Sabrina Covington is now a wife, but just last year she was a fiancée looking for her dream dress.
“Of course, every girl wants that amazing, beautiful dress because it’s your one special day, but I couldn’t afford it,” Covington explained.
According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 10,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2022, the average wedding dress cost in 2023 was about $2,000.
Lucky for Sabrina, she scored a dress retailing for more than $3000, for just $500 at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale.
“I feel like that dress was made for me and it was just perfect,” Covington shared.
Despite having never tried on any wedding dresses, Sabrina at least knew what style of dress she was looking for, and that helped her and her entourage find her wedding gown.
Covington learned about the sale through her mom, who saw an ad on social media just over a week before the event. With her “I do” crew in tow, they traveled an hour from Mockville, North Carolina to Charlotte.
“Everything was so nice, even in line, you got snacks. You had food. You had music. Everyone was excited,” Covington added.
Although Goodwill is not a bridal boutique, the nonprofit works to make the event feel special for brides.
“I think it was also like the fact that you get to share a dressing room with other brides that are going through the same thing as you. So, it’s kind of fun getting to share that experience, and then at the same time, having your main people there,” she said.
Brides who attend this year’s event can expect flower walls with props to take photos, refreshments, shared dressing rooms and even giveaways.
While brides save money for the big day, they also are doing good for the community. Sales from the Bridal Pop-Up event help to support Goodwill’s mission of providing tuition-free job training and career services to community members in the Charlotte region.
“I’m happy I can give back in some way, and I gave back to me at the same time,” Covington said when learning her purchase helped Goodwill support people in the Charlotte region.
For brides who plan to attend this year’s event, Covington has a few suggestions for you. She says, “Make sure the girls you bring with you know your style.”
The bridal sale returns for its sixth annual event Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte. Bridal gowns will be priced from $99 – $499, and select designer dresses that are new with the original tags still on will be priced up to $999. Special occasion, prom, and bridesmaid dresses will be priced $49 each, or 3 for $100. Shoes will start at $9.99. For more information, click here.
HELLO, 2025
Happy New Year! Whether you want to tackle fitness goals, start a wellness journey, or simply embrace comfy casual vibes in 2025, you can shop your local Goodwill for activewear and athleisure that supports your goals – whatever they may be! Plus, you can feel good about your purchases because they do good for our community! That’s because the revenue we generate from selling donated items in our stores funds tuition-free career training programs, job search support and more – all of which we offer completely free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year, including our own team members.
AFFORDABLE STYLE
SPOTTED IN STORES
