I’m getting married! Now what? Truly Engaged is a new blog series written by Rachel, our *newly engaged* staff writer. As she wades her way through the wedding planning process, she’ll be sharing some of the emotions, inspiration, and insight she uncovers along the way.

A bride may have found her true love, but she is still out there in the world searching, dreaming, and waiting for “the one”….or, in other words: the perfect wedding dress.

Well, at least that is how we all see it in movies, right?

In truth, I’ve always secretly feared wedding dress shopping. To me, it feels a little bit like speed dating–if, of course, your date was a dress and was being carefully watched/judged by 3-5 close friends or family members.

Lately I’ve been looking into a modern, untraditional idea: buying a pre-owned wedding dress online.

There are a few reasons I’m intrigued by this idea:

• I like the “history/story” behind vintage or used clothing
• I love finding great deals on good designers (just snagged a neon floral Rachel Roy party dress for $25 at a consignment shop!)
• I’m trying to be more eco-friendly with my clothing choices
• I want to save money to use toward adding some cultural, DIY flair to my dress

Fortunately, there are a handful of websites out there that allow past and future brides to sell and buy pre-owned wedding dresses–perhaps because of the tough economy and the rising trend of vintage/antique fashion.

To help me narrow my shopping focus, I’ve created a list of dress priorities:

• Flattering fit/size (I’m barely five feet tall, but I’m also curvy)
• Simple silhouette that can be easily altered/adjusted (to add some DIY flair)
• Good quality fabric, beadwork, etc.(can’t look “cheap” up close)

However, since this is such a big wedding decision, I’ve been asking myself: Should I buy a pre-owned wedding dress? Is it the right choice for me?

To help me decide, I crafted my own list of pros and cons to buying a pre-owned wedding dress:

Pre-Owned Wedding Dress: Pros

Good Condition: Although not “brand new”, pre-owned dresses are typically only worn a few times, and by only one bride (unlike sample dresses, which could have been worn by many different brides).

High Quality, Low Cost: There are a few designers whose style/quality I really like, but unfortunately, their prices are outside my budget. However, pre-owned designer dresses are often sold at 40, 50, even 75% off the original price.

Ability to Splurge on Other Details: By spending less money on the dress itself, I can transfer those savings toward other details that are important to me–such as incorporating aspects of an Indian saree into my gown (my fiance is Indian Jamaican).

Promoting “Green” While Wearing White: I’m trying to be more eco-conscious with my clothing, and buying a pre-owned dress would allow me to reduce my own waste by reusing someone else’s dress. Plus, after my wedding, I can recycle the dress further by donating it or re-purposing it into a summer or cocktail dress. The dress gets to enjoy a long life filled with lots of love (now that’s a fashion trend I can definitely follow!).

Pre-Owned Wedding Dress: Cons

Blind Shopping/Buying: It’s definitely a risk to invest in a dress that I haven’t even seen or tried on–not only because of the fit, but also because of the quality/condition. However, some sellers do accept returns (knowing that brides are more likely to buy if they have the option to return), and I could narrow my purchase choices to returnable dresses only.

Pre-altered: Chances are that the bride had it altered to fit her individual body, which makes it hard to know the true size/fit, despite the dress and street size listed. However, many brides post pictures of them wearing the gown, which helps me see if her body type is similar to mine.

No “Brand New” Sparkle: The simple truth is this: the dress isn’t new. It’s already been purchased and worn. For something so personal and intimate as a wedding dress, buying it “used” might not feel as special and unique. And like many brides, I do want to feel special and unique on my wedding day.

So, there they are: my pros and cons to buying a pre-owned wedding dress. I’m still making my final decision, but this list has really helped me see the bigger picture to make an informed decision. Maybe you can use this list as a starting point to create your own pro/con wedding dress list.

Are you a bride who bought or sold a pre-owned wedding dress? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the experience!

Rachel for MagnetStreet Weddings

This week and last, MagnetStreet employees took off early to head out to Feed My Starving Children {FMSC}- a Minnesota-based non-profit organization that, through the help of volunteers, packages food and ships it to starving children all around the world! If you’ve volunteered with FMSC before, then you know how incredibly humbling and gratifying this experience is.

I tell you this- not because of how awesome I think MagnetStreet is for caring {although I totally do} I tell you this because FMSC also has a fantastic marketplace. So, for couples looking for charitable wedding favor donation ideas or gift ideas that are eco-friendly, sustainable and help fulfill desperate global needs- you don’t have to look any further!  From coffee and clothing, to home décor and jewelry … check out the marketplace at FMSC.

Here are two handmade ideas that I saw in the marketplace and fell in love with:

Hand-embroidered note cards- made by women in Haiti. These cards are so beautiful and reasonably priced!

Jewelry made from recycled magazines Ugandan women cut recycled magazines into strips and roll them into beads. So colorful, fun, durable and unique!

Don’t let the hairnets scare you! Check out FMSC to learn more about everything from donating to volunteering to partnerships and more.

What do you think about these charitable wedding favor ideas?

Did you know that there is a different rate for mailing 3.5×5 postcards? Did you know that it’s cheaper than the rate for mailing 1 oz. envelopes? Now … did you know that MagnetStreet Weddings offers 3.5×5 RSVP Postcards to coordinate with every wedding invitation suite? Now that’s sweet!

As of 5/24/11, postage for a 3.5×5 postcard is at a rate of .29/stamp. Mailing a 1oz. envelope is .44/stamp

Let’s do the math … 150 guests x .29/postcard = $43.50 while 150 guests x .44/with standard 1oz. envelope = $66.00.  I’d say that is significant savings, wouldn’t you? Cheaper for you. Better for the environment to boot!

Makes cents to me.

You can have fun with and get your postage personalized or choose from these fine options from your good ole’ United States Post Office. The postcard herb stamps in the middle are pretty for spring and summer weddings!

Classic Love RSVP postcard is pictured above or see all the RSVP postcards in the gallery.

Got some more calculating to do? Here is a USPS postage calculator to help you figure out your costs.

Happy Savings!

Sustainable. Recyclable. Organic. Simplicity. Green. Ethical. In honor of Earth Day this Friday, here are some doable ideas to having a more earth friendly wedding! Remember, small changes can have a HUGE impact!

Your Dress: Borrow. Rent. Reuse. -Wear an heirloom gown {and update the look}. -Buy a gown that is made from natural and washable fabric. {See below for resources.}

Your Ring: {egads, I haven’t been the same since I saw Blood Diamond} -Make sure you know your diamonds are ethical! Read This interview to ensure you don’t buy a conflict diamond. -Many brides are also choosing semi-precious stones rather than diamonds. -On a non-sparkly note, my friend and her husband tattooed wedding rings on their fingers.

Ceremony & Reception: -Stay close to home and use local vendors. -If possible, keep the ceremony and reception on the same property. -Minimize electricity by choosing a venue with lots of natural light.

Food & Drink: Stay local. Stay seasonal. -Choose a caterer who is experienced and knowledgeable in preparing organic meals. -Use recyclable napkins. -Put out pitchers of water rather than bottles. -Have recycling containers on site. -Ask the caterer to use a compost container for veggie scraps, coffee grounds etc. {Local gardeners would be happy to pick it up.}

Decor: -Nature provides great props so use as much of the natural surroundings as possible. -Use the decor of your venues.  -Light soy candles {burns cleaner} for ambiance. -DIY.

Flowers: -Stay local and stay in season. -Grow your own. -Buy in bulk and DIY bouquets and boutonnieres. -Upcycle or recycle the ceremony and reception flowers to a local nursing home or shelter. Flower alternatives: opt for fabric flowers, button bouquets, feathers, or heirloom brooches… -Get creative with your centerpieces: books, games, plants, herbs, fruit.

Invitations: Choose environmentally friendly paper. By the way, MagnetStreet Weddings Letterpress invitations are printed on 100% cotton paper and our linen paper wedding invitation suites are FSC Certified {Forest Stewardship Council}!

Favors: Pick your fave charity and donate in lieu of wedding favors. Give “plantable” favors like seed packets.

What ideas do you have? Let’s grow these lists.

4 earth-friendly sites worthy of your attention:

Recycled Bride- a free marketplace where members recycle everything from designer gowns to table decor, etc.

Something Green – a green guide for the modern hostess

Dream Green Wedding Blog- inspiring ideas to make your dream green wedding come true!

Green is Sexy- about the tiny changes, that make a BIG impact

Bride$hare- a social networking site  to help brides share wedding-related resources and goods.

Featured in the above board: Letterpress wedding invitation Royal Elements