“The designer is obviously something that would have most likely been unattainable for me otherwise. And so, whoever out there donated their Claire Pettibone dress to Goodwill, I am so grateful because it looked like it had never been worn. It was in perfect condition, and it was perfect for me.”
When Cameron Davis Bordley walked into Goodwill’s annual Bridal Pop-Up in 2024, she wasn’t chasing a specific silhouette, designer or trend. In fact, she arrived with almost no expectations at all.
“I didn’t know what kind of dress I wanted,” she said. “I thought I wanted sleeves – and obviously didn’t go with that. The only thing I really knew was my venue.”
With a full year before her wedding and no pressure to make a quick decision, Cameron approached the sale with curiosity more than urgency. She invited her friend Susan on a whim after seeing the event on social media.
“I love a good deal,” she laughed. “I sent Susan the link and said, ‘Want to go with me and just check it out?’”
Cameron admits she expected chaos – something like the iconic “Friends” episode where Monica battles other brides at a sample sale.
“It was the exact opposite,” she said. “Everyone was so positive. In the dressing room, women were cheering each other on – ‘That looks so good on you!’ ‘That’s perfect!’ It was such a supportive environment.”
While Goodwill is not a bridal boutique, the nonprofit works to make the event feel special for brides.
She and Susan arrived about 15 minutes before doors opened, joining a line filled with excited brides. A DJ played music, the Goodwill team handed out snacks and coffee, and the line moved quickly.
“Even standing in line was enjoyable,” she said. “Everyone was in a good mood.”
According to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 17,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2024, the average wedding dress cost was about $2,000.
Inside, Cameron’s eyes widened at the sheer number of gowns.
“There were so many dresses – way more than I expected. You just go row by row and see what catches your eye.”
Cameron found a gown designed by Claire Pettibone, a luxury designer known for ethereal, romantic dresses – and for price tags far beyond most budgets.
“She only has her flagship in L.A.,” Cameron said. “On the East Coast, I would’ve had to go to Atlanta or New York just to be fitted for one of her dresses.”
“She doesn’t post retail prices,” Cameron said, “but… it’s expensive.”
At the Bridal Pop-Up, Cameron paid just $300.
“It looked like it had never been worn,” she said. “It was perfect for me.”
While brides save money for the big day, they also are doing good for the community. Sales from the Bridal Pop-Up event help support Goodwill’s mission of providing tuition-free job training and career services to people in the Charlotte region.
Cameron knew she wanted to feel beautiful on her wedding day – but she also knew she didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a dress.
The Bridal Pop-Up gave her the chance to have both: a dress that felt like a dream without the financial stress.
Cameron married her husband on May 31, 2025, in a garden ceremony in Wilmington – the exact setting she had envisioned when she picked up her gown. She wants to shout out her photographer, Jaclyn Nolin, and her event planner, Ashlyn Burke Events, who helped make her day all she dreamed of.
The bridal sale returns for its seventh annual event on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, 5301 Wilkinson Blvd. in west Charlotte. Most bridal gowns will be priced from $99 to $499, and select designer dresses that are new with original tags will be priced up to $999. Special occasion, prom and bridesmaid dresses will be priced at $49 each, or three for $100. Shoes will start at $9.99.
Check out Cameron’s top four tips for brides shopping this year’s sale here.
