Over 600 thrifty brides say YES to the dress at Vinnies’ Bridal Expo

With the cost of living rising and the average Australian wedding now costing $36,000, more couples are seeking ways to cut costs while still having their dream day. One growing trend? Thrifty brides turning to Vinnies for stunning wedding attire at a fraction of the price.

Not wanting to pay premium prices for a dress designed for a single wear, brides from Sydney and beyond flocked to Vinnies Waverley for a Bridal Expo with a difference. With over 700 wedding dresses available—some brand new, others pre-loved—the event gave brides a unique opportunity to find their perfect gown while supporting a great cause. 

With some dresses starting as low as $50, there was something for every style and budget. Everything was priced under $300 regardless of the original price point. The variety of dresses on offer included a garment that had once retailed for as much as $8,000, and designer labels like Camilla & Marc and Mia Solano among the incredible finds.

The excitement surrounding the expo was undeniable and the event drew immense media attention. Two Sydney TV news crews and a major newspaper covered the opening weekend, helping to spread the word far and wide. The result was a record-breaking turnout with an estimated one thousand eager shoppers queuing outside the store on the first day—many waiting in the rain for hours. Some were so determined to be first in line that they slept in their cars overnight, while others flew in from Melbourne and the Gold Coast or made long drives from Canberra and Newcastle to get there.

At the shop, the atmosphere was electric. The line of shoppers waiting outside were brimming with positive energy, and they cheered each time someone exited the store with a purchase in hand. Once inside, future brides eagerly sifted through racks of gowns with everything from elegant vintage pieces to brand-new designer dresses that had not yet travelled down the aisle.

Demand was so high that on the first day alone, over 70% of the available dresses had been sold. The event resulted in Vinnies Waverley recording its biggest sales day ever, making history as the highest-grossing single day for any Vinnies shop in NSW.

In total, 623 wedding dresses were sold over the course of the week. Curiously, bridal gowns accounted for only 65% of total sales from the expo, with bridesmaids dresses, shoes, jewellery and menswear making up the remainder. The funds raised from Bridal Expo sales are reinvested into the community, supporting people experiencing disadvantage or those doing it tough in the current cost of living crisis.

Followers of Vinnies Shops NSW on social media showed an increased interest in donations of bridalwear after the event wrapped up, with past brides reaching out to ask how they could donate their pre-loved gowns.

Many wedding dresses end up stored away, gathering dust in the back of a wardrobe or packed into a box, never to be worn again. By donating a gown to Vinnies, past brides have the chance to make someone else’s big day truly special—another bride might be absolutely stoked to wear that very dress.

The 2025 Vinnies Bridal Expo proved that there is a thriving market for second-hand wedding dresses, and the chance to browse through a large selection of gowns in one central location is something that budget-savvy brides just couldn’t pass up. It also showed that finding a stunning dress at an affordable price is entirely possible—all while making a positive impact on the community.