What Is a Bridal Sample Sale? Everything You Need to Know Before You Shop
If you’re searching for a beautiful wedding dress at a reduced price, a bridal sample sale could be exactly what you need. Whether you’re working to a budget, short on time, or simply love the idea of finding a designer gown for less, sample sale wedding dresses offer an incredible opportunity to say yes for a fraction of the usual cost.
At Spellbound Bridal in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, our off-the-rack sample wedding dresses allow brides to shop luxury bridalwear with significant savings — without compromising on quality, style, or experience.
This guide answers the most common questions we’re asked by brides and will help you decide if buying a sample wedding dress is right for you.
What Is a Bridal Sample Sale?
A bridal sample sale is usually a limited-time event where bridal boutiques sell their sample gowns at a discounted price.
Sample gowns — also known as floor model wedding dresses — are the dresses brides try on in the boutique when shopping for their wedding dress. Instead of ordering a new gown in your size, you purchase the actual dress from the rail and take it home the same day.
Because these dresses are sold off-the-rack, they are typically reduced anywhere from 20% to 60%, and in some cases even more, depending on condition and whether the gown has been discontinued.
What Are Sample Wedding Dresses?
Unlike high-street fashion stores, bridal boutiques usually carry one dress per design. Each boutique carefully curates a selection of gowns from the designers they work with and choose an average size that will fit most brides visiting their showroom.
Boutique owners attend international bridal fashion shows — often in New York, Barcelona and Milan — and personally select the styles they feel their brides will love. Once these gowns arrive in store, they become the boutique’s sample wedding dresses.
These sample gowns are tried on by brides during appointments. If a bride falls in love with a particular style, a new gown is ordered in her size. Over time, when collections change or styles are discontinued, the sample dresses are offered for sale.
What Does It Mean to Buy a Sample Wedding Dress?
Buying a sample wedding dress means purchasing a gown off-the-rack in its current condition.
When you choose a sample gown, you can expect:
To take the dress home the same day
The gown to show minor signs of wear from being tried on
The price to reflect its condition and status as a sample
Any small imperfections — such as loose beading or light marks — are always taken into account in the discount and can usually be easily resolved with professional alterations or dry cleaning.
How Much Cheaper Is a Sample Wedding Dress?
The price of a sample wedding dress depends on:
The condition of the gown
Whether the style has been discontinued
The original retail price of the dress
As a general guide, brides can expect:
20–60% off regular retail prices
Potential savings of thousands of euro, especially on designer gowns
Discontinued wedding dresses often attract the biggest discounts, as they can no longer be reordered and are no longer required as showroom samples.
Why Are Sample Wedding Dresses Cheaper?
Sample wedding dresses are cheaper because they are sold off-the-rack rather than being made to order. While the saving on the dress itself can be substantial, brides should budget for:
Alterations to achieve the perfect fit (typically €200–€400)
Professional dry cleaning, if required
At Spellbound Bridal, we maintain our sample gowns to a high standard and have clear house rules during try-ons (make-up and tan is not permitted), but normal wear is part of any showroom dress’s journey.
If you’re searching for an affordable wedding dress, or even wedding dresses under €1,500, sample wedding dresses are absolutely worth considering.
Who Is a Bridal Sample Sale Right For?
Sample sale wedding dresses are ideal for brides who:
Are getting married soon and don’t have time for a made-to-order gown
Want to save money without compromising on quality
Love finding unique or discontinued designer styles
Are happy to spend a little on tailoring for the perfect fit
Because sample gowns are sold off-the-rack, they’re especially popular with last-minute brides or those who wish to have a real wedding dress for their registry office wedding while still keeping within budget.
Tips for Shopping a Bridal Sample Sale
Book Early
Sample appointments are limited and dresses are one-of-a-kind. Booking early gives you the best choice.Wear the Right Undergarments
Nude underwear and a strapless bra will help you see how each gown truly fits.Bring Trusted Opinions
One or two people whose opinions you trust can be invaluable.Be Ready to Say Yes
If you fall in love, don’t wait. Sample gowns are sold on a first-come basis.Know Your Budget
With significant savings on the dress, you may be able to spend more on your bridal accessories. Some brides like to invest in a second look, like a bridal mini dress for the evening wedding party.Phone or Email Ahead
If you are nervous about the kind of styles or sizes available, simply get in touch before your visit. At Spellbound Bridal, we are happy to send you pictures of the styles available in your size before you plan your visit.
Can I Shop Sample Wedding Dresses at Spellbound Bridal?
Yes. Most bridal boutiques have a dedicated sample rack, and Spellbound Bridal is no exception.
We encourage brides to:
Browse some of the sample sale wedding dresses on our website before their appointment
Get in touch to see what additional sizes and styles may be available but not yet listed online
You can explore a selection of our sample gowns online below. Please note this is not a full list, and many dresses are only available to view in-store.
We also warmly welcome you to visit us at our boutique in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, where our full sample collection can be viewed during your appointment.
FAQs – SAMPLE SALE WEDDING DRESS Shopping in Ireland
1. Do I have to book an appointment for a sample sale dress?
Yes, our bridal sample sales only take place a couple of times a year. We offer the same care and attention to our sample sale brides as those shopping from our main wedding dress collections.
The next sample sale takes place on 30th December 2025, 2nd and 4th January 2026. It is recommended that you book your sample sale bridal boutique appointment as soon as possible as the limited availability time slots fill up quickly.
2. How long is a sample sale bridal appointment?
Our sample sale bridal appointments are 1-hour and 15minutes, giving you plenty of time to try on several gowns without feeling rushed.
3. Can I try on wedding dresses from the Signature and Curve Collection during my sample sale appointment?
Unfortunately it is not possible to try on bridal gowns from the main Spellbound Bridal collections during your sample sale appointment. You must book a full private bridal styling appointment on a different day to your sample sale appointment.
3. Should I bring anything to my appointment?
Nude underwear, a strapless bra, and shoes with a similar heel height to your desired wedding shoes are all helpful for visualising your wedding day look. If you have something borrowed or a family heirloom that you would like to incorporate to your bridal styling, please bring this with you too.
4. How many guests can I bring to my appointment?
At Spellbound Bridal, we allow brides to bring up to six guest with them to help choose their wedding gown. It is generally recommended however to try to keep your bridal party to around 2–3 guests in order to keep the experience intimate, focused, and less overwhelming.
5. What dress sizes are included in the sample sale?
At Spellbound Bridal we carry dress sample sizes from UK6 – UK24. Our sample sale gowns can fall anywhere within these sizes depending on the style of dress. We recommend that you get in touch ahead of your sample sale appointment if you would like to find out the exact sizes available.
6. Are bridal accessories on sale too as part of the sample sale?
We only include our sample sale gowns in your sale events. Accessories such as wedding veils, hair accessories, jewellery and bridal shoes are not included in the sample sale.
8. Is it possible to customise a designer sample sale wedding dress?
We can make recommendations as to what customisations are likely to be possible when you try on a sample sale gown. Your bridal seamstress will be able to confirm the tailoring options available to you when you visit with your dress.