Frequently Asked Questions
For everyone:
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, for everything. We do wedding gown shopping, accessory shopping AND consignment drop offs all by appointment only to ensure that brides have the best experience possible and to make consignment as painless as possible. To shop any of our merchandise, book the relevant appointment here. Consignment drop offs are only booked after a qualifying gown has been approved, so start by submitting our consignment form here! Thank you!
Where do i park?
You can park on the street which is metered or in the lots notated on the map, one located on Espy past the church lot and one on Glenmore Avenue off of Potomac. There is also a lot on West Liberty which is walkable. Meter Feeder is the accepted app at all meters and lots in Dormont.
For shopping brides :
How can I shop with you?
Hi! You can book your gown appointment here. When you book an appointment, you’ll fill out an intake form with key information about what you’re looking for in a gown and where you are in the shopping process. In some cases, I may reach out beforehand to communicate about my inventory levels in your size and budget. Currently you may bring up to 4 guests.
are all your gowns used?
I have 300+ gowns in a mix of new with tags, worn once, and samples from boutiques across the country. They are priced competitively at 15-60% off retail. Secondhand is far from second best, and part of shopping sustainably is reducing the need for new items, so together we can make an impact on the resource intensive process of making a wedding gown. After all, a gorgeous, expensive, well made garment like a wedding gown deserves more time to shine than one wedding can give it!
what’s the lead time?
You can take it home same day, my friend. All of our gowns are off the rack and final sale.
how expensive are your gowns?
The gowns range in price from $500-$3000, with the majority between $800- $1800. The prices are based on discounts to the retail price of the gown. You can check out what examples of gowns are available in your price range by clicking on the relevant category in our online shop! If you have any specific budget concerns, send me an email and I am happy to talk with you!
Do you have a storefront?
Yes! We are located in Dormont in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, at 1445 Potomac Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. We are by appointment only, so please do not just drop by to browse, but please DO make an appointment! We would love to meet you!
ok i am really excited how do I keep up to date!
Follow us on instagram and sign up for our emails below! I promise I won’t spam you! But I am definitely going to use too many exclamation points, I just can’t help it.
For consigners:
do you buy gowns?
No! We take gowns on consignment!
what is consignment?
Consignment is the action of placing an item you own for future sale through an intermediate sales person, in this case, Bridal Maven! You consign your gown with us and we will try to sell it for six months, at which point you may take it back or we can donate it for you. For accessories, you receive 40% of the sale price. For gowns, you will receive 50% of the sale price.
why should I consign my gown?
There are many great reasons to sell your wedding dress! Why should such a beautiful gown only be worn once? Consignment is environmentally friendly, gives new life to a gown whose sole purpose is to make a bride feel radiant, AND helps you recoup some of your wedding investment. Is it doing you any good in your closet?
What items are you currently accepting?
We are accepting wedding gowns, veils, bridal jewelry, shoes, and little white dresses or reception dresses. We are no longer accepting bridesmaids and mothers gowns.
how do you set the gown prices?
Pricing is a conversation we will have based on the gown’s condition, age, original purchase price, and style. We will not sell your gown for a price you don’t agree with! But a good rule of thumb is that anything once worn will be priced at a minimum of 20-30% off of the retail, with the discount increasing with the age of the style.
how much will I make?
Wedding gowns are on a 50/50 split, payable at the end of the month in which your gown was sold. Should your item sell, you can expect to recoup 20-45% of the retail price of the gown, depending on age. The sooner you consign, the higher the price of your dress! You will net 40% on all accessory sales.
do I have to be in Pittsburgh to consign?
No! We happily accept items via mail after we come to terms on your item. Please message us!
What are the qualification criteria for wedding gowns?
We accept gowns that are
under 3 years old
originally sold for $1000-$5,000
new or dry cleaned
in excellent condition
how much is it?
Once accepted for consignment, there is a non-refundable consignment fee of $40 that enables us to process your gowns and get them out on the sales floor in a timely fashion and display them for up to six months.
what about this other item I have ?
We do not currently accept bridesmaids, mothers, homecoming dresses, prom dresses, or men’s tuxedos.
We are happy to chat further if you have more questions about the process or you want to discuss the criteria!
Qualify your gown here!
Need more clarification? Email us!