If you’ve never attended a wedding dress sample sale before, you may be wondering what to expect.
At Maria Modes, our Sixpence Sample Sale has become one of the most anticipated bridal events of the year. Every year we meet brides who arrive feeling excited, nervous and sometimes a little overwhelmed, only to leave having found the dress they never expected.
With our next sale just around the corner, I thought I’d share a few insider tips to help you make the most of the experience.
1. Sample Dresses Are Genuine Designer Wedding Dresses
One of the biggest misconceptions about bridal sample sales is that the dresses are old, damaged, or lower quality gowns.
In reality, sample dresses are the very same gowns displayed in bridal boutiques for brides to try on during appointments. Many are current or recent season styles from some of the world’s leading bridal designers.
At this year’s sample sale, brides will find gowns from all of our main collection designers, including Savin London, Mariana Hardwick, Pronovias, Maggie Sottero, Sottero & Midgley and Rebecca Ingram.
These aren’t lower quality versions. They’re the genuine designer gowns that have helped hundreds of brides imagine their wedding day.
2. The Savings Can Be Incredible
Sample sales offer a rare opportunity to purchase a designer wedding dress at a significantly reduced price.
During our Sixpence Sample Sale, dresses will be available at up to 90% off the original RRP, with dresses starting from just £200.
One of my favourite things about our sample sales is seeing brides fall in love with dresses they never thought would be within reach. It’s incredibly rewarding watching someone try on a gown they’ve admired for months and realise it’s suddenly a possibility.
For many brides, a sample sale opens the door to a designer dress they may never have considered before.
3. Keep an Open Mind and Trust Your Stylist
Many brides arrive with a very specific vision of what they think they want.
Perhaps you’ve saved hundreds of images on Pinterest, followed bridal trends on social media, or always imagined yourself wearing a particular silhouette.
While that’s a great starting point, some of the most successful sample sale shoppers leave with a dress they never expected to choose.
Our stylists work with brides every day and know our collection inside out. We understand how different fabrics, necklines and silhouettes work on different body shapes, and often the gowns brides overlook on the hanger become the dresses they fall in love with in the fitting room.
If your stylist suggests a dress that wasn’t on your radar, trust the process and give it a try. You have nothing to lose and it might just be the one.
The brides who keep an open mind are often the brides who leave having found their dream dress.
4. Don’t Judge a Dress on the Hanger
Wedding dresses often look completely different once they’re on.
A gown that appears simple on the rail can be breathtaking when worn, while a dress you were convinced you’d love may not feel quite right.
That’s why we always encourage brides to try a variety of styles. During the sample sale, you may only need to try on a handful of dresses before finding the one that gives you that feeling.
The magic happens in the fitting room, not on the hanger. That’s why our stylists will often encourage you to try a dress you may have otherwise walked straight past.
5. Sample Sizes Might Surprise You
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Will there be anything in my size?”
The answer is usually yes.
Bridal sizing differs significantly from high street sizing, and our sample sales always include a wide range of styles and sizes. More importantly, a dress doesn’t need to fit perfectly on the day for it to become your dream gown.
Many brides are surprised by how much can be achieved through professional alterations. If you’re unsure whether a dress could work for you, our stylists will be happy to advise.
We’ve lost count of the number of brides who’ve looked at a label, told us a dress couldn’t possibly work, and then ended up standing in front of the mirror beaming from ear to ear.
Don’t rule out a gown based solely on the number on the label. Focus on how it makes you feel when you put it on.
6. Bring the Right People
While it can be tempting to bring a large group, we recommend keeping your bridal entourage small and focused.
Our sales are always some of the busiest weekends of the year, with dozens of brides attending appointments across the weekend. A smaller group often creates a more relaxed experience and allows you to concentrate on how you feel in the dress rather than managing lots of different opinions.
Bring the people whose opinions matter most and who understand your vision for your wedding day.
Most importantly, remember that this is your dress and your moment. The people you bring should support and celebrate your decision, not make it more difficult.
A smaller group also allows you to make the most of your time with your stylist and helps create a calmer, more enjoyable experience.
7. Wear the Right Underwear
You don’t need to arrive fully prepared for your wedding day, but wearing nude underwear and a strapless bra, if you have one, can help you get the best idea of how different gowns will look and feel.
Don’t worry if you don’t have bridal shoes yet. Most brides attending a sample sale are still in the planning stages and our stylists are experienced at helping you visualise the finished look.
The most important thing isn’t what you’re wearing underneath. It’s arriving ready to enjoy the experience. Our stylists will guide you every step of the way and help you picture exactly how each dress could look on your wedding day.
8. Don’t Be Afraid of a Little Wear and Tear
Sample dresses have been tried on by brides in the boutique, so it’s perfectly normal for some gowns to show minor signs of wear.
What matters is understanding the difference between a dress that needs a simple clean or repair and one that isn’t right for you.
Our team carefully checks every gown and will always be honest about its condition. We’d always rather be completely transparent than have a bride leave disappointed. If a dress has a mark, a loose button, or requires a little TLC, we’ll tell you.
In many cases, minor imperfections can be addressed during alterations or professional cleaning, which is often what enables you to secure a designer dress at such an exceptional price.
9. Understand How Sample Sale Purchases Work
Buying a sample dress is slightly different from ordering a brand new gown from a designer, so it’s important to understand the process before you attend.
When you find your dress at a sample sale, you’re purchasing that exact gown rather than placing an order for a new one. This is one of the reasons such significant savings are possible, but it also means that all dresses are sold as seen and are non-refundable.
Don’t let that put you off. Our team will be on hand throughout the event to answer any questions, talk you through the condition of a dress, and help you decide whether it’s the right choice for you.
We’ll always encourage you to take your time, ask questions, and feel completely comfortable before making a decision.
While sample sales naturally move a little faster than a traditional bridal appointment, you’ll never be rushed by our team. We want every bride to leave feeling excited and confident about her choice.
Once you’ve found the one, your dress is yours and you’ll leave knowing you’ve secured a beautiful designer gown at an incredible price.
10. You Might Walk Away With Your Dress Completely Free
And finally, the thing that makes our Sixpence Sample Sale truly unique.
Hidden inside six dresses will be a lucky sixpence.
If you discover one inside your chosen gown, your wedding dress will be completely free.
Yes, really.
Six lucky brides will walk away with their dream designer dress without paying a penny.
It’s our way of adding a little extra magic to an already special weekend and seeing the reactions when a bride discovers a sixpence is one of our favourite moments of the entire year.
Join Us
For one weekend only, our boutique will be filled with over 150 designer wedding dresses at exceptional prices.
📍 Maria Modes, Macclesfield, Cheshire
📅 Friday 26th – Sunday 28th June
Opening Hours
Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Appointments are highly recommended and can be booked via our website.
Whether you’re hoping to find one of our lucky sixpences or simply searching for the dress you’ve been dreaming about, we’d love to welcome you to Maria Modes.
Sample sale weekends are always busy, emotional and incredibly special. We can’t wait to meet this year’s brides and help you find the one.
