Wedding gowns can carry hefty price tags that may keep you from selecting a truly distinctive frock. In 2021, the average wedding dress cost about $1,800, and the dress of your dreams can run anywhere from $500 to $4,000 (and sometimes much more, depending on customization and luxury).
Thankfully, there are numerous online marketplaces offering gorgeous secondhand gowns for the big day — without the steep price. Here are nine spots to find affordable used wedding dresses online.
9 Places to Buy a Used Wedding Dress Online
Below are nine marketplaces worth exploring:
- Stillwhite
- PreownedWeddingDresses.com
- Once Wed
- Queenly
- BravoBride
- Loved Twice Bridal
- Borrowing Magnolia
- Poshmark
- Tradesy
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is one of the online platforms where sellers can list their previously worn wedding gowns for a modest listing charge. Shoppers can browse dresses from labels like Pronovias or Stella York and find listings marked down to as low as $50.
The site enables direct messaging with sellers to discuss price, measurements and other specifics. If a seller lives nearby, you can arrange an in-person viewing (but remember to stay safe when meeting strangers).
Buyers who pay via PayPal, which is built into the platform, have protection up to $20,000 per item, including shipping, if the dress arrives in a condition different from the listing photos. Typically, buyers cover shipping costs.
PreownedWeddingDresses.com
PreownedWeddingDresses.com launched in 2004 to provide brides and their attendants with more wallet-friendly options. You can filter by location, designer, style or size. PayPal is integrated, offering purchase protection up to $20,000, similar to Stillwhite. Shipping is usually paid by the buyer, though this can be negotiated.
Sellers set their own return policies, and some list items as final sale. If a dress arrives with problems and buyer-seller talks don’t resolve it, PayPal’s purchase protection can be used.
Once Wed
If a daring backless style or a plunging neckline appeals to you, Once Wed is a great destination. Browse gowns organized by designer, such as Kitty Chen or Enaura, or hunt the best bargains, sometimes 70%-95% off retail.
Buyers can message sellers, arrange the sale terms directly and pay via the site’s integrated PayPal, which includes purchase protection up to $20,000.
Queenly
Queenly is a newer player that sells both preowned bridal gowns and formalwear. Instead of a one-time listing fee, Queenly charges a 20% commission as a service fee.
Items priced over $500 are first sent to Queenly’s HQ for a quality inspection. Queenly’s refund policy is limited — refunds are issued only if their inspection missed damage. In such cases, buyers must report issues within 24 hours of delivery. Positively, Queenly covers the shipping!
BravoBride
Unlike many wedding-dress marketplaces, BravoBride lets you sort by price, size or popularity rather than just designer or silhouette.
BravoBride is not only for brides seeking a gown; it’s also useful for finding shoes, accessories and other ceremony items. The free-to-use site doesn’t heavily manage transactions — it suggests payment methods like PayPal or Google Checkout, but those payments occur outside the platform.
Loved Twice Bridal
Loved Twice Bridal operates as a curated boutique both online and in-store. The company handles much of the selling process for consignors, offering to “house, list, market and advise” on items and charging sellers a 40%-50% consignment fee.
For buyers, this means dresses are inspected and photographed professionally. Shoppers receive tailored guidance through a virtual appointment (or in-person in Los Angeles).
If you find a dress you adore, you can pay $60 (plus shipping) to try it on at home; this fee is applied toward the purchase if you buy. You can also pay $150 (plus shipping) to have three gowns delivered to try on. If nothing works out, return them within three days of delivery.
Borrowing Magnolia
Borrowing Magnolia enables you to filter searches by sleeve, train, neckline, fabric, silhouette and other features that shape your ideal gown. Sellers pay a flat listing fee. Buyers contact sellers through the site’s messaging and can pay via integrated PayPal. Shipping is typically covered by the buyer, and the site permits returns within five days of delivery.
Poshmark
Poshmark is a widely used resale platform for secondhand clothing and other items, making it a solid place to hunt for designer wedding gowns. There’s a dedicated wedding dresses section where you can filter by size, brand, color and condition.
Buying on Poshmark is simple: choose the item and pay with one of its accepted payment methods like credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Venmo. If an item doesn’t ship or arrives not as described, buyers are entitled to a full refund, provided you report the issue within three days of receipt.
Tradesy
Tradesy is a marketplace for various secondhand goods, not solely bridal wear. You can search by vibe — casual, vintage or sultry — or by preferred designer, year or price point.
When you locate your ideal gown, pay online with a credit card or via Affirm. Sellers handle shipping. Many wedding listings on Tradesy are listed as final sale, so returns aren’t accepted unless the item is misrepresented. If it arrives differently than advertised, contact Tradesy within four days.
Should You Consider Buying a Used Wedding Dress Online?
Your wedding already comes with many expenses — the venue, stationery, bridesmaid outfits and perhaps a planner. You likely don’t want to shell out a small fortune for a gown you’ll wear just once. That’s what makes a preowned wedding dress an appealing choice.
About 70% of preloved wedding dresses are priced at $1,000 or less, and only around 10% of used designer gowns sell for over $2,500, according to secondhand bridal resource Borrowing Magnolia. You can often find a stunning dress for a fraction of the new price — though be prepared to invest some time searching.
What to Expect When Buying a Preowned Wedding Dress
When shopping for a secondhand wedding gown, keep several key points in mind. Buying such an important item sight unseen can be nerve-wracking, but reputable marketplaces usually provide buyer protections that make transactions smoother. Check whether returns are allowed, whether you can securely message the seller before purchasing and who is responsible for shipping costs.
Now for the enjoyable part: hunting for the dress itself.
Start by picturing your perfect gown. Do you want intricate beading or a minimalist look? Long sleeves or strapless? Are you aiming for a specific designer like Vera Wang or Maggie Sottero? Having clear preferences will narrow down your options quickly.
Most bridal resale sites let you filter by style or fit — cap sleeves, tea length, A-line, etc. — as well as by designer, so you’ll get results tailored to your taste. And consider wedding dress rental if trying on multiple styles is part of your plan.
When it comes to sizing, pay attention to measurements and generally search for a size that’s larger than your current measurements. It’s much simpler to reduce a too-large gown than to enlarge one that’s too small. Vintage sizing and previously altered dresses often won’t match modern sizing charts directly.
Always assess the dress’s condition and ask the seller about any flaws. Ideally, you’ll find a gown that’s been worn once and professionally cleaned. If it’s not been dry-cleaned or shows visible wear, that could be a reason to ask for a discount or to continue searching.
Writer Maria Hollis is a contributor to Savinly, frequently covering topics related to selling and buying goods online. Her work has also appeared in fashion and lifestyle outlets.
