish Upon A Wedding, a nonprofit organization that grants weddings to couples with life threatening illnesses. (Editor’s Note: If you’re a wedding grad and interested in donating to the cause, you can drop off gently worn wedding dresses from 2005 or sooner and bridal accessories at Encore Bridal’s showroom. Get more details here.) We also donate a portion of our profit from every sale to charities that educate women about cervical cancer.” I mean, it’s not very often that a wedding purchase makes you feel warm and fuzzy. And it’s even less often that you get those same warm and fuzzies from a hot number like the one below.
And since Julie loves the APW community, she’s offering a free bridal accessory (valued up to $200) to any APW readers who purchase a wedding dress through Encore Bridal before June 1st! Just mention APW when you are in their showroom or email julie at encorbridal dot com to get a discount code you can redeem online. Julie explained, “I really appreciate the core values of APW. As a company we’re down-to-earth, let’s-be-real, no-drama-allowed kind of people. Our brides like nice things but also love a deal. And as someone who has been married for eight years, I love working with couples who understand that it’s not just about the wedding day, it’s about the marriage.” And then Julie quoted Ben Affleck, saying, “It’s work, but it’s the best kind of work,” and I fell in love with her.
So guys, I encourage you to go browse Encore Bridal’s amazing selection of curated wedding dresses (and accessories! They also sell veils and jewelry, plus the amazing bolero above that looks like it came straight out of one of the Gabor sister’s closets). If you fancy yourself a style maven (that’s the high brow way to say you’re into fashion, right?) then you won’t be disappointed when you click through their selection. I literally gasped my first time through. And while these dresses might not be cheap, they are about the best steal I’ve seen on the internet this side of eBay. Plus, when you add in the bonus of knowing that some of your money is going to support really great causes, there is frankly nothing I can say about Encore Bridal that isn’t a win. Now go, please buy all of the dresses featured in this post so that I can go on living vicariously through you guys. (P.S. I’m buying breakfast for the person brave enough to buy the mermaid dress and pair it with the feather bolero. Because you’re my hero.)
This post includes Sponsors, who are a key part of supporting APW. For more information, see our Directory page for Encore Bridal.
Wedding do-over: dress #3.
March 1, 2013 9:50 am
Report this comment
|
I’ve been waiting for this post since Julie joined as an APW sponsor. These dresses are so freaking gorgeous, and I love a company that has HOT clothing in sizes above 12, and a company that gives back the way she does. I hope to see some of these numbers in some APW wordless weddings next year!
March 1, 2013 9:50 am
Report this comment
|
Oh, and I really want to live vicariously through someone who wears dress number 5. I loved my short and simple dress to pieces, but that dress is KILLER.
March 1, 2013 10:02 am
Report this comment
|
Can we also talk about how dress number two has a CAPE?! Someone needs to get on that.
March 1, 2013 10:21 am
Report this comment
|
If I ever had another chance to wear a dress that formal and unlimited money to spend, I would totally buy #2 and dye it. LOVE IT!
March 1, 2013 10:50 am
|
RIGHT? It’s so . . . Sunset Boulevard!
March 1, 2013 10:50 am
Report this comment
|
Woa these are amazing!!!! Thanks for posting!!!
March 1, 2013 10:38 am
Report this comment
|
I’d like them more if the size 14 dress wasn’t pinned down to a size 2 mannequin.
March 1, 2013 10:41 am
Report this comment
|
Exactly. Thank you.
My poor self image is screaming on the inside saying “Only size 16? Didn’t I just read an APW message on liking one’s body? These would never look good, nor fit, my body.” Ugh.
Beautiful dresses though.
Someone will feel amazing in them.
March 1, 2013 10:46 am
Report this comment
|
Yeah. I’m really disappointed. I had my dress, had my wedding, but really APW? I expected better.
March 1, 2013 11:05 am
Report this comment
|
You know, there is a lot of good going on with Encore bridal, that I’m a little surprised with the disappointment here. As a store that specializes in couture consignment dresses, I’m actually impressed that they even have dresses up to a size 16. You have to WORK to make that happen. When I went to a similar store in New York, I could barely find something big enough to go over my knees. Couture manufacturers just don’t represent plus size women well, if at all, and my beef is with them. Do I think that Encore Bridal would have gowns in a size 22 if Vera Wang made and marketed them? Yes. But as purveyors of second-hand goods, they can only sell what people are already making.
I understand that Encore isn’t going to have something for everyone here, and I get the disappointment there. Hell, I probably wouldn’t be able to fit into most of their dresses myself. But I can appreciate the effort. And this kind of disappointment feels misdirected, particularly at a company that is making so many efforts to be better than the industry standard.
March 1, 2013 11:26 am
Report this comment
|
Thanks Maddie, you beat me to it. I think there was just some grumping to be grumping–like you said, they are selling second-hand couture goods, and I am actually impressed that they have things above a size 8, let alone up to a size 16.
March 1, 2013 11:33 am
|
My point was not with their sizes, but with the unrealistic representation of the sizes.
March 1, 2013 1:14 pm
Report this comment
|
Let me also say that Maddie (all of us, but even more so Maddie) goes out of her way to work on positive body image messaging in her work here, and in her photography work. You notice she made sure to include as wide a variety of sizes here as she could (and for couture, this is really damn wide, issues with couture sizing is a whole other discussion). When Maddie does dress rounds ups, she includes dresses for as many sizes as possible. So quite honestly, to be disappointed at Maddie here, or APW, or Encore Bridal, is not only misdirected, it minimizes the super hard work Maddie does on this issue constantly.
Are there issues with body image at the culture at large (hey hey, not a lot of plus sized mannequins out there)? Totally. Is Maddie’s writing or Encore Bridal part of that? Not just no, but hell no. I’d like respect given where it’s due, and frankly, Maddie deserves your respect on her constant and public work on body image issues.
March 1, 2013 12:44 pm
|
If they have plus-size dresses, why wouldn’t they have plus-size mannequins? The mannequins pictured are not made for those dresses, and do not accurately portray how the dresses look or fit. I’m not insulting Maddie. I’m not saying Encore should invent size 30 couture gowns. I’m simply saying that I would appreciate them recognizing that size 16 women wear size 16 gowns.
March 1, 2013 1:17 pm
Report this comment
|
Most manufacturers of Misses sized dress forms also make them in Women’s sizes – they’re not actually difficult to source – although they are expensive, which could explain why all these dresses are shown on the size 2 here. I think there’s room to respect the awesome work Maddie does here every day, AND all the positive things about Encore (because all those things are amazing!), while still wishing to see clothing displayed on forms that more realistically depict the finished look.
EDIT: Annnnd, it looks like Julie already addressed this in a comment below! That right there is awesomeness typical of an APW vendor.
March 1, 2013 5:29 pm
Report this comment
|
Dress Number 2 looks like it belongs on a glorious, gorgeous, Middle Earth Elf, like Galadriel, and I mean that in the best possible way, truly. I, alas, am not a size six, and my boobs would not work in that dress, but someone wear that dress, please. Preferably to your Lord of the Rings themed wedding for the love of Gandalf.
March 1, 2013 11:25 am
Report this comment
|
Ha, it’s funny. I went Gatsby with that one. But you’re totally right. Middle Earth all the way.
March 1, 2013 11:28 am
Report this comment
|
I love consignment bridal shops! That’s definitely how I got mine…It just made sense with a rather tight budget. It’s hilarious though, as far as modifications go…because I’m only 5’2″ and the woman who loved my dress before had to be an Amazon…I’ve got to go get about 8 inches thwacked off the bottom. :) Happy hunting ladies!
March 1, 2013 11:40 am
Report this comment
|
Holycrap holycrap holycrap. LOVE THIS! Excuse me while I go lose myself and prepare to stalk the new arrivals section on a regular basis. (I’ve got 20 months, I can be patient.)
March 1, 2013 11:52 am
Report this comment
|
OHMAN. After reading this post & perusing the website, I am So. Damn. Pumped. Subscribed to email list? Check. Secretly-but-not-so-secretly considering a trip to San Fran? Check.
March 1, 2013 12:49 pm
Report this comment
|
I’m sorry people think I am “grumping” and missing the point, but just as their lack of realistic images of dress size does not negate the good work they do, the good work does not negate their misstep here. Maddie is awesome, her writing is some of my favorite on APW, and these dresses are gorgeous. If you would like me to reword my comment (Hey APW, I’m a little disappointed the gowns are all pictured on the same size mannequin. It would be great to see the mannequins reflect the real size of the dress) then say that, but please don’t discount my feelings as “grumping to grump”. I love this community for being so inclusive and I’m hurt that a very real concern of mine is brushed off as simply nitpicking. Encore may sell larger gowns, but when the larger gowns are made to look smaller, it takes part in the same size shaming we see everywhere else. And yeah, that’s disappointing.
March 1, 2013 1:03 pm
|
I wanted to do more than just “exactly this.” I wish Meg would respond to this and tone down the defensiveness. I’ve been reading since 2009 and the responses of APW folks to non-trolly critiques is what makes me visit this site less frequently, and after this, I’m seriously considering not visiting at all, even though the writing is often superb. I bought the book for a friend, recommend this site all the time to the newly engaged, etc., but I’m really upset by Meg’s response in particular.
In other news, I agree that these dresses are gorgeous (heck, they’re so amazeballs I found myself looking at all of them even though I’ve been married for almost 3 years).
March 5, 2013 1:55 pm
Report this comment
|
Thank you for saying this. I actually had to call my friend after I posted because I was so upset. I’ve found myself not reading the latest posts simply because I don’t feel as welcome here any more. I, too, bought the book, went to a signing and an after party, have recommended this site and book to all my friends, and now feel like I’ve been attacked for questioning a vendor. I thought the readers came first, but I guess that was naive. And then, the vendor herself responded and was way nicer than the other commenters. I got married six months ago and submitted a grad post and now I hope it’s not run. But I’m glad I clicked the “notify” button because your response (and the 14 “Exactly”s!) has made me feel like I wasn’t crazy. So thanks again.
March 5, 2013 2:34 pm
Report this comment
|
Just wanted to personally say “hello” and thank APW for the nice intro. I hope to meet many of you in person or through a virtual style consultation.
I also feel compelled to respond to the sizing question/issue. We actually don’t have any control over the sizes we have for sale at any one time. That’s the nature of consignment. We are relegated to what people bring us to help them sell. I beg for larger sizes. And that is a call out to all recent Wedding Grads and those soon to be married. If you are size 12+, are considering selling your wedding dress, and your dress meets our other criteria -
http://encorebridal.com/consignors/how-to-consign
PLEASE contact me! I would love to help you sell your gown.
Regarding the size of the dress form. High quality dress forms cost about $500 so purchasing dress forms in lots of different sizes is on a wish list for the future. But I’m working on it!
March 1, 2013 1:40 pm
Report this comment
|
Thank you for addressing my concern! I appreciate the cost of a form is high, but is a live model not a better alternative? I do really appreciate you buying and selling plus sizes, though. If I weren’t already married I would be poring over your site right now. These gowns are beautiful.
March 1, 2013 1:50 pm
|
ADI, thank you for your feedback.
March 1, 2013 6:32 pm
Report this comment
|
I’m not them, but from a small business point of view, professional photos with live models are probably really expensive, especially for one-offs (like gorgeous consignment dresses). Model’s time + hair/makeup + photographer’s time + having to match them up and do batches since the consignment stuff is coming in all the time and wouldn’t all be the same size (so you can’t use one model for it all and you can’t just do one year’s photo shoot in one looong day).
So that would probably add a bunch to the price of each dress. (plus cleaning – and oh, help, if you got lipstick on a dress during a quick change from one dress to another)
Yet another advantage of size-free accessories, like purses. Yikes.
March 4, 2013 4:38 pm
Report this comment
|
Having purchased a gown from Julie’s store for my April wedding, I just want to weigh in on the size issue. She made me feel fabulous and does her absolute best to make brides of every size feel beautiful. I can personally vouch for that. The fact that the mannequins don’t do the dresses justice should only mean that you should get your pretty selves down to her shop to see them in person on your own rocking bod.
I’m so thrilled to see Julie’s gowns on APW. I bought my dress from her and can confirm that working with her is a dream. In addition to all the fabulous things mentioned in this post, Julie will also do personalized head-to-toe accessorizing for you (and her taste is impeccable). She has a tailor she works with on site for alterations. She even arranged to have a custom veil made for me and personally went out to the fabric store to pick out lace to match the dress.
This is all on a dress I got for 20% of the retail price. Julie provides five star service (I would give her 6 if that were a thing) at what is basically discount pricing. I CANNOT recommend her highly enough.
March 1, 2013 3:55 pm
Report this comment
|
Aw, thank you Jen!
March 1, 2013 5:42 pm
Report this comment
|
I’m a little disappointed that I can’t consign my beautiful dress to this store because I didn’t pay enough for it. The $2000 threshold seems steep, but I guess that’s the difference between couture and not-couture.
March 2, 2013 3:10 pm
Report this comment
|