Wesley Chapel Goodwill staging wedding gown gala

Some people camp overnight for concert tickets.

Officials at Goodwill Industries-Suncoast have learned that brides-to-be will exhibit similar behavior when they offer bargains on designer wedding gowns.

At 6 a.m. Saturday, doors at Goodwill's superstore in Wesley Chapel will open to future brides in search of discounted gowns donated by Tampa Bay area bridal shops.

Chris Ward, marketing manager at Goodwill, said outside lights will be on all night, as shoppers are known for camping outside in their zeal to find the right dress.

"They're out there in lawn chairs and surrounding the store," Ward said. "It's a preoccupation brides get where you can't think of anything else. A designer gown at these prices is definitely worth getting up very early in the morning."

The Wesley Chapel superstore, which opened in February is on the north side of State Road 56 at Willow Oak Drive, just east of Interstate 75.

Goodwill is conducting a wedding gown gala at its Oldsmar superstore at 3929 Tampa Road on Friday; doors open at 6 a.m.

Refreshments at both stores will be provided by Publix. There also will be music and prize drawings.
Brides-to-be can select from a total of 350 new gowns that were donated by A. Roseman Bridal Party in Largo; Athena's Bridal Boutique in Clearwater; CC's Boutique in St. Petersburg; Diana's Bridal in Tampa; Formal Source in Tampa; Olga's Bridal & Boutique in Tampa; and Stella's Bridal & Formal Wear, Tampa.

The dresses are worth $500 to $1,250, but will be available at Goodwill for $90 to $300. Proceeds from the wedding gowns will help fund Goodwill's services for people with disabilities.

The gowns are in a variety of sizes and feature elaborate beadwork and trains. Many of them are brand-names and designer labels including Demetrios, Justin Alexander, Private Label by G, and La Sposa.

Besides wedding gowns, shoppers can browse bridesmaid dresses, bridal shoes, wedding accessories, attendant gifts and jewelry.

Ward said the wedding gown gala started four years ago when CC's Boutique donated a couple hundred overstocked gowns.

"We decided to have a special event to invite brides in to give them a special atmosphere and buy these dresses at really, really good prices," she said. "After the first year, we thought it was so great we asked other salons to donate and they have."